Potential Source Of Hazard Research Articles

Safety Assessment Curve (SAC) for inherent safety assessment in petrochemical industry

This paper highlights the development of a new numerical approach for safety assessment called Safety Assessment Curve (SAC). Most of the current methods for assessing inherent safety are index based method. Among the disadvantages of such methods is it employs scaling by dividing physical or chemical properties into subjective ranges and sudden jump in the score value at the sub-range boundary. This new technique can offer more useful features because aside from assessing the routes numerically, it could also graphically visualizes the effect of temperature, pressure, heat of reaction, process inventory, flammability, explosiveness, toxicity and reactivity in designing an inherently safer design for both, grassroot and retrofit cases in petrochemical industry without including subjective scaling and sudden jump in the score value. Due to page limitations, this paper will only discuss the development of SAC for chemical safety parameters. This novel technique can be used as an effective method to find the safer route among several number of alternatives for chemical synthesis or process retrofitting, besides highlighting the potential source of hazards in the process through numerical and graphical approach. The new SAC technique illustrated in this paper has been tested on methyl methacrylate manufacturing confirming its superiority in comparison to index-based method. Tertiery butyl alcohol (TBA) route has the lowest Chemical Safety Total Score suggesting it as the safest routes among the three routes for MMA production compared to acetone cyanohydrin (ACH) and ethylene via methyl propionate (C2/MP) based routes.

Potential sources of food hazards in emerging commercial aquaculture industry in sub‐Saharan Africa: a case study for Uganda

SummaryA study was conducted to assess sources of food hazards in Uganda’s emerging commercial aquaculture industry based on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), focusing on inputs, their sources and farm‐practices on ten representative commercial farms. Critical control points (CCPs) were identified to reveal potential hazards that would jeopardise any export trade. Site selection, water quality, fertiliser, fish seed, fish rearing facilities, feeds, and post‐harvest practices were the main CCPs identified. Animal manure was used to generate plankton as pond fertiliser in nine of the ten surveyed farms and veterinary drugs were not found in any of the ten farms, which is starkly different from aquaculture in indutrialised countries. Potential sources of hazards from water were mainly: municipal waste flow which was more likely on five of the ten farms, domestic waste (four farms), agricultural run‐off (three farms), and low water pH (three farms). Fish fry and fingerlings from other farms, feeds formulated on‐farm from unapproved sources, chemical products, uncontrolled fish predators, and domestic animal and human activities were the other potential sources of hazards. A complete application of HACCP is recommended for producing safe products that meet the strict market standards of developed countries.

A risk-estimation methodological framework using quantitative assessment techniques and real accidents’ data: Application in an aluminum extrusion industry

The risk estimation presumably is the most crucial part of the entire procedure of assessing hazards/unsafe situations in the work, and especially in the industries’ and constructions’ worksites, where the working conditions are unstable. We can consider the risk as a quantity, which can be estimated and expressed by a mathematical relation, under the help of real accidents’ data. The aim of this work is quadruplicate: (a) the development, elaboration and explanation of two new quantitative risk-assessment techniques, (b) the improvement of specific points of other scientific works, as far as concerns quantitative risk estimation, (c) the application of these techniques on an industrial productive procedure (as a case study) and (d) the comparison of their outcome risk-estimation results. Particularly, we develop and analyze the theoretical background of the two techniques, which we call as “proportional technique” and “decision matrix technique”, and apply them on an aluminum extrusion industry's worksite, which is situated in Greece, by using real data of potential sources of hazards, recorded by safety managers, during the 5.5-year time period of 1999–2004. Comparing the results of the two quantitative risk-assessment techniques, we infer that they are compatible. Therefore, the most important hazard source in the aluminum industry is the “squeezing and hits by dropping objects (transported by derricks)”, and imposes that immediate suppressive measures must be taken place to abolish the danger source.

