Hazard Identification Nvq

The objective of the hazard identification is to identify the presence of potential hazards that are posed during operation of the plant, then suggest corresponding control measures to reduce risk or mitigate impacts on work force. Main hazards that we take into consideration are chemical hazards, electrical hazards, vibration and noise related hazards.

6.2.1 Chemical hazards

The chemical hazards are those posed by chemical components and products used in the process. The main hazards associated with the process are that of natural gas or carbon dioxide leakage, high temperature and pressure steam, and potassium carbonate.

1) The leakage of the natural gas

The primary component of natural gas is methane which is non-toxic, however the

Carbon dioxide is an asphyxiant with a density greater than air which leads it to accumulate in low or enclosed spaces, and asphyxiation fatalities will occur when there is a high concentration of CO2. In the room temperature, carbon dioxide is odourless and colourless which means that we are unable to smell or see it at the elevated concentrations. With the concentration of carbon dioxide, people will have headache and loss of consciousness, and inhale high density CO2 will cause death. Factors that could lead to leakage of carbon dioxide includes the damage to structures and equipment and improper maintenance of pipelines. Since there is a carbon dioxide compression process on site, the leakage is similar to a pressurised release and the leak of carbon dioxide is colder than the surrounding atmosphere (HSE, 2015). To control the hazard of CO2 leakage, the compression and transport process of carbon dioxide should be isolated and the pipelines should be mended

From the safety data sheet, the main health hazard of potassium carbonate is to cause serious eye and skin irritation (Armand 2015). To control the hazard of the potassium carbonate, protective gloves and eye glasses are required, also dust masks should be worn to prevent breathing or swallowing dusts when handling the powder form.

6.2.2 Electrical hazard

Electrical equipment such as generator and turbines pose the risk of electrical fire, the most common cause of this being leakage of lubricant oil. (F.E. global) The leaking lube oil is ignited by the hot surface of the steam or gas turbine and causes fire. The risk of electrical hazard will increase if combustible materials are used and the protection method is to install fire protection equipment, such as the water spray system.

The other hazard of the electrical hazard is the high power lines. Since there are a large number of high electricity machines (generators) that are used in the power station, the risk of electric shock should be noticed. Workers should wear insulating clothes when operate electrical parts and electricity protector should be