Korean experience of process safety management (PSM) regulation for chemical industry

From the 1960s, Korean industries have been encouraged by the government to nurture heavy and chemical industry and to modernize the economics and industrial structures. The development of chemical industry particularly became the turning point in industrial development, and played a major role in the construction of a new industrialized country. However, the process systems in the chemical industry have become more complex and larger, and the inventories of dangerous chemicals that are produced or consumed have continuously increased. Therefore, the hazards from potential accidents such as fire and explosion or release of toxic chemicals have also increased. In fact, from the end of 1980s to the beginning of 1990s in Korea, a number of major industrial accidents such as ABS extruder explosion, TDI release and dryer explosion, etc. Occurred and caused many fatalities. As the chemical companies recognized the importance of preventing major hazards, PSM system, the prevention of major industrial accidents, was introduced in January 1995 by amending Industrial Safety and Health Act, and it has been enforced from January 1, 1996. According to the law, the business owner of a workplace with hazardous or dangerous equipment shall submit a process safety report to the Government to prevent any accidents, which could inflict an immediate damage on workers or on areas in the vicinity of the workplaces. As a result of PSM implementation for 19 years, chemical accident prevention system has been stabilized and various kinds of effectiveness and desirable customer satisfaction have been made.     

The effective control of major industrial accidents by the Major Industrial Accident Prevention Centers (MAPC) through the Process Safety Management (PSM) grading system in Korea

This paper examines effectiveness of a regulatory enforcement organization (Major industrial Accident Prevention Center, MAPC), and a grading system for implementation of the Process Safety Management (PSM) regulation in Korea. A lot of chemical installations have been built in Korea since the 1960s. The frequent occurrence of major industrial accidents had made people's concerns grow. The Korean government enacted PSM regulations in 1996 in order to curb these accidents.However, a key question is how to make sure companies comply with the PSM regulations. In order to improve company’ compliance with PSM regulations the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MOEL) responsible for the regulation introduced a grading management system in 2001 and then established special supervisory centers for enforcement of PSM regulations in 2005. This paper reviews the role and effectiveness of the system in term of PSM enforcement. The author found that the grade-based approach has encouraged employers to implement the requirements of the PSM regulations. MAPCs play an effective role in enhancing enforcement performance. Although the more chemical plants have been established in Korea, the fewer major industrial accidents have occurred since the introduction of the system. The results may be useful for the policy maker to build an effective and efficient enforcement system.     

化工园区安全监控系统研究

化工园区内重大危险源数量多、密度大,存在着发生重特大事故的现实性和可能性。因此,亟需建立化工园区安全监控系统对化工园区内的固定危险源、危险工艺过程、危化品车辆和公共区域重要部位进行动态监控和安全监管,预防和消除事故风险,并为化工园区安全监控与事故应急提供技术支持。提出了化工园区安全监控系统系统硬件架构,介绍了化工园区安全参数设置方法、安全监控流程和事故预警机制,提出了系统软件的总体架构和功能。     

2011—2015年全国危险化学品事故分析

为了研究我国危险化学品事故发生的特点，采用数理统计方法对“十二五”期间我国危险化学品事故进行研究，对事故发生时间、区域、类别等进行分析。研究结果表明:2011—2015年我国危险化学品事故起数和死亡人数总体呈下降趋势，夏季和冬季是事故多发期，东部沿海地区是事故多发区。主要事故类别、环节、直接原因、经济类型分别是爆炸及中毒、窒息，生产环节，违反操作规程或劳动纪律，有限责任公司。危险化学品事故分布在采矿业、制造业等7大门类中，除制造业危险化学品事故频发外，科学研究和技术服务业的事故起数位居第二。将“十二五”期间与“十一五”期间的事故进行比较，发现我国危险化学品事故的总体特点基本一致，2006—2015年全国危险化学品事故起数和死亡人数年平均下降19.3%，18.3%，并提出相应建议。     

Process safety challenges for SMEs in China

While process safety regulations and standards have been in place in western countries for more than two decades, China has only recently started to officially embrace these issues with the adoption of its Process Safety Management (PSM) regulation AQ/T 3034-2010 (SAWS, 2010). However, compliance with this regulatory framework requires substantial resources and may therefore appear too complex to be efficiently implemented by small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) in the chemical sector. This is of particular relevance as about 99% of chemical companies in China are SMEs, accounting for more than 80% of all chemical accidents. To address this issue, additional local regulations and planning activities related to process safety have been implemented in China, including the establishment of hundreds of chemical industry parks. Some of the process safety problems faced by chemical industry parks are identified and discussed in this paper. To help solve these problems, UNEP's “Responsible Production approach for Chemical Hazards Management along the Value-Chain” is introduced in this paper and suggested as a simplified PSM approach targeted specifically at SMEs which, regardless of handling hazardous chemicals in their daily operations, may not have the knowledge or capacity to efficiently implement PSM and may not fall in the scope of the PSM regulation AQ/T 3034-2010. By introducing PSM to SMEs in a more manageable way, relevant steps can be progressively implemented by companies towards full compliance with the current regulatory framework, contributing to increased safety in chemical industry parks in China.     