Clinical Evaluation of Medical Devices: Principles and Case Studies (2nd edn)

From the outset, it must be made clear that this book has been written entirely for the American market and hence deals with American legislation. First published in 1997, rapid development of medical devices has stimulated the need for a second edition. Bearing in mind that the American legislation and workings of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are quite different from those encountered in the UK (where the responsible body is the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency), the contributors are all North American apart from one Norwegian. Despite this, there are as always chapters that are worthy of note, some of which are particularly helpful. Chapter 1 deals entirely with clinical trials and having dealt with definition of a medical device then provides an important overview of considerations to be taken into account when organising an appropriate clinical trial. This is a helpful section with a lot of practical advice on the standards required and the sources of potential hazards and pitfalls. It looks to pre-market testing, clinical outcomes and the postmarket surveillances while addressing the statutory requirements of the FDA. The debate as to whether emerging technologies are covered by the medicines or the devices side of the Agency is addressed in a single chapter. This is not an unfamiliar situation and is becoming an increasingly pointed debate in the UK. As such, the role of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence raised within this chapter does give some indication of the attempt to look internationally. The second part of the chapter largely covers cost, which is of no direct relevance to the UK situation. Chapter 4 exposes the difference between the British and American systems, with the UK singularly focused on postmarketing surveillance. However, the reporting systems do appear to be markedly similar. Chapter 5 is especially useful, looking at the statistics associated with the Bayesian method in clinical trials. This fundamental mathematical approach to clinical trials answers many of the difficulties associated with small trial numbers, particularly with multiple end-points. The development of emerging technologies and the combination of drug/device combinations is examined in chapter 9. Many of the issues discussed, particularly the nature of principal action of the device, are looked at in detail. Systematic exposure to drugs from devices such as drug-eluting stents and the discussion on their toxicology (and hence their relevance as a device or a medicine) are illustrated. Chapter 10 is especially interesting and revealing as it discusses the issues of the production of new devices on the stock market: a sensitive area often overlooked. Part 2 of the book deals with a series of clinical examples. As such it is particularly useful, covering many of the problems anyone involved in the development of medical devices will encounter, for example, the use of randomised controlled trials and how difficult it is to apply them to devices. In summary, as with so many that have a specialised audience, this book does have value on an international basis. However, readers do need to be highly selective in what they take note of since so much of it is directly applicable to the FDA and the American process of achieving licence for the use of devices. It is useful as a reference book for those involved in the development of clinical trials but is of little value when applied to the UK regulatory system.

Preliminary Report on the 17 February 2006 Leyte, Philippines Landslide

ABSTRACT Following days of heavy rainfall, a large-scale landslide occurred in Southern Leyte Province, Philippines, burying almost the entire village of Guinsaugon and causing the death of more than 1000 people. The landslide, which occurred along the steep slope of Mt. Can-abag in the middle of the province, mobilized large amount of rocks and debris with estimated volume of about 10-15 million m3. This paper discusses the results of the damage investigation conducted in the area after the disaster, with emphasis on the general features of the landslide and on the hydro-geological aspects of the disaster. Based on the observations made from the field investigation as well as additional information obtained from various sources, the main causes of the landslide are identified, and several sources of potential hazards are pointed out.

Waste loading in shrimp and fish processing effluents: potential source of hazards to the coastal and nearshore environments

On average, only 30–40% of the global fishery production is consumed fresh and the rest 60–70% is processed for human consumption and other purposes. Although the proportion of the total fishery production that are processed remained relatively stable over the last decade, the total bulk of processed fishery commodity increased due to the steady increase in the total fishery production. Processing of large bulk of fish, shrimp and other aquatic organisms produces a corresponding large bulk of by-products and wastes. Although recent trend shows that much of these wastes are made into various value added products, considerable quantities are discharged as the processing effluents with large volume of waters used in processing. Reports suggest that fish and shrimp processing effluents are very high in biological oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total suspended solids (TSS), fat-oil-grease (FOG), pathogenic and other microflora, organic matters and nutrients, etc. Fish and shrimp processing effluents are, therefore, highly likely to produce adverse effects on the receiving coastal and marine environments. Although substantial reduction of the waste loads is possible by applying available simple techniques, this is not in practice in most part of the world due to lack of proper managerial and regulatory approach. The present paper reviews the characteristics of fish and shrimp processing effluents as a potential source of coastal and marine pollution and, using the existing data, analyzes the global production and discharge of waste loads from the processing plants and discusses available options for waste treatment and management.

