Fire Safety Engineering and Management Assessment Brief

Introduction

Oil is a mind-boggling combination, and normally happening, hydrocarbon intensifies found in bedrock which has been shaped more than millennia by intensity and strain. Compared to other industries, the oil and gas industry is more susceptible to fire and explosion risks. Neglecting to control or oversee start sources proficiently may prompt extremely hazardous circumstances, and that is the explanation fire wellbeing cannot be ignored while managing ignitable materials and gases.

Task 1: Importance and need of Environment Health and Safety (EHS) in Oil and Gas industries

Drilling and maintaining oil and gas wells require a wide range of tools and materials. To avoid harm and death, hazards must be identified and controlled. The following highlights a few of these dangers. For more information on the requirements for evaluation and control, see Standards and Enforcement (Osha.gov, 2023). An oil and gas company is said to be further downstream in the industry the closer it is to provide consumers with petroleum products. The oil and gas processes that take place prior to the point of sale are referred to as downstream operations (Kramer, 2015). Refiners of crude petroleum oil and natural gas processors, who deliver usable products to end-users and consumers, represent this sector of the oil and gas industry, the final step in the production process. Additionally, they market and distribute natural gas and crude oil products.

That is made possible by EHS, and the oil and gas industry has increased production while simultaneously reducing oil spills exponentially in recent decades. A company’s culture, on the other hand, must place a high value on the safety of its employees, the environment, and the people living in and around its operations (Osha.gov, 2023). Powerful EHS requires a continuous basic investigation of each and every part of the oil and gas activity at ordinary stretches. Analyze each of the hazards to determine their position in the control hierarchy. Regulators and others will assume that a procedure does not exist if it is not documented. That is the reason definite documentation is fundamental. Audits will confirm that procedures are being followed, so employees must be trained to follow the most recent EHS regulations (Dionne, 2023). As a result, leaders must pledge to do more than just include EHS in the mission statement.

Task 2: Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Policy

The management of a company’s health and safety is an essential component. To ensure that these risks and hazards do not harm workers, businesses must conduct a risk assessment to identify the risks and hazards in their workplace(s) and implement effective control measures (International Labour Office and Alli, 2008). With this, a company can be dedicated to making sure that every worker, contractor, and visitor has a healthy and safe place to work. The goal of our occupational health and safety (OHS) policy is to reduce risks and eliminate hazards throughout the organization. The policy has the following aspects (ILO.org, 2023);

1. Statement of Policy – All of our employees, contractors, and visitors deserve a healthy and safe place to work. This is our firm’s top priority. This includes cutting down on the risks and hazards associated with our operations. Our OHS strategy depends on the accompanying standards:
2. Conformity with the relevant OHS regulations – It is expected that the employees will adhere to all applicable OHS standards and regulations. To ensure compliance and reduce risks, we will continuously review and enhance our occupational health and safety management system.
3. Control, risk assessment, and identification of hazards – It will recognize perils, evaluate dangers, and execute controls to take out or decrease chances related to our tasks. We will make sure that every employee is involved in the process of identifying hazards and evaluating risks.
4. Response and Preparation for Emergencies – In order to reduce the impact of emergencies on visitors, employees, contractors, and the environment, we will develop and implement emergency preparedness and response procedures. To make sure that our emergency procedures work, we will test and evaluate them on a regular basis.

The company is dedicated to making sure that every worker, contractor, and visitor has a healthy and safe place to work. The OHS policies and procedures must be followed by all employees, and management must ensure that the necessary resources are available to accomplish this (ILO.org, 2023). Accidents and injuries at work can be prevented by working together to create a safer environment.

