Question

What are the sources of hazards in petroleum industry? Detail the after effects of exposure to chemicals used in oil industry.

Answer 1

ECPs must comprise the below elements:

• Purpose statement

• Responsibilities of employers, supervisors and workers

• Identification and assessment of risks

• Risk controls

• Manpower education and training

• Written safe working procedures

• Hygiene facilities and procedures of decontamination

• Documentation

• Health monitoring (may also be required, relying on the nature of chemicals being used)

Workers spending a considerable portion of their shifts in the below areas may be exposed really significantly to hydrocarbons and oil mists:

• Drilling floor

• Mud pits/tanks (in which treated drilling fluids are retained before pumping to drill hole)

• Shale shakers (in which drill cuttings are shaken from drilling fluids that return from drill hole)

• Chemical mixing station/room

Silica is fundamental component of sand and rock. Some typical silica-containing materials include:

• Concrete, concrete block, mortar, cement

• Granite, sand, top soil, fill dirt

• Asphalt (containing stone or rock)

• Abrasive for blasting

• Hydraulic fracturing sand (contains as much as 99% silica)

Workers carrying out the below activities are at risk of breathing the silica dust:

• Abrasive blasting using silica-containing products

• Drilling using dry product additive that contain quartz

• Cementing operations

• Shale dryer maintenance (dry particulate may comprise quartz)

• Hydraulic fracturing (loading, unloading, moving or storing sand)

• Sweeping or moving sand or gravel that contains silica

Working activities that may put workers at risk of exposing to mercury in gas processing facilities include:

• Welding, grinding, buffing, and polishing

• Vessel cleaning

• Hydro excavating

• Machining

• Pipefitting

• Installing and removing components or infrastructure

• Electrical work