Safety, Fire and Environmental Management - Essay Example

Safety, Fire and Environmental Management (Insert Name) (Institution Affiliation) The safety regulations require that risks involved in handling dangerous flammable substances be critically assessed and reduced or completely eliminated. All organizations are expected to abide by these regulations and ensure that their employees and property are protected from the risk of explosion and fire. It is always the organizational responsibility to ensure that effective risk assessment is conducted and proper measures are taken before any work involving flammable or substances that are suspected to be flammable is commenced (Robert, 2003). The departmental heads should take full responsibility in ensuring flammable liquids and the storage units are handled with care and according to the national safety and fire regulation act. The major purpose of the assessment of risk is to empower the organization with the ability to decide on the proper measures and precautions to be taken in order to reduce or eliminate the safety risks posed by dangerous substances such as nitro toluene which is highly flammable and its vapours are known to cause dizziness and drowsiness when inhaled in substantial amounts. The term dangerous substance is not restricted to toluene alone but also includes all preparation or substances that pose potential harm to people or employees from explosions or fire resulting from its properties, usage or the way it is stored (Quitiere, 2006). Good examples include but not limited to: petrol, jet fuel, solvents, LPG, gasoline, paints and dusts that are explosive when they come into contact with the atmospheric air. The key organizational responsibilities in ensuring safety are: Proper assessment of the risks posed by dangerous substances. Provision of proper measures of eliminating those risks or reducing them to a reasonable level which can be practically achieved without restraining the resources. Availing safety information and proper training to its employees. Providing the right equipment and proper guidelines of dealing with emergencies and accidents whenever they occur. Restrict access to places with dangerous substances to authorized staff who have the knowledge and capabilities of handling the properly Prohibit smoking in zones with flammable liquids of gases. Acquire adequate fire - fighting equipment and keep them in strategic positions and in good working conditions. Design, construct and maintain the work places and dangerous substance storage units in order to minimize risks. Provide expert scientific and technical advice on the disposal of the waste. Obtain resources and required administrative support to ensure smooth running of the cleaning operation. Furthermore, all organizations have a legal obligation to fully comply with the Dangerous Substance and explosive Atmospheres Regulations act (DSEAR) of 2002 in order for them to protect and ensure the safety of its employees and other people who might be facing the risk of exposure to dangerous substances that are likely to cause explosions or fire in the places of work (Crown, 2002). The DSEAR replaces most of the initial legislations and regulations regarding to the control and use of explosives and flammable substances. The risk assessment is thus an important tool when it comes to identification and close examination of flammable liquids or vapours and other dangerous substances in a work place (Quitiere, 2006). Great caution must be taken when it comes to work activities which involve these substances or their residues and the way in which the work activities poses danger to workers should be critically accessed. A proposition by an operator to clean the nitro – toluene storage tank without sending a sample of the sludge for analysis or testing the atmosphere inside the storage vessel for flammable vapour was one of the most dangerous moves which could lead to fire or a dangerous explosion. Since the tank was used for storage of flammable liquid, it was highly likely that the gases inside the vessel, though stable under standard temperature and pressure, could be unstable and result into fire if subjected to a higher temperature or a spark. Therefore, the concerned authorities need to take the proper measures and ensure samples of the sludge are comprehensively analysed to identify its exact constituents and the effect of heat on the residue and the vapour inside the vessel. After this is done, proper procedures which are in accordance with the area safety regulations should be put into place to clean the vessel. Proper safety management systems should be taken into account during the planning and execution of this activity. Generally, DSEAR usually provides guidelines on the ways to determine the presence of dangerous substances in a given situation or work place. If the preliminary result from the assessor shows that there are no hazards from dangerous substances or they are highly unlikely, the work can commence without further risk assessment (Crown, 2002). However, when dealing with a substance of unknown composition like the sludge in the storage vessel, the following safety management steps should be taken: Step 1 - The substance should be checked if it is classified under the chemicals regulations as: oxidizing, extremely flammable, explosive, flammable or highly flammable. When the substance is found to be in any of these categories, then it is a dangerous substance and safety datasheets and precautions must be employed while it is being used at work. The Toluene tech MSDS indicates that it is highly flammable and hence it should be treated as a dangerous substance together with its residue. Step 2 – the chemical and physical properties of the sludge and vapour in the tank should be assessed. Also the work processes involved should also be assessed in order to determine whether it would pose a potential hazard or create an explosion, fire or a similar harmful energy releasing event. The thermal properties of the sludge should also be closely examined. This is because some substances which are not classified as flammable such as diesel oil and tar when subjected to high temperatures, they