CHAPTER VIII

HEALTH, SAFETY, AND ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS

This chapter discusses the hazardous equipment, recognition of different

approaches and systems for the alleviation of accidents or setbacks that may be
associated with the selected equipment, ETP protocol and design of a critical unit.
Environmental problems and methods use to eliminate them was also presented.

Table 8.1 Hazard Index Based on Temperature Profile

IDENTIFICATION TECHNIQUES FOR UNDESIRABLE ACCIDENTS/EVENTS

A. Process Hazard Checklist

A Process Hazard Checklist is a methodological assessment of the potential

threats associated with the process industries. A PHC assists the employees in
making decisions for safety and reducing the consequences of unwanted or
unplanned releases of hazardous chemicals by providing proper information. Its
main use is to analyze possible causes and consequences of unwanted
circumstances such as fires, explosions, releases of toxic or flammable chemicals
and major spills of hazardous chemicals, also, it focuses on equipment, equipment,
instrumentation, utilities, human actions, and external factors that might impact the
process.

B. Preliminary Risk Analysis

Preliminary Risk Assessment is to evaluate and identify major hazards and risk
influenced with normal operation of the proposed plastic waste to energy plant. The
risk assessment is intended to generate risk measures which can be compared
with established guidelines to determine the acceptability of the plant at the
proposed location. In addition, the risk assessment is expected to identify the key
factors affecting offsite risk so they can be addressed during subsequent project
design and planning phases. The result from this technique provides a basis for
determining which categories of hazard should be looked into more closely and
which analysis techniques are most suitable. Such an analysis also proved
valuable in the working environment to which activities lacking safety measures
can be readily identified. The identified hazards can then be ranked according to
risk, allowing measures to be prioritized to prevent accidents using frequency or
consequence diagram.

C. Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA/FMECA)

Failure Mode and Effects Analysis examines as many component, assemblies,

and subsystems as possible to determine potential failure modes, and also
their causes and effects. This technique uses a FMEA worksheet to document
the failure modes and their resulting effects on the rest of the system.

FMEA is a forward logic or an inductive reasoning single point of failure

analysis and has a main task in reliability engineering, safety engineering, and
quality engineering. FMEA is associated with the development of system
requirements that minimize the likelihood of failures, the development of
designs and test systems to ensure that the failures have been eliminated, and
the development and evaluation of diagnostic systems. While FMEA identifies
important hazards in a system, its results may not be comprehensive and the
approach has limitations. If FMEA is used as a top-down tool, it may only
identify major failure modes. As a top-down analysis, Fault Tree analysis may
be a better choice, although FMEA can be used to complement FTA and
identify many ore causes and failure modes.

D. Fault Tree Analysis (FTA)

The use of fault tree has gained far-reaching support and is often used as a failure
analysis tool by engineering disciplines as of the primary methods of performing
reliability and safety analysis. Fault tree analysis is a deductive reasoning method
meaning it uses a broad to specific information to determine the main root of an
accident. A Fault Tree us a vertical graphic model that exhibits the varied
sequence of the events such as equipment failure and human errors within a
system. The FTA uses the analysis of the accident to determine what could’ve
caused this said event. Each possible cause is evaluated until the main cause is
figured. The main advantage of FTA is its capacity to identify combinations of basic
equipment and human failures that can lead to an accident, allowing the analyst to
focus preventive measures on significant basic causes.
Fault tree analysis requires a detailed knowledge of how plant or system works,
detailed process drawings and procedures, and knowledge of component failure
modes and effects.

E. Event Tree Analysis

The Event Tree analysis method used to evaluate circumstances following after a
triggering occurrence. The ETA method is an inductive method that uses the
primary information to analyze distinct information. This analysis is represented by
a horizontal graphical model that predicts the possible outcomes from the initiating
events. The progression of events is affected by either success or failure of the
applicable barriers or safety functions/systems.

F. Bow Tie Analysis

Bow tie analysis is a hazard analysis technique which is combination of fault tree
analysis (FTA) and event tree analysis (ETA). This technique has been proven
highly effective for initial Process Hazard Analysis. Bow tie determines the high
probability-high consequence events. The representation of the causes of a
hazardous scenario event, likely outcomes, and the measures in place to prevent,
mitigate, or control hazards. The common causes scenarios are depicted on the
pre-event side of a bow-tie diagram, while the consequences and outcomes are
shown on the post-event side of the diagram. Like the other techniques it is also
associated with barrier and safety functions.

POTENTIAL HAZARDS IN THE WORKPLACE AND THE WAY OF

CONTROLLING THEM

Hazard in a workplace is any source of potential or possible damage, harm or

disadvantageous health effects to organizations as property or equipment losses,
or to the environment. Workplace hazard can come from a wide range of sources,
including any substance, material, process or practice that has the ability to cause
harm.

One of the most important aspects of your risk assessment is accurately identifying
the potential hazards in your workplace. Hazard identification should be an integral
part of workplace culture and the risk of the hazard must be immediately assessed.
Risk reduction is essential in maintaining the workplace safe. Emergency shutdown
arrangements should provide protection against those potentially hazardous
conditions remaining in the final plant design and be considered as part of the
formal process hazard review

Table 8.2

Equipment’s Potential Hazard and their Preventive Measure in the Plastic

Waste to Energy Plant.

