IEM PI Section A – Awareness of Engineering sustainability, health and safety issues-1

(For PI section A, candidate will have to write an essay, which the question was earlier prepared by interviewers based on candidate’s Report on Training and Practical Experience. The following were predicted questions, by Mr. BAY based on his submitted report to principal interview and his trial exercise prior to sitting of PI.)

Awareness of engineering sustainability, health and safety issues Related Question

What are the possible hazards at oil & gas plant? What are the safety precautions that engineers and other staff need to uphold?

What are the safe work practice, permit and procedure to work at oil and gas inplant area?

Introduction:

Engineers are inevitably needed and present at site. Though engineers are not involving themselves in the physical works like other construction staffs, they shall also aware of danger and hazards that may fall upon them. Therefore, they are also need to take safety precaution.

For special industries such oil & gas industries, there are special hazard too. As the industry is to deal with oil and gas, it is understand that the special hazards are gas leaking which may cause explosion. All staffs working at oil and gas facilities shall adhere to strict regulation of what not to do in the compound.

Danger and hazards from special industries such as oil and gas project:

Gas leaking:

Gas leaking can cause explosion if there is inappropriate human behavior such as smoking. It is often too, if need to capture photo, only special camera without flash are permitted.

Engineers and all staffs shall adhere to prohibited behavior and always be calm when executing their duties at site. It is important for them to identify possible alert and sign of danger. Apart of working on their respective duties, they shall check the gas detector for gas leaking prior to and after work.

Hot items and steam:

The pipes are subjected to either internal hydrostatic or gas pressure which is extremely hot. To mitigate/ alleviate high locked-in forces, the hot steam is released at certain locations. Engineers and other staffs shall be aware and alert of these matters so that they don’t get hurt, harm and burned skin.  

Chemical leaking:

There will be also stocks of chemical materials, which are highly toxic at the industry compound. They shall handle with care.

Working at height:

Working at oil and gas facilities compound, there will be routine walking and inspection the inplant compound. It is sometime that engineers need to walk up the cylinder silos of 10-storey high.

Safety precaution/ safe work practice, permit and procedure:

Safety induction course:

Mishap, if happen at oil and gas industry, could catch attention worldwide because the consequences, damage and loss of life are shocking.

Prior to entry of job, both permanent staff and those on temporary basis such as contractor, shall attend and pass examination of safety induction course conducted by NIOSH.

Prior to entry of the job site, it is again necessary that all staffs especially those on temporary basis, to participate the safety induction course again conducted by the plant safety officer. The latter one to include emergency response plan and route to safe area to gather if there is accident.

Job scope analysis, job safety analysis:

Prior to start work, employee to analyse and list out what to do, procedure, tools and possible danger and precaution.

Permit to work:

A permit to work must be obtained prior to start of work. It is necessary that the time of the work is suitable and obtain facilitation with other work ongoing.

Personal Protective Equipment:

Safety helmet, Safety Boots, safety harness, Coverall which is fire resistance, gas detector, safety googles

Safe practice/ act/ behavior:

All staffs shall be calm and patient at site. They shall obey all sign and rules.