Out-of-Service Equipment Pose Invisible Hazards If Not Handled Properly
DES PLAINES, Ill., July 11, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Retiring equipment in the chemical processing industry may pose more danger than meets the eye as residual hazardous chemicals, live electrical connections or connections to in-service process machinery complicates how to safely remove these items from a plant, according to the July issue of the American Society of Safety Engineer's monthly journal, Professional Safety.
"In the worst cases, the equipment has essentially been abandoned," writes author Robert Wasileski, whose article is titled, "Retired & Dangerous, Out-of-Service Equipment Hazards." "Hazards associated with these situations can present imminent risks, or facilitate the gradual development of unforeseen risks over time."
That's especially true for flammable and combustible material that is left to reside inside abandoned equipment. When these materials are accidentally released from containment, vapor cloud explosions, flash fires and pool fires become imminent threats, Wasileski writes.
Companies are encouraged to form a robust out-of-service equipment (OOSE) program that address risk management strategies for both existing and future situations in the following categories:
- Field Identification – tag equipment and catalog information in a database
- Cataloging & Categorization – the electronic database allows the OOSE inventory to be cataloged, along with relevant data pertaining to the equipment's status and condition
- Hazard identification & Risk Evaluation – using screening instruments developed at the start of the OOSE project permits staff to collect key inputs that are later needed to make decisions regarding risk
- Inspection, Testing & Preventive Maintenance – it remains necessary to conduct planned, periodic inspections of decommissioned and mothballed equipment that has not been dismantled
Read this article at: http://www.asse.org/professionalsafety/pastissues/059/07/F2Wasileski_0714Z.pdf
For more than 50 years, ASSE's Professional Safety journal has been sharing the latest technical knowledge in SH&E—information that is constantly being developed through research and on-the-job experience. Each issue delivers practical guidance, techniques and solutions to help SH&E professionals identify hazards, protect people, prevent injuries, improve work environments and educate management that investing in safety is a sound business strategy. For more information please visit http://www.asse.org/professionalsafety.
Founded in 1911, the Des Plaines-based ASSE is the oldest professional safety organization and is committed to protecting people, property and the environment. Its more than 36,000 occupational safety, health and environmental professional members lead, manage, supervise, research and consult on safety, health, transportation and environmental issues in all industries, government, labor, health care and education. For more information please go to www.asse.org.
SOURCE American Society of Safety Engineers
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