Inherent occupational health assessment during basic engineering stage

Each year more people die from work-related diseases than are killed in industrial accidents. Therefore it is essential to evaluate occupational health aspect during the process design. Early evaluation of safety, health, and environmental (SHE) performance is advantageous, since the opportunities to make the process inherently benign are greater and the cost therefore lower. The methods for occupational health assessments need to be tailored to specific design stages, since the data availability is changing as the design proceeds. In this paper, an index-based method called the Occupational Health Index (OHI) is presented for the basic engineering stage. The OHI is the final of the three methods in series proposed for health assessment in development and design stages. The OHI is based on the information available in piping and instrumentation diagrams (PIDs) and the plot plan. Four health aspects are considered; chronic inhalation risks to noncarcinogens and carcinogens, acute inhalation risk, and dermal/eye risk. The index is demonstrated on separation system of a toluene hydrodealkylation process. The assessment results allow the level of occupational health risks to be evaluated, the sources of exposures be detected, and corrective actions taken in a focused way.     

Inherent occupational health assessment during process research and development stage

Occupational health studies the interaction of work and health, especially the long-term effect of chemicals to health. In this paper an Inherent Occupational Health Index has been developed for assessing the health risks of process routes during process research and development stage. The method takes into account both the hazard from the chemicals present and the potential for the exposure of workers to the chemicals. The index can be used either for determining the level of inherent occupational health hazards or comparing alternative process routes for these risks. The method is tailored for the process research and development stage by including only such properties of chemicals and operating conditions of process, which are available already in this early stage. In the end of this paper the approach is demonstrated by comparing the inherent occupational healthiness of six methyl methacrylate process routes using three different types of index calculations; additive-type, average-type, and worst case-type. The study discloses that the average- and worst case-based approaches analyze the characteristics of a route better than the additive calculation, which is greatly affected by the number of steps in the route. A quantitative standard scale for the index is also developed to allow health level assessment of a single process.     

Inherent risk assessment methodology in preliminary design stage: A case study for toxic release

At preliminary design stage, process designers normally lack of information on the risk level from process plant. An inherently safer process plant could be designed if the information of risk levels could be known earlier at the preliminary design stage. If the risk level could be determined, there is a possibility to eliminate or reduce the risk by applying the well-known concept: inherent safety principle. This paper presents a technique to determine the risk levels at preliminary process design stage using a 2-region risk matrix concept. A model to calculate the severity and likelihood of a toxic release accident was developed in Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. This model is integrated with process design simulator, iCON to allow for data transfer during preliminary design stage. 2-region risk matrix is proposed and used to evaluate the acceptability of the inherent risk based on the severity and likelihood rating. If the inherent risk level is unacceptable, modification for improvement can be done using the inherent safety principles. A case study has been carried out to illustrate the benefit of applying this newly developed technique. It was successfully shown that an inherently safer plant could easily be designed by applying this technique.     

Inherent risk assessment—A new concept to evaluate risk in preliminary design stage

Quantitative Risk Assessment (QRA) has been a very popular and useful methodology which is widely accepted by the industry over the past few decades. QRA is typically carried out at a stage where complete plant has been designed and sited. At that time, the opportunity to include inherent safety design features is limited and may incur higher cost. This paper proposes a new concept to evaluate risk inherent to a process owing to the chemical it uses and the process conditions. The risk assessment tool is integrated with process design simulator (HYSYS) to provide necessary process data as early as the initial design stages, where modifications based on inherent safety principles can still be incorporated to enhance the process safety of the plant. The risk assessment tool consists of two components which calculate the probability and the consequences relating to possible risk due to major accidents. A case study on the potential explosion due to the release of flammable material demonstrates that the tool is capable to identify potential high risk of process streams. Further improvement of the process design is possible by applying inherent safety principles to make the process under consideration inherently safer. Since this tool is fully integrated with HYSYS, re-evaluation of the inherent risk takes very little time and effort. The new tool addresses the lack of systematic methodology and technology, which is one of the barriers to designing inherently safer plants.     