Task 3: Importance of Knowing the Flashpoint of Hydrocarbons for Safe Handling of Oil and Gas Products

One of the most important physical and chemical properties used to determine the risk of liquid fire and explosion is the flash point; As a result, anticipating flash points is a crucial safety factor. A crucial factor in determining the safe handling of oil and gas products is the flashpoint of hydrocarbons (Colorado occupational medical partners, 2021). The temperature at which a flammable liquid vaporizes into the air and ignites in response to an ignition source is known as the flashpoint. The importance is as follows;

1. Fire Counteraction – To avoid explosions and fires, one must be aware of hydrocarbons’ flashpoints. It is essential to keep flammable liquids, like oil and gas products, away from heat sources that could ignite them when handling them. Knowing a product’s flashpoint helps choose the right storage, transportation, and handling methods to reduce the risk of fire and explosion.
2. Assessment of Risk – The flammability of hydrocarbons is evaluated using the flashpoint. Knowing a product’s flashpoint helps determine the likelihood of ignition in various circumstances. Products with lower flashpoints, for instance, are more volatile and more likely to catch fire quickly, making them more dangerous to handle.
3. Conformity to Law – For regulatory compliance, understanding the hydrocarbon flashpoint is essential. Guidelines for the safe handling and storage of flammable liquids have been established by regulatory agencies like OSHA and the EPA, and one of these guidelines includes determining the flashpoint. These rules must be followed by businesses that handle oil and gas products to keep their employees, the environment, and the public safe.
4. Response to an emergency – Planning for a response to an emergency necessitates knowing the hydrocarbon flashpoint. First responders must be aware of the product’s flashpoint in the event of a spill, fire, or explosion in order to determine the appropriate evacuation and firefighting methods.

Task 4: Fire, Safety, and Environmental Challenges During Transportation of Oil and Gas Products

When moving oil and gas products, it is good to prepare for any scenario, not forgetting that the products are highly flammable. As previously discussed in Intermodal Safety in the Transport of Oil and Gas, distinct risks are posed by various oil transportation methods. Numerous fire, safety, and environmental issues arise when oil and gas products are transported (Green and Jackson, 2015). The transportation of oil and gas products faces the following significant difficulties:

1. Fire Dangers – In the event of a fire, oil, and gas products are highly flammable and easy to ignite. Proper labeling, transportation in well-maintained vehicles, and the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) are all necessary safety measures for the shipment of these goods. Vehicles that transport oil and gas products should also have fire suppression systems installed.
2. Risks of Explosion – Products made of oil and gas can also cause explosions, especially when they are transported in pressurized containers. Transportation vehicles need to be made to handle the pressures caused by the products being transported in order to reduce this risk.
3. Concerns about the environment – The spillage, leakage, and release of hazardous chemicals into the environment are just a few of the significant environmental issues that arise when oil and gas products are transported. Water, air, and soil can all be tainted by these dangers. Transportation companies must follow strict environmental management protocols and comply with regulatory requirements to address these concerns.
4. Security in Transportation – To keep workers and the general public safe and prevent injuries and accidents, the transportation of oil and gas products necessitates strict adherence to safety procedures. Transportation vehicles must be driven by qualified and experienced drivers, have the necessary safety features, and be properly maintained by businesses.
5. Security hazard – Because oil and gas products are valuable commodities, criminals who want to steal or sabotage them may be interested in their transportation. To prevent unauthorized access to transportation vehicles, transportation companies must implement stringent security protocols, such as screening contractors and drivers, installing surveillance systems, and implementing access controls.

In conclusion, the transportation of oil and gas products is fraught with significant dangers in terms of fire, safety, and the environment. Companies must adhere to regulatory requirements and implement stringent safety, security, and environmental management protocols to reduce these risks. Workers involved in the transportation of oil and gas products require adequate training and safety gear. Also, understanding the locations of accidents is also necessary to comprehend the nature of transportation and its safety (Vamosys, 2021). By being able to get a better understanding of the commodities that make up petroleum products and natural gas products, the categories that contain the data on the amount of product moved by pipeline, by assessing which types of hydrocarbon commodities were involved in pipeline occurrences.

