By Doyice Cotten and Mary B. Cotten
On a recent visit to Peru, we noted some situations that would have benefitted from a good risk management program and, happily, a number of instances where good risk management practices were used.
In Lima, or more accurately, its suburb Miraflores, we saw surprising few real hazards. The area was clean and relatively safe. Photos 1 through 3 include some hazards found while walking on one of its busy sidewalks. The first shows wire surrounding plants within the sidewalk area – a real tripping hazard. Photo 2 shows a tree leaning over the sidewalk creating a splendid opportunity to crack a head and Photo 3 shows a trash receptacle protruding into the path of those walking down the sidewalk providing for likely collisions.
However, we found more good than bad. Photo 4 shows a workman working high above the sidewalk on a scaffold. The scaffold seems well constructed and, even more important, if you look closely, you will see that he is wearing a safety harness to protect against fall. A trash collector is pictured in Photo 5. Note the protective clothing, gloves, and mask. Photo 6 shows a well-marked wheelchair access ramp.
On a Saturday morning, there was a special activity event that included bicycling, skateboarding, badminton and more on the streets surrounding the park (see Photos 7, 8, and 9). All traffic was blocked off and there was a major police presence.
A playground on a major downtown park had more pluses than minuses. The playground was covered with Astroturf, had a hedge and fence surrounding the area, and had only one entrance/exit. Photos 10, 11, and 12 show pieces of equipment in use and Photo 13 shows piece of out-of-order equipment that is clearly marked as not in use. In fact, there was only a minimal evidence of misuse of equipment. In Photo 14 a youngster is going up the slide rather than down and in Photo 15 the merry-go-round is going pretty fast (note the girl’s hair being blown out), but it did not seem to be going overly fast.
So, all in all, I thing we would have to give Miraflores an A in risk management.
