Process Safety Engineering: Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessment - Assignment Example

RОСЕSS SАFЕTY: НАZАRD АNАLYSIS АND RISK АSSЕSSMЕNT Name University Course Tutor Date РRОСЕSS SАFЕTY: НАZАRD АNАLYSIS АND RISK АSSЕSSMЕNT Question 1 a) Performance-based regulation is pre-determined on grounds that regulation ought to focus on the realization of regulatory goals and leave it to the entities that have been regulated to determine the best ways of achieving them. This approach has a wide use, on a global scale, in the regulation of fire, air and water, and building safety; consumer product safety; transportation safety; worker safety; and energy utilization safety (Behn, 2001). Notably, the approach has a wide use in the LPG industry as illustrated by the case of the UK Company which is shifting from the use of fuel oil to LPG. Example: in the UK company case, in the case of emergence, a tanker driver can push a button to close valves on assumption that this goal will be realized within two minutes. Advantages: Specifies performance standards Does not deliberately constrain on achievement of compliance It is more consistent with innovation Disadvantages Assumes that specified regulation goals will be realized It is costly Measure of compliance:Compliance can be determined on grounds of whether the regulated entities have achieved the goals of regulation (Behn, 2001). On the other hand, in the LPG industry, prescriptive regulation gives definition of how activities ought to be undertaken. Ideally, this approach has clear emphasis on a familiar degree of risk mitigation over cost management or innovation. Example: in the LPG industry, this approach will define the techniques and materials to be used in risk mitigation (Behn, 2001). For instance, in the UK-based company has provided regulation for LPG filling which is inclusive of 15 steps. Advantages It is specific on techniques and materials to be used in the course of regulation It is more cost effective than performance-based regulation Disadvantages This method of regulation has been found not to be consistent with innovation implying that it cannot be useful in the highly innovative global industry. Measure of Compliance:In this case, compliance can be determined on grounds whether the provided techniques have been followed using the suggested materials (Behn, 2001). b) Individual risk refers to the annual risk of serious injury or death which has been exposed to specific individuals. This type of risk can be presented by the fact that, in the UK-based company, in the event of unloading the road tankers, drivers stand by the side of their vehicle, while aware of the involved risk. Individual risk measures are of much essence considering that the risk of serious injuries or death exposed on third party individuals ought not to exceed 1 in 10,000 in any year. Individual risk measures are also important as at times risks exposed on individuals could result to a high number of casualties, for example, in the event of a train crash. Individual risk measures can be used in a project with an objective of minimizing the number of casualties that could result from a certain risky situation. The use of these measures is subject to the estimation of individual risk expressed as the average expected frequency of occurrence and the likely consequences (Behn, 2001). Societal risk refers to the risk of death or serious injury exposed to a vast population of people normally as a result of catastrophic incidents. In the case of the UK-based company, this type of risk can be presented in the case of accidents occurring at the LPG storage and filling site, and affecting the people living in the nearest residential house. Societal risk measures are of much essence considering that most of these incidents tend to be spontaneous (Bardach and Robert, 1982). It is worth noting that societies tend to ignore the likelihood of occurrence of these incidents. This is because the incidents tend to be rare thus making it difficult to determine the tolerability limits that can be applied in the events of societal risk. Societal risk measures can be applied in a project via the estimation of the societal risk associated with an incident (Bardach and Robert, 1982). It is expressed as the relationship between a catastrophic incident’s probability of occurrence and consequences. The risk control project can analyze the number of casualties associated with certain dangerous events at a hypothetical hazardous zone, on an annual basis. For example in the UK-based company, a risk project can pre-determine the number of casualties, among the people living in the nearest residential house, likely to result from a fire accident in the LPG filling and storage site. c) Abbreviated as ALARP, As Low As Reasonably Practicable is among the fundamental principles of risk management. Ideally, risk cannot be eliminated since this would call for a situation, whereby, the costs are more than the benefits. ALARP concept, therefore, explains a point where routine procedures can be used to manage risk. Ideally, this concept explains a situation in which risk level is tolerable and it is not possible to reduce it further, without the use of more resources than the benefits (Bardach and Robert, 1982). ALARP can be illustrated by the use of the ALARP triangle: A-Intolerable Region: this region has no justification of risks except in extraordinary situations B&C-ALARP region: tolerable only if risk reduction is impracticable or in the event where the losses are not proportional with the gained improvement As the level of risk tends towards the region