experience a change in their physical properties thus presenting a risk of fire. Step 3- the work activity should be checked to see if it involves in any way handling or creation of potentially explosive or combustive substances. Elimination of dangerous substances is the best solution and should be considered in the first place. This involves substitution a dangerous substance with a process or substance that completely avoids the risks of fire hazards. However, this is not always possible since the often the properties that lends a substance usable in a given process or activity are the same ones that make it dangerous. Great care must be taken while executing these steps to ensure there are no surprises or new health and safety hazards are created. Adequate mitigation measures should also be put in place to take care of incidences that might occur during the work process (Crown, 2002). These mitigation measures include: Means of preventing explosions and fire from spreading to other parts. Reducing the number of workers who are exposed to a potential hazard. Provision of proper equipment that can suppress or contain fire or explosion if it happens. Minimize or avoid releases. Control releases at the source. Reduce the quantity of dangerous substance where possible. Prevent or find ways of neutralizing an explosive atmosphere. Avoid ignition source near or inside the vessel and work place. Collect, contain and move the sludge to a safe place. Avoiding extreme conditions, such as exceeding the temperature limits, which could pose a potential fire hazard. Keep incompatible substances apart; and Provide suitable personal protective clothes and equipment to the people exposed to the risk. The organizations head of safety, health and environment should closely supervise and oversee the fire safety management system and make sure that it is effective and robust. The results of a fire or explosion risk assessment should be an action plan which should identify the appropriate necessary corrective actions in order to ensure the fire management systems meet the requirements of the statutory regulations (Robert, 2003).. In case of any incident, the assessment plan should include methods and means of evacuating workers from the work place, make necessary liaison with the sire fighting agencies and conduct the post incidences legal requirements such as head count and reporting. Also, no staff, visitors, supervisors or contractors should be involved in any unnecessary risks in case of an emergency explosion, evacuation or fire incident. According to the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health act of 2002, exposure to harmful substances can happen through skin contact with the hazardous substance, inhaling, swallowing or eye splashing (Crown, 2002). These substances have adverse effect on human health and can lead to fatal infections such as cancer, dermatitis, asthma and even death in cases where a worker is extremely exposed. It remains the duty of the employer to take full responsibility of their subjects and prevent scenarios where they have to come in direct contact with dangerous substances by providing the necessary protective equipment and processes (Crown, 2002). The act also dictates that an employer shall under no circumstance carry out any work that would lead to exposure of the employees to substances that are hazardous or dangerous to their health unless he or she has: - made comprehensive, suitable and sufficient risk assessment of the planned work to the health of the involved employees and the necessary steps that are needed to meet the requirements of these regulations. To ensure that the risky work performed during the cleaning of the chemical storage tank is not ever done again without proper analysis of the sludge sample, the company must perform a risk assessment (Crown, 2002). The risk assessment should also incorporate the consideration of: The hazardous nature of the substance to be handled. Information regarding to the health effects that the sludge in the tank pose to the workers. The type, level and duration of exposure to the dangerous substance. The amount of substance involved in the entire process. The control and preventive which will be taken in case of any fire incidences. The use of appropriate systems, work processes and engineering controls in handling of the substance to ensure safety of the workers. Training must also be compulsory to the staff that might be at risk which should ensure that they are equipped with necessary information on dangerous substance handling together with instructions and precaution or actions to be take in order to safeguard themselves and people around them. Safety datasheets should also be made available and names of the substances and the risks associated with their use. If the situation deteriorates and combustion is considered highly likely, an emergency protocol must be activated immediately. DSEARS requires that every company or organization put into place procedures to protect the employees from explosion and fire incidents that may occur. The extent and nature of the set procedures should basically be based on the findings of the risk assessment which should be conducted before any potentially hazardous activity is performed (Crown, 2002). This should include: - communication and warning systems that are properly working, strategically placed escape facilities, appropriate personal protective equipment, well laid procedures to be followed by workers and visitors in the event of a fire incident and a practice drill. The emergency procedures should be available to the emergency services and the fire fighters as well. The requirements in DSEAR clearly need to be considered alongside those in Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 and in existing fire safety legislation (Crown, 2002). In the event of a fire incident or upon the activation of smoke alarm, resident staff and workers should evacuate the work area and all regions surrounding the nitro – toluene storage tank. The security staff should help in evacuation but also ensure they are not getting involved in any unnecessary risks. The trained staff can fight fire if