Simple graphical method for inherent occupational health assessment

The concept of inherently safer design was introduced to design a fundamentally safer process so that hazards can be avoided or minimized rather than controlled or managed. The ideology has later been extended to the environmental, but not health criteria due to its complicated underlying principles. Even though health risk methods are already established, majority are for existing plants assessment. Early consideration of health aspect starting from process design stage however, has received much less attention. This paper introduces a simple graphical method to evaluate the inherent occupational health hazards of chemical processes during the R&D stage. A survey was conducted to identify the important health parameters for the graphical method development, involving nine world inherent safety and health experts. Based on their input, process mode, material volatility, operating pressure and chemical health hazard (toxicity and adverse effect) are the significant factors affecting inherent health hazards of chemical processes. The choice of parameters was bounded by the information availability at this stage. The method was applied on six routes to methyl methacrylate and ten routes to acetic acid. The parameters were plotted for each subprocess of the alternative routes. The ‘healthiest’ route was selected based on thorough hazards assessment across all the subprocesses. The first case study reveals the tertiary butyl alcohol as the ‘healthiest’ one as it poses relatively lower, or at least comparable hazards to the other routes due to exposure and health impacts. Meanwhile the acetic acid case study indicates ethanol oxide and ethyl oxide based routes as the inherently healthier as they operate at lower operating pressure besides posing comparable hazards level for the other three parameters, compared to the other routes. The case studies show that the inherent occupational health of a chemical process can already be evaluated easily in the R&D stage with the simple graphical method proposed.     

Using process stream index (PSI) to assess inherent safety level during preliminary design stage

In the current practice, safety assessment is conducted once the process design has been completed. At this stage of design, the freedom to change the conceptual design is very limited and whatever strategies to be implemented will only control the hazard. This paper reports on the development of inherent safety index known as a process stream index (PSI) for inherent safety level assessment at preliminary design stage from the perspective of an explosion. The aim for PSI is to calculate, compare and prioritize the level of inherent safety of process streams during simulation work that influences the explosion. By prioritizing the streams based on the potential for the explosion, the design engineers can easily identify the critical streams to be considered for improvement in order to avoid or minimize explosion hazards. An enhancement technique to reflect the contribution of the individual components in the mixture is introduced, which provide significant contribution to the ranking of inherent safety level of process streams. The assessment of inherent safety level using PSI is demonstrated by case studies of HYSYS simulation for Acrylic Acid Plant and Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) plant.     

A preliminary validation of a new measure of occupational health and safety

INTRODUCTION: This article describes the validation of an instrument designed to conduct an Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) self-diagnosis using workers observations of tangible facts and actions in the workplace. The instrument puts the emphasis on observable factors that make it possible to act proactively before accidents actually occur. METHOD: Three companies were recruited from the printing sector in Québec based on their OHS performance (low, medium, and high), their interest in the project, and their availability. The master sample was composed of 269 people. Partial least squares (PLS) and vanishing tetrad analyses were used to study the behavior of the formative scales developed. RESULTS: The results indicate that partial revision of the instrument will be necessary to reach a fully satisfying level of validity. With regards to the statistical approach adopted, the use of a macro called CTA-SAS 2.0 developed by Bollen and Ting [Bollen, K.A., & Ting, K.-F. (1993). Confirmatory tetrad analysis. In P.V. Marsden (Ed.), Social methodology.Vol.23 (pp.147-176). Cambridge, MA: Blackwell, 23] has proven to be effective in providing a suitable statistical treatment of the latent formative variables on which our instrument's development is based. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the instrument appears to be relatively robust and appropriate to diagnose OHS leading measures. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: In the long run, this instrument will make it possible for companies to draw a more refined picture of OHS evolution, even in the absence of occupational injuries.     

Qualitative Assessment for Inherently Safer Design (QAISD) at preliminary design stage

Conventional hazard evaluation techniques such as what-if checklist and hazard and operability (HAZOP) studies are often used to recognise potential hazards and recommend possible solutions. They are used to reduce any potential incidents in the process plant to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP) level. Nevertheless, the suggested risk reduction alternatives merely focus on added passive and active safety systems rather than preventing or minimising the inherent hazards at source through application of inherently safer design (ISD) concept. One of the attributed reasons could be the shortage of techniques or tools to support implementation of the concept. Thus, this paper proposes a qualitative methodology that integrates ISD concept with hazard review technique to identify inherent hazards and generate ISD options at early stage of design as proactive measures to produce inherently safer plant. A modified theory of inventive problem solving (TRIZ) hazard review method is used in this work to identify inherent hazards, whereby an extended inherent safety heuristics tool is developed based on established ISD principles to create potential ISD options. The developed method namely Qualitative Assessment for Inherently Safer Design (QAISD) could be applied during preliminary design stage and the information required to apply the method would be based on common process and safety database of the studied process. However, user experiences and understanding of inherent safety concept are crucial for effective utilisation of the QAISD. This qualitative methodology is applied to a typical batch reactor of toluene nitration as a case study. The results show several ISD strategies that could be considered at early stage of design in order to prevent and minimise the potential of thermal runaway in the nitration process.     

