Page 27 - OHS, July/August 2022

Deploying a Chemical Emergency Toolkit
Once you have added the right gas detection equipment to your chemical emergency toolkit, you will want to implement multiple best practices at your facility to ensure the highest safety processes are in place.
First, pre-define the scenarios where a chemical emergency toolkit is needed. You need to acknowledge and understand the gas hazards impacting your facility by characterizing each hazard to create an individualized response plan. Next, identify points of interest both on-site and off-site. These could include places like schools, hospitals, public venues or evacuation points. These points of interest should be built into your common operating framework. Then establish a communication plan with local responders and local emergency planning committees so you can better respond to your neighbors.
From there, you’ll need to practice, practice, practice. This entails everything from training your teams on how to use their equipment (What do those beeps mean? Who sees the data? How do I know what a safe or harmful condition is?) to understanding the operating framework (How do these devices communicate with each other? What are the hazards identified by dynamic modeling? How do we respond?).
Once everyone at your plant knows how to use their equipment and the role they play, implement both small and large
drills. For small drills, its recommended to practice equipment deployment and remote monitoring. Meanwhile, large drills replicate a full-scale scenario involving several departments and incorporating multiple elements of the chemical emergency toolkit. ThThese scenarios and drills should be reviewed annually or semi-annually. Hazards come in all shapes and sizes, and it is best to be as prepared as possible.
In a recent example, a major refinery in the U.S. implemented their own emergency response toolkit and began running true- to-life drills with simulated chemical plumes. In doing so, they discovered that local first responders would be severely impacted by the modeled chemical hazard as they attempted to reach the facility. They were able to incorporate this information into their toolkit and are now able to ensure first responders will be protected while they respond to future incidents.
Having a set plan in place, knowing how to use your gas de- tection equipment, incorporating dynamic modeling and consis- tently practicing emergency response drills is critical in not only establishing control during an emergency but keeping workers and communities safe during a time when every moment matters.
John Wagle is the Regional SAFER Manager at Industrial Scientific,withover10years’experienceinnumericalmodelingand simulation in the upstream and midstream Oil and Gas industry.
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