PURPOSE:
To provide for the safe use of temporary bypasses of shutdown systems.
APPLICATION:
All Production Equipment
DEFINITION:
Equipment shutdown systems are:
a) Electrical b) Pneumatic c) Mechanical
POTENTIAL HAZARDS:
If equipment shutdowns are left disabled, the potential for damage to equipment or injury to personnel exists.
PROCEDURES:
Equipment protection devices must not be altered, tam-pered with, adjusted or repaired, except by qualified persons designated by the supervisor in charge.
Equipment Shutdown
Equipment shutdown systems, whether electrical, pneu-matic, or mechanical should not be by-passed. The piece of equipment should be taken out of service to make necessary repairs. However, there are situations where it becomes impractical or impossible to work with a piece of equip-ment without some manner of by-passing or jumping the shutdown system temporarily.
In all areas the potential hazards must be evaluated and a site-specific procedure developed to maintain safe opera-tion.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Responsibility lies with the Supervisor and employees in-stalling, operating, or repairing equipment, while shutdown systems are by-passed.
EYEWASH STATIONS & DELUGE SHOWERS
PURPOSE:
To provide guidelines for the provisions and placement of eyewash stations and deluge showers in BP Canada worksites.
APPLICATION:
All BP Canada worksites where personnel exposure to injurious chemicals exists.
PREPARATIONS:
Each worksite must be evaluated to determine the need for emergency eyewash stations and safety showers. Minimiz-ing exposure through the use of alternative chemicals, enclosed systems or bulk storage should be the first line of defense.
Where the exposure cannot be eliminated, the risk should be categorized as high, moderate or low in accordance with BC Occupational Health and Safety Regulations 5.88:
Eyewash Stations
• High: risk of irreversible tissue damage to the eyes or skin or of serious illness resulting from rapid absorption of a toxic substance through the eyes or skin, or where the risk of igniting cloth-ing is present.
• Moderate: risk of irritation or other reversible harm to the eyes or skin, or of illness resulting from absorption of a toxic substance through the eyes or skin.
• Low: risk of mild eye or skin irritation.
• Emergency eyewash and shower facilities must : o Be designed so that once activated, the flow of
water will continue without requiring the use of the operator’s hands.
o Clearly identify their location and provide directions for use.
o Be protected from all potential chemical contamination, freezing and from high heat exposure.
o Where specified, provide tempered water (15 – 30°C) unless non-tempered water is recommended by a Doctor to reduce the risk of worker injury.
Personal protective equipment must be supplied. The use of this equipment is mandatory.
Note: Special care must be exercised in the selection of personal protective equipment at worksites where large volumes of water are not readily available.
PROCEDURES:
Location:
High Risk
Tempered continuous flow eyewash stations and deluge showers must be placed within 5 seconds walking distance
Equipment Shutdown
but no greater than 6 m (20 ft) from high-risk areas. For high risk corrosive gases such as ammonia or chlorine, the facilities must not be located in the gas storage or use area, but rather adjacent to it.
Showers may be located further than 6m if:
• A non-tempered drench hose is within 5 seconds walking distance but no greater than 6 m.
• A tempered shower facility can be reached within 5 minutes of the accident.
Moderate Risk
Tempered emergency eyewash and shower equipment must be within 10 seconds walking distance but no further than 30 m (100 ft) unless:
• First aid services are maintained to start treat-ment within 5 minutes of an accident.
• A drench hose is located with 10 seconds walk-ing distance but no greater than 30 m.
Low Risk
Effective means to flush the eyes and skin within 10 seconds walking distance but no further than 30 m (100 ft).
Volume of Water Required:
• Safety showers and/or emergency eyewash stations must meet the requirements of ANSI standard Z358.1-1981.
• Safety showers, emergency eyewash stations and portable self-contained units must be capable of delivering sufficient water for not less than 15 minutes (or more if required by the nature of the material).
• Eyewash stations must be capable of delivering a minimum of 1.5 L/min of water with a pressure not exceeding 175 kPa (24psi) and with a spray pattern designed to effectively flush both eyes.
• Drench hoses must be capable of delivering a
Eyewash Stations
minimum of 11.4 L/min.
If potable water systems are available, eyewash and showers should be permanently installed.
Where potable water systems are not available, approved portable or self-contained safety showers and/or eyewash units are recommended.
Eyewash Bottles:
As a minimum, emergency eyewash bottles, one liter size, should be available at all worksites. This may require a bottle in each vehicle.
Upon opening or breaking the seal of the one liter eyewash bottle, the entire contents must be used or disposed. Only bottles with an identified expiration date are approved for use at BP Canada worksites.
Employees should immediately go to the nearest available source of potable water to continue flushing for a minimum of 15 minutes, and to obtain medical help as soon as possible.
PRECAUTIONS:
Alarm devices should be considered for remote or large worksites. This precaution will signal others that the shower or eyewash unit has been activated. Back-up personnel can then proceed to the location.
Eyewash and shower stations should be:
• Tested upon initial installation in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
• Checked weekly to ensure access is not blocked by material or equipment.
• Permanently plumbed eyewash stations should:
• Use only potable water.
• Be flushed weekly (note BC – requires monthly) for a minimum of 5 minutes to completely flush the branch of water line supplying the unit. This will verify they are operational, and ensure a
Eyewash Stations
clean supply of water.
• Portable or self-contained eyewash or shower units should:
• Use only potable water or an isotonic saline flushing solution.
• Have the water replaced regularly or as per manufacturers’ specifications, to ensure a clean supply of water.
All operational checks and flushes should be recorded.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
It is the responsibility of the BP Canada Supervisor in charge, and all employees, to assess the need and provide emergency eyewash or safety shower units where required.
TRAINING:
Employees in charge of handling or working with injurious chemicals must be instructed in the proper use and location of all emergency eyewash and safety shower units.