A Chemical Cleaning Operation Kills Sparrows, But Improves Procedures

A Chemical Cleaning Operation Kills Sparrows, but Improves Procedures 

The chemical and oil refining industries employ a variety of methods to clear and clean storage tanks, pressure vessels, and pipelines as a preparation for maintenance or the actual maintenance itself. Depending on the job, water washing may not be suitable and the planners may use various acids and alkalis for this activity. There can be risks associated with such reactive chemicals, as noted in the following paragraphs. 

The planning group should decide how to vent the system during the cleaning operations, e.g., to the flare, through a caustic wash, or directly to the atmosphere. 

The planning group is responsible for ensuring that copies of sketches and any other pertinent instructions would be issued to the contractor doing the work and to the operating, maintenance, and inspection departments. 

The operating foreman was responsible for issuing all safe work permits. The area supervisor or the shift supervisor was responsible to check the lineup. 

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A chemical cleaning operation kills sparrows, but improves procedures... 

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