marked C, the situation is tolerable if losses of reduction are more than the improvement gained D-Broadly acceptable Region: this is a low risk region, where by, detailed ALARP is of no need but necessary to ascertain that the risk is maintained at this level. ALARP is characteristic of four principal factors Values are its main drivers Significant analysis is essential in the course of determining how to enter the range of ALARP Risk management benchmarking is essential in telling if risk management movement is in following the course of ALARP or not Perfect ALARP does not exist implying that ALARP is all about trade-offs Risks can be shown to be ALARP if people are readily accept them relatively unconsciously. For instance, in the day to day life the risk of being pick-pocketed is perceived to be so low that individuals do not have to carry cash in hidden belts or in separate pockets (Bardach and Robert, 1982). Risks can also be shown to be ALARP if their management is subject to procedures that were taught a bit earlier. For instance, people tend to cross roads using the procedures that were learnt in childhood. In addition, risks are shown to be ALARP if the costs of their management are far much lower than the benefits. This can be illustrated by the developed and documentation of risk management rules in a production company, whereby, the rules are merely made available to employees via the use of common notice boards. Question 2 a) The proposal on the use of the LPG storage bullet as a standard design with proven standards can be illustrated by a number of studies. An example of these studies is one on occupational safety & Health Administration carried out by the US department of labor (Black and Robert, 2010). Description:This study referred to the safe transportation and storage of liquefied petroleum gas. According to this study, the LPG storage bullet has met the approval of systems and equipment. In this case each system ought to be characteristic of connectors, valves, containers, regulators, and valve assemblies of an approved type. In addition, all cylinders ought to meet specification identification requirements of the Department of Transportation (Chinander, Paul, and Howard, 1998). Considering that the UK-based company is set to adopt the use of LPG, this study will equip all personnel with the necessary safety measures regarding transportation and storage of LPG. Regulatory Requirements:With respect to this study there is need of regulatory requirements in order to ensure that the systems have met the standard requirements, and to ensure that the system has all the components specified by the standard requirements (Chinander, Paul, and Howard, 1998). There is also the requirement of studies on guidelines for good safety practices in the LP Gas Industry. Description:The development of these guidelines is subject to the World LP Gas Association; they have the primary objective of providing stakeholders of the global LP Gas Industry with tool to make sure that the customer of the industry and the market do not come under the compromise of unsafe practices. The guidelines have met the identification of the principal identification of the LP Gas industry stakeholders; in addition they give a description of the stakeholders’ responsibilities in ensuring a safe environment in the industry. The guidelines point out at such stakeholders as appliance providers, LP Gas equipment providers, installers, marketers, Gas suppliers, associations and authorities, and the consumer (Chinander, Paul, and Howard, 1998). Regulatory Requirements:There are a number of regulatory requirements with respect to this study: There ought to be control on the frequent transfer and large quantities in the course of transportation and storage of LP Gas. Planning regulations ought to take into account of the potential risk, the consequences associated with the risk, and the likelihood of occurrence of the risk. There ought to be regulation with the objective of ensuring that the manufacturing and the installation of equipment and appliances has met the appropriate standards. Benefits of the studies:These studies are essential considering the high risk associated with the LP Gas industry. Ideally, LP Gas refers to a potentially risky product throughout its entire cycle in the market; from its production to its consumption. Indeed, the products of its combustion are also hazardous if not well disposed. It is worth noting that the safety associated with LP Gas results from comprehensive knowledge on the behavior of the product and the procedures of keeping it under control. This explains why the studies are essential considering that they outline the behavior of the product and the ideal ways of keeping it under control (Coglianese, 2003). b, i, How to carry out the HAZID The study will begin with familiarization of the background documentation A pre-meeting to come up with the plan of the workshop-this has the objective of identifying the strategy of the HAZID, the system division, and the identification of guide words HAZID review accomplishment Documentation of observations Draft report-this will be reviewed by the client Final HAZID report (Coglianese, 2003) ii, Preparations Collection of documentation and team composition Contacting all participants to inform them of the study Definition of checklist Stimulation of HAZID session System and sub-system definition iii, Participants Operation and plant managers, key supervisors, Key HSE Functions, project managers, the tanker drivers, tank loaders, people in the nearest residential place (Coglianese, 2003) iv, guide words Hazardous