remember - aesc home · · 2016-04-15storage tank to tanker/vacuum trucks hauling different types...
TRANSCRIPT
Produced water is a byproduct of oil and gas exploration and production which is brought to the surface along with oil and gas. Produced water (also known as brine, salt water, production waster water) can contain certain concentrations of hydrocarbons and chemical contaminants thatcan emit toxic and flammable vapors which present potential fire, explosion, and health hazards to workers. Eight worker fatalities associated with produced water occured between 2012 and 2015 during oil and gas extraction operations at well and production sites, equipment yards,
maintenance shops, etc. The common thread in each incident was the assumption that the cargo tankers/vessels (or storage tanks) contained only “water” and did not present a fire, explosion, and health hazards. Never assume it’s just water!
Hazards Activities involved in fatal incidents employers responsibilities
Employees burned when welding/cutting on cargo tankers resulting in fire
Employees killed when welding or using torches on cargo tankers & tanks exploded
Chemical & inhalation exposure
Flash fires
Explosions
Chemical & inhalation exposure Perform Job Hazard Analysis (JHAs)
SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures)
Development & implementation of hot work permitsHazard control measures
Employee trainingEmployee overcome by vapors & lack of oxygen inside a cargo tanker
Recognize the hazard for possible hydrocarbons present - IT’S NOT JUST WATER!
Venting of tank
Engineering controls
Hazard communication Understand ignition sources Air monitoring devices Hot work permitsSOPs Proper use of PPE
Respiratory protection Air monitoring Elimination of sources of ignitions PPE
Thoroughly cleaning out tank before beginning work
Continuous monitoring for oxygen & LEL (Lower Explosive Limit)
Collect & review SDS on produced waterRepairs involving welding, cutting, & grinding on cargo tankers
Thawing of frozen valves, hoses, & lines
Confined space entry into storage tanks & cargo tankers
Cleaning of storage tanks & cargo tankers
Transferring produced water from storage tank to tankertruck
Hauling di�erent types of produced fluids in the same tanker
hazard alert produced water hazard alert
Attend hazard communication training - know the hazards of the fluids in the cargo tankers & vessels - IT’S NOT JUST WATER!
Follow employer’s Job Hazards Assessment & Established SOPs
Use air monitoring devices & heed all alarms
Obtain Hot Work Permits before beginning work
Use required PPE
If you are uncertain about possible risks, STOP THE JOB & ASK - IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE! Review Job Hazard Analysis (JHA) prior to each task/work shift & when work scope changes
Have supervisors sign o� on permit/audit work procedures
what should workers do?
Through the OSHA National Steps Alliance, this Tank Gauging Hazard Alert is for informational purposes only.It does not necessarily reflect the official views of OSHA or the U.S. Department of Labor. March, 2015
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace and workers have rights. OSHA can help answer questions or concerns from employers and workers.
OSHAs On-site Consultation Program (www.osha.gov/consultation) offers free and confidential advice to small and medium-sized businesses, with priority given to high-hazard worksites. For more information, contact your regional
or area OSHA office (www.osha.gov/html/RAmap.html), call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742), or visit www.osha.gov.
remember...It’s not just water!
Produced water is a byproduct of oil and gas exploration and production which is brought to the surface along with oil or gas. Produced water (also known as brine, salt water, production water) can contain certain concentration of hydrocarbons and chemical contaminants that can emit toxic and flammable vapors which present potential fire explosion, and health hazards to workers. Eight worker fatalities associated with produced water occured between 2012 and 2015 during oil and gas extraction operations at well and production sites, equipment yards, maintenance shops, etc. The common thread in each incident was the assumption that the cargo tankers/vessels (or storage tanks) contained only “water” and did not present a fire, explosion, and health hazards.
Activities involved in fatalincidents What Workers Should Do
Repairs involving welding, cutting, and grinding on tanker/vacuumtrucks
Thawing of frozen valves, hoses, and lines with a porpane torch
Confined space entry into storagetanks and tanker/vacuum trucks
Cleaning of storage tanks and tanker/vacuum trucks
Transferring produced water fromstorage tank to tanker/vacuum trucks
Hauling different types of producedfluids in the same tanker/vacuumtruck
Empty tanks still contained flammablevapors
Attend hazard communicationtraining - know the hazards of thefluids in the cargo tankers and vessels - It’s not just water!
Follow employer’s Job Hazard
Assessment and established SOPs
Review Job Hazard Analysis (JHAs)prior to each task/work shift andwhen work scope changes Evacuate and report hazards immediately Have supervisors sign off on permit/audit work procedures
Use air monitoring devices andheed all alarms
Obtain hot work permits beforebeginning work
Use required PPE
Be aware of potential ignition sources(i.e. static, cell phones, open flames,sparks from tools or metal objects, ensure proper grounding/bonding, etc)
If you are certain about possiblerisks, Stop the job and ask -It could save your life!
Perform Job Hazard Analysis (JHAs) Recognize the hazard for possible - hydrocarbons present - it’s not just water! Develop or collect SDS on produced water and review with employeesStandard Operating Procedures (SOPs) Venting of tank Thoroughly cleaning out tank before beginning work Continuous monitoring for oxygen and LEL (lower explosive limit)Development and implementation of hot work permitsImplementation of other applicable work permits (i.e. Confined Space,LOTO, etc.)Hazard control measures Engineering controls Recognizing and elimination of ignition sources Grounding and bounding requirements Respiratory protection PPE (eye, face, skin, and hearing protection) Air monitoring and proceduresEmployee Training Hazard communication Proper use of PPE Understand ignition sources Equipment approved for hazardous locations Air monitoring devices Emergency response plan Hot work permits Safe work practices (i.e. Confined Space, LOTO, etc.) Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)Verify sub-contractors are following workpractices/procedures
Employer’s Responsibilities
designed by:
An OSHA Cooperative Program
flash firesexplosionsemployees killed when welding or using torches on cargo tankers and tanks exploded
employees burned when welding/cutting on cargo tankers resulting in fire
trapped pressure & hydrocarbon releasetanker hatch blew off and struck employee
chemical & inhalation exposureemployee overcome by vapors & lack of oxygen inside a cargo tanker
Through the OSHA National Steps Alliance, this Produced Water Hazard Alert is for informational purposes only. It does not necessarily reflect the official views of OSHA or the U.S. Department of Labor. April, 2016
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthy workplace and workers have rights. OSHA can help answer questions or concerns from employers and workers. OSHAs On-site Consultation Program (www.osha.gov/consultation) offers free and confidential advice to small and medium-sized businesses, with priority given to high-hazard worksites. For more information, contact your regional or area OSHA office (www.osha.gov/html/RAmap.html), call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742), or visit www.osha.gov.