Industrial Processes and Site Visits (02/26/2014)

Ravenswood Power Plant

Electrical power production and distribution in the US

• Generation • Indian Point/Ravenswood

• Transmission • High voltage transmission lines (>110 KV)to reduce energy

loss during transmission- limited ability to store electricity– Substations (step up/step down)

» Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF) Radiation from power lines

• Localized supply to customer• Varying safety and/or work related health issues

for each segment

National Power grid• Three regional grids with limited links

Eastern/Western/Texas grids

Safety training- Ravenswood

• Learning management system– Software for the administration, documentation,

tracking, delivery of electronic training to workers

Ravenswood potential hazards• Noise

– > 105 db. double protection required• Electrical

– Arc flash– shocks

• Slips/trips/falls• Confined spaces• Chemical exposure• LOTO• Asbestos• PCBs• Ergonomic/ repetitive stress/over exertion/awkward postures• Hot/cold environment (seasonal)• Shift work

– 24/7

Shiftwork• Shiftwork is anything other than a daylight work schedule-

nights, evenings, extended work days, etc.– Circadian rhythm

• Zeitgraber - environmental cues that synchronize biological systems to the light/dark cycle

– Elevated BMI (reports of an association with Diabetes Mellitus), certain cancers or ulcers, accidents e.g. Exon Valdez, Challenger, automobile, medical.

• Controls– Consistent scheduling, use of window shades, eliminate

family/social interruptions at home, pre/post shift naps, caffeine, etc.

Ravenswood

Asbestos

• US production stopped 2002• We still import substantial amounts of

asbestos – 2012 – 1060 tons• Primarily the Chlor-Alkali industry (chlorine and sodium

hydroxide for chemical industry) and roofing industry

Coal fired generators

Protective clothing

Confined spaces• Large enough for workers to enter and perform required

tasks• A limited or restricted means for entry or exit• Not designed for continuous occupancy.• Permit required confined space

– hazardous atmosphere, – sloping walls– potential to engulf, trap or asphyxiate an entrant – unguarded machinery– live wires– a potential for heat stress.

Control of Hazardous Energy(LOTO)

• Designed to prevent unexpected startup during repair, servicing or maintenance of machinery and equipment by removing sources of energy - electrical, chemical, hydraulic, gravitational, pneumatic, thermal etc.

• Employers are required to have written LOTO procedures and• ID all potential energy sources including stored or residual sources• Provide site specific worker training• Locks are removed by the worker that put it on.

– Exemptions• To de-energizing the equipment will cause a hazardous condition (life

saving equipment)• It is impossible to do because of design or operational limitations.

LOTO

• Tags can use if you are unable to lock out the energy source– Required to demonstrate that a tag system will

provide the equivalent level of protection as a lock

– L’Oreal/Ravenswood• Two key system/other LOTO systems

Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)

• REACH – European Union regulatory system for chemicals (2007)– Requires registration of all chemicals manufactured or imported in EU with the

European chemicals agency (143,000). – Manufacturers and importers are required to gather information on the

properties of their chemicals to will allow safe handling and they must register the information in a central database• Requires sharing of information

– Provides lists of hazardous chemicals – Substances of Very High Level of Concern (151) - carcinogens, mutagens, reproductive toxin,

hormone interrupters» SVHCs placed on authorization list cannot be used unless granted an exemption

– Substitute it now list (SIN) for chemicals of concern

– Importers/manufacturers are required to assess risks to human health or the environment • Requires that chemical companies minimize animal testing

– REACH eliminates requirements for types of testing on animals e.g. corrosive,

What is a Job Hazard Analysis

• A technique designed to identify hazards at the work site

• Break the job down into it’s basic components• ID the hazards in each component• Develop controls for all of the recognized hazards

• JHA focuses on the relationship between the worker, task, tools and the environment

Prioritization of JHA at the work site

• Jobs associated with the highest rate of injury, illness

• Jobs associated with severe illness, injuries or catastrophic events

• New operations• Complex procedures• Jobs in which a small error could lead to

severe accidents or injuries