Setting Adequate Safety Management - Case Study Example

Development of a Safety Case Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation Table of Contents 1.Introduction 2 1.2 The Objective of the Safety Case 3 2.Description of the Facility 3 2.1Corridors 4 2.2Recreation Areas 5 2.3Games Room 5 2.4External Communication Facilities and Computer Rooms 6 2.5 Relevant standards 6 3.HAZID (Hazard Identification) Risks 7 3.1 Extreme weather 7 3.2 Physical Conditions 7 3.3 Deterioration of the FPSO structure due to corrosion 8 3.4 Climate Changes 8 3.5 Loss of key management personnel 8 1HAZOP (Hazard and Operability) 9 4.1 Gas and Oil Leaks 9 4.2 Computer Breakdown in the Facility 9 4.3 Explosion in the Compression plant 10 4.4 Helicopter Crash on Takeoff or Landing 10 4.5 Supply Vessels Colliding with a Structure 10 2Risk Assessment Process 10 5.1 Quantitative Approach 10 5.1.1 Explosion in the Compression plant 11 5.1.2 Supply Vessels Colliding with a Structure 11 5.1.3 Helicopter Crash on Takeoff or Landing 12 5.1.4 Gas and Oil leaks 12 5.2 Qualitative approach 13 3Summary 13 4.References 15 1. Introduction A Safety Case is the act of setting the adequate safety management in an operation by tabling prevention procedures as well as strategies for reducing the effects of major risks involved in the operation process[Ben151]. It also means the computation done by management in which possible risks that may arise in the course of operation can be determined, and possible procedures needed to avert them is taken. 1.2 The Objective of the Safety Case The main objective of the safety case is to ensure that risks are kept as low reasonably practicable so that the operations in the shipping industry do not come to a halt, and people and nature are protected. It also promotes responsibility for occupational health and safety, structural integrity of the facilities, related equipment, environmental management and the day- to -day operations of the offshore petroleum facilities in coastal waters as well as in the Commonwealth waters. 2. Description of the Facility The safety case is majorly applicable to the vessels and the structures undertaking construction, operations production, installation, maintenance and decommissioning activities associated with offshore facilities in the Common Wealth waters. The major facilities that form part of this industry are; Pipes lay barges and construction vessels Accommodation vessel or the hotels Mobile offshore drilling units that comprise of the semi- submersible drilling rigs, jack-up drilling rigs Fixed permanently manned, normally unmanned production, intermittently manned and processing platforms with drilling capability Accommodation vessels facilities majorly concern the living part of the offshore facilities. It comprises of the Cinema rooms, Games rooms, Sleeping cabins, TV lounge, coffee bar, temporary accommodation, corridors computer rooms prayer room kiosks, phone booths recreation rooms mess and even library. The main objective of the accommodation is to ensure that there is adequate quality place that people can have a good sleep and also there is a nice physical environment on the person's ability to enjoy the place they are working. Therefore, it's important to have a good layout design that promotes the safety of personnel. The layout for recreational areas should be designed in a manner that they promote interactions and communications among the people on board. Moreover, the design and layout of accommodation should also ensure the needs for personal privacy are considered. This comprises of the ablutions, auditory and visual privacy for rest and external and internal private communication equipment. More importantly, the designs should be able to address the safety and efficiency of routine and non-routine maintenance of areas, cleaning, replacement and equipment of services. The management must make consideration that includes safe access to the facilities, material handling requirements and working postures. The design should also adopt a logical and consistent approach to layout, items, labeling, operations of the equipment and signage. 2.1 Corridors The objective of having corridors is to provide access to and from all usable areas of the accommodation in normal, emergency, and abnormal conditions. This requires that rooms that are located on the same level should be directly interconnected by corridors that are joined vertically by staircases or lifts. The corridors should link directly to designated internally and external escape routes. The designers should ensure that the dead end corridors should be avoided and should be less than five meters in the length. The corridors that are frequently used or those that only two people can pass comfortably should have a minimum of 1200mm with clear width and minimum 2300mm clear height. The equipment in corridors should be recessed so that it does not obstruct access or agree nor pose a knock hazard to personnel. The distance between the seating side of a table and the nearest obstruction should be sufficient to allow for personnel movement. 2.2 Recreation Areas The recreation areas should be designed such that they are grouped and located immediately adjacent to the dining areas and arranged so that a logical flow of the facilities is established between the reaction and the dining room[Mea14]. The designer must acknowledge that the interconnecting doors and glazed partitioning are used where appropriately so as to promote social interaction with the organization and reduce isolation especially in the time of low manning. Furnishings, finishes and fittings should be aesthetically attractive, easy to clean and durable. More so, corridors that are linked to the dining room, shops, cinema, tea rooms and stairway should be designed in the manner that promote free circulation and avoid congestion. 2.3 Games Room When available, the rooms should be positioned in a reasonable proximity to other communal recreational areas. However, a lot of care must be taken so that suitability of its location is achieved. The facility that must be provided includes a pool table, tennis table, and the dartboard. Also, the proximity to refreshment and restrooms must also be taken into consideration. 