Seismic risk analysis of coastal area of Pakistan

Estimation of seismic hazard for the fast developing coastal area of Pakistan is carried out using deterministic and probabilistic approaches. On the basis of seismotectonics and geology, eleven faults are recognized in five seismic provinces as potential hazard sources. Maximum magnitude potential for each of these sources is calculated. Peak ground acceleration (PGA) values at the seven coastal cities due to the maximum credible earthquake on the relevant source are also obtained. Cities of Gwadar and Ormara with acceleration values of 0.21g and 0.25g respectively fall in the high seismic risk area. Cities of Turbat and Karachi lie in low seismic risk area with acceleration values of less than 0.1g. The Probabilistic PGA maps with contour interval of 0.05g for 50 and 100 years return period with 90% probability of non-exceedance are also compiled.

Feasibility of reforms regarding their reaches: An outline of an impossibility theorem

Reform endeavors run up against various sorts of constraints. A major set of constraints is the one derived from the lack of information and knowledge. This category of constraints is inextricably linked with the size of the reform undertakings. The architects of reforms do not have the knowledge needed for designing big institutional changes. Moreover, the big changes take the system far a field from its initial position, the one to be overcome by the reform process. Both features generate two distinct types of uncertainty which are sources of potential hazards and could easily produce the breakdown of the system as a whole with well-known disastrous consequences. This reasoning turns down to the standard argument of feasibility and (there- fore) desirability of the Popper-like piecemeal engineering. Another important issue is the necessity/desirability of preserving old institutions while the new ones are being built lest institutional vacua be developed with disastrous consequences. The argument is analogous to the tenor of the Burke critique of the French Revolution. The upshot of the analysis is that quick implementation of the far-reaching changes is not to be expected and that the going criticisms of the alleged sluggishness of reforms are to some extent ill-advised.

Prevalence and Comparison of Genetic Profiles of Campylobacter Strains Isolated from Poultry and Sporadic Cases of Campylobacteriosis in Humans

Between July 1998 and June 1999, 93 lots of broiler chickens distributed on 57 farms were sampled in two abattoirs of the province of Québec (Canada). A total of 2,325 samples of cecal material were analyzed to determine the prevalence of campylobacters. Biotyping and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) were done on 20% of the Campylobacter isolates to study the distribution within poultry production. Macrorestriction profiles were compared with profiles of 24 Campylobacter strains isolated from sporadic cases of human diarrheic patients in order to evaluate genetic relationships. Approximately 40% of the broiler chickens in 60% of the lots and 67% of the farms were colonized. Biotypes I and II of Campylobacter jejuni were the most prevalent biotypes in poultry and human isolates. The PFGE dendograms revealed a high genetic diversity among poultry isolates, with 49 different genotypes from the 56 positive lots. More than 75% of these lots were colonized by a unique genotype. All positive lots raised simultaneously on the same farm had common genotype(s). Different genotypes were isolated from lots raised at different grow-out periods on a farm. In some cases, identical genotypes were found at different grow-out periods on a farm and also from different farms. Macrorestriction profiles showed that approximately 20% of human Campylobacter isolates were genetically related to genotypes found in poultry. This genetic relationship and the high prevalence of C. jejuni biotypes I and II in poultry indicated that Campylobacter in broiler production of the province of Québec could be a potential source of hazard for public health.

Fusion reactor safety—Issues and perspective

Abstract Fusion reactors have inherent safety advantages, but also have sources of potential hazards to cause undue radiation exposure to the public and site personnel if the reliability of engineered measures is not adequate. In order to avoid realization of potential hazards of nuclear facilities, the safety regulation of design, construction and operation is implemented through governmental licenses. The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, whose engineering design activity is ongoing will be the first challenge to demonstrating licensable fusion reactor safety. From the view point of licensable safety, this paper reviews prospective safety principles, safety requirements, issues in ensuring reliability and necessary research and development for fusion reactors.

