Communication chemical reactivity hazard management

Communication and training are vital to the management of hazards. However, it is quite easy to pass off some information as being "common sense" or as too obvious to require formal communication or training. Other information such as detailed process chemistry might be considered too involved. When this information relates to the control of chemical reactivity hazards, its communication and related... 

Several channels of training and communication should be opened to various recipients under the chemical reactivity hazard management system. Training and communication involve combinations of various media, including ... 

In order to maximize the benefit of any identified improvement, administrative procedures should be created and implemented which define distribution or lines of communication for information related to chemical reactivity hazard management improvements. Examples of such lines include those from laboratories to pilot plants to production facilities. 

Communicate and Train on Chemical Reactivity Hazards Training and Performance Process Risk Management Training Contractors Organization and Personnel... 

The new management system must be in place and functional before introducing chemical reactivity hazards to the facility. Leaving the development of the management system to be done on an ad hoc basis after startup is equivalent to communicating right up front that production has priority over the management of chemical reactivity hazards. 

Management systems may also be in place for initiatives not related to environment, safety and health, such as ISO certification and customer acceptance. Again, the management of chemical reactivity hazards should not be separated from these other management systems. Advantage can be taken of what approaches, such as information technologies and means of communication, have proven to work well within the specific organization. 

Many issues in one management area are bound to affect performance in other areas. For example, an inherent safety review may propose a change in the process chemistry that will allow a definite reduction in chemical reactivity hazards, perhaps by eliminating a reactive intermediate. Such changes will have to fit with product quality requirements, and the customer may need to be included in the process of changing to the inherently safer alternative. Effective communication among all parts of the management team will avoid many problems and help identify what works best. 

The keystone of managing chemical reactivity hazards is line responsibility. The "line" referred to here is the chain of command and authority that extends from the operator to the chief executive officer of the company. When all the advice and consultation is gathered relative to an issue, such as from relevant area experts and safety personnel, it is the business responsibility to provide leadership. It does so by communicating values, setting policy, making appropriate decisions, allocating the necessary resources, and following up to ensure implementation. 

It communicates management s commitment to identifying, reducing, and controlling chemical reactivity hazards throughout the entire facility life. 

OSHA relied on several established lists-including the New Jersey Toxic Catastrophe Prevention Act (TCPA), the Delaware Extremely Hazardous Substances Risk Management Act, the European Communities Seveso Directive (82/501/EEC), and NFPA Hazardous Chemicals Data (NFPA 49)-to develop its list of highly hazardous chemicals. OSHA chose to list the chemicals classified as reactive category 3 or 4 in NFPA 49 (1975 edition). 

Hazard identification a process to identify hazards and associated risk to persons, property, and structures and to improve protection from natural and human-caused hazards Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) a process to identify hazards and associated risk to persons, property, and structures and to improve protection from natural and human-caused hazards HIRA serves as a foundation for planning, resource management, capability development, public education, and training and exercises Hazard operability study a structured means of evaluating a complex process to find problems associated with operability or safety of the process Hazard rating (NFPA) classification system that uses a four-color diamond to communicate health, flammability, reactivity, and speciflc hazard information for a chemical substance a numbering system that rates hazards from zero (lowest) to four (highest)... 

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