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Occupational Health Hazards in Oil and Gas Industry
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OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH HAZARDS IN OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY
Shreya Sahajpal
Safety, Health and Environment (PE 421)
Exposure Control Plan (ECP)
o Exposure control plan (ECP) for exposure to chemical hazards,
including hydrogen sulphide (H2S), drilling fluids, silica,
mercury, naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM),
extreme temperatures, fatigue
o ECP is a detailed approach for protecting workers against
chemical exposures, including health hazard information,
engineering controls, safe work procedures, worker training,
and record keeping.
H2S Exposure
H2S found in oil and natural gas deposits, and in some mineral rock, oil and natural gas wells, in refineries, and in pipelines used to carry unrefined petroleum.
Very toxic gas Has no colour. Can irritate the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. High levels of H2S lead to poisoning.
Drilling fluids
During drilling, a large volume of drilling fluids is circulated through the well and into open, partially enclosed, or completely enclosed systems at elevated temperatures.
Exposure leads to health effects including dizziness, headaches, drowsiness, and nausea, dermatitis and sensitization from repeated skin contact with the drilling fluids.
Exposure to oil mists can cause irritation and inflammation of the respiratory system.
Silica
Silicosis is a disease caused by the prolonged breathing of
fine crystalline silica dust.
The particles are deposited in the lungs, causing thickening
and scarring of the lung tissue.
Symptoms are shortness of breath, severe cough, and
weakness. May lead to death.
Crystalline silica exposure has also been linked to lung
cancer.
Mercury
Found as a vapour, to the oil and gas “traps.”
When these gas reservoirs are produced and the processed
fluids are cooled, liquid mercury can condense within heat
exchangers, separators, coolers, valves, and piping.
When this equipment (particularly components made from
magnesium or aluminum alloys) is taken apart for
maintenance or repair, workers can be exposed to mercury
vapour.
Confined Space
Confined Space refers to a space which by design has limited
openings for entry and exit, unfavorable natural ventilation
which could contain or produce dangerous air contaminants,
and which is not intended for continuous employee occupancy.
Confined spaces include but are not limited to storage tanks,
compartments of ships, process vessels, pits, silos, ventilation
and exhaust ducts, sewers, tunnels, underground utility vaults,
and pipelines.
Upstream
Midstream&
Downstream
SEGMENT KEY PROCESSES AGENTSPOSSIBLE HEALTH
EFFECTS
• Seismic Survey & Evaluation
• Exploration & drilling
• Development & production
• Decommissioning
• Pathogenic microorganisms• Infection• Drilling mud• Petroleum products• Radioactive sources• Chemicals & additives• Metals (Pb, Cd, Mn)• Extreme temperatures• Silica/Asbestos• Noise/Vibration• Mechanical• Ergonomic
• Infectious and parasitic diseases• Cumulative trauma
disorders• Chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease• Dermal and eye issues• Spinal disorders• Cancer• Heat Stroke• Stress & Sleep deficits• Noise induced hearing
loss
• Pipelines• Transport &
storage• Marketing• Refining• Petrochemicals• Sales &
Distribution
• Petroleum products• Dust from filing and
scaling• Solvents & chemicals• Metals (Pb, Cd, Mn)• Silica/Asbestos• Noise/Vibration
• Dermal and eye issues• Pulmonary disorders• Gastrointestinal
disorders• Cancer• Noise induced hearing
loss
Agent
Silica dust (crystalline)
Used mineral oils
Noise
Heat
Bacteria
Repetitive movements
Source
Hydraulic Fracturing
Engine oil
Process noise above 85dB(A)
Ignition
Spray cooling towers
Workplace design
Route
Inhalation
Skin
Hearing
Whole body
Inhalation
Whole or part of body
Harmful Effect
Lung disease
Dermatitis, cancer
Hearing Loss
Heat stress, heat stroke
Bacterial Infection
Musculo-skeletal disorders
Assigning an Exposure Rating
EXPOSURE RATING DEFINITION
VERY LOW (A) Exposures are negligible
LOW (B) Exposures are controlled and likely to remain so in accordance with screening and performance criteria
MEDIUM (C) Exposures are currently controlled to meet screening and performance criteria but control cannot be assured
HIGH (D)Exposures are not adequately controlled to meet screening and performance criteria and continuously/regularly exceed Occupational Exposure Limits
VERY HIGH (E) Exposures are excessive and will almost certainly result in health damage to persons exposed
Classification of Health Hazards
Chemical hazards • toxic, corrosive, carcinogens, asphyxiates, irritant and
sensitizing substances Physical hazards
• noise, vibration, radiations, extreme temperature, fire Biological hazards
• virus, parasites, bacteria Ergonomic hazards
• manual handling activities, repetitive motions, awkward postures
Psychosocial hazards• overwork, odd working hours, isolated sites, violence
PHYSICAL HAZARDS
• Temperature - Heat / Cold• Illumination• Noise• Vibration• Radiation• Atmospheric pressure
CHEMICAL HAZARDS
Routes of entry - Inhalation, Ingestion, skin absorption
Chemical agents can be classified into-
1. Metals
2. Aromatic Hydrocarbons
3. Aliphatic Hydrocarbons
4. Gases
• Simple asphyxiants : N2, CH4, CO2
• Chemical asphyxiants : CO, H2S, HCN
• Irritant gases : Ammonia, SO2, Cl2
• Poison : CS2
PSYCHOSOCIAL HAZARDS
Lack of job satisfaction, insecurity, poor interpersonal
relations, work pressure, monotony, etc.