ALARP LP Gas Inflammable Emergence Risk management Fire Safety Accident Prevention v, to be recorded The risk associated with the intended storage equipment of LP Gas in the company The risk associated with the intended transportation mechanisms of LP Gas to the company Risks associated with loading and offloading of the tankers Risks associated with such personal behavior as smoking within the company premises c) This project is aimed at the use of LP Gas as the production fuel in the company. It is worth noting that LP Gas is associated with combustion wastes that can be harmful to the environment and human life. Propane Tank recycling is thus recommendable for the output in order to minimize wastage and risk to human health and the environment (Coglianese, 2003). d) Meaning of QRA: QRA is an abbreviation for quantitative risk assessment referring to a principal tool normally used in the management of safety. In the LP Gas industry, QRA is applied in the entire design, development, operation, and decommissioning of all activities related to the industry. In the contemporary industry, QRA comes alongside QRA software with the capability of providing quantitative estimates of risks. Benefits:QRA analysis is of much essence in this project as it provides insights into the nature of the facility and under management, in this case being LP Gas storage and usage. It is also essential in giving insight to the design of defense against the possible risks, understanding any constraints associated with the operation of LP Gas storage and transportation systems, alongside other issues that need further investigation. Question 3 a) Scenarios that could lead to LPG release Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapour Explosion BLEVE), this occurs in case the escaping liquid gas expands rapidly and if ignited at or near the source of release, burns at a very high rate. Unconfined Vapour Cloud Explosion UVCE), it occurs if a cloud of LPG, leaked from the tanker without ignition is ignited at a later timeat a source at a considerable distance from therelease point. Flash fire. it’s a smaller form of UVCE whichinvolves less gas and energy output Jet fires are ignition of LPGescaping from a facility or tanker due to faulty fracture of fittings used e.g. pipelines valves etc or leakages due to flange weep. Pool fires are caused by ignition of the liquid phase if don’t immediately drain away. Cold Catastrophic Failure: (CCF) it describes sudden failure of the tanker caused by factors such asmetal fatigue and fracture causing overfilling resulting to excess pressure build-up hence weakening of the vessel Negligent action by operators or tanker drivers not following steps or tanker driver fails to responds to fire alarm. Poor maintenance such wear and tear and corrosion of springs can cause leakages. b) Fault Tree c) Event tree-LPG release form horse rapture e d) Risk from hose rapture=Horse rapture value/Personnel in the loading bay value Given that Horse rapture value=0.001; and Personnel in the loading bay value=0.0001; then Horse rapture value/personnel in the loading bay value =0.001/0.0001=10 per filling operation Risk of Horse rapture to the nearest residential area =value of horse rapture/value of risk to the nearest residential area Given that Horse rapture=0.001; and Nearest residential area=10; then =0.001/10 =0.0001 per filling operation e) Societal risk =occurrence likelihood/consequences Hose rapture/(flash fires+bleve) 0.001/(50+8) =0.001/58 =1.724*10-5 per filling operation f) In the assumption that, horse raptures are the main causes of risk, individual risk to personnel loading the storage vessel and the people in the nearest residential area can be said to be ALARP. This is because these accidents are likely to cause minimum fatalities and serious injuries. In addition, the likelihood of occurrence of the accidents is also low. A number of recommendations can be made to reduce the accidents cause by horse rapture. For instance, the inspection of the equipment should be regular rather than the current frequency of once per year. In addition, the company ought to ensure that the horse pipes purchased are of the standards recommended by bodies regulating the LP Gas Industry to avoid the use of horses made of frail material. Personnel at the loading bay ought to be trained on the regulation of pumping pressure to ensure that excess pressure is not used. These recommendations are effective in that: regular inspection of hoses will be able to identify horses that have weak points thus the possibility of raptures; the use of standard material will ensure durability; the use of appropriate level of pressure will ensure that horses do not burst as a result of excessive pressure. References Bardach, E and Robert A. 1982. Going by the Book, the Problem of Regulatory Unreasonableness, Philadelphia: Temple University Press. Behn, R. 2001), Rethinking Democratic Accountability, Washington, DC: Brookings Institution Press. Black, J. and Robert B. 2010, Really responsive risk-based regulation, Law and Policy, 32 (3), 183-213. Chinander, PR., Paul R., and Howard C.1998, ‗Compliance strategies and regulatory effectiveness of performance-based regulation of chemical accident risks,‘Risk Analysis, 18 (2), 135-143. Coglianese, C and D 2003, ‗Management-based regulation: Prescribing private management to achieve public goals,‘Law and Society Review, 37 (4), 691-730. Coglianese, C., Jennifer, N., and Todd O. 2003, ‗Performance-based regulation: Prospects and limitations in health, safety, and environmental protection, Administrative Law Review, 55 (4), 705-728. Read More