The Objectives of the Safety Case - Research Paper Example

Safety Case Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation Table of Contents 1.Introduction 2 1.1 The Objectives of the Safety Case 3 2.Description of the Facility 3 2.1 The Cabins or the Sleeping Facility 4 2.2 Sanitary Facilities 5 2.3 Corridors 5 2.4 Accommodation Noise Level 6 3.HAZID (Hazard Identification) Risks 6 4.HAZOP (Hazard and Operability) Risks 8 5.Organization of the Risks 9 5.1 Violent Storm 9 5.2 Heat Waves 9 5.3 Hurricanes 10 5.4 Sand Waves Migration 10 6.Risk Assessment Process 11 6.1 Quantitative Approach 11 6.1.1 Refining Explosion 11 6.1.2 The Blowout and Spills of Oil in the Water 12 6.1.3 The Crane Dropping on a Deck Lift 12 6.1.4 Electrical Failure 12 6.2 Quantitative Risk Assessment 13 6.3 Risks that Need Follow-up 13 7.Summary 14 References 15 1. Introduction Safety case is a well-structured and organized document produced by the operator of the facility that is supported by evidences which are intended to justify that a system or a facility is acceptably safe for a given application or in a specific operating environment. Again, it means; the processes and procedures of identifying and evaluating possible risks which the facility is likely to suffer during their operations and looking for possible control measures to mitigate and prevent the impacts of these risks[Ben12]. 1.1 The Objectives of the Safety Case The major aims of the safety case are to reduce the risks from major accidents hazards to the health, environment and safety of the workforce employed in the offshore operations and the connected activities. Also, safety case is purposed to present a clear, comprehensive and defensible argument supported by calculation and procedures that a system or installation will be acceptably safe through its lifetime. 2. Description of the Facility This safety case is intended to clearly and comprehensively discuss the Rubicon Vantage FSO facility. The Rubicon Vantage is a double-hull FSO facility that is owned by the Rubicon Vantage International Pte Ltd[Cam76]. This facility began its operation in Thailand in 2008. The vessel is two hundred and eight point six meters in overall length, and it has a storage capacity of 597206 barrels and it can accommodate up to forty people[Ben12]. This facility is supplied by the Equatorial Services Pte Ltd. It has a hull that is moored to the seabed by six mooring chain legs that are guided via a rotating chain stopper connected to the high capacity power anchors. Atonable is located on top of the hull to be able to accommodate FSO mooring hawser and floating hose. Appropriately- designed dual- Path Swivel unit enables the transfer of fluids from vessel rotation. The fluids are transferred from the Calm buoy to the FSO through floating hoses that are protected by the Marine breakaway couplings[Gri12]. The technology allows safe mooring of the vessel while allowing the transfer of crude oil and water during weather-vanning of the FSO. Moreover, this facility is a storage and offloading unit which is floating vessel by the offshore oil and gas industry for the production and processing of the hydrocarbons. And the storage of the oil. The facilities of this organization include mobile offshore drilling Unit, which also comprise of the submersible drilling, drilling ship, and jack-up drilling. Also, this organization also consists of the floating storage and offloading vessels, floating storage, and offloading vessels. The main area where high safety measure should be considered in this organization includes; The cabins Sanitary facilities Corridors Mess room Recreation Area Accommodation noise level 2.1 The Cabins or the Sleeping Facility The safety measures considered when building the cabin includes considering the cabin doors, their storage capacity, cabin size, and occupancy. To begin with, the cabin doors should have a clear opening of minimum 1980 high and 660 mm wide. It should also be capable of being operated by a single person from either side when there is darkness or light[Bur131]. However, the opening should also be in assize that is foreseeable in all operational circumstances that may be greater than the minimum stated here. In the consideration of storage capacity, the cabin should have sufficient storage space for the occupants bags, clothes, personal and valuable item safely kept in the lockable storage space. The storage provision should also consider the needs to minimize the things that are required so that people can enter in the other rooms while others are sleeping. Also, when designing the cabin size, the management should ensure that the size of the cabin should be based on the facilities provided and adequate free circulation space for occupants. It is required that the net internal cabin area that excludes the entrance lobby, lockers, desks bathroom and bunks, for a single and two-berth cabins should have a measurement of less than four-meter square[Eme88]. 2.2 Sanitary Facilities The safety measures regarding the sanitary facilities ensure that the organization offers the provisions of unsuited bathroom facilities which is preferred and considered the norm for the design of new intermittently-manned and normally manned facilities. It is very crucial because in the case where the existing facilities of the bathroom do not reasonably and effectively becomes inaccessible to sanitary facilities the occupant becomes uncomfortable hence making the environment unsafe for them to work in. 2.3 Corridors Corridors should be constructed in such that they provide adequate access and space to and from all usable areas of the facility in a more effective way. The designer should ensure that the rooms that are located on the same level should be joined by corridors that connect them vertically by the staircases. Corridors should link directly to designated internal and external escapes routes. Also, corners that lead to nowhere should