Chapter 7 & 8 Process technology safety
hearing conservation and industrial noise
After process technician have experienced hearing loss due to industry noise it is unlikely they will ever recover
Types of fire extinguishers
Carbon dioxide Dry chemical Foam fire Halon fire Water fire
Fire classification system
Class A fires involve combustion material such as wood paper or plastic Class B fires involve combustion and flammable gases and liquids and grease Class C fires are categorized as electrical fires Class D fires cover combustion metals
Blood-borne pathogens
March 1992 Disease-causing organisms transferred through contact with blood or other body fluids HIV HBV AIDS
Phillips explosions
Oct 22 1989 employees at Phillips were asked to remove a polyethylene blockage. They refused and the job was given to contract workers 85,000 lbs of high pressure gases were dumped from the reactor system The explosion killed 23 workers and the entire plant was destroyed The explosion registered a 3.5 on the Richter scale
Hearing loss occurs through four categories
Overall noise level Intensity of noise Duration of workday Duration over a lifetime
Polymers and fires
Polymers are natural or synthetic compounds linked together in long chains
Hazards of lifting
Proper lifting techniques require a technician to keep the load close to the body Bend at the knees and lift with the legs Keep the feet shoulders with apart Avoid twisting Bend knees and squat down
Electrical hazards
Sparks and arcs static electricity lightening stray currents energized equipment and electrical shock
Ignition Temperature
The ignition temperature is described as the lowest temperature at which a substance will automatically ignite. This process does not require a flame to occur. If the mixture is within it flammability limits and has reached its ignition temperature it will ignite
Fires, Explosions, and Detonations
The lowest temperature at which an air hydrocarbon mixture will explode or burn is called the ignition temperature
Chemical explosions
Thermal explosions are the most common in the chemical industry
Biological hazards
Viruses, bacteria, and other organisms in the environment that harm human health are classified as
Texas city fire and explosion
April 16 1947 One of the worst industrial accidents to occur in the US The SS grandcamp was carrying ammonium nitrate It killed 581 bystanders the ship crew and volunteer firefighters It knocked two airplanes out of the air Approximately 880 tons of ammonium nitrate had exploded
hearing protection can be classified in three ways
Engineering noise abatement Administration noise abatement Personal hearing protection
flammable and explosive material
Fire is a chemical process that requires fuel heat and oxygen in the correct proportions to chemically react together
Correct steps in reporting a fire
Give name and phone number Give fire location and extent of fire Give products involved in fire
Fire extinguisher use
Identify the type of material involved Select the appropriate fire extinguisher Test the extinguisher Approach upwind of the fire Aim at the base of the flames using a sweeping motion Back away from the fire before the extinguisher is emptied Never turn your back on a fire
FIRE STAGES Growth Stage (Incipient)
Incipient stage Smoldering stage Flame stage Heat stage
heat and radiation
Is a primary concern for chemical and refinery workers High temperature can result in heat stoke
Grounding
Is described as connecting an object to the earth with a copper wire and grounding rod
Bonding
Is described as physically connecting two objects together with a copper wire
Ergonomic hazards
Is the science of how humans interact with their work environment
ARCO explosion
July 5 1990 Killed 17 men An industrial partnership was formed between education government and industry