2.4 External Communication Facilities and Computer Rooms With modern civilization, people will feel isolated when they are not able to communicate and socialize with the external world. Therefore, adequate provision of communication facilities for private use by personnel on board should be taken into consideration. The designer must also consider that the constructions promote privacy while communicating. The communication facilities should entail computer rooms, computer, and access to the internet, webcams, acoustic booths, phone booths or hoods that offer visual and acoustic privacy. Some of these phones should be located in other areas such as recreational and communal so as to increase their accessibility. 2.5 Relevant standards The regulations do not table acceptance noise level within offshore accommodation areas. It is recommended that noise level for various areas of occupancy in the vessel and mobile offshore platform should be at a level that does not cause disturbances to the neighboring regions. For the mobile facilities, the noise level is recommended for the classification of the object. The maximum allowable noise level specified in some guideline may be higher than what is considered to be good practice. While the minimum standards for the classification purposes have not achieved the quality goals. 3. HAZID (Hazard Identification) Risks Hazard identification is a technique for early detecting of a potential hazard and threats to provide inputs to project development decision. It leads to a safer and more-cost-effective design with fewer chances of later design changes and cost penalties. HAZID mainly deals with the identification of the risks which arises from the environment and the firm has little control over them. This risk includes; I. Extreme weather II. Physical conditions III. Deterioration of the FPSO structure due to corrosion IV. Loss of key management personnel V. Climate changes 3.1 Extreme weather The extreme weather is risk that occurs when there is unusual and unseasonal weather condition. For instance, the occurrences of Hurricane may cause a lot of damages to the facility operation. Therefore, the management needs to plan for such risks in advance. Furthermore, the occurrences of thunderstorms and even dust storms that may cause breakages in the facilities are also examples of the risks which the organization has to plan on how to mitigate their effects in case of their occurrences. 3.2 Physical Conditions The risks that are associated with physical conditions include emissions of bad air during the drilling process. This risk majorly affects the staffs of the facility that continuously carry out the day to day operations. The dispensing of fuels and the amounts of Carbone monoxide, nitrogen oxides and other particulates from blasting activities and the dust from the drilled soil, grading and excavating, all this pose health problem to the workers. 3.3 Deterioration of the FPSO structure due to corrosion Corrosion is a naturally occurring electrochemical process. The corrosion of the major parts of the machines such automobile engines usually lower the efficiency of the facility to carry out its works properly. 3.4 Climate Changes Climate changes are one of the risks that affect the operations of many facilities. This is because the climate change brings with it myriads of risks such as the formation of mists which hinders the aircraft movements. It may also cause poor visibility in the air as well as in the sea, therefore, making the transportation of the automobiles much difficult. Therefore, the facility management has to prepare adequately to curb the risks brought by climate changes. 3.5 Loss of key management personnel Death is a natural thing that may occur at any time. However, untimely deaths of a management personal that may be caused by drowning in water or hailing harmful gas are very unfortunate. Hence, the operation management has to come up with various ways of preventing the loss of lives in the organization. 1 HAZOP (Hazard and Operability) The risks that are found under this type of document are intrinsic since they are associated with the day- to -operations of the facility. This risk includes; Mechanical, electrical or structural failure of the primary process equipment Gas and oil leaks Computer breakdown Explosion in the Compression plant Helicopter crash on take offer landing Supply vessels colliding with structure Mechanical, electrical or structural failure of the primary process equipment The breakdown and failures of primary machines which the organization depends on can occur at any time without prior notice by the management. For instance, a driller can have a breakdown hence causing the stoppage in the mining department. Again, an offloading ship may fail to work forcing the operations of the organization to be at halt. 4.1 Gas and Oil Leaks Leakages may occur due to a poor storage facility or due to extreme temperature. When gas or oil leaks, the organization stands a bigger risk of suffering from fire outbreak. This is because many a time’s oils and gasses are very flammable, and a slight source of heat may lead to close down of the facility due to fire outbreak. 4.2 Computer Breakdown in the Facility The organization's computer may suddenly have a breakdown, and this may result in the lack of monitoring of the operations in various facilities' subunits. Again the computer breakdown in the organization may cause lack of communication with pilots and other sailors hence bringing confusion and poor coordination in the organization. 4.3 Explosion in the Compression plant Another risk that may occur in the organization is the explosion in the compression plant. This risk may occur when compression chambers are overheated, or reactive gasses accidentally mixed resulting in fire outbreak. 4.4 Helicopter Crash on Takeoff or Landing The crashing of the helicopter on takeoff or when landing may be caused by some reasons, such as, when there is bad weather or when the landing space is small, and there are many obstacles that my hit the helicopter. More so the helicopter may also crash as a result of laziness of the pilot or his or her incompetency. 4.5 Supply Vessels Colliding with a Structure Accidents such as supply vessels colliding with a structure in the facility have been experienced in many firms. This may occurs as a results of careless of the operator or loss of control by the operator or worse still the machines may be having poor breaks hence making it hard for the driver to stop it from causing the accidents 2 Risk Assessment Process Risk assessment process deals with the organization and classification of risks. The risks are classified into Quantitative risks and qualitative risks. 5.1 Quantitative Approach This approach to risks assessment is based on exacts numerical value. In other words, it deals with risks that their variables have values, and the organization can determine the value of the resource in either monetary units or probability expressed as a specific percentage. Moreover, the approach also prioritizes risks by financial impacts, for instance, assets are prioritized by financial values. The vulnerability, impacts and threats of the risk in the event of its occurrence are displayed as an exposure factor. This factor symbolizes the percentage of loss of a resource value in case of the occurrence. Among the risks listed above the following are classified as the quantitative risk. 5.1.1 Explosion in the Compression plant This risk falls under quantitative risks because in the event of its occurrences the organization wills loss in term of monetary values. The organization is capable of finding how much they have lost as a result of the explosion in the compression chamber. Moreover, the management can also estimate in percentage the amount of wealth they have lost as a result of this risk. The risk affects the environment by the fact that the explosion leads to the burning of the surrounding and emission of fumes which pollutes the air[Mea15]. This risk can be overcome by constant monitoring the heat level of the compression plant and replacing the worn out parts so as to prevent explosions. 5.1.2 Supply Vessels Colliding with a Structure This type of risk also falls under the quantitative risk. This because in the event of it happening the firm will lose monetary value that was contained in the vessel. For instance, when the vessel was carrying oil or gas at the time of the accident the organization will lose the oil which when sold will generate money and at the same time losing the vessel which had to be repaired or the management has to buy a new one. All these are measured in terms of money, therefore, making it a quantitative risk. This risk can be overcome by making sure that the machines in the organization are well serviced, and the operators are also well experienced. 5.1.3 Helicopter Crash on Takeoff or Landing The third examples of a quantitative risk are when helicopter crash on takeoff or when landing. The value of the crashed and damaged helicopter can be found in monetary and as a percentage. Again, the loss the organization undergoes can only be determined by getting the monetary value of what has been damaged[Mea14]. This risk will affect both the human who may get injured in the accident. Again, this risk also affects the environment that gets destroyed as the helicopter crashes down. The damage done by the helicopter to the environment can be quantified by getting the percentage of the environment which has been affected. This risk can be prevented by employing experienced and qualified professionals to fly the machine. Also, it can be prevented by providing correct weather focus that will enable the pilots to know exactly the type of weather they are expecting before they fly. 5.1.4 Gas and Oil leaks The risks of the gas or oil leaking are classified as a quantitative risk. This is because the effects of the accident are felt by both a human being and the environment. In the event that this risk occurs, the organization will lose the oil which when sold is converted to money. Furthermore, the spilling of oil affects the environment since it blocks the micro tubules in the soil and also the stomata in plants hence suffocating the plants[Ben151]. The percentage of the effects of the risk can be obtained hence graduating it as quantitative. This risk can be overcome by the organization using stronger storage facilities which does not allow the gas and oil to leak. 5.2 Qualitative approach This approach does not use an absolute variable, but instead it qualitatively evaluates the impacts of each variable on the risk. For instance, Loss of key management personnel cannot be quantified in terms of money rather it easier to understand that it is a natural phenomenon that can happen to anyone. However, untimely death can be prevented by implementing strict safety measures in the firm. Again, the other qualitative risks include climate change, Extreme weather, environmental loading and deterioration of the FPSO structure due to corrosion. All this risks affects the environment and human being in different ways. However, they cannot be prevented but the organization must devise ways of mitigating their effects. The risks that need to follow up actions; an explosion in the Compression plant and the oil or gas leaks. To adequately manage the explosion in the compression plant, the organization must constantly and regularly change the worn out parts of the plant so that plant cannot be overcome by high heating. More so, the management must regulate the about of heat which the plant can hold thus prevent its explosion[Ben151]. On the other hand, oil or gas leak can only be prevented by proper storage and transport facility that cannot allow the leakages to occur. This can be done by provision of good tankers and warehouses which are well equipped with storage facilities that prevent leakages. 3 Summary There are certain risks which pose a lot of threats to the personnel, health safety and environments. Moreover they also brought the fear of destabilizing the operation of the facility as a whole. These risks included explosion in the compression plant, oil and gas leaks, computer break down, supply vessel colliding with a structure and helicopter crashing when taking off or when landing. The figure below shows the quantity risk: Figure 1: Quantity Risk 4. References Ben151: , (Bennear, 2015), Mea14: , (Meacham, 2014), Mea15: , (Meacham, 2015), Read More