be avoided or should be five meters in length if they have to be provided. The frequently used corridors must be designed such that it meets the safety standards. These corridors require lighting and clearance so that the identified activities that are taking place are well monitored. Again, when designing the recreation areas, the designer should know that these areas should be grouped or should be located just adjacent to the mess room. It will establish a logical flow between the recreation facilities and the dining room. Also, the doors that interconnect these two sections should be appropriate to promote interactions between people and also to reduce the isolation of people. The corridors that are connecting these two places should be in a manner that they allow free circulation of air. 2.4 Accommodation Noise Level The average noise level should be experienced when the machines or when the company is operating. However, during the night the noise level should be at a minimum level so that it does not disturb people when sleeping. The overall noise level may come from the external sources such as process plant, helicopters and even the noises from within the accommodation region. Therefore, employing noise safety principles would help guide the lives of the workers of the organizations. 3. HAZID (Hazard Identification) Risks HAZID risks are the types of risks that affect the facility from outside. This kind of risks usually emerges from the outsides surrounding. The management of the facility, however, have got little and sometimes no power to control their occurrences hence they must devise ways of preventing and mitigating their effects from tampering with the operations of the facility[ACS48]. HAZID risk that affect this facility includes; Hurricane Heatwave Sand wave migration Cold wave Firestorm caused by deadly lighting Violent storms Hurricanes are naturally occurring disasters that can occur at any place around the world. However, they are much felt in the sea, ocean or lake shores than other areas, therefore, making the facility management to prepare adequately for their effects in case of its occurrence. The heat waves are usually prolonged periods of excessively hot weather which is occasionally accompanied by high humidity in the oceanic climate. The sand wave's migration occurs in the oceans, and they may cause a serious damages to the operation of ships and other facilities operating in the water. On the other hand, the firestorm that may be caused by deadly lightning may cause a fire outbreak that may consume the whole organization. Firestorm is both dangerous to human as well as the life of the organization. Lastly, the facility may be faced with the risks of violent storms such as tornadoes. In the event of the tornadoes happening the organization may suffer a bigger loss of its facilities as well as the employees who carry the day to day operations of the organization. 4. HAZOP (Hazard and Operability) Risks HAZOP risks are classified as operability risk. These are risks that cause actual losses, incurred for inadequate or failed internal process, system or people. Therefore, HAZOP risk is intrinsic to the operational processes of the facility. They may include; Electrical failure Refining explosion Blowout and spills of oil in water Failure of installation communication system Crane dropping on the deck lift. Loss of water on the fire-fighting system. Electrical failure may occur as a result of poor installation or break down hence requiring adequate preparation by the organization to prevent any losses that may be incurred by such risks. Again, a refining explosion can be caused by some reasons. Therefore, the facility management has to device way of curbing the risk. Blowout and spill of oil in water affects both the environment as well as the organization. This risk may occur as a result of poor transportation vessels or leakages. Failure of the installation of the communication may affect the whole operations of the organization hence leading to a bigger loss. In the event of the organization suffering from the risks such as the craned dropping on the deck lift, the facility experiences an emergency risk that must be sorted first before anything happens. This is because people's movement will be interrupted hence causing commotions and panic in the organization. The loss of water in the firefighting areas can be as a result of lack of monitor of the department by respective managers or by poor management in the organization. 5. Organization of the Risks In the organization of the risk, I will use the Quantitative and Semi-quantitative approaches so as to get the levels of each risk. To begin with, semi-quantitative approach deals with the risks whose impacts can be computed in money values while others their impacts cannot be found in monetary value and they are mostly natural events. Therefore, semi- quantitative risk, in this case, comprises of, Violent storms Sand wave migration Heatwave Cold wave Hurricane Violent storms 5.1 Violent Storm Violent storms impose a very big risk to human, business as well as the environment. An example of the violent storms is the tornadoes. Tornadoes always result from the bad and huge storms. They are accompanied by violently rotating columns of air that are moving at a speed of one hundred mph and can reach three hundred Mph. The strongest tornadoes are cable of carrying and sweeping the whole estate leaving every place with water. Consequently, many lives are lost, and properties are destroyed. This risk affects the environment as many animals habitats are swept away and also the animals killed in the process. The organization can avert this risk by locating at a place that are not prone to such risks. 