1.1 Introduction
The chemical industry is one of the safest industries, but its safety record in the eyes of the public has suffered. Perhaps this is because sometimes when there is an accident in a chemical plant it is spectacular and receives a great deal of attention. The public often associates the chemical industry with environmental and safety problems, which results in a negative image of the industry. Chemical process safety involves both the technical and the management aspects of the chemical industry, and this chapter addresses both. It is not enough to be aware of how to predict the effect of process hazards and how to design systems to reduce the risks of these hazards. It also is important to consider how chemical process safety can be managed. Technical people at all levels have a degree of management responsibility, and can contribute to the overall management of safe plants.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research Questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of the Study
Health and safety management is essential knowledge in a building construction site area which recognized in The Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide, cited by Cretu et al., 2011). Health and safety management is expected to take account of all risks and accidents that may possibly be expected that put project employees at risk. The health and safety (H & S) of any workplace is very important to diminish such risks, legally and ethically, but in mainly dangerous contexts such as the construction industry HS takes on perilous importance as daily activities of the industry are highly unsafe. It is thus important to identify suitable safety activities and strategy, accommodating potential serious Health & Safety problems (Twort et al, 2011).
Hazards from combustion and runaway reactions play a leading role in many chemical process accidents. Knowledge of these reactions is essential for the control of process hazards. Much of the damage and loss of life in chemical accidents results from a sudden release of material at high pressures, which may or may not result in fire; so it is important to understand how sudden pressure releases can occur. They can be due, for example, to ruptured high pressure tanks, run-away reactions, flammable vapor clouds, or pressure developed from external fire. Fires can cause severe damage from thermal radiation. Chemical releases from fires and pressure releases can form toxic clouds that can be dangerous to people over large areas. Static electricity often is a hidden cause in accidents. It is important to understand the reactive nature of the chemicals involved in a chemical facility.
Loss of containment due to mechanical failure or misoperation is a major cause of chemical process accidents. The publication One Hundred Largest Losses.’ A Thirty Year Review of Property Damage Losses in the Hydrocarbon-Chemical Industry' cites loss of containment as the leading cause of property loss in the chemical process industries.
Health Administration (OSHA), which provides strict rules and regulations to everyone safety and health reduces accident rates unless craftsmen and management take positive actions to integrated these rules into their everybody activities by implementation a health and safety management program health and safety management is an road aimed at removing or minimizing the forces which cause losses through injured workers, damaged equipment and facilities.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Safety in Chemical Process Industry.
1.3 Statement of the Problem
Chemical products are indispensable to modern industrial economy. New production technology and various processes have altered the working conditions. Some chemicals are produced in batches, workers would put raw materials into open vats to be mixed, empty the vats and package the products. Continuous flow methods are better because production takes place within enclosed vessels involving fewer workers. However, leaks and spillage can still occur. Maintaining and cleaning the equipment will still exposed workers to chemical hazards.
To reduce death, injury and stress of workers during construction process, adequate training should be given to the workers for proper orientation of work. For instance, building construction sites are made up of so much plant and machinery and operators of this type of equipment should be fully trained and that also is applicable for those workers or drivers who operates vehicles like tippers, tankers ( diesel or fuel) cars both on and off with included are those mechanical equipment like mechanical diggers, cranes, fork lift, truck, caterpillars and so on should all be exposed to practical knowledge for more acquisition of skills (Tam et al, 2004).
1.4 Aim and Objectives of the Study
The aim of the research is to identify and evaluate the Safety in Chemical Process Industry. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To analyze the Health & Safety problem related to the chemical process industry and explores solutions to avoid risk on life.
- To understanding side effects of chemical process industry processes on the Health & Safety of employees to reduce the site accidents and injuries.
1.5 Significance of the Study
Health and safety management in chemical process industry of enormous importance to the entire construction and it begins from the pre design, design stage, construction stage up to the completion of the Project to assist both the client and the main contractor.
- It provides information to the workers and the construction and on how to be an guide against any practice that may cause accident or injury during the chemical process industry.
- The application of health and safety management during construction will ensure appropriate construction methodology is adopted to increase efficiency of the Project.
- The health, life of workers and constructional materials are protected throughout the chemical processing
1.6 Research Questions
The following research questions were formulated and tested in this research:
- Does funding of Chemical Process Industry by the state government affect its activities professionally?
- What are the Health & Safety problems related to the chemical process industry and explores solutions to avoid risk on life?
- What are the side effects of chemical process industry processes on the Health & Safety of employees to reduce the site accidents and injuries?
1.7 Scope of the Study
This research is limited to health and safety measures in Chemical Process Industry in Jalingo Local government area of Taraba State.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Establishment Policies: Establishment policies posed a serious limitation as most staffs are not ready to release information needed for this project work. There were lots of information needed from the staffs of this institution to enhance the study which took them time to release or they did not release at all for security purposes, hence the scope was reduced.
1.9 Definition of Terms
Builder: this is a professional in which is responsible for hazardous translating and developing all designs by other consultants.
Culture: this is defined as the total way of peoples life in terms of attitude benefits, perceptions, values and morality.
Management: It is the discipline of planning co-coordinating, organizing, controlling, leading, forecasting, securing and managing resources to being about the successful completion of specific project goals and Objectives.
Project: it is a temporary endeavor having a defined beginning and end which is an undertaken to meet unique goals and Objectives.
Quality: The general standards or grade of something it also means the highest of finest standard.
Management: this has to do with the ways and pattern in zerock construction organizer, plan, and control and managed all site and construction administration.
Project: is a temporary effort to create a unique product or several which the building construction that has to be done by Zerok construction without unnecessary delays and on time too.
Clients: proper funding will assist Zerock construction to execute their work effectively.
Site: it is the central point of all construction activities.
