Power House Hazards PDF

Unit A-4 • Introduction to Plant and Fire Safety OBJECTIVE == 3 ( Define, give examples of, and describe common power house hazards. HAZARDS IN A POWER PLANT The first step in eliminating hazards is identifying them. The identification and elimination of hazards is the subject of CSA Z1002 -...

Unit A-4 • Introduction to Plant and Fire Safety OBJECTIVE == 3 ( Define, give examples of, and describe common power house hazards. HAZARDS IN A POWER PLANT The first step in eliminating hazards is identifying them. The identification and elimination of hazards is the subject of CSA Z1002 - Occupational Health and Safety- Hazard Identification and Elimination and Risk Assessment and Control. This code provides reference material for this objective. Some of the hazards a Power Engineer may be exposed to in the workplace are listed and described in the table below. It has been prepared with reference to ISO International Standard 14121 Risk Assessment, on which CSA Z1002 is based. · Table 1 - A Partial List of Workplace Hazards Origin Hazard Mechanical hazards • Kinetic energy- flying objects, moving machinery like overhead cranes or suspended equipment • Potential energy - objects or tools falling from heights, high pressures, falls from height, falls due to slippery surfaces • Sharp, angular parts - like exposed sheet metal • Cutting tools • Unguarded rotating equipment Electrical hazards Consequence • Being run over • Being thrown • Being crushed • Being cut • Severed body parts • Being entangled • Scrapes, bruises • Stabs and puncture wounds • Arcs and arc blasts • Burns • Live parts • Effects on medical implants • Unsafe distance to live equipment under high voltage • Electrocution • Overloads • Fires • Parts which have become live under fault conditions • Projection of molten particles • Short-circuits ( • Being drawn in or trapped • Falling, being thrown • Shock • Thermal radiation Thermal hazards • Flame • Burns and scalds • Objects or materials with a high or low temperature, like steam lines, emulsion lines, boiler venting systems and refrigerant piping • Dehydration • Discomfort • Frostbite • Radiation from heat sources like hot refractory ( 1-20 E-o/ S: _ 4th Class Edition 3 • Part A Introduction to Plant Safety • Chapter 1 ============================== Hazard ( Noise hazards Origin • Discomfort • Exhaust and ventilation systems • Loss of awareness • Gas leakage • Loss of balance • Manufacturing processes (e.g. stamping, cutting) • Permanent hearing loss • Grinders, crushers, and pulverizers • Tinnitus • High speed moving equipment, like turbines • Fatigue • Unbalanced rotating parts • Worn parts Vibration hazards Consequence • Pump or valve cavitation • Scraping surfaces == • Stress • Any other hazard consequence, due to noise interfering with speech communication or with other audible signals • Pump or valve cavitation • Discomfort • Misalignment of moving parts • Carpal tunnel syndrome • Mobile heavy equipment operation • Neurological disorders • Unbalanced rotating parts • Trauma of the spine • Vibrating tools • Vascular disorders • Worn parts Radiation hazards ( • Ionizing radiation, from natural ground sources or radiographic testing • Burns • Low frequency electromagnetic radiation, from high voltage AC equipment • Effects on reproductive capability • Optical radiation (infrared, visible and ultraviolet), including laser and weld flash • Headaches, insomnia • Damage to eyes and skin • Genetic mutation • Radio frequency electromagnetic radiation Material/ substance hazards • Aerosols • Breathing difficulties, suffocation • Biological and microbiological (viral or bacterial) agents, from cooling tower water or biological contactors • Cancer • Combustibles • Corrosion of skin • Effects on reproductive capability • Explosions and fires • Dusts • Infections • Explosives • Fibres, such as asbestos or silica bearing materials • Burns • Frostbite • Flammable vapours and gases • Mutations • Fumes • Poisoning • Toxic gases, such as H2S • Sensitization • Mists • Oxidizers • Refrigerants 4th Class Edition 3 • Part A 1-21 Unit A-4 • Introduction to Plant and Fire Safety === Origin Hazard Environmental Hazards • Dust and fog Consequence • Burn • Lightning • Sunburn • Moisture • Frostbite • Pollution • Sickness Slipping, falling Snow or hail o o High or low temperature • Suffocation o Water and ice o ( • Wind • Lack of oxygen Ergonomic hazards o Poor access • Discomfort Design or location of indicators and • Fatigue visual displays units o Musculoskeletal disorder, such • Design, location or identification as carpal tunnel syndrome of control devices • Stress • Effort to perform a task • Human error o • Inadequate lighting -flicker, dazzling, shadow, stroboscopic effect o Mental overload • Posture o Repetitive activity • Poor visibility As can be seen, there are numerous hazards in a power plant that need to be identified and mitigated. The previous table is not exhaustive; many other hazards may be added to the list. Also, real workplace hazards are usually combined hazards, where multiple hazards increase the overall hazard. Every situation is unique. Side Track There are wide ranges of working conditions that the Power Engineer can be exposed to, depending on the type of occupation. For example, in a pulp and paper mill, conveyors transfer hog fuel (wood waste) to the boiler. Some hog fuel falls off the conveyors. Crews, using shovels and pitchforks, place the fuel back onto the moving conveyors. There is a serious risk that tools or workers may get caught in the conveyors. As well, black liquor recovery boilers may momentarily lose ignition and then re-ignite, causing a momentary pressure rise in the furnace. The result is that fire and burning particles of fuel can "blow back" through observation ports, smelt spouts and burner nozzle openings. An unsuspecting operator could be burned during such an excursion. ( 1-22 Introduction to Plant Safety • Chapter 1 <(------------------------------4 -th_ _C_ Ia_s_ s _E_d_ ftio_ n _3_•_P_a_ rl_A 4th Class Edition 3 • Part A _ 1-23