5.2 Heat Waves Heat waves are extreme heat event that are experienced in the oceans and other water bodies. This risk leads to deaths of many people in case it happens. This is because extreme heat damages the human body cells hence resulting in deaths of metabolism process and finally causes the demise of the human being. Again, excess heat causes the deaths of the plants. Deaths of plants mean that every living organism in the environment will die since plants are the main source of food. Furthermore, in the occurrence of this risk, the organization will incur a huge loss since the flammable gas and oils may blow up causing fire break out leading to loss of the properties. To adequately prevent these risks, the organization should equip their facilities with insulators that can absorb heat hence preventing the heats from reaching people and other properties[Soc12]. 5.3 Hurricanes Hurricanes are risks that cause mass destruction of places. The main health effects of Hurricane is the sweeping of people by the dust and flood and all types of microorganism that cause various diseases. Again, this risk causes the destructions of building, machines and other properties such refining facilities hence leading to property loss. More so, it also leads to the destructions of the environment as it sweeps the animals and their habitats way. To prevent this risk, the organization should ensure that all emergency supplies and equipment are always ready and accessible. In the event of its occurrence, the management must shut the main gas valves, turn off all noncritical equipment and disconnect electricity. Most important, they should locate their operational base in areas that are less prone hurricanes. 5.4 Sand Waves Migration Sand waves migration usually occurs in shallow seas with tides largely impacting their migration. This risk has adverse effects on the turbine cables that are installed in the sand. When Sands migrate they expose the cable that were buried in the crests on the oceans flow. This may lead to deaths of operator especially when the cables carries electricity, and there is tear due to the movement caused by the sands. The water will be electrified hence shocking the operators. Again, this may lead to the deaths of aquatic animals thus affecting the environment. The migration will also cause the company to buy and install new turbines and the cables. To avert this risk, the organization needs to plan to bury their cables deeply such that they are not affected by these risks. 6. Risk Assessment Process 6.1 Quantitative Approach These are risks which when occurring they directly lead to the loss of monetary value. Hence, they can be quantified in terms of percentages and money. They include; 6.1.1 Refining Explosion The explosion of the refining chamber may cause deaths of the employees as well as the destructions of the property. The chamber may be consumed to the ground hence making the organization to build a new one thus incurring expenses. In the cause of burning, the fire would kill and drive away organism as well as consuming their habitat hence affecting the environment. To prevent the risk from happening, the organization should use equipment that can hold high temperatures so that they do not burst. 6.1.2 The Blowout and Spills of Oil in the Water Oil spilling on water is detrimental to both the environment and people. This is because, the oil will suffocate the aquatic animals thus causing their deaths while the human being will lack clean water for their usage. The organization will suffer the loss of the oil hence monetary loss as the oil was intended to be sold and get the money. The organization can prevent this loss by using strong transportation vessel that does not leak. 6.1.3 The Crane Dropping on a Deck Lift This risk is very dangerous since it can lead to the deaths of many employees as it will get them unaware. Again, whatever was carried in the crane may spill thus dirtying the environment and even killing the small organisms. The risks will lead to the destruction of the offices and the transportation machine; crane, hence making the organization to lose their assets and repair the lifts. The risk can be prevented by the use of qualified operators and well-serviced machines. 6.1.4 Electrical Failure Electrical failure may result in loss of lives. For instance, those workers who work in the room which have low temperatures and the workers fully depend on the electricity for warm and light. Deep down in the drilling holes they may not be able to come out when there is the power failure. The risk also may cause poor communication in the firm since most of the communication gadgets are powered by the electricity thus leading to poor communication. To overcome the effects of this risk, the organization should have an alternative to the electricity. 6.2 Quantitative Risk Assessment The quantitative risk assessment can be summarized as shown in the figure below: Figure 1: Quantitative Risk Assessment 6.3 Risks that Need Follow-up The explosion of the refining chamber and the blowout and spill of oil in the water needed a lot of follow ups. For the explosion of the refining chamber, the organization must search for the standardized equipment that will be able to hold higher temperature without explosions. Again, the organization also must use a well-serviced transportation vessels that do not leak. All these risk require regular checkup of the equipment so as to prevent any upcoming risks[Soc12]. 7. Summary For the facility to operate effectively, it must prevent and mitigate the effects of these risk. Risks such as the explosion of refining chamber must be taken keenly as it can lead to the loss of the entire firm. Other risks such as electrical failure, crane dropping on a deck lift, hurricane, heat wave, and even violent storms must always be taken into considerations for effective operations of the organization. References Ben12: , (Benderly, 2012), Cam76: , (Campanella, 1976), Gri12: , (Grimes, Martin, & Phanco, 2012), Bur131: , (Burgess, 2013), Eme88: , (Emerald Group, 1988), ACS48: , (ACS, 1948), Soc12: , (Society of Chemical Industry, 2012), Read More