Computer-aided assessment of occupationally healthier processes during research and development stage

Each year more people die from occupational related diseases than are killed in industrial accidents. Therefore it is critical to start considering health aspect early when developing a new chemical process. In this paper, a computer-aided tool for assessing inherent occupational health is proposed for chemical process research and development stage. The method was developed based on the reaction chemistry data, which is the only data available at this stage. Three types of approaches were formulated to calculate the route index value using additive type, average type and worst case type calculations. The tool can be used to rank the alternative chemical synthesis routes by their health properties as well as characterize the hazard level of single process. Finally the tool was applied to six process routes for methyl methacrylate production for demonstration. The case study revealed hazards of the processes from different perspectives, e.g. the results from the additive-type calculation were mainly affected by the total number of steps in the route, which indicates the impact of process complexity on the level of hazard. The introduction of such tool provides a swift yet reliable means that will encourage health criteria to be considered earlier in process development besides economic, safety and environment.     

作业场所职业危害监管影响因素及其量化研究

作业场所职业危害监管受到多种因素的影响,确定主要影响因素并采取针对性措施是优化监管资源,提高监管效率的重要手段。作业场所职业危害监管涉及监管决策与现场监管两个方面,作业场所的职业危害风险、作业场所所属行业的职业危害风险、作业场所所在区域的职业危害风险以及职业卫生的监管体制与运行机制等都不同程度地影响到作业场所职业危害监管的资源分配与监管的实际效果。本文在概述作业场所职业危害监管主要影响因素的基础上,对主要影响因素进行了分析并探讨了其量化评定的可能性。     

基于灰色聚类方法的航空公司飞机进近着陆阶段安全性评估

进近着陆阶段时间短、任务重、环境复杂,是飞行事故多发阶段。飞行机组应当具备过硬的心理素质和熟练的驾驶技术,严格执行标准操作程序,提升稳定进近能力和复飞的决断能力,保障飞行安全。本文通过综合分析民用飞机在进近着陆时的影响因素和QAR译码数据,建立相关指标体系,构造出相应灰色聚类评价模型,根据综合聚类系数对航空公司某阶段飞机进近着陆安全性进行评估。该研究为航空公司进行进近着陆阶段安全性评估提供了一种较为科学的定量化依据,对于保障飞行安全具有现实意义。     

运用危险源控制方法改进职业健康安全管理的有效性

危险源辨识和风险评价是GB/T28001职业健康安全管理的基本方法,通过危险源辨识找出与职业健康安全有关的管理点（危险源）,评价出职业健康安全管理需要管理的重点（中度和高度风险）,制定适宜的方法,即制定目标指标方案、运行控制或应急预案加以控制和改善,体现职业健康安全管理的基本原则和思路。只有正确运用危险源辨识和风险评价的方法,才能做到合理策划危险源的控制方法,集中力量抓主要矛盾解决主要问题,兼顾次要矛盾和一般问题的管理;根据不同危险源的具体情况选择适宜合理的方法,既保证危险源的有效控制,又保证采用的任何危险源控制方法和措施与危险源产生后果的严重性和伴随的风险相适应,尽量避免危险源控制的盲目性和不经济,达到追求最佳职业健康安全绩效的目的,提高整体和系统管理的有效性。     

几种职业健康风险评估法在采石行业的应用效果比较

比较4种职业健康风险评估模型在某采石场中应用的优缺点,探索适合采石行业职业健康风险评估的最佳方法。选取湖北鄂东某采石场为研究对象,进行现场调查和采样检测,应用4种模型进行评估分析:国际采矿与金属委员会职业健康风险评估模型(ICMM模型)判定采石场工人接触粉尘为不可容忍或者高风险水平;风险定义法(MES法)判定采石场工人接触粉尘和噪声为四级或三级风险水平;罗马尼亚职业事故和职业病风险评估方法(MLSP法)判定采石场工人接触粉尘和噪声为低风险或非常低风险水平;澳大利亚职业健康与安全风险评估管理导则(UQ法)判定采石场工人接触粉尘和噪声为高风险或中等风险水平。与有毒作业分级结果比较验证,ICMM模型、MES法、MLSP法相对一致,适合评估某一具体采石场的职业健康风险,UQ法因不考虑个体差异,更适合评估整个采石行业的职业健康风险。     

