Chemical Process Safety Lecture 3

Questions and Answers

How many fatalities can be expected annually based on the given calculation?

0.05 deaths

0.15 deaths

0.12 deaths (correct)

0.20 deaths

What is the total number of passengers calculated from 10,000,000 passenger miles with an average trip of 300 miles?

33,333 passengers (correct)

25,000 passengers

50,000 passengers

40,000 passengers

Which of the following is a component of the accident three-step sequence?

Mitigation

Identification

Assessment

Propagation (correct)

What approach does an inherently safe plant rely on to prevent accidents?

Chemistry and physics Signup and view all the answers

What is a common term used for 'no damage' accidents?

Near misses Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of safety in chemical processes?

To prevent accidents through hazard identification and elimination Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes a hazard?

A chemical or physical condition with potential to cause damage Signup and view all the answers

What metric is NOT commonly used to evaluate the effectiveness of safety programs?

Production output Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of OSHA in workplace safety?

To ensure a safe working environment for employees Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about occupational injuries is incorrect?

They account for all health-related absences in the workplace Signup and view all the answers

What defines a recordable case in the context of workplace injuries?

Occupational illnesses and injuries, including deaths Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'lost workdays' refer to?

Days employees could not work due to injuries or illnesses Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following defines an occupational illness?

A long-term condition caused by workplace environmental factors Signup and view all the answers

What constitutes a recordable nonfatal case without lost workdays?

An occupational illness that requires medical treatment other than first aid. Signup and view all the answers

How is the OSHA incidence rate computed?

By multiplying the number of injuries by 200,000 and dividing by total working hours. Signup and view all the answers

What does a recordable lost workday case indicate?

The worker can perform modified duties but not their regular duties. Signup and view all the answers

What does the Fatal Accident Rate (FAR) measure?

The number of fatalities per 1,000 employees over a lifetime. Signup and view all the answers

What is indicated by a recordable medical case?

The employee has a work-related diagnosis of an illness. Signup and view all the answers

What is the total working hours for 1,500 employees working 2,000 hours each per year?

3,000,000 hours Signup and view all the answers

If an ammonia plant has a FAR of 5, how many industrial-related deaths are expected each year for 1,200 employees?

5 deaths annually Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of recording lost workdays?

To understand the effect of injuries on workforce productivity. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Common Terms and Definitions

Safety: Prevents accidents by identifying and eliminating hazards in chemical plants.
Hazard: A potential chemical or physical condition that poses risk to people, property, or the environment.
Risk: Measures potential human injury, environmental damage, or economic loss based on incident likelihood and impact.

Safety Program Metrics

Accident Statistics: Evaluate the effectiveness of safety programs.
OSHA Incidence Rate: Tracks occupational injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time employees.
Fatal Accident Rate (FAR): Measures fatalities based on a lifetime of 1,000 workers over 50 years.
Fatality Rate: Reports expected number of deaths per person per year.

OSHA Overview

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration): Ensures safe working environments for employees.

First Aid: Basic treatment for minor injuries not requiring medical care.
Incident Rate: Number of work-related injuries or illnesses per 100 employees.
Lost Workdays: Days unable to work post-injury, excluding the day of injury.
Medical Treatment: Professional medical care required beyond first aid.
Occupational Injury: Injuries resulting from accidents at work.
Occupational Illness: Disorders caused by environmental work factors.
Recordable Cases: Includes injuries or illnesses, with fatalities counted as recordable.
Recordable Medical Cases: Require professional treatment but allow return to regular duties.

OSHA Incident Rate Example

Calculation based on 1,500 employees with 38 reportable injuries and 274 lost workdays.
OSHA Incidence Rate (Injuries): 2.53 for injuries.
OSHA Incidence Rate (Lost Workdays): 18.27.

Fatal Accident Rate Example

For 1,200 employees at an ammonia plant with a FAR of 5, expected fatalities are 0.12 annually, translating to a death every 8.4 years.

Fatality Rate Example

An airline company with 4 deaths per 10,000,000 passenger miles results in a fatality rate of 0.00012 per passenger.

Accident Pyramid

Focuses on property damage and production losses.
“No Damage” incidents (near misses) signal potential problems before serious accidents occur.

Acceptable Risk

Complete risk elimination is impossible; each chemical process has inherent risks that need evaluation for acceptability.

Public Perception and Loss Types

Understanding public perception and types of loss in large chemical plant accidents is crucial for strategy development.

Accident Sequence

Initiation: Event that triggers an accident.
Propagation: Events that exacerbate the situation.
Termination: Actions taken to stop or limit the accident's progression.

Inherent Safety Concept

Inherently safe plants use chemical and physical principles to mitigate risks rather than relying solely on procedural controls.

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Description

This quiz focuses on the fundamental concepts of chemical process safety introduced in Lecture 3. Key terms like safety, hazard, and risk are defined to help understand the importance of preventing accidents in chemical plants. Explore the definitions and implications of these terms in the context of chemical safety.