Henrique Jaques | 901011 | 13th December 2013

Risk Assessment CHEMICAL PROCESS MACHINE OPERATOR

PAGE 1

Job Description A Chemical Process Technician is expected to work, usually, from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, with possibility of extra hours to meet project deadlines. As an example, he could work on a seven-day shift system that might include weekends, evenings and nights. The working time will be spent between the laboratory, office and processing plant. Peers consist of other Chemical Process Technicians, Design Engineers, R&D Managers or even Plant Managers. Use of laboratory equipment, computers, processing machinery and various chemical substances is to be expected.

Products and Materials As far as products and material used are concerned, they will be composed mostly by chemicals compounds, both natural and synthetic, and petrochemicals, paints, coatings, adhesives, glass, metals, polymers and ceramics.

Required Skills

Ability in mathematics and science, particularly chemistry;

Good problem-solving skills;

Planning and organizational ability;

Excellent computer skills;

The ability to manage projects, budgets and people;

Good spoken and written communication skills;

The ability to work as part of a team;

A clear understanding of wider commercial pressures.

Hazards

Potential hazards while handling such products and materials include:

Fire/Explosion Hazard, while handling petrochemicals;

Chemical Hazard, such as systemic poisons, asphyxiates, carcinogens, mutagens, teratogens, irritants, allergens, sensitizers, anesthetics and narcotics;

Radiation, due to radioactive isotopes;

Temperature, due to highly exothermic reactions

PAGE 2

Risk Assessment

P Description Chance

%

10 Very Likely 50

6 Likely, possible 10

3 Unusual, but possible 1

1 Could happen occasionally 0,1

1 Remotely possible 0,01

0 Unlikely 0,001

0 Most Unlikely, only theoretically possible 0,0001

S Type of Loss Characteristic

People Damage

100 Sever Catastrophe Many fatalities above 10 M$

40 Disaster Few fatalities 1-10 M$

15 Very Serious Fatality 100 k$ - 1 M$

7 Serious Sever injury 10-100 k$

3 Important Absence 1-10 k$

1 Minor First Aid below 1 k$

R = P x E x S Risk Level

Actions

R>400 Very High Consider discontinuing operation

200<R<400 High Immediate correction required

70<R<200 Medium Correction, improvement required

20<R<70 Low Attention required

R<20 Negligible Additional action not required

E Exposure

Description

10 Constantly

6 Frequently

3 Occasionally

2 Unusually

1 Rarely

1 Very Rarely

PAGE 3

Hazard Likelihood Exposure Type of loss Risk Level

Fire:

Dimethyl ether 1 2 15 30

Explosion:

Ethylene oxide 1 2 40 80

Chemical:

Ammonia 6 6 7 252

Formaldehyde 3 6 7 126

Benzene 3 2 15 90

Hydrocodone 1 3 7 21

Radiation:

Thorotrast 3 3 15 135

Temperature:

Aluminum and Bromine 3 6 7 126

Legend: Corrosive Toxic Carcinogen Narcotic

According to this matrix, there are some things that should be resolved, namely the problem with the High Risk with Chemical Hazards and some attention/solution should be put towards the Radiation and Temperature Hazards.