《废气治理环保项目劳动安全卫生设计专篇》编写要求

强调了劳动安全卫生设计的重要性,就《废气治理环保项目劳动安全卫生设计专篇》的编写方法进行了说明。指出了环保项目中常见的危险危害因素,并提出相应的防范技术措施。     

The productivity assessment tool: computer-based cost benefit analysis model for the economic assessment of occupational health and safety interventions in the workplace

INTRODUCTION AND MEthod: This paper describes the concepts behind cost benefit analysis in occupational health and safety and introduces the Productivity Assessment Tool, a method by which an analysis may be performed relatively easily in a service or manufacturing workplace. The advantage of using such analyses is to show the important financial role that safe and efficient workplaces play in the workplace. RESULTS: By using analytical tools, the effectiveness of an intervention (workplace change) may be estimated prior to its introduction. IMPACT ON INDUSTRY: This places occupational health and safety on the same financial footing as other proposed workplace changes and thus places occupational health and safety in a strong position to attract scarce resources.     

职业卫生定性风险评价方法的研究

根据风险评价的原理,建立了较为完整的职业卫生定性风险评价方法,为企业进行职业卫生管理提供了充分的依据。此方法利用现场的各种信息对潜在的职业危害风险进行指数分级,在暴露评估过程中包含了危害来源,暴露途径和职业暴露的接受体这三个要素,使企业以此为依据来决定减轻职业危害的控制方法及优先顺序如化学品的替代、工程控制及个体防护用品。     

中国六溴环十二烷(HBCD)的职业环境健康风险评估

为了反映中国的六溴环十二烷(HBCD)职业健康风险状况,结合中国HBCD相关行业的生产状况,构建了6种中国的HBCD职业暴露情景,预估可能暴露于HBCD的职业人群数量为614～963人.然后利用EASE模型模拟职业暴露水平,并通过安全边际表征职业健康风险.结果表明,职业人群主要通过呼吸和皮肤途径接触HBCD,其相应的内暴露水平可达到0.07～1.63 mg/(kg·d)和0～0.84mg/(kg·d);由此可以估算职业人群总的暴露剂量达到0.07～1.80mg/(kg·d),这比普通人群对HBCD的暴露水平高3～5个数量级.风险评估表明,16％的职业人群具有反复染毒的风险,69％的职业人群具有产生生殖毒性的风险,总计职业人群中具有健康风险的人数为424.04～665.70,约占职业人群数量的70％,由此可见HBCD的职业暴露能够损害工人健康.     

Supporting the selection of process and plant design options by Inherent Safety KPIs

Effective support of inherent safety implementation in process design requires a quantitative metric for monitoring and communicating the expected safety performance of alternative design options. The Inherent Safety Key Performance Indicators (IS-KPIs) methodology was developed to provide both a flexible procedure for the identification of the hazards, and a sound consequence-based quantification of the safety performance. The integration of different hazard identification techniques yields the relevant accident scenarios for each unit in the plant. The calculation of credible damage distances by consolidate consequence simulation models provides a sound basis for the definition of the KPIs based on worst case effects. Specific indicators were devoted to hazards from external actions, as natural events and intentional malicious acts. The methodology was demonstrated by the comparison of alternative technological options for LNG regasification. The application evidenced the potential of the IS-KPI method in pinpointing the critical issues related to each alternative configuration.     

职业健康监护分析在某金矿职业病危害预评价中的应用

在职业病危害预评价中职业健康监护分析的目的是发现易感人群,预测项目建成后可能发生的职业病情况.以某金矿职业病危害预评价为例,对类比工程、调研数据以及文献数据中的职业健康监护资料进行了分析,发现凿岩工是白指病、噪声聋、尘肺病三种职业病的易感人群,远远高出其他工种,是本项目职业病危害防护的重点;而采矿场破碎、运输工罹患尘肺病的可能性较大,矿运车司机可能会产生腰椎骨质增生和椎间盘突出,结合职业健康监护分析结果提出了有针对性的职业病危害补充控制措施,避免项目建成后职业病的发生.     

职业安全卫生标准体系的研究

简要介绍了国内外职业安全卫生标准体系研究的概况,指出了建立我国职业安全卫生标准体系的重要性。运用系统分析的观点和方法,提出了我国职业安全卫生标准体系的编制原则和总体结构。