Risk Assessment. A guide to the safe storage and use of oxygen and dissolved acetylene equipment

Transcription

1 Risk Assessment A guide to the safe storage and use of oxygen and dissolved acetylene equipment

2 Introduction 2 INTRODUCTION From the 1st October 2006 the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRO) was brought into force, this revoked the Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations Whilst many of the new requirements are similar they now have a broader application as they apply to virtually all premises, other than domestic premises, whether or not such premises are a place of work. In addition the Order contains specific provisions relating to the dangerous substances which are similar to those contained in the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSERA). This includes acetylene due to its flammability. One of the key changes in the new requirements is the introduction of a general duty to minimise the risk of fire, as well as to take precautions to ensure the safety of persons should a fire occur. As was the case under the previous legal requirements, there is also a risk assessment duty. Critically, the RRO contains a specific duty on the responsible person to take general fire precautions to ensure the safety of employees, so far as is reasonably practicable. To view the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 please visit To view the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 please visit Every day thousands of gas cylinders are used in the workplace or transported by road without incident. However, if gas cylinders are involved in a fire and one of these is suspected of being an acetylene cylinder, it can cause serious local disruption due to the setting up of a cordon around the incident scene. Most of the reported incidents would not have happened if users: Fully understood the properties of the gases and the associated hazards Were properly trained on how to use oxygen and dissolved acetylene equipment Followed guidance on the safe handling and storage of gas cylinders Three separate model risk assessments have been produced in order to assist your business in managing the hazards associated with the following activities: 1 Indoor oxygen and dissolved acetylene package storage 2 Outdoor oxygen and dissolved acetylene package storage 3 Oxygen and dissolved acetylene package use The risk assessment can be copied if your business has a number of oxygen and dissolved acetylene packages. NOTE: The oxygen and dissolved acetylene package referred to in this document typically consists of an oxygen cylinder, acetylene cylinder, gas regulators for both gases, flashback arrestors fitted to both regulator outlets, oxygen and dissolved acetylene hose assembly, gas torch and cylinder trolley.

3 How do you rate risk? 3 HOW DO YOU RATE RISK? Risk is a combination of the likelihood of an incident occurring and the severity of the injury or loss due to the incident. The Likelihood versus Severity Matrix below is a means for rating risk. LIKELIHOOD Low Medium High RISK RATING Medium High Low Medium Insignificant Low Severe High Medium Likelihood High Medium Low Based on the precautions/controls in place to prevent an incident occurring. Where no precautions are put in place and the employee can only avoid an incident by following verbally communicated procedures - which typically are only short term. Where the employee can only avoid an incident by working carefully, following training, work instructions and safety procedures. Engineering controls such as Flashback Arrestors and Non Return Valves minimise the likelihood. Low Medium SEVERITY High Severity High Medium Low The degree of injury to the employee or third party, or the cost of loss due to property damage. Death or disabling injury. Serious injuries requiring medical treatment and time off from work. Minor injuries. How to carry out the assessment The risk assessment should be carried out by a competent person who has been trained in the use of the equipment. It shouldn t take too long to complete. 1 Select the Risk Assessment form for the activity to be risk assessed from this guide. 2 Enter details in required fields at the top of the Risk Assessment form For each Situation/Activity record the existing control measures in place beside each of the applicable recommended control measures. Based on a comparison of the existing control measures in place against the suggested control measures stated carry out risk rating for each situation/activity by entering a rating of Low, Medium or High for both the Severity and the Likelihood. Using the Risk Rating Matrix above, determine the level of risk and enter the result in the Risk Rating column. Examples: 1. If Likelihood is Low, and Severity is Medium, Risk rating is Low. 2. If Likelihood is High, and Severity is Medium, Risk rating is High. Decide the result for level of control and enter it onto the Risk Assessment form in the appropriate column (Result). There is a link between the Risk Rating and the Result as follows: Risk Rating = Insignificant, Result is likely to be Adequately Controlled. Risk Rating = Low Risk, Result is likely to be Adequately Controlled or Minor Residual Risk. Risk Rating = Medium Risk, Result is likely to be Minor Residual Risk or Not Adequately Controlled. Risk Rating = High Risk or Severe Risk, Result is likely to be Not Adequately Controlled. If the result is "Not Adequately Controlled" decide what action is required to reduce the risk to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP) and record the same in the Remedial Action column. 8 Do not continue with the activity until risk is reduced to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP).

4 Model Risk Assessment for the Indoor Storage of an Oxygen and Dissolved Acetylene Package 4 Use page 5 to record your results

5 Model Risk Assessment for the Indoor Storage of an Oxygen and Dissolved Acetylene Package 5

6 Model Risk Assessment for the Outdoor Storage of an Oxygen and Dissolved Acetylene Package 6 Use page 7 to record your results

7 Model Risk Assessment for the Outdoor Storage of an Oxygen and Dissolved Acetylene Package 7

8 Model Risk Assessment for the Use of an Oxygen and Dissolved Acetylene Package 8 Use page 9 to record your results

9 Model Risk Assessment for the Use of an Oxygen and Dissolved Acetylene Package 9

10 Model Risk Assessment for the Use of an Oxygen and Dissolved Acetylene Package 10 Use page 11 to record your results

11 Model Risk Assessment for the Use of an Oxygen and Dissolved Acetylene Package 11

12 For product and safety enquiries please phone In the United Kingdom In the Republic of Ireland Dublin (01) us at: BOC, Customer Service Centre, Priestley Road, Worsley Manchester M28 2UT, Fax: BOC Ireland, P.O. Box 201, Bluebell, Dublin12, Fax: (01) Further reference British Compressed Gases Association GN2 Guidance for the Storage of Transportable Gas Cylinders for Industrial Use. Revision 3: CP31 Safe Storage and Use of Cylinders in Mobile Workshops and Service Vehicles. CP7 The Safe Use of Oxy-Fuel Gas Equipment (Individual Portable or Mobile Cylinder Supply). Revision 4: 2004 Health and Safety Executive INDG 163 Five steps to a risk assessment INDG 308 The safe use of gas cylinders INDG 327 Take care with acetylene HSE 8 (rev2) Take care with oxygen HSG 139 The safe use of compressed gases in welding, flame cutting and allied processes BSI Group BS EN ISO 2503:1998 Gas welding equipment. Pressure regulators for gas cylinders used in welding, cutting and allied processes up to 300 bar. BS EN 559: 2003 Gas welding equipment. Rubber hoses for welding, cutting and allied processes. The stripe symbol and the letters BOC are registered trade marks of The BOC Group plc. Both BOC Limited and The BOC Group plc are members of The Linde Group, the parent company of which is Linde AG. Reproduction without permission is strictly prohibited. BOC Limited /0907