You're in charge of hazardous materials. How do you make sure your equipment is up to the task?

To ensure the effectiveness of hazardous materials handling equipment, In my opinion, follow these key steps: 1. Conduct regular inspections to identify and address wear or damage; 2. Establish a strict maintenance schedule for prompt repairs or replacements; 3. Adhere to regulatory standards and certifications; 4. Provide thorough training for personnel on proper equipment usage and safety protocols; 5. Foster a culture of continuous improvement by regularly reviewing and updating safety measures, staying informed about technological advancements, and adopting industry best practices.

I think identification is first and most important phase in such scanario One should sufficient time in studying entire activity thoroughly for identification and then deploy systamatic approach to finalise mitigation Include documents like MSDS and HIRA for process

Based on my learnings and experience, I opine the below few points to ensure that the resources (Human, Process / Equipment's) are always up to the task to perform, 1. Ensure that there is always an Risk Assessment & FMEA done for all resources 2. Appropriate Risk assessment of all resources helps you know the risk & its mitigation 3. Adhere to SRA (Safety Risk Assessment) document. It is this document that helps you understand risks associated to specific Resource (Human, process / Equipment). 4. If your org is INTEGRATED MANAGEMENT SYSTEM CERTIFIED org then just follow the rule book of implemented IMS, Coz adhering system is not about having SAY- DO ratio of 100%, but also proving 100% through documentary evidence

As the person in charge of hazardous materials, Involves a systematic approach to identify, assess, and mitigate potential hazards associated with handling such materials. - Conduct a thorough hazard identification process to identify potential risks associated with the specific hazardous materials This includes considering chemical properties, reactivity, toxicity or any that pose a risk. - Identification can also be done by leveraging tools like MSDS and GHS. - Train the team to respond to spills, leaks or other emergencies involving hazardous materials. - Implement monitoring systems, Promptly address any issues during inspections. - Procedures for the waste disposal . - Conduct mock drills. - Maintain detailed documentation.

Even before quantity we should first go through the MSDS, GHS, etc, then comes quantity, physical condition such as leakages, spills, process parameters, also two very important aspects are whether the current manpower has adequate knowledge to handle such materials, whether the current infrastructure such as layout etc are adequate to handle such material

Always keep them tightly closed For ROHS material hand gloves should be used. Wash hands after use. Don't touch eyes and mouth while using hazardous materials. Take utmost care while disposal.

Prever os riscos, mapear os processos e garantir o amplo conhecimento dos Riscos e Perigos é muito importante. Devemos identificar sim, mas a identificação sem o conhecimento dos riscos não serve de nada. Todos devem conhecer o riscos que os envolvem, estar aptos para prevenir vazamentos , garantir a estailidade do processo, agir rápido em caso de algum evento com esse produto rapidamente e caso tenha algum evento especial, sabe combater e ajudar a todos para evitar colapsos com as pessoas próximas e que não estão envolvidas com esses processos.

Ensuring that equipment is prepared and safe is paramount. A key strategy in achieving this is leveraging IIoT to gather and analyze data from the factory shop floor: Real-Time Monitoring and Alerts: - Sensors on Equipment: IoT sensors can be attached to storage tanks, pipelines, and other equipment containing hazardous materials. These sensors provide real-time data on parameters like temperature, pressure, and chemical composition. - Alert Systems: IoT devices can trigger immediate alerts in case of deviations from safe operating conditions, such as leaks or temperature fluctuations. This allows for quick response to prevent accidents. Protecting both the workforce and the environment while enhancing operational efficiency

1. Risk Assessment: Conduct a thorough risk assessment to identify potential hazards associated. 2. Regulatory Compliance: Familiarize yourself with local, national, and international regulations governing the handling of hazardous materials. 3. Equipment Selection: Choose equipment that is specifically designed for the type of hazardous materials you are dealing with. 4.Material Compatibility: Verify that the materials used in your equipment are compatible with the hazardous substances. 5. Quality Assurance: Regularly inspect and maintain all equipment. 6. Training and Certification 7. Emergency Response Planning 8. Communication Systems 9. Monitoring and Detection Systems: 10. Documentation: 11. Continuous Improvement:

Identification of all hazards, in all respects, no matter how trivial it looks, goes a long way in solving the purpose. Usually people underestimate some and ignore which, later, come back to haunt. Let us not judge severity of hazards at identification stage because doing so is like placing the cart in front of the horse. With this approach one will reach nowhere.

It is critical to select appropriate specification for components of the equipment & key here is to confirm that it is conforming to local legal requirements. Also involve manufacturer right from the specification decision phase & also involve MFMEA ( Machine FMEA) before finalising the specification. Have a robust FAT & SAT process before shipping & while installing respectively. Train Maintenance Engineers on the hazards & never forget to introduce robust PM ( Preventive Maintenance ) or PdM ( Predictive Maintenance ) check points before introducing the equipment for commercial operations. Also monitor, record the observations & actions taken & inform the required government authorities on timely basis + have a plan for replacement.

This is the most important, and in all probabilities, most ignored stage. This is because people seldom have adequate knowledge of latest equipments in hazard handling. The golden rule is that if you are not sure, seek help, contact experts. I don't know why but people refrain from employing expert help. Another mistake people make at this stage is of being penny wise pound foolish. Just to save few bucks they choose an unrealiable or less reliable equipment, compromising on long term goals, and hope that equipments will be adequate. Remember, one rupee saved in CAPEX this way may cause you bleed hundreds of rupees in future.

Um Exemplo que Vi durante o tempo em que trabalhei em uma empresa que comprou material mais barato para confecção de tubulações para transporte de produto acabado em menos de 2 Anos houve vazamento por isso existe o ditado o barato sai Caro,a empresa acabou perdendo material e tempo dos colaboradores Caldeireiro e soldador porque não quis comprar um produto de qualidade.Por isso precisamos de fornecedores assíduos que quando tivermos problemas teremos o retorno do pós venda,e não comprar o mais barato nesse caso só foi um vazamento e não houve acidente como incêndio ou explosão.

Yes, trainings are required. Delving into finer nuances I have seen very lengthy and special trainings yielding nothing if effectiveness is not evaluated. Whatever trainings are provided are to be evaluated properly. If this is done, few follow up actions will lead to greater benefits.

Na verdade a empresa que se preocupa que segue a legislação e as normas vigentes do seu País tem por obrigação seguir as orientações do fabricante dos equipamentos e criar um Plano de manutenção Preventiva afim de evitar danos Gerais aos colaboradores aos equipamentos bem como ao meio Ambiente, garantido uma operação adequada.

Everyone maintaining the critical equipment needs great training. Amazing gains to reliability are realized when everyone speaks the same language and understands and goal. Many reliability myths are out there! Spare parts, shelf spares, infant mortality, subject matter experts are all keys to success. Don’t forget to start every meeting with a safety discussion.

A manutenção desses equipamentos e de fundamental importância para evitar acidentes graves. A mautenção dos equipamentos deve ser feita preventivamente, de acordo com as especificações do faricante. O problema da manutenção é que se bem selecionados e bem instalados, dificilmente apresentam problemas o que leva a uma falsa sensação de estailidade, e as vezes, leva a um erro de gestão e atraso de manutenção. Os custos são altos e são negligenciados.Esses equipamentos devem ser mantidos de forma especial, ja que uma quebra desses equipamentos pode causar um Risco muito grave de acidentes. O grande erro é deixar pra depois as verificações e manutenções e algumas vezes nao se atentar ao funcionamento dos intertravamentos de segurança.

I fully disagree. This need not be a seperate step because inspection of equipment is an integral part of proper maintenance plan. Clean to inspect, inspect to maintain, do predictive maintenance. If inspection of equipment is seperated from maintenance plan, it is trouble.

It was long back story. May be 1995. when I was working in pharmaceutical industry back in India, we have to transfer alkali eflluent by Tanker. Our team didn't realise that Rubber lined Tank is not is suitable. Just because of excess volume of effluent, we used acid effluent rubber lined tanker even after thoroughly cleaned. Result is rubber melted and peeld off after few transfers. So we must know the characterstics Hazardous substance before we use it by any equipment. This was the first lesson I learned in chemical Industry.

If equipmenta are special, buying those is not enough. Special equipments demand special maintenance skills and, consequently special trainings. It is very important to involve Maintenance people right from the begining in the equipment procurement process. Believe me, they can definitely add value from maintainability and reliability perspective. They have multitude of data and experience of past failures and can employ those in required manner to add value. In this process they will also be able to identify their maintenance related training needs and can take those to logical conclusion.

This is almost as important as having the right equipment. You could have the best equipment, if your staff has no knowledge of how to use or if it is up to date. You will fail.

In my experience, for handling hazardous materials you must be well aware about its physical and chemical properties and accordingly MSDS should be in place. Handling procedure , SOP to be made along with the HIRA . Authorise people who are trained enough with above either through simulation software or through mock drill to get a feel of real time experience. Emergency handling plan with requisite resources should be in place.

I would review local and international regulations, specifications and I would go with most strict one Also I beleive that we should ask onsite review by expert

Hazards storage vessel test certification and its due date to be mentioned. Before any work activity area to be barricaded and display for the unknowns.

Through, MSDS its helps to describe uses and its how to handle the things. Proper SOP must be followed for Hazards' materials.

Um exemplo que presenciei durante os Anos em que trabalhei e quando as empresas seguem as normas vigentes e cuidam dos seus Equipamentos fazendo manutenção Preventiva necessária estão garantido a qualidade dos seus produtos e Também Garantindo a integridade dos seus Colaboradores assim bem como a segurança da empresas ao redor e Preservando o meio Ambiente.