Process hazards

Title: Process Hazards

Authors: Anne Disabato, Tim Hanrahan, Brian Merkle

Date Presented: February 9, 2014

Introduction

The design and production of chemical processes is inherently hazardous, which is why process safety is of paramount importance to every company working in the chemical, fuels, and pharmaceuticals industry. While “process safety” focuses on the prevention of dangerous situation throughout the design, “process hazards” focuses on how to manage the unavoidable hazards in the final design. In the case of fires, explosions, or the release of toxic chemicals, proper safety hazard analysis will help minimize injuries and damage to the facility and environment.

In addition to moral and ethical obligations to safety, law requires it and the costs (human, social, economic) of non-compliance can be catastrophic. Listed below are three major pieces of safety legislation:

• The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA); 29 U.S.C. 651 et seq. (1970)
  • Employers must provide a place of employment free from recognized hazards to safety and health, such as exposure to toxic chemicals, excessive noise levels, mechanical dangers, heat or cold stress, or unsanitary conditions.
• The Emergency Planning & Community Right-To-Know Act (EPCRA); 42 U.S.C. 11011 et seq. (1986)
  • To help local communities protect public health, safety, and the environment from chemical hazards.
• The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA); 15 U.S.C. s/s 2601 et seq. (1976)
  • Allows EPA to track industrial chemicals and ban their manufacture or import

For safety organization and terminology, safe design tactics, and the economic cost of safety, please see Process Safety