Hazardous environment concept

HADDON S UNWANTED ENERGY RELEASE AND HAZARDOUS ENVIRONMENT CONCEPT... 

There are two significant thought processes, one built on the other, of which knowledge is a requirement in professional safety practice. They are Haddon s unwanted energy release concept, extended by him to include exposures to hazardous environments, and the concepts on which MORT (management oversight and risk tree) was developed. 

I encourage safety professionals to give particular attention to Haddon s concepts and to MORT. Both establish that if there are no unwanted eneigy releases or exposures to hazardous environments, no hazards-related incidents will occur. 

All hazards are not addressed by the unwanted energy release concept. Examples are the potential for asphyxiation from entering a confined space filled with inert gas, or inhalation of asbestos fibers. But aU hazards are encompassed within a goal that is to avoid both unwanted energy releases and exposures to hazardous environments. Many authors have recognized the importance of Haddon s writings. 

A more recent concept which could have significant impact on future designs is that of inherent safety (12). This basic principle states that what is not there cannot be blown up or leak into the environment. Thus, the idea is to avoid the hazard in the first place. 

The selection of materials to be used in design dictates a basic understanding of the behavior of materials and the principles that govern such behavior. If proper design of suitable materials of construction is incorporated, the eqiiipment should deteriorate at a uniform and anticipated gradual rate, which will allow scheduled maintenance or replacement at regular inteivals. If localized forms of corrosion are characteristic of the combination of materials and environment, the materials engineer should still be able to predict the probable life of equipment, or devise an appropriate inspection schedule to preclude unexpected failures. The concepts of predictive, or at least preventive, maintenance are minimum requirements to proper materials selection. This approach to maintenance is certainly intended to minimize the possibility of unscheduled production shutdowns because of corrosion failures, with their attendant possible financial losses, hazard to personnel and equipment, and resultant environmental pollution. 

In the application of the multienergy concept, a particular vapor cloud explosion hazard is not determined primarily by the fuel-air mixture itself but rather by the environment into which it disperses. The environment constitutes the boundary conditions for the combustion process. If a release of fuel is anticipated somewhere, the explosion hazard assessment can be limited to an investigation of the environment s potential for generating blast. 

The latter concept implies providing local life support systems for unfriendly environments. By now, Ukrainian scientists and engineers have developed a variety of processes for potable water treatment by adsorption, electrochemical oxidation, electrocoagulation, electro-coprecipitation, electrodialysis, electrofloatation, floatation, membrane techniques etc. Each family must get small units for water purification, air cleaning and removal of hazardous substances from the food as soon as possible, for it may take decades to introduce cleaner production on a national scale. Here, we should follow the example of Western business people who bring with them to Ukraine devices enabling a safe existence in this unfriendly environment. 

This article shows, through example, how established system safety concepts can be used to develop safety criteria for the design of a chemical surety materiel laboratory. This systematic approach, when applied as described in this article, results in a laboratory dedicated to achieve mission objectives in an environment relatively free of inherent hazards for the least number of dollars. 

The concept of inherently safer plant has been with us now for many years. But in spite of its clear potential benefits related to safety, health and the environment (SHE), as well as the costs, there has been few applications in chemical plant design. But as Kletz (1996) has written there are hurdles to be overcome. Inherently safer design requires a basic change in approach. Instead of assuming e.g. that we can keep large quantities of hazardous materials under control we have to try and remove them. Changes in belief and the corresponding actions do not come easily. 

This approach is based on concepts developed by the U.S. Air Force to define the extent of possible safety hazards. The approach applies qualitative ratings to a series of questions about the chemical environment. 

It is, therefore, important to realize that the incidence of cancer in man today reflects exposure of 15 or more years ago similarly, any increase of carcinogenic contaminants in man s environment today will reveal its carcinogenic effect some 15 or more years from now. For this reason it is urgent that every effort be made to detect and control sources of carcinogenic contamination of the environment well before damaging effects become evident in man. Similar concepts may apply to the need for evaluation of other chronic toxicity hazards. Environmental cancer remains one of the major disease problems of modern man. 

Promoting Chemical Leasing based on the preventive Cleaner Production concept provides practical solutions for industry to become more efficient and at the same time reduce unnecessary hazardous chemicals consumption and protect human health and the environment. In this way, environmental and economic policy matters as well as international cooperation objectives can be addressed. In his article, T. Jakl excellently highlights Chemical Leasing and regulatory approaches in Chemical Policy. 

Design concepts were used to minimize hazards to personnel, to prevent corrosion, and to protect the environment. Special operating procedures, personnel safety equipment, and training completed these design concepts. An extensive ambient-air monitoring network was established to insure that ambient-air standards were met to protect the environment. 

The presence of hydrogen sulfide in oilfrom the Jayfield required complex facilities to produce salable oil and gas. The modular-facility design concept permittedfull allowable production to be attained in minimum time. Although expensive and potentially hazardous, production of sour oil and gas can be accomplished safely and without damaging the environment. 

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