The main area where high safety measure should be considered in this organization includes; The cabins Sanitary facilities Corridors Mess room Recreation Area Accommodation noise level 2.1 The Cabins or the Sleeping Facility The safety measures considered when building the cabin includes considering the cabin doors, their storage capacity, cabin size, and occupancy. To begin with, the cabin doors should have a clear opening of minimum 1980 high and 660 mm wide. It should also be capable of being operated by a single person from either side when there is darkness or light[Bur131].

However, the opening should also be in assize that is foreseeable in all operational circumstances that may be greater than the minimum stated here. In the consideration of storage capacity, the cabin should have sufficient storage space for the occupants bags, clothes, personal and valuable item safely kept in the lockable storage space. The storage provision should also consider the needs to minimize the things that are required so that people can enter in the other rooms while others are sleeping.

Also, when designing the cabin size, the management should ensure that the size of the cabin should be based on the facilities provided and adequate free circulation space for occupants. It is required that the net internal cabin area that excludes the entrance lobby, lockers, desks bathroom and bunks, for a single and two-berth cabins should have a measurement of less than four-meter square[Eme88]. 2.2 Sanitary Facilities The safety measures regarding the sanitary facilities ensure that the organization offers the provisions of unsuited bathroom facilities which is preferred and considered the norm for the design of new intermittently-manned and normally manned facilities.

It is very crucial because in the case where the existing facilities of the bathroom do not reasonably and effectively becomes inaccessible to sanitary facilities the occupant becomes uncomfortable hence making the environment unsafe for them to work in. 2.3 Corridors Corridors should be constructed in such that they provide adequate access and space to and from all usable areas of the facility in a more effective way. The designer should ensure that the rooms that are located on the same level should be joined by corridors that connect them vertically by the staircases.

Corridors should link directly to designated internal and external escapes routes. Also, corners that lead to nowhere should be avoided or should be five meters in length if they have to be provided. The frequently used corridors must be designed such that it meets the safety standards. These corridors require lighting and clearance so that the identified activities that are taking place are well monitored. Again, when designing the recreation areas, the designer should know that these areas should be grouped or should be located just adjacent to the mess room.

It will establish a logical flow between the recreation facilities and the dining room. Also, the doors that interconnect these two sections should be appropriate to promote interactions between people and also to reduce the isolation of people. The corridors that are connecting these two places should be in a manner that they allow free circulation of air. 2.4 Accommodation Noise Level The average noise level should be experienced when the machines or when the company is operating. However, during the night the noise level should be at a minimum level so that it does not disturb people when sleeping.

The overall noise level may come from the external sources such as process plant, helicopters and even the noises from within the accommodation region. Therefore, employing noise safety principles would help guide the lives of the workers of the organizations. 3. HAZID (Hazard Identification) Risks HAZID risks are the types of risks that affect the facility from outside. This kind of risks usually emerges from the outsides surrounding. The management of the facility, however, have got little and sometimes no power to control their occurrences hence they must devise ways of preventing and mitigating their effects from tampering with the operations of the facility[ACS48].

Read More