The energy sector covers a broad range of industries including oil
and gas, coal and other organic and inorganic chemical processes.
Typically plant can consist of a number of unit operations, from raw
materials storage, through to transfer, reaction, separation, mixing,
quality approval and finished product storage. Other key process operations
may include heat transfer, filtration, crystallisation, adsorption,
absorption, solvent extraction, effluent treatment and utilities with
all areas usually managed from a central control area.
Key considerations for site management include the balance of output
and plant optimisation with the required high levels of site safety,
health and environment. Many serious incidents within the chemical industry
are as a result of maintenance or mechanical failure and human error.
These are key areas for review along with a thorough examination of
hazards, protective systems and safe systems of work during plant assessments.
In the event of a major incident at a chemical plant, there can be
a substantial loss of life and property. As such, for high hazardous
operations, a Safety Case (COMAH), detailing the process hazards, protective
systems and safe systems of work in place to minimise the risk from
the operations to an acceptable level needs to be prepared and authorised
by a regulatory authority.
Within the elciem team, we have experience of being
involved in the development of safety cases. We have attended hazard
studies (hazops) and have operational experience of managing change
from project inception to process commissioning on a major hazard installation,
including managing all the safe systems of work during a major plant
overhaul. When undertaking our risk assessments, we understand what
can happen in a major event and analyse the plant design, protective
systems and safe systems of work that are intended to prevent these
incidents.