Measurement and prediction of the strength of rubberized concrete

Illegally discarded piles of automobile tires are sources of potential hazards. Current disposal methods are wasteful and costly as they require either consumption of landfill space or continuous costly maintenance. A solution to the problem of scrap-tire disposal is the potential use of tire chips and crumb rubber as mineral aggregate substitutes in Portland cement concrete mixes. In this study, some of the engineering properties of rubberized concrete were examined and a neural network was developed to predict its compressive and tensile strengths. Rubberized concrete was found to possess good esthetics, acceptable workability, and a smaller unit weight than normal concrete. However, rubberized concrete did not perform as well as normal concrete under repeated freeze-thaw cycles. It exhibited lower compressive and tensile strength than that of normal concrete. Unlike normal concrete, rubberized concrete had the ability to absorb a large amount of plastic energy under compressive and tensile loads. It did not demonstrate the typical brittle failure, but rather a ductile, plastic failure mode. Test results were analyzed so that a model can be developed to predict the strength of rubberized concrete. Two neural network models were developed to predict the reduction in the compressive and tensile strength as a result of replacing mineral aggregate with rubber aggregate. A maximum difference of 9·2% between test results and model prediction was detected during the testing of the neural networks.

EVA safety design guidelines

An Extravehicular Mobility Unit is a closed and isolated environment that protects the astronaut from exposure to space environment. Eighty-four percent of the possible hardware failures occurring during Extravehicular Activity (EVA) would result in an abort of the EVA. Fifty-two percent of these failure modes would result in a loss of a critical life support function and directly compromise crew safety. Crew safety is not, however, limited to controlling hardware failures. Safety can be compromised by improper in-flight servicing or induced by interfacing equipment during EVA related activity. This paper addresses these potential hazard sources and approaches used to enhance equipment reliability and astronaut safety.

Aspects of the Methods Applying to a Safety Analysis of a Liquid Natural Gas Plant

In Germany, there is a legal requirement to prove that particular plants and installations with a high hazard potential for the immediate environment have taken sufficient measures to prevent damage to the environment. This must be recorded in the form of a safety analysis. The major aspect of a safety analysis is the analysis of potential hazards. Its purpose is to detect and evaluate potential hazard sources and to determine and examine the available and necessary countermeasures. With particular reference to the practice of creating safety analyses, the requirements and methods employed in analysing the potential hazards will be presented here. Using one part of an existing plant where natural gas is liquefied, stored and revaporised as an example, the HAZOP-PAAG method will be employed and the results discussed. In addition, some of the methods used for hazard analysis will be evaluated and the reasons why such methods have come to be extensively used will be covered. An integration of the methods for computer-supported employment of hazard analyses would, with the exception of specific individual plants, seem to be unlikely in the near future.

Structural similarity of the type-specific group B streptococcal polysaccharides and the carbohydrate units of tissue glycoproteins: evaluation of possible cross-reactivity.

Type-specific capsular polysaccharides of group B streptococci show striking structural similarity with the terminal sugar sequences of tissue glycoconjugates. The polysaccharides have been put forward as vaccines against neonatal meningitis. A potential source of hazard in immunization of pregnant mothers may be the presence of the cross-reactive components in adult or fetal tissues. A radioactive ligand binding assay was used to test human immune sera to type Ia, II and III group B streptococcal polysaccharides for binding to tissue-derived glycopeptides showing structural similarities with the streptococcal polysaccharides. Of the 13 glycopeptides of human and rat tissues studied, representing a wide selection of structures known to occur in glycoproteins, only two showed some reactivity with the antisera. The reactivity with human small intestinal glycopeptides could be explained by the presence of natural blood group A antibodies, and was not related to the streptococcal group B antibodies. The basis of the reactivity of a high-molecular-weight glycopeptide from rat kidney with some of the sera was unknown, but was unrelated to the vaccination and clearly could not be inhibited with the streptococcal polysaccharides. Thus, no immunological cross-reactions of the tissue glycopeptides studied could be demonstrated with the group B streptococcal antisera.