Potential Hazards Preventive Measure

Equipment
 Objects dropped from height onto
process equipment or piping

 Corrosion
 Overpressure of equipment
 Failure of small diameter fittings or
pipes
 Seal failure
 Valve leak
 Structural Failure
 Use of dedicated fittings, pipes, and
hoses specific to materials in tanks
(e.g., all acids use one type of
connection and maintaining
procedures to prevent addition of
hazardous materials to incorrect
tanks,
Hazardous Materials Transfer  Use of transfer equipment that is
compatible and suitable for the
characteristics of the materials
transferred and designed to ensure
safe transfer,
 Regular inspection, maintenance and
repair of fittings, pipes and hoses
 Provision of secondary containment,
drip trays or other overflow and drip
containment measures, for
hazardous materials containers at
connection points or other possible
overflow points.

INHERENT SAFETY TECHNIQUES ON ACCIDENT PREVENTION

Different approaches of inherent safety techniques used in choosing operating

parameters, equipment and suitable processes on the safer design of the plastic
waste to energy plant to reduce or totally prevent major accidents inside the plant
are presented in Table 8.3

Table 8.3

Inherent Safety Approaches

Inherent Safety Approach Techniques

Minimize  Operating in an open-area for well
(Intensification) ventilation

 Adding dikes on design of storage

tanks
 Addition of safety relief valves on
pressure vessels and tanks
 Setting up sprinkler system to
contain fires

Substitute  Using water as a heat transfer fluid

(Substitution) instead of hot oil on exchangers
 Using welded pipes instead of
flanged pipes

Moderate  Reducing process temperatures and

(Attenuating and Limitation of effects) pressures
 Placing control rooms away from
operation area
 Acoustically insulating noisy lines
and equipment
 Keeping the piping systems neat
and visually easy to follow
 Reducing bend and angled pipes in
the plant
 Designing control panels that are
easy to comprehend
 Designing control panels that are
easy to comprehend

Simplify  Choosing equipment with low failure

(Simplification and error tolerance) rates
 Adding fire-and explosion-resistant
barricades
 Labeling pipes for easy "walking the
line"
 Label equipment and controls to
enhance workers’ understanding
ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT

The following environmental issues should be considered as part of a

comprehensive assessment and management program that addresses project
specific risks and potential impacts. Potential environmental issues associated with
energy producing sectors. includes a.) gas emission b.) residual waste c.) waste
water.

A. Gas Emission

B. Residual Waste

The residual wastes gathered from the plant include screened denser
polymers, ammonium sulfate, and char. The denser polymers such as PVC,
PS and PET will be sent to resin recycling plants to avoid ending up in
landfills. The ammonium sulfate, on the other hand, will be collected as by
products and will be sold as fertilizer. Lastly, the char will be sold as
concrete additive or fertilizer.

C. Waste water

The wastewater generated from the process like density separation, scrubbing,
and washing. will be treated at the facilities provided by the contractors. All
wastewater sources from the plant are directed to wastewater facilities. This is in
compliance with the Republic Act No. 9275 (Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004).

Philippine Clean Waters Act of 2004 expresses that the State shall pursue
a policy of economic growth in a manner consistent with the protection,
preservation and revival of the quality of our fresh, brackish and marine waters. To
achieve this end, the framework for sustainable development shall be pursued. As
such, it shall be the policy of the State: a) To streamline processes and procedures
in the prevention, control and abatement of pollution of the country's water
resources; b) To promote environmental strategies, use of appropriate economic
instruments and of control mechanisms for the protection of water resources; c) To
formulate a holistic national program of water quality management that recognizes
that water quality management issues cannot be separated from concerns about
water sources and ecological protection, water supply, public health and quality of
life; d) To formulate an integrated water quality management framework through
proper delegation and effective coordination of functions and activities; e) promote
commercial and industrial processes and products that are environment friendly
and energy efficient; f) To encourage cooperation and self-regulation among
citizens and industries through the application of incentives and market-based
instruments and to promote the role of private industrial enterprises in shaping its
regulatory profile within the acceptable boundaries of public health and
environment; g) To provide for a comprehensive management program for water
pollution focusing on pollution prevention; h) To promote public information and
education and to encourage the participation of an informed and active public in
water quality management and monitoring; i) To formulate and enforce a system of
accountability for short and long-term adverse environmental impact of a project,
program or activity; and j) To encourage civil society and other sectors, particularly
labor, the academe and business undertaking environment-related activities in their
efforts to organize, educate and motivate the people in addressing pertinent
environmental issues and problems at the local and national levels.

This act shall apply to water quality management in all water bodies:
Provided, that it shall primarily apply to the abatement and control of pollution from
land based sources; provided, further, that the water quality standards and
regulations and the civil liability and penal provisions under this Act shall be
enforced irrespective of sources of pollution. of a project, program or activity. This
shall include the setting up of a funding or guarantee mechanism for clean-up and
environmental rehabilitation and compensation for personal damages.

HAZARD AND HAZARD CONTROL

Hazardous Materials Management

The manufacturing plant will assess the risk associated with the use and handling
of hazardous materials and implement practices to prevent and minimize such
risks. Where there is risk of a spill of uncontrollable hazardous materials, facilities
should prepare a spill control, prevention and counter measure plan as a specific
component of their Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan.
In establishing the hazardous material management plan, plastic waste to energy
plant is suggested to conduct the following procedures:

 Conduct a Hazard Assessment considering accident history in the last five

years, worst case scenario, and alternative release analysis
 Identify and implement management procedures including process safety,
training, management of change, incident investigation, employee
participation, contractor training and oversight,
 Training of operators on release prevention, including drills specific to
hazardous materials as part of emergency preparedness response training.
 Identification of locations of hazardous materials and associated activities on
an emergency plan site map,
 Emergency preparation and response procedures,
 Management strategies of small quantity generator (SQG), and large quantity
generator (LQG) of hazardous wastes.