Citation

Sanders RE. J. Hazard. Mater. 2003; 104(1-3): 149-161.

Affiliation

PPG Industries, PO Box 1000, Lake Charles, LA 7060, USA. rsanders@ppg.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

14602406

Abstract

The fundamentals of Inherently Safer Design were

not fully appreciated in the initial design (or re-design) in the following

series of case histories. Two case histories involving the basic element of

plant layout to minimize property damages and injury will be covered first.

Simple physical separation could have reduced the losses. A case history that

occurred in a bulk chemical terminal tank farm will highlight designs which

allowed incompatible chemicals to react, create a fire and a lingering toxic gas

release. The combination of these chemicals caused equipment damage in one case

and a threat to the public in another case. This paper will conclude with case

histories involving poor piping design or poorly identified piping systems,

which needlessly resulted in expensive repairs.Exercising the principles of

inherent safety would have reduced the severity and perhaps the opportunity of

these events. We must employ the techniques of inherent safety to improve our

performance.