Application of process hazards management in lab-scale pilot plant

Abstract

Researchers working with lab-scale pilot plants are also exposed to the hazardous material and unsafe environment. Injuries, accidents or even fatalities are often reported due to direct exposure of process hazards such as hazardous chemicals while working with the pilot plant. Even though the quantity of hazardous materials at the lab-scale pilot plant is small compared to real scale plant, but the impact of the hazards can be very high that may cause fatalities and properties damage. However, there is no structured technique reported that successfully manage process hazards in pilot plant. It is well known that the management of process hazards is a requirement in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Process Safety Management (PSM) CFR 1910.119(e) for process industries. PSM is recognized by industries as the best for prevention of major accidents in process plant, but they are still struggling to comply with the PSM standard due to lack of effective implementation technique. This paper presents a strategy on how researchers could manage the process hazards effectively at the same time could comply with OSHA PSM CFR 1910.119(e). A framework is developed based on OSHA PSM CFR 1910.119(e) as a guideline for easy implementation in the lab-scale plant. The application of this concept will assist by computer technology for efficiently collect, update, review and revalidate the process hazards' information. This method once implemented perhaps could reduce the injuries, fatalities and properties damage due to unsafe workplace.