The effect of surface finish on the reflection of CO2 laser beams from specula

A potential source of hazard during gynaecological surgery with a CO2 laser is the reflection of the laser beam from the surfaces of the metal speculum. An experimental method of measuring the levels of radiation reflected from a variety of surfaces is described. Results which compare the effectiveness of different surface treatments in reducing reflections and show how this varies over a range of angles of incidence are presented. The significance of the results in terms of hazard to patients and staff is discussed.

Toxicology of Processed and Packaged Foods

Modem food production, processing and preservation use a large number of additives at various stages. These include food sweetners, preservatives, colours, antioxidants and pesticides. In addition, the foods come in contact with packaging materials which by themselves contain a large number of additives. Some of these are potential sources of hazards to consumers. This paper is a review of investigations which have been carried out on some of the additives, the migration of additives from packing systems and naturally occurring toxic substances as possible health hazards.

Locating an obnoxious facility within a polygonal region

The purpose of this paper is to review some of the many instances in which a location analyst must make a decision as to where an obnoxious facility should be placed. An obnoxious facility is one that can be defined as a facility which has undesirable interactions with existing facilities. Examples include equipment which emit pollutants such as particulates, noise and radiation or warehouses that contain flammable materials. Other obnoxious facilities include machines that are potential sources of hazards to nearby machines and workers. The interaction between the obnoxious facility and each existing facility is reflected through a weighting factor. The feasible region is considered to be continuous in the form of a convex or nonconvex simple polygon. Since the new facility is to be located away from the existing facilities, an appropriate criterion for optimization is the MAXIMIN or the MAXISUM criterion. Algorithms are reviewed for two common metrics under both criteria, i.e. Euclidean and rectilinear.

Potential hazards of NMR imaging. No evidence of the possible effects of static and changing magnetic fields on cardiac function of the rat and guinea pig

Clinical proton NMR imaging uses magnetic field strengths in the range 0.1 to 0.5 T. In addition to the large static magnetic field, patients are exposed to magnetic field gradients during imaging and under extreme conditions, such as power failure or quenching, the field may collapse precipitously. A potential source of hazard to patients under these conditions is the induction of thoracic currents which may trigger ventricular fibrillation. In the present experiments, a 0.16 T resistive magnet with a time constant of 60 ms, powered by a programmable power supply, was used to examine any possible effects of static and changing magnetic field on the ECG and arterial blood pressure of anesthetized rats and guinea pigs. Animals were exposed to the following field conditions: static fields of 0.16 T; sine, triangular, and square wave modulated fields from 0.1 to 2 Hz; rapid field switches in excess of 2.0 T/s for 25 ms timed to occur at different stages of the cardiac cycle, including the vulnerable period during ventricular repolarization; and AC fields of 50 Hz. No change was observed in the blood pressure, heart rate, or ECG under any of the field conditions examined.

Motor transport training schools

The risk estimation presumably is the most crucial part of the entire procedure of assessing hazards/unsafe situations in the work, and especially in the industries’ and constructions’ worksites, where the working conditions are unstable. We can consider the risk as a quantity, which can be estimated and expressed by a mathematical relation, under the help of real accidents’ data. The aim of this work is quadruplicate: (a) the development, elaboration and explanation of two new quantitative risk-assessment techniques, (b) the improvement of specific points of other scientific works, as far as concerns quantitative risk estimation, (c) the application of these techniques on an industrial productive procedure (as a case study) and (d) the comparison of their outcome risk-estimation results. Particularly, we develop and analyze the theoretical background of the two techniques, which we call as “proportional technique” and “decision matrix technique”, and apply them on an aluminum extrusion industry's worksite, which is situated in Greece, by using real data of potential sources of hazards, recorded by safety managers, during the 5.5-year time period of 1999–2004. Comparing the results of the two quantitative risk-assessment techniques, we infer that they are compatible. Therefore, the most important hazard source in the aluminum industry is the “squeezing and hits by dropping objects (transported by derricks)”, and imposes that immediate suppressive measures must be taken place to abolish the danger source.