Psychological & behavioral changes – hostility,
aggressiveness, anxiety, depression, alcoholism, drug
addiction, sickness absenteeism.
Psychosomatic disorders- Hypertension, headache, body-
ache, peptic ulcers, asthma, diabetes, heart disorders, etc.
TYPE OF CONTROL MEASURES
Medical Control • required to monitor effectiveness of Engg.
Control Engineering Control • reduce exposure, modification in design
Administrative / Legal Control • emphasis given to reduce the exposure by safe
work practices, law enforcement
ENGINEERING CONTROLS
Designing-building, Work station Good Housekeeping Ventilation Mechanization Substitution Enclosure Isolation Local Exhaust Ventilation Personal Protective Devices Work Environment Monitoring Statistical Monitoring
Hierarchy of control
Elimination & Substitution – remove the hazard from the workplace, or
substitute (replace) hazardous materials or machines with less hazardous
ones
Engineering – includes designs or modifications to plant/facility, equipment,
ventilation systems, and processes that reduce the source of exposure.
Administration – controls that alter the way the work is done, i.e. Change in
standard operating procedures and work practices.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) – equipment worn by individuals to
reduce exposure such as contact with chemicals or exposure to noise. Eg:
gloves, earplugs, goggles, iridescent vests.
Where are controls used?
At the source (where the hazard "comes from") Along the path (where the hazard "travels") At the worker
Elimination & Substitution
The first and best strategy is to control the hazard at its source.
Most effective at reducing hazards Most difficult to implement in an existing process. If the process is still at the design or development
stage, elimination and substitution of hazards may be inexpensive and simple to implement.
For an existing process, major changes in equipment and procedures may be required to eliminate or substitute for a hazard.
Major considerations for suitability of potential substitutes
Effectiveness: Will the material meet the technical requirements (e.g., solubility,
drying time) for the job or process?
Compatibility: The substitute must not interfere or react with the process, the other
materials or the equipment.
Existing Control Measures: Existing control methods may not adequately control
the substitute (e.g., a less toxic substitute may evaporate more rapidly and the
existing ventilation system may not adequately capture the vapours).
Waste Disposal: Will the current waste disposal system meet technical and
regulatory requirements when dealing with any new waste created by using the
substitute?
Hazard Assessment: A hazard assessment should be done to decide whether to
substitute a different chemical or material.
Engineering Controls
The basic concept is that, to the extent feasible, the work
environment and the job itself should be designed to eliminate
hazards or reduce exposure to hazards.
They are based on the following principles: If feasible, design the facility, equipment, or process to remove
the hazard or substitute something that is not hazardous. If removal is not feasible, enclose the hazard to prevent
exposure in normal operations. Where complete enclosure is not feasible, establish barriers or
local ventilation to reduce exposure to the hazard in normal
operations.
Typical engineering controls
Process control Enclosure and/or isolation of emission source Ventilation
Process control involves changing the way a job activity or process is done to reduce the risk, or changing the design of equipment/process
Enclosure & IsolationKeep the chemical "in" and the worker "out“An enclosure keeps a selected hazard "physically" away from the workerIsolation places the hazardous process "geographically" away from workers
Ventilation is a method of control that strategically "adds" and "removes" air in the work environment.Removes the contaminant at the source so it cannot disperse into the work space and it generally uses lower exhaust rates than general ventilation
Administrative controls
Administrative controls limit workers' exposures by scheduling shorter
work times in contaminant areas or by implementing other "rules".
Administrative controls are not generally favoured because they can be
difficult to implement, maintain and are not a reliable way to reduce
exposure.
E.g. install signs, rotate jobs, timing of work, policies and other rules, and
work practices such as standards and operating procedures
Work Practices
Education & Training
Emergency Preparedness
Personal Hygiene &
Safe Practices
Typical administrative controls
Scheduling maintenance and other high exposure
operations for times when few workers are present
(such as evenings, weekends).
Using job rotation schedules that limit the amount of
time an individual worker is exposed to a substance.
Using a work rest schedule that limits the length of
time a worker is exposure to a hazard.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Personal protective equipment (PPE) includes items such
as respirators, protective clothing such as gloves, face
shields, eye protection, and footwear that serve to provide
a barrier between the wearer and the chemical or material.
Personal protective equipment should never be the only
method used to reduce exposure except under very
specific circumstances because PPE may "fail“ with little or
no warning.
PPE should be used:
as an interim (short term) measure before controls are
implemented
where pre-contact control technology is not available
where pre-contact controls are inadequate
during activities such as maintenance, clean up, and repair where
pre-contact controls are not feasible or effective
during emergency situations
Medical Control
Medical Control Program can deliver services that prevent hazards that can
cause illness and injury, recognize and treat illness and injury, and limit the
severity of work related injury and illness.
The size and complexity of a medical program will depend on many factors,
including the:
• Type of processes and materials and the related hazards
• Type of facilities
• Number of workers
• Characteristics of the workforce
• Location of each operation and its proximity to a health care facility
Medical programs consist of everything from a basic first aid and CPR
response to proper and detailed medical care.
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