Task 5: Conclusive Remark with Suggestions for Fire-Safe Workplace in Oil and Gas Fields

In conclusion, ensuring a fire-safe workplace in oil and gas fields is essential to the worker, the public, and environmental safety. Oil and gas companies must place safety first and implement comprehensive fire safety measures in order to achieve this objective. For a fire-safe workplace in oil and gas fields, consider the following (Total Safety, 2015);

1. Plan and carry out fire safety measures – The safety procedures and protocols that must be followed in the event of a fire must be outlined in the fire safety policies that oil and gas companies must develop and implement. All employees and contractors should be aware of the policies, and they should be regularly updated.
2. Regularly conduct safety training – Workers in oil and gas operations should receive regular safety training to ensure that they are aware of fire hazards and how to avoid them. Personal protective equipment (PPE) usage, fire extinguisher use, and emergency response procedures ought to be covered in training.
3. Conduct Risk Assessments for Fires – Companies in the oil and gas industry ought to carry out fire risk assessments in order to ascertain the appropriate measures for mitigating the risks posed by fire. All aspects of the oil and gas operation, including the transportation, storage, and handling of flammable gases and liquids, should be included in the regular assessments.
4. Maintain Facilities and Equipment – To ensure that they are safe to use and in good working order, facilities and equipment must be well-maintained. This incorporates normal examination and upkeep of fire concealment frameworks, electrical frameworks, and other gear that might represent a fire risk.
5. Have Enough Fire Fighting Equipment – To prevent fires from spreading, oil and gas companies should install adequate fire suppression systems like fire alarms, smoke detectors, and fire sprinklers. Regular maintenance, testing, and inspection of the systems are recommended.

Reference List

Colorado occupational medical partners (2021) “The Importance of Occupational Health & Safety,” Occmedpartners.com. Colorado Occupational Medical Partners, 8 October. Available at: https://www.occmedpartners.com/blog/the-importance-of-occupational-health-safety (Accessed: March 20, 2023).

Dionne, P. (2023) Intellect, Intellect.com. Available at: https://www.intellect.com/blog/why-is-hse-important-for-the-oil-gas-industry (Accessed: March 20, 2023).

Green, K. P., and Jackson, T. (2015) Safety in the transportation of oil and gas: Pipelines or rail?, Fraserinstitute.org. Available at: https://www.fraserinstitute.org/sites/default/files/safety-in-the-transportation-of-oil-and-gas-pipelines-or-rail-rev2.pdf (Accessed: March 20, 2023).

ILO.org (2023) “How can occupational safety and health be managed? (Labour administration and inspection).” Available at: https://www.ilo.org/global/topics/labour-administration-inspection/resources-library/publications/guide-for-labour-inspectors/how-can-osh-be-managed/lang–en/index.htm (Accessed: March 20, 2023).

International Labour Office and Alli, B. O. (2008) Fundamental principles of occupational health and safety. 2nd ed. Genève, Switzerland: International Labour Office.

Kramer, L. (2015) Upstream vs. Downstream oil and gas operations: What’s the difference?, Investopedia. Available at: https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/060215/what-difference-between-upstream-and-downstream-oil-and-gas-operations.asp (Accessed: March 20, 2023).

Osha.gov (2023) Oil and gas extraction – hazards, Osha.gov. Available at: https://www.osha.gov/oil-and-gas-extraction/hazards (Accessed: March 20, 2023).

Total Safety (2015) 5 fire protection tips for oil and gas worksites, Total Safety. Available at: https://www.totalsafety.com/blog/2015/02/11/5-fire-protection-tips-for-oil-and-gas-worksites/ (Accessed: March 20, 2023).

Vamosys (2021) “Problems faced by Oil & Gas Transportation Fleet,” Vamosys. Vamo Systems Pvt.Ltd, 27 December. Available at: https://vamosys.com/problems-faced-by-oil-gas-transportation-fleet (Accessed: March 20, 2023).