it is safe while visitors, workers, contractors, consultants and other people remain in the fire assembly area until everyone is accounted for (Quitiere, 2006). Security staff should ensure no body enters the affected premises until advised otherwise by the fire service. In the event of the smoke alarms activating at odd hours, the Manager or agent, should: Investigate the nature and situation of the fire. If there is a fire or an explosion, he or she should ensure the Fire Brigade has been called. If there is are doubts regarding whether there is a fire situation, the Fire Service should still be called. Ensure the safe evacuation of all workers and contractors from the building. Ensure the Fire Service has been notified and provided with information regarding the incident. Account for all occupants at the assembly area. If required and safe to do, conduct a search for any missing person. Meet the Fire Service and advise them of any information relevant to the emergency. The fire extinguishing media that should be used in case of a fire incident include: foam, carbon dioxide, dry powder or vaporising liquids. The vapours are usually heavier than air and spreads near the ground to sources of ignition. Thus nylon clothing and lab coats should be avoided when performing the cleaning task to eliminate the presence of static charges which might produce sparks which in turn leads to combustion. Furthermore, self-contained breathing apparatus and full personal protective clothing must be worn in case of an explosion or fire incident. Other protective measures that should be observed include: avoiding ignition sources in the work area, switching off electrical devices that are not in use, avoiding flames, heat, static discharge and sparks (Rao & Saluja, 2012). Prohibit smoking near the chemical storage tank and ensure the place or building housing the storage vessel is well ventilated if it is located indoors. Small spillages should be absorbed with inert or thermal stable materials. Toluene Incident Management Toluene vapour according to the safety data sheet is explosive especially when exposed to flame, heat or other ignition sources and it is classified as a highly flammable fluid. There is no doubt that after draining the nitro toluene storage tank, the vapour left behind was very likely to cause an explosion or fire (Rao & Saluja, 2012). When heated to combustion, toluene emits acrid smoke and fumes that cause severe irritation to those exposed. Thus in the event of a fire or explosion incident involving toluene, normal foam or dry powder should be used to contain in and person involved should be equipped with breathing apparatus to avoid inhaling the fumes or direct skin contact. Toluene also causes toxicity when swallowed or inhaled in substantial amount. This has a great impact on health of the individual as it causes irritation to throat, nose and the respiratory track when inhaled. It is also known to cause gastric and oropharyngeal irritation and sometimes vomiting when swallowed. Systemic health features following acute ingestion or inhalation include nausea, drowsiness, headache, vomiting, coma, hallucinations, convulsions, slurred speech as well as myocardial infarction and ventricular fibrillation (Rao & Saluja, 2012). Furthermore, extreme or prolonged dermal exposure causes dryness, irritation necrotic skin burns and erythema. These effects can be avoided by wearing personal protective clothing to safeguard personal health. Toluene and it’s by products also has devastating effects on the environment especially when spilled in large quantities. If possible, the company should avoid any releases to the environment and in case of an accidental release incident involving a substantial amount; the company should inform the environment agency and ensure proper measures are taken. Finally, to ensure total safety throughout the cleaning process, all the standard procedures of dealing with dangerous substances should be observed. Although the might not be a dangerous substance by itself, the atmosphere inside the storage tank might pose a great heath risk (Rao & Saluja, 2012). As a standard procedure, welding, soldering, drilling, cutting or any other hot work should never be performed on the empty storage vessel, piping or container. This is because the ‘empty tank’ is not really empty and might contain traces of flammable vapours which must first be cleared (Rao & Saluja, 2012). It is also of great importance to keep the regions with the materials or their residue clear from other materials that are not fire proof. In conclusion, in order to attain proper Safety, Fire and Environmental Management, engineering methods of controlling hazardous conditions are most preferred. These methods include but not limited to: excellent mechanical ventilation which include proper dilution and local exhaust, personnel or process enclosure, process modification to include substitution of dangerous substances and control of process conditions. Personal protective equipment and administrative control also plays a major role in safety and risk management. Companies should also take responsibility in waste disposal to ensure conservation of environment and protection of the employee health. Proper fire fighting equipment and necessary training must also be made available to all workers dealing with dangerous substances and every organization must fulfil the requirements of DSEAR and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health act. References Crown. (2002), “Statutory Instrument 2002 No. 2776”. The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002. No.2776. accessed from: http://www.legislation.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2002/20022776.htm Crown. (2002). “Health and Safety.” The control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002. No. 2677. Stationary Office Limited. UK Quitiere J.G. (2006), Fundamentals of fire Phenomenon. John Wiley & sons. New York. Rao S. & Prof. Saluja. H.L. (2012). Electrical Safety, Fire Safety Engineering and Safety Management. Jain Book Agency, New Delhi. Robert G. Z. (2003). Industrial Fire Protection Engineering. John Wiley & sons. New York. Read More