Accidental chemical releases

Process Safety A discipline that focuses on the prevention and mitigation of fires, explosions, and accidental chemical releases at process facilities. Excludes classic worker health and safety issues involving working surfaces, ladders, protective equipment, etc. 

Emergency response plan A written plan which addresses actions to take in case of plant fire, explosion or accidental chemical release. 

Finally, die reader should note that liaznrd risk assessments (HZRA) are examined for acute rather dian clironic exposures. For purposes of diis book, acute exposures are considered to occur for a short period of time. Materitd on clironic liealdi exposures (HRA) is available in Part III of die book. However, it should also be noted that HRA is often mi integral part of HZRA, particularly with any (and in particular) accidental chemical release. 

The equipment and systems of the processing phuit are designed to contain tlie chemicals mider processing conditions and to provide tlie controlled environment required for production. This equipment is designed to function under both specific process conditions and upset conditions. Upset conditions tliat are considered in design include fire, explosions, and accidental chemical releases. 

Public concerns about air quality led to the passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970 to amendments to that act in 1977 and 1990. The 1990 amendments contained seven separate titles covering different regula-toiy programs and include requirements to install more advanced pollution control equipment and make other changes in industrial operations to reduce emissions of air pollutants. The 1990 amendments address sulfur dioxide emissions and acid rain deposition, nitrous oxide emissions, ground-level ozone, carbon monoxide emissions, particulate emissions, tail pipe emissions, evaporative emissions, reformulated gasoline, clean-fueled vehicles and fleets, hazardous air pollutants, solid waste incineration, and accidental chemical releases. 

Both ACC and SOCMA have programs to promote good practices among their member companies in the area of chemical process safety.59 In 1989, ACC developed the Responsible Care Process Safety Code60 to prevent fires, explosions, and accidental chemical releases. The code and its accompanying resource guidelines include a series of recommended management practices. 

Accidental Chemical Release— An unintended, sudden release of chemi-cal(s) from manufacturing, processing, handling, or on-site storage facilities to the air, water, or land.h)... 

Analytical procedures are used to determine chamber concentration for inhalation exposure in controlled studies, and detailed, scientifically credible methods, procedures, and data are used to measure chemical concentration in epidemiologic or anecdotal cases (accidental chemical releases). For oral exposure, dose may be determined from the amount of test chemical placed into the subject. 

Process safety, a discipline that focuses on the prevention of fires, explosions and accidental chemical releases at chemical process facilities, is a key element for a sustainable industrial chemistry, as indicated in the previous sections. There are three key elements for process safety behavior, system and process. 

Environmental— Using written procedures minimizes accidental chemical releases to the environment due to unsoimd operating and maintenance practices. If an incident occurs, the use of procedures should specify the proper response. 

Chapter 6 discusses several factors to consider when identifying and writing for abnormal or emergency conditions. We define an operating emergency as an event which can result in an accidental chemical release... 

Procedures should identify the hazards presented by the process. Procedures should also state precautions necessary to prevent accidental chemical release, e q)osure, and injury. Process safety information is an important resource in developing procedures. Using this information ensures that the known hazards are addressed properly. 

Including safe operating limits, the consequences of deviating from those ranges, and how to correct/avoid those deviations in procedures helps to prevent accidental chemical release, exposiue, and injury. This information enhances the users understanding of the process, its limitations, and how to mn it safely. 

Prevent accidental chemical releases that may injure employees, the public, or the environment... 

The Precautions section contains information necessary for the user to avoid injury, accidental chemical releases, and equipment damage- This section includes information on hazardous materials or unusual environmental hazards that may be present during the operation. Level of detail should be based on training and user knowledge. Within the Precautions section you should consider what can happen, why, and the consequences of ignoring the precaution. Beware of overusing precautions. The precautions should add to the procedure and address only important safety issues. The use of irrelevant or self-evident precautions will dimmish the impact of the genuine safety concerns. 

For example, does the user have to verify temperature or pressure visually Is the user waiting for a computer command or verification How shotild the process react Will exceeding a limit result in an accidental chemical release, personal injury, or quality concern ... 

This is optional depending on the potential hazards that may be involved in the performance of a procedme. If a step is critical, such as one step that could cause injury, accidental chemical release, degraded product, or equipment damage if performed incorrectly or omitted, a signoff line provides assurance that the step has been completed. Refer to Figure 5-11. 

In this chapter we will emphasize system upsets or abnormal situations where the loss or degradation of components or controls could allow process parameters to exceed the design intent or limit of the process or equipment, resulting in an accidental chemical release. The time factor involved in an operator s ability to assess and correct an operating deviation is discussed in more detail in CCPS Guidelines for Integrating Human Factors into Process Safety Management Systems ... 

Victims of chemical contamination need prompt and effective treatment, both at the scene of the incident and in hospital. Ambulance or emergency medical services and hospital emergency rooms provide the front line health response and most will already have tried and tested contingency arrangements for accidental chemical releases - often referred to as HAZMAT or HAZCHEM (hazardous materials and hazardous chemicals) protocols. Whether for an accidental or deliberate chemical release contingency arrangements need to address the following key objectives ... 

Chemical warehouses should be constructed with provisions for spill containment and drainage to provide protection to the surrounding property, ground water, surface water and public sewers in the event of an accidental chemical release or discharge of sprinkler water. This protection should be commensurate with the toxicity of the stored materials and the risk and consequence of exposures. 

The ARIP database was developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to determine the causes of accidental chemical releases, to identify the steps that could be taken by industrial facilities to prevent these releases, and to outline industrial prevention practices. 

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