Understanding Stored Energy Hazards in Technical Systems

1. Stored Energy • Mechanical Energy • Springs • Coil • Leaf Springs • Torsional Springs • Linear spring • Shocks • etc.

2. Stored Energy • Mechanical Energy • Actuated Valves • Power outage • Loss of compressed air • Spring Return • NC / NO • PLC’s

3. Stored Energy • Mechanical Energy - Pressurized Fluids • Hydraulic Systems • Hydraulic systems store fluid under high pressure • Resulting potential hazards: • Injection of fluid into the skin • Burns from hot, high pressure fluid • Cuts or abrasions from flailing lines • Never check for pinhole leaks • Potential for injection of oil may may result in the loss of a finger or entire arm – Like AWJ’s • Use a piece of wood or cardboard to check for leaks

4. Stored Energy • Pressurized Fluids • Compressed Air Systems • Air receiver tanks • Primary air lines • Temporary hoses • Most dangerous aspect of using compressed air hose is its connection • Requires the use of Whip-Checks

5. Stored Energy • Pressurized Fluids • Compressed Air • Air Blasters - Some very complex systems - PLC’s • Martin Thermo Safety Shield

6. Stored Energy • Pneumatic Transport • Movement of material by Compressed Air • Motivating Force • Vacuum • Density of Air is Reduced • Pressure • Density of Air is Increased • Typ Press would be 15 - 45 psi • Two Primary Modes • Lean Phase – using low pressure - 15 psi • Dense Phase – using medium pressure – 45 psi • Control System can be quite complex, optimizing the system • Detailed procedures are required

7. Stored Energy • Pneumatic Transport • Lean Phase • Handles Small Material Volume compared to High Volume of air • Operates at a relatively High Velocity • High Abrasive Wear – Elbows especially – additional maintenance • High Volume of Air must be Filtered – additional maