Workers’ Safety in Petrochemical Industry

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Introduction

Workers in petrochemical industries and other such work places are faced by various challenges as they carry out their duties. The workers are prone to accidents and injuries in the work place depending on the nature of their work. It is noted that both the employer and the employee have a role to play in improving the health and safety of workers in the work place. The management team is expected to implement safety procedures while the workers are expected to operate by following the safety procedures that are laid down.

Petrochemical industries are involved in the production of products such as ethylene, propylene, benzene among others (Langkulsen, Vichit-Vadakan & Taptagaporn, 2011). These products are very important since they are used as raw materials in manufacturing items such as fertilizers, plastics and also in the energy sector. However, the production process in the petrochemical industry is wrought with risks for the worker given the fact that it involves handling hazardous materials and working with equipments using large quantities of power.

An accident in a petrochemical industry can be catastrophic both to the worker and to the public if the chemicals are released to the atmosphere. Accidents can result from malfunctions on the part of the machines or human error on the part of the worker. Accidents may involve exposure to the hazardous chemicals resulting to death or injury on the part of the worker (Langkulsen et al., 2011).

This being the case, measures needs to be put in place in order to improve the health and safety of the worker in such a factory. There are various strategies that the management can use to improve the health and safety of the worker. This includes training the workers, periodical inspection in the workplace among others. Risk assessment is such one strategy that can be adopted to improve the health and safety of the worker in a petrochemical industry. This strategy involves identification of potential risks to the worker and measures to reduce such risks.

This report is going to address the issue of improving the health and safety of workers in a petrochemical factory using risk assessment. The report will provide background information on the current situation as far as accidents and injuries in the petrochemical industry are concerned. The report will also provide information on the government’s stand on industrial safety and health in petrochemical industries. Additionally, the report will address risk assessment as a strategy for improving the health and safety of workers in a petrochemical industry. Finally, the report will give recommendations that will be based on the findings made.

Reported Cases of Injuries and Accidents in the Petrochemical Industry

There are many accidents which have been reported in the petrochemical industry in America. The accidents have been caused by human error, mechanical failures among others (LaMontagne, 2003). For example in July 23 1984, a Union Oil refinery in Illinois exploded leading to 19 deaths. In May 5 1988, a Shell Oil refinery in Louisiana explodes killing 7 workers and injuring many more. On October 23, 1989, an explosion occurred in Phillips 66 Petrochemical industry in Texas, killing 23 workers and injuring hundreds (ILO, 2011). These are just some of the reported cases of accidents in petrochemical industries.

Major Causes of These Injuries and Accidents

As already indicated, the major causes may be human error or mechanical failure. Bleck (2010) notes that some companies fail to inspect their facilities regularly to cut on operation costs and to avoid loss in production. This may lead to accidents if the facilities are worn out. Gases and other hazardous materials may spill from leaking pipes and tanks, leading to explosion or other forms of accidents.

How Injuries and Accidents among Workers are Dealt with in the Petrochemical Industry

The authorities might form committees to investigate the accident and make recommendations aimed at preventing such an accident in the future. For example, the Secretary for Labor by the name of Elizabeth Dole led a commission that investigated the Phillips 66 explosion. The management may also train workers on strategies to improve health and safety in the work place (White, 2009). Workers are also compensated as result of the accidents and injuries that take place in the workplace.

Government’s Stand on Industrial Safety and Health in the Petrochemical Industry

International Labor Organization (ILO) Occupational Safety and Health 2001 Policy (ILO-OSH 2001)

The International Labor Organization has realized that the technological improvements taking place in the work place today pose a danger to the health and safety of the worker. Work related injuries, diseases and deaths continue to affect many nations in the world negatively (World Health Organization [WHO], 2007). This is the reason why ILO found it important to formulate Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) policies aimed at enhancing the safety and health of workers.

The ILO-OSH 2001 is such a policy aimed at safeguarding the worker (LaMontagne, 2003). These policies enhance the protection of the worker from hazards in the workplace while at the same time enhancing productivity. The USA government has adopted this policy and it encourages all employers to implement them in their workplaces. This includes employers in the petrochemical sector.

Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS)

These guidelines were formulated to enhance safety and health in the work place. The government has encouraged employers to adopt these guidelines especially given the fact that they are compatible with ISO9001 and ISO14001 (White, 2009). OHSAS 18001 has several provisions, including planning and implementing safety measures in the workplace.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Policies in USA

This is one of the agencies found in the Department of Labor in the United States of America. It was established under the Occupational Safety and Health Act that was passed by congress in late 1970 (Bleck, 2010). The major role of this agency is to formulate policies aimed at averting accidents and injuries in the workplace as well as illnesses and fatalities. The government requires the employer to comply with the standards set out in these policies to enhance the safety and health of workers. It is an indication of how seriously the government of the United States of America takes the issue of safety and health in the workplace.

Petrochemical industries are expected to meet the requirements set forth by this agency. For example, during the investigations that followed the Phillips 66 explosion, the commission tried to establish whether the management in this factory had complied with the OSHA requirements as set forth for the petrochemical industry.

Risk Assessment as a Strategy to Improve Industrial Safety and Health among Workers in a Petrochemical Factory

Introduction to Risk Assessment

According to Langkulsen et al. (2011), risk assessment involves the identification of both qualitative and quantitative values of risk that is associated with specific situation and threat. In quantitative risk assessment, two components of the risk are computed (ILO, 2011). These include the magnitude of the potential loss as well as the probability of the risk taking place.

In the context of occupational health and safety, risk assessment can be conceptualized as the evaluation of risks to the safety and health of workers from hazards in the workplace (LaMontagne, 2003). It includes an evaluation of several factors. They include the probable causes of injuries or harm, the possibility of eliminating the hazards and the protective measures that can put in place if the hazards cannot be prevented.

According to the ILO (2011), identification of the causes of injuries and accidents in the workplace is the first step in preventing them. This can only be achieved through a comprehensive risk analysis. In a petrochemical factory, the management should make efforts to identify the possible causes of accidents to workers and identify how the risks can be eliminated or prevented.

Advantages and Strengths of Risk Assessment as a Strategy

A major advantage of risk assessment is the fact that it calls for the full participation of workers. This improves relationship between workers and the management. Risk assessment also helps the organization to put in place measures aimed at preventing the occurrence of accidents and injuries in the workplace by identifying risks before they take place. The petrochemical factory can improve not only the satisfaction of workers but also that of customers. This is given the fact that risk assessment helps in improving the quality of products as the workers are able to concentrate fully in the production process.

Disadvantages and Weaknesses of Risk Assessment as a Strategy

There are several weaknesses associated with this strategy. For example, a petrochemical producer who is keen on reducing operating costs may find this strategy a hindrance. This strategy may not be effective for the producer since it calls for investment on the part of the management. It may be hard to implement this strategy given the fact that it calls for the participation of various stakeholders. If relationships are strained between the workers and the management, it may be hard to implement this strategy. Risk assessment is only effective when the accidents and injuries have not taken place. Once an accident has taken place, risk assessment cannot be used as a short term remedy.

Implementing Risk Assessment

There are several steps involved in the implementation of this strategy. The first is the identification of health hazards and workers who are at risk. This involves identification of those factors that may lead to accidents. These includes worn out petrochemical storage facilities, introduction of new working procedures, inexperienced workers among others. Workers who are at risk are then identified. This may include those disabled, new employees among others (Langkulsen et al., 2011).

The second step involves prioritization of the risks. The risks are evaluated and then prioritized. This involves identification of the likelihood of the risk occurring as well as the damages involved. The third step is the identification of prevention strategies. This includes measures to eliminate or control the risks. This is for example replacing worn out parts and training workers among others.

The next step is implementation where the strategies identified above are put in place. The last step is monitoring and evaluation. Periodic monitoring and evaluation is necessary. This identifies weaknesses and strengths of the strategy and addresses them.

Key Players and their Role in the Implementation Process

It is the role of the workers to help the management in identifying the risks. The workers should also adhere to the policies formulated in the strategy. It is the role of the management to identify the stakeholders and to bring them together. The management also ensures that the strategy is implemented and the provisions adhered to. External parties are also included. These are for example OSH consultants, OSHA inspectors among others. They should ensure the strategy is implemented and adhered to. They should help the management in overcoming some of the challenges encountered.

Challenges in Implementation

There are several challenges involved in the implementation. The petrochemical organization may not have enough money to implement the strategy. Some of the key players may fail to cooperate. The management and the workers may lose track of the implementation process.

There are several strategies that can be adopted in overcoming these challenges. The management should budget for the strategy. Stakeholders should be trained on the importance of their cooperation. Monitoring and evaluation should be carried out regularly to ensure implementation is taking place effectively.

Recommendations

This report made several recommendations. The management should train workers on the importance of risk assessment in the factory to enhance their cooperation. Workers who are ignorant are likely to oppose implementation of this strategy. External agencies such as OSHA should ensure that the management has put in place preventive measures to enhance the health and safety of workers. It is the role of such agencies to ensure that the safety of the workers is taken as a priority by the employer. The management should realize that the long term benefits of risk assessment surpass the costs involved in implementing the strategy. Realizing the benefits of this strategy will ensure that the management allocates resources to formulation and implementation of the same.

References

Bleck, D. (2010). Occupational safety and health risk assessment of workers in solid waste management: Experiences from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Science and Technology- Drivers for a Common Future, 3^rd Indo-German Conference on Research for Sustainability: Water and Waste Management, New Delhi, India.

International Labor Organization. (2011). OSH Management System: A tool for continual improvement. ILO.

LaMontagne, A. D. (2003). Improving occupational health & safety policy through intervention research. National Research Center for OHS Regulation.

Langkulsen, U., Vichit-Vadakan, N., & Taptagaporn, S. (2011). Safety and health in the petrochemical industry in Map Ta Phut, Thailand. Journal of Occupational Health, 53(5): 234-239.

White, M. (2009). Enemy to ally: The story of a safety rep. Hazards, 107: 23-24.

World Health Organization. (2007). Reducing workplace exposure through Risk Management Toolkit. Report of the Regional Consultation Chennai, India.

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