Hazard identification scheduling

Sanders, Roy E., excerpt scheduled to appear in Appendix 1.1, Loss Prevention in the Process Industries Hazard Identification, Assessment and Control, 3d ed., Lees, Dr. Frank, ed., Butterworth-Heinemann, in press in 2004. 

A plan may begin with hazard identification and analysis methods or it may be the consequence of such methods that offers recommendations for improvement. A plan includes at least three components (1) a list of actions or tasks and who will complete them (2) a schedule for their implementation and (3) an estimate of costs. Costs may include human resources, as well as monetary resources. 

You can involve your employees in the management system and safety program by having them conduct regularly scheduled, routine physical surveys using a checklist. Make sure that employees have adequate and appropriate training also, employees should be expected to help with decisions about hazard correction as well as hazard identification. 

The project constructor shall perform project hazard identification using contract documents, project schedules, site assessments, drawings, plans, building information models, project specifications, etc. to identify the complex tasks that will be performed on the project. 

Equipment used to process, store, or handle highly hazardous chemicals must be designed constructed, installed and maintained to minimize the risk of release. A systematic, scheduled, test and maintenance program is preferred over "breakdown" maintenance " that could compromise safety. Elements of a mechanical integrity program include 1) identification and categorization of equipment and instrumentation, 2) documentation of manufacturer data on mean time to failure, 3 ) test and inspection frequencies, 4) maintenance procedures, 5) training of maintenance personnel, 6) test criteria, and 7) documentation of test and inspection results. 

One of the most important elements of the PSM Rule is the process hazard analysis (PrHA). It requires the systematic identification of hazards and related accident scenarios. The PSM Rule allows the use of different analysis methods, but the selected method must be based on the process being analyzed. The PSM Rule specifies that PrHAs must be completed as soon as possible within a 5-year period. However, one-fourth of the PrHAs must have been completed by May 26, 1994, with an additional one-fourth completed each succeeding year. The highest risk processes were to be done first. A schedule for PrHAs must be established at the outset of a process safety management (PSM) program to give priority to the highest risk processes. PrHAs must be reviewed and updated at least every 5 years. 

Other includes Hazchem (spillages of hazardous chemicals, disposal methods, preventive procedures, MSDS request, etc.), labelling and scheduling queries, plant identification, etc. 

After the date following January 1, 2005, that a motor carrier is required to file a Motor Carrier Identification Report Form (MCS-150) according to the schedule set forth in 390.19(a) of this chapter, the motor carrier may not transport in interstate or intrastate coimnerce any of the following hazardous materials, in the quantity indicated for each, unless the motor carrier holds a safety permit ... 

An initial inventory of all chemicals should be made of all new work areas and facilities. A routine audit, the HazCom Inventory, should be conducted thereafter. We have found that this should be done on a quarterly basis (during a regularly scheduled in-house audit, for example). Additionally, someone should be designated (for example, shipping and receiving personnel) to identify new chemicals and ensure they are accompanied by an MSDS. After identification and listing on the HazCom Inventory, employees who may come into contact with the new chemical must be notified and made aware of the products potential hazards. A copy of the HazCom Inventory for each work area should be kept with the MSDS for that area and the updated inventory lists provided to the Environment, Health Safety office. 

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