CASE STUDY:

ATTOCK REFINERY LIMITED

Question: Why did we choose ATTOCK REFINERY LIMITED?

The incidents caused by fire can occur in any Industry. Oil refineries are one of the safety sensitive

industries in which fire safety and protocols are necessary. And any slight negligence can cause severe

accidents related to fire because of large quantity of volatile matters present in the vicinity.

We have visited the Attock Refinery in Morgah as part of our industrial visit. Also we have internship in

this industry. The Oil refinery is divided into five parts namely Plant maintenance 1 (PM-1), Plant

maintenance 2 (PM-2), Plant maintenance 3 (PM-3), Power Plant (PP) and Utilities and offsite

Maintenance(U&OSM).

Question 1: With what kind of fire safety equipment is your organization

equipped?

The Health Safety Environment and Quality (HSEQ) Department of the Oil refinery is one of the most

fundamental buildings and element of the refinery. Every new recruit permanent or temporary undergoes

at least 3 hours of lecture and training on basic fire prevention and evacuation methods. The helplines and

the meaning of various sirens is taught to all.

Attock Refinery has 3 fire Tenders including 2 with the capability of generating foam for firefighting.

There are 6 small fire stations in each section of the refinery. Each fire station is equipped with 4 Fire

extinguishers and 4 buckets of sand to prevent any small fire. The fire alarm, smoke alarm systems is set

for the entire Area of refinery with large hooters to warn all the people about fire. The sections are

equipped with smoke and free detection systems. Three sirens indicate a fire has started or detected in a

section while one siren indicates that the fire has been catered an extinguished. Similarly the Office area

for the maintenance Engineers and staff is also equipped with its own fire detection system and sprinkler

system. There are underground played water pipes with large hoses at to 7 locations per section to

extinguish fire. The supply to these lines is from a separate large overhead tank.

Question 2: Do employees have knowledge regarding the location and

use of fire safety equipment?

The Health Safety Environment and Quality (HSEQ) Department of the Oil refinery is one of the most

fundamental buildings and element of the refinery. Every new recruit permanent or temporary undergoes

at least 3 hours of lecture and training on basic fire prevention and evacuation methods. All the new

recruits are shown the various muster stations in case of fire. Special trainings are continuously done by

the HSE department. Seminars on fire safety are also held.

Question 3: What is the present situation of fire safety equipment?

The fire safety equipment used at the Attock Refinery is given high priority due to the safety sensitive

application. The equipment is maintained regularly and continuous improvement are made in regards to

the fire and smoke detection systems and other equipment. The fire extinguishers are checked and

replaced on time. The fire tenders are state of the art technology. There is continuous maintenance of the

alarm systems.
Question 4: Your organization properly displays fire safety evacuation

plan in the building?

The fire evacuation plan is explained to all staff before they start working in the refinery. The Health and

safety handouts have the evacuation plan in them. Also the Muster stations are clearly labeled. There are

also exit signs in the office areas.

Question 5: Are emergency exit paths are part of building structure in

your organization?

The office areas have the fire exit signs so it is part of offices. But most of the refinery is open to sky and

there are muster stations with proper indication to evacuate in case of fire.

Question. 6: Safety equipment in your organization is properly

maintained and updated?

The equipment is maintained regularly and continuous improvement are made in regards to the fire and

smoke detection systems and other equipment. The fire extinguishers are checked and replaced on time.

The fire tenders are state of technology tenders.

Question 7: Are the employees in your organization properly trained to

face fire emergency?

Every employee is trained for fire emergency. The Health Safety Environment and Quality (HSEQ)

makes sure that the sufficient training is provided to all the employees to handle small fire. In the mean

while the Fire department from HSEQ reaches the site for fire extinguishing.
Question 8: The sign/symbols to indicate emergency exits are properly

displayed in our organization?

The muster stations are properly marked. Similarly the fire exits of the offices are marked to guide people

in case of the emergency. The evacuation procedure from the refinery area is based on the shuttles that

will take the people from muster stations to outside the Refinery in case of fire. There is a large board

with all 5 sections on it. The red light on it indicates that a fire is present in that section so other should

not go towards it in panic.

Discussion:

In Attock oil refinery, there is significant amount of priority given to the health and safety of the workers.

Everyone is taught what to do in emergency situations. All the equipment which is required is available

such as fire extinguishers, fire and smoke sensitive alarm systems and sirens to alert others about any

emergency situations. The muster stations are built in emergency and proper training is given to all the

employees and workers.

Conclusion:

We can conclude after the visit to the refinery that there is an adequate system which takes care of the

health and safety of the workers. There is a manager whose duty is to ensure that safety rules must be

obeyed. Proper education and adequate training are given to all the workers. There is complete

department whose duty is to carry out inspections and mark if any hazard is there and plan for the

removal of that hazard. It is deemed safe to work in the refinery as almost all the precautionary measures

that should be taken has been taken by the management.