Hazardous substances plant control systems

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH UK), 14 220 Control rods, nuclear reactor, 17 569 Control room, in plant layout, 10 514—515 Controls, food processing, 12 87-88 Control stations, 20 668 Control strategies, for fermentation, 11 36-40 Control systems... 

Two of the standards directly related to worker health and important in design work are Toxic Hazardous Substances and Occupational Noise Exposure. The first of these two concerns the normal release of toxic and carcinogenic substances, carried via vapors, fumes, dust fibers, or other media. Compliance with the Act requires the designer to make calculations of concentrations and exposure time of plant personnel to toxic substances during normal operation of a process or plant. These releases could emanate from various types of seals and from control-valve packings or other similar sources. Normally, the designer can meet the limits set for exposure to toxic substances by specifying special valves, seals, vapor-recovery systems, and appropriate ventilation systems. 

Permit to work (P.T.W) is a formal written system to control certain types of work which are identified as potentially hazardous. This system may need to be used in high-risk jobs such as hot works, confined space entry, carrying hazardous substances, and electrical or mechanical isolation. In this system, responsible persons should assess the work and check safety at all stages. Moreover, permits are effectively a means of communication between site management, plant supervisors and operators, and those who carry out the work. The people doing the job sign the permit to show that they understand the risks and precautions necessary. 

Other inspection services available include the examination of steel structures (new and existing), electrical wiring installations, containers (to meet Statutory Instm-ment No. 1890), dangerous substances (carriage by road in road tankers or tank containers) to meet Statutory Instmment No. 1059, examination of second-hand plant prior to purchase, plant undergoing repair or modification, the Control of Industrial Major Accident Hazard Regulations (CIMAH) Statutory Instmment No. 1902 and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) and Pressure Systems Regulations. 

A major amendment was made to the Japanese Chemical Substances Control Law in April 2004 on the recommendations made by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in the Environmental Conservation Review - Further Expansion of the Regulation Scope for Conservation of Ecosystem in line with the Agenda 21 - Human Action Program for Sustainable Development of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED). In order to conform to international harmonisation, the amended Chemical Substances Control Law has introduced a new examination and regulation system to prevent not only hazards to human health but also damages to animals and plants. 

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