Safety enhancement of Demolition of a Sulphuric acid manufacturing plant 

Safety enhancement of Demolition of a Sulphuric acid manufacturing plant.

Introduction 3 min Importance of implementing a health and safety policy of the company 2 min Possible health and safety hazards and associated risks 2.5 Safety measures as per the hazard control hierarchy 2.5 Communication plan in case of an emergency and risk management 3 importance of the safety enhancement of the project 2.

WHAT IS A DEMOLITION? Definition Demolition means destruction, breaking down or removal. I n general, demolition can be defined as wrecking or taking out of any load supporting structural element of a building (houses, commercial establishments, and office buildings) or non-building facility (highways, streets, and other noninhabitable construction projects) Demolition Methods Total demolition- As the name suggests this involves the demolition of an entire structure. Implosion demolition – It is a form of demolition in which objects are destroyed by collapsing on themselves. This method employs the use of explosives to bring down high structures by undermining structural supports so that it collapses within their footprint or along a predetermined path Chemical demolition – This method involves the use of concrete demolition powder, concrete breaking chemical, and concrete cracking chemical you can quickly and safely bring down large structures. Controlled demolition – It is a demolition method that involves taking down buildings and structures in a safe, guided manner in order to achieve the best timely results. Mechanical demolition – this method involves the use of specialized mechanical equipment and tools. These equipment include hydraulic excavators equipped with specialized attachments that can break concrete and steel to demolish the structure apart..

Selective demolition - This type of demolition includes removing specific parts of a building. Some old buildings stand the test of time and others don’t. This method involves the removal of specific interior portions while protecting the remaining structure and exterior portions of a building protecting nearby structures and areas. Interior demolition - This type of demolition involves the removal of specific interior buildings The method will vary based on whether you want to remove one or multiple sections from the buildings. Strip-out demolition - This method involves the careful dismantlement or deconstruction of a building or structure to preserve parts for reuse, refurbishment or recycling. Demolition Procedure Pre-Demolition Procedure.

Before a demolition is executed, the experts must consider several different factors. A demolition process is customized for each project and typically involves the following steps. Building survey : Experts examine the different characteristics of a building, such as the materials, building usage, method of construction, condition, draining conditions, traffic conditions, building codes, and neighboring communities. A study of these parameters will help to dictate the scope Removal of hazardous materials : Specialized personnel is called upon to remove dangerous materials from the building prior to demolition, such as asbestos minerals, radioactive substances, flammable materials, and petroleum contamination. Demolition plan : Experts craft a detailed plan illustrating what will be involved in the demolition, how it will be carried out, the equipment that will be used, and how much debris they will need to clean up. Safety measures : Site workers, supervisors, operators, and engineers are advised of potential hazards such as flammable materials and exposure to noise and dust. The demolition company must also secure the proper permits..

Demolition procedure of Sulphuric Acid Manufacturing Plant.

Demolish structure. Diagram Description automatically generated.

At the first stage a reconnaissance inspection of buildings and facilities is carried out. Then the construction and archival documents denoting the operating conditions of the building are analyzed. These conditions include: the period of the building use; the main parameters of engineering process; conditions of hostile industrial environment; information about emergency situations; production control data and monitoring of fruits and intermediates of production in the air of working area. At the second stage expert-analytical evaluation of the object of removal is carried out: identification of resource potential and competitiveness of materials which can be derived from waste after removal; analysis of the factors of the waste’s resource potential change; selection of economically affordable, environmentally-friendly and technologically feasible ways of removal; assessment of waste’s environmental safety. According to the results of the made analysis recyclable, ballast and hazardous waste streams are separated; the amount of unutilized fractions’ landfill is determined; the choice of hazardous waste neutralization techniques and methods of utilized waste flows’ processing is made [12]. After that the projects of buildings’ demolishing and dismantling as well as the project of further recovery of contaminated areas are developed. The third stage consists of demolishing, dismantling or reshaping of buildings and of the territory’s recovery. Refined territory is assigned for the secondary use. After completing these kinds of works, the territory is provided for the secondary use. To increase the resource potential of demolishing and dismantling waste it is necessary to neutralize the dangerous flow, to landfill the ballast flow and to recycle the utilized waste flow aimed at its further reuse..

Importance of implementing a health and safety policy of a Sulphuric acid manufacturing plant.

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First this effect can be categorized impact on human and impact on environmental. The impact on human is divided 2 parts such impact on employees and impact on the human surrounding area. Impact on environmental can be divided 3 parts like impact on air, impact on water and impact on soil..

So the health and safety policy is an essential thing to minimize these accidents and increase safety in demolishing sulphuric acid manufacturing plant. The main health and safety policies… ISO 45001 BS OHSAS 18001 has been replaced by ISO 45001 the new international standard for occupational health and safety management. OH&S policy . How get started? If considering implementing ISO 45001, here are a few tips to get started: Perform an analysis of the organization’s context that is relevant to OH&S (such as interested parties) as well as the internal and external factors that might impact the demolition process. Establish the scope of the system, considering what would like the management system to achieve. Set the OH&S policy and objectives. Define the time frame in which wish to implement the system and plan how to achieve it. Determine any competence and/or resource gaps that need addressing before the standard can be implemented..

What are the importance of implementing health and safety policy? Employees feel their needs and safety are being taken into account. A strong occupational health and safety management system can help reduce injuries and illness in the workplace. May help avoid legal costs and may even reduce insurance costs. Create a positive corporate culture supportive of prevention of workplace injury and illness, as well as employee participation. Reduce the environmental pollution and bad impact of it such as acid rain, ozone depletion, being acidic water and soil.

Possible health and safety hazards and associated risks.

Sulphuric acid mist. A picture containing outdoor Description automatically generated.

H2 gas accumulated in confined spaces. Flammable and explosion of hydrogen gas.

Ammonia Poisonning. Irritation Redness Itching Pain It may also be a neurotoxin.

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Construction hazards. Accidents due to persons falling from high, unprotected workplaces and through openings Accidents due to persons being struck by falling objects Dust and noise Sudden and unexpected building collapses due to structural instability collapse of heavy demolition equipment and heavy machinery due to inadequate support Projectiles of debris and shrapnel.

Potential Health Effects : Sulphuric acid is not very volatile and workplace exposures are therefore primarily due to accidental splashes or to processes or actions that generate an acid mist. It is extremely corrosive to all body tissues, causing rapid tissue destruction and serious chemical burns on contact with the skin or eyes. Skin or eye contact requires immediate first aid. Inhalation of sulphuric acid mist or fumes may produce irritation of the nose, throat and respiratory tract. High levels of acid mist are also irritating to the skin and eyes. Chronic inhalation of acid mist may cause pitting and erosion of tooth enamel. Sulphuric acid, per se, is not listed as a carcinogen by OSHA, NTP, IARC, or the ACGIH. However, IARC, the ACGIH and the NTP have concluded there is sufficient evidence that occupational exposure to strong inorganic acid mists containing sulphuric acid is carcinogenic or potentially carcinogenic to humans (see Toxicological Information, Section 11). Potential Environmental Effects : Sulphuric acid is highly toxic to aquatic organisms and terrestrial plant life; however, it does not bioaccumulate or bioconcentrate through the food chain.

Safety measures as per the hazard control hierarchy.

Most effective Least effective Hierarchy of Controls Elimination Substitution Engineering Controls Administrative Controls PPE Physically remove the hazard Replace the hazard Isolate people from the hazard Change the way people work Protect the worker with Personal Protective Equipment.

Preventions. Hierarchy of controls Elimination Working high above the ground, elimination by moving the piece to ground level and carrying out work there Substitutions Replacing lead-based paint with titanium white Engineering controls Using remotely controlled equipment or using fall arrest equipment Administrative controls Relevant employee training, installation of warning signs PPE Wearing Hard hats, gloves, Nomex clothing, respirators, safety goggles, etc..

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Communication plan in case of an emergency and risk management.

Emergency communication plan must be able to, Lauch quickly Brief senior management on the situation. Identify and brief the company spokesperson of the situation. Identify and brief the company statements to the media and other organizations. Organize and facilitate broadcast media coverage. Communicate situation information and procedural instructions to employees and other stakeholders. Communicate with employee families and the local community. Continually adapt to changing events associated with the emergency..

General Emergency Communication Planning Considerations, Senior management support is essential – without it you will not be able to formulate a plan ad could be faced with unfavourable media coverage and possible even lawsuits. Keep it simple - A well organized, step by step plan with relevant information at your fingerprints will help you to get through most incidents. Focus emergency content on relevant information - Provide only the relevant facts as they are available, get them out quickly and proactively, follow up regularly, keep relevant parties informed, resolve incorrect information and tell the truth about the situation. Review and test - once the plan is complete, review and exercise it to ensure that the documented procedures make sense and supporting materials (e.g., press release forms, media briefing arrangements, lists of critical contacts) are up to date. Be flexible - a basic template and supporting document files should be sufficient for managing most emergency situations..

Risk management All dismantling, demolition and structural alterations need to be planned and undertaken in a manner that prevents danger by practitioners who have the correct knowledge, skills, and experience. The planning process begins with a demolition risk assessment. A demolition risk assessment should consider dangers and risks relating to: Falls from height – includes risks of workers falling from edges, though fragile surfaces, openings, and partly demolished floors Fire – includes risks from tools that cause sparks, heat, or flames Hazardous materials – includes asbestos, dust, respirable crystalline silica, paints, acids, microbiological hazards, flammable liquids, and unlabelled drums Uncontrolled collapses – consider the age of the structure, its use, nearby buildings, and type of construction Falling materials – includes flying debris and premature structural collapse Vibrations and noise – includes hand tools and machinery Connected services – includes electricity, water, gas, and telecommunications Worker involvement – includes awareness of the risks and precautions of the worksite Each activity and hazard should be identified in the demolition risk assessment with its risk level and the likelihood of occurrence. Risk levels are typically denoted as: Low risk – safe to continue with no additional controls Medium risk – caution and adequate control is needed High risk – must not be done.

How can risks be avoided Once the risks are identified in the demolition risk assessment, controls and procedures need to arranged to miniimize hazards. This action should include: Falls from height – assess, control, and eliminate risks, and remove tripping hazards from scaffolding Fire – keep the plan updated with fire points and escape routes as demolition progresses Hazardous materials – follow regulations for removing material that are hazardous to health Uncontrolled collapses – identify the sequence of events to prevent accidental collapses and post sentries where walls face public pathways and roads Falling materials – keep people away from the risks using covered walkways, exclusion zoons, hard hat areas, high-reach machines, and machines with reinforced cabs Vibrations and noise – provide PPE such as ear defenders and manage workers exposure to vibrating tools Connected services – disconnect, isolate, or label cables and pipes clearly Worker involvement – ensure all workers are aware of health and safety, follow stipulated precautions, and wear PPE such as hard hats, goggles, boots, ear defenders, dust masks, hi-vis clothing, and flame retardant workwear, as appropriate.

importance of the safety enhancement of the project.