ETHICS SAFETY AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

ETHICS SAFETY AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT - Essay Example The powder is collected in a receiving vessel (hopper) from where it can be used in a further stage of the process. The receiving vessel is fitted with a filter to allow the air used in the pneumatic conveying process to be separated from the powder which collects in the receiving vessel. This pneumatic conveying system differs from a normal pneumatic conveying system in that the receiving vessel is placed above the blow tank system. A pipeline is used to transfer the pharmaceutical powder, Pharmex from the blow tank to receiver vessel to some distant area. A filter is used at the receiver tank and finally the powder settles down. The air compressor feeds the system with air under a desired pressure. In figure 1, the relief valves and the regulator valves are shown as PRF and NB respectively. Introduction Risk assessments are conducted in order to identify any fire & explosion hazards before the commencement of a process. Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) (Health and Safety Executive, 2003) regulations is a useful tool for this work. It is imperative that employees be prevented from exposure to hazards. Implementation of COSHH regulations leads to: i. Higher productivity and efficiency by the use of more effective controls. ii. Improved employee morale. In this exercise, we will try to find out where there is enough powder present in this process for explosion to occur. Powder more than 80 gm/m3 is quite enough to have an explosion. The plant has powder transported from one area to another area by blowing it, which means the pipeline has the mixture of powder and air and thus possesses the potential of explosion. Explosive Atmospheres In pneumatic conveying system, workplace air and Pharmex can form the explosive atmospheres and this condition can be classified as hazardous area according to DSEAR (DSEAR 2002, SI 2002/2776). Therefore special precautions over ignition and fuel sources are required to prevent fire and explosions. Non hazardous ar ea outside the workplace needs risk assessment as well. Hazardous areas are further classified as Zones which are included in DSEAR. When we talk about dangerous substance and explosive atmosphere regulations then we look at Zone. Zones Pharmex and air form a mixture in the process. Pharmex is susceptible to explosion. The mix of air and Pharmex is present continuously in the pneumatic conveyer system. Therefore, the apparatus is considered as Zone 20, according to DSEAR. To start the process we have to put the powder into the plant, as the powder is not present continuously, hence the filling of powder is in Zone 21 according to DSEAR. The proposed equipment for zone 20 is category 1 equipment, following DSEAR regulations. Risk Assessment First, the hazards that have potential to cause harm are identified. Secondly, the risks present to people’s health are assessed. Regarding the conveying system shown in figure 1, the main hazards are fire and explosion. Fire & Explosion Fi gure.2 The above triangle illustrates that igniting and burning a fire or causing an explosion requires three elements mentioned at the edge of the triangle. 1) Ignition source: The ignition source can be directly associated to heat. 2) Fuel: Is necessary for the fire or explosion to burn. 3) Oxidiser: Substances also necessary for the reaction of fire or explosion. Oxygen is the most common oxidiser. The fuel (Pharmex) and oxidation (air) are present at most places in the