A tool for safety officers investigating “simple” accidents

Most workplace accidents that happen in enterprises are simple and seldom result in serious injuries. Very often these kinds of workplace accidents are not investigated, and if they are, then the investigation is very brief, with comments such as that it was the victim’s own fault or just an unfortunate situation which could not be helped. Most prevention analysis and investigation methods focus on high risks, such as explosion, fire, and lack of containment for chemicals.In the industrial world, such risks do give rise to disasters, albeit very seldom. Nevertheless, the fact is that simpler accidents normally caused by apparent banalities occur much more frequently and with a higher rate of fatalities, disablements and other serious injuries than the ostensibly most dangerous kinds of accidents.In 1999 a practical tool for use by safety officers was developed; this tool is based on the investigation methods applied in major accidents, but comprises a simpler and more user-friendly presentation. The tool involves three steps: Mapping the facts, analysing the events, and developing preventive solutions. Practical application of the tool has shown that it affords managers and workers a heightened insight into the cause of accidents, including those that seemed to be unavoidable, and that simple workplace accidents always have root causes on which preventive action can be focused. The problem is however that making a proper analysis is difficult and requires appropriate training, even in cases where the accidents seem to be very simple.     

对天津港“8·12”特别重大火灾爆炸事故相关法规标准的思考

硝化棉已分别列入危险化学品、易制爆危险化学品和第二批重点监管的危险化学品,硝酸铵也分别列入危险化学品、民用爆炸物品和首批重点监管的危险化学品,二者都是重点监管的对象,但二者相关事故还是时有发生。为了更全面和深刻理解天津港“8·12”特别重大火灾爆炸事故的发生,以危险化学品储存场所外部距离标准要求为切入点,分析了储存场所外部距离变化过程;介绍了初始起火物质硝化棉和导致事故后果严重扩大的硝酸铵2种危险化学品的国内监管分类和相关标准要求,并与事故调查报告中给出的结论进行了对比;针对本起火灾爆炸事故后果特点和非法储存危险物质罪罪行认定条件,剖析了现存的问题。分析结果旨在为政府有关部门及事故调查等工作提供参考。     

基于改进LEC法的危化企业静电点燃危险评价

危化企业爆炸性危险环境下由静电放电引发的火灾爆炸时有发生,针对这一问题分析了危化企业气体、液体、固体、粉体及人体在不同生产工艺过程中静电电荷来源以及可能的静电放电形式。综合考虑静电点燃源形成可能性、爆炸性环境形成可能性、监控与控制措施有效性以及静电事故后果严重度,构建了基于改进LEC法的静电点燃危险评价方法,该评价方法能实现对危化企业静电点燃源危害的量化评估与分级。应用该方法对某加油站进行静电点燃危险评价,并根据评价结果提出了预防改进措施。     

危险化学品突发事故环境污染诱因及对策初探

近年来我国发生的一些危险化学品环境污染重特大事故,其产生的原因主要是危险化学品在生产、运输、储存和使用中突发事故使危险化学品进入环境,从而造成污染.降低危险化学品突发事故环境污染的危害,一方面需要做好防灾工作,科学合理地规划与布局,加强安全生产监管,做好事故预案,科学处置突发事故;另一方面要积极采取有效减灾措施,对陆地、水环境中的危险化学品进行控制和处理,对大气中的危险化学品及燃烧爆炸的产物进行净化,对救援中产生的污水进行无毒化处理.     

危险化学品仓储事故演化规律及消防力量需求研究

危险化学品仓储火灾事故复杂,处置难度大,易引发事故多米诺效应,对人民的生命和财产造成严重威胁。本文分析了危化品仓储火灾爆炸事故的演化规律和事故风险,结合事故案例剖析危化品仓储火灾爆炸事故后果及对周边区域的影响。针对危险化学品仓储火灾爆炸事故,建立危化品仓储火灾扑救泡沫需求评价二级指标体系,采用模糊层次分析法建立了泡沫灭火剂用量评价数学模型,并根据救援力量类别需求、各种应急救援装备与作战人员需求建立危化品火灾消防力量需求预测模型,准确预测危化品仓储事故消防力量需求。     

我国危险化学品道路运输的现状与对策研究

随着我国工业和经济的发展,危险化学品的需求量越来越大,危险化学品的道路运输也越来越频繁,由危险化学品道路运输而引发的事故也越来越多。为此,必须基于我国危险化学品道路运输的现状,借鉴发达国家在危险化学品道路运输方面较成熟的经验,提出符合我国国情的危险化学品道路运输安全管理的对策,以达到减少危险化学品道路运输事故发生的目的,最大限度地降低由危险化学品道路运输事故引起的生命财产的损失。     

Shipyard fatalities in Turkey

The objective of this paper is to investigate causes and incidence rates of 115 fatalities between 2000 and 2010 in Turkish shipyards and to propose mitigation measures. The fatality rate in Turkish shipbuilding industry is unacceptably high, being 3.5 times the average of all industry groups. Classification of fatal occupational accidents revealed five major fatality reasons for the shipbuilding industry; falling from higher elevation to a lower level, exposed to electric shock, fire and/or explosion, being struck by or struck against objects, and caught in between. The highest number of cases of fatal accidents was found among welders, blasters, painters and substructure workers. Statistically analyzed data showed that working on Mondays and Saturdays have special impact on the fatality probability. Also, the number of fatalities is highest in working temperatures above average 25 °C, which covers from June through September. Strategies recommended to minimize the fatalities at shipyards are discussed. Furthermore a risk framework of fatal occupational accidents were drawn so that when working conditions are within the high risk region, extra precautions can be taken in order to minimize the occurrence of accidents and fatalities.     

2016—2020年全国化工和危险化学品事故分析研究*

为分析“十三五”期间（2016—2020年）我国化工和危险化学品事故发生情况，统计“十三五”期间化工和危险化学品事故数量及死亡人数，从发生月份、发生区域、行业分布等方面分析事故特征，从事故类别、事故环节、关键作业等方面分析事故原因，总结2011—2020年我国化工和危险化学品事故发展趋势，按照全国4大经济区域研究2013—2020年事故特征。结果表明:“十三五”期间我国化工和危险化学品事故数量呈下降趋势，死亡人数出现波动，总体形势较为平稳。2011—2020年化工和危险化学品事故风险向中西部转移趋势明显，东北、西部地区事故死亡率普遍高于东部地区。研究结果可为相关行业从业者及监管部门提供决策参考。     

Trends in chemical hazards in Japan

In the past, the chemical industry in Japan has been the cause of a number of major industrial accidents. Subsequent to each accident, specific lessons have been learned. These lessons learned have been implemented in terms of safety education of the employees and/or safety measures of the equipment and facilities resulting in a rapid decrease of corresponding accident frequencies. In this paper, we summarized both recent and past major accidents caused by chemical substances in fixed installations in Japan. Case studies show that runaway reactions are among the main causes of major accident occurrences in the chemical process industry in Japan. A recent fatal poisoning accident caused by H₂S gas generated during maintenance work again highlights the necessity of adequate safety management in a chemical factory. Therefore, even if hazard evaluation of chemical substances and chemical processes is necessary to prevent runaway reactions, human error is also an important factor contributing to reaction hazards [Wakakura, M. (1997) Human factor in chemical accidents, J. Safety Eng. High Press. Gas. Safety Inst. Japan, 34, 846].     

浅谈ITS技术在危险化学品公路运输过程中的应用

公路运输已成为危险化学品运输的主要方式之一,但危险化学品在公路运输过程中由于不确定因素的存在,导致事故频发,已受到国人的广泛重视。智能交通运输系统(ITS)的应用,大大地削弱或消除了以往诱发交通事故的不安全因素。如将该系统用于危险品公路运输过程中,也能有效地预防并减少化学事故的发生。在此基础上,笔者提出由安全运输管理层、基础设施层、共用信息层、增值服务层组成的危险化学品公路运输安全智能化管理系统,研究了危险化学品公路运输安全智能化管理系统的框架,讨论了ITS技术在危化品公路运输过程中的应用并提出相应的解决方案     

200起危险化学品公路运输事故的统计分析及对策研究

本文基于200起典型危险化学品公路运输事故,从事故发生的环节、引发事故的危险化学品类别、泄漏和起火爆炸的特点、事故发生地点、事故发生月份等方面,研究了事故发生的特点及规律,并对我国危险化学品公路运输安全管理与监控提出了对策建议.     

危险化学品火灾爆炸事故鉴证

笔者综述危险化学品火灾爆炸事故鉴证工作的重要作用,针对分析鉴定工作中存在的问题和难点,提出鉴证工作的基本程序和方法即包括各种物证(含气态、液态和固态等物证)的采集、检材的提取、分析检验。在该类火灾爆炸事故发生后,对危险化学品生产、储存、运输过程进行综合分析,取得事故鉴证的结论——查明事故发生的真实原因,作为事故处理的技术依据。从而不仅查找出导致事故发生的原因,且可以举一反三,了解和消除生产过程中存在的问题和隐患,真正做到防患于未然。     

我国危险化学品重大危险源安全监管存在问题及建议

近些年发生的一些危险化学品重大事故和石化项目的群体性事件暴露出我国重大危险源监管体系还存在很多问题。对我国和欧美在重大危险源安全监管进行对比分析,总结出我国重大危险源安全监管存在几方面问题。重大危险源的土地利用规划未纳入城市规划控制程序;重大危险源建设项目公众参与不足;部分法规对一般危险化学品企业安全监管要求过高,重点不突出;某些安全监管提法相互重复、混乱;政府监管和企业管理界限不清晰;缺乏安全监察程序、指南,安全监察落实不到位;对化工园区安全发展认识不足。在吸收、借鉴美国和欧洲发达国家在重大危险源管理方面的经验和良好做法基础上,提出相对应的措施建议。政府部门应加快重大危险源的立法工作,在制定重大危险源的相关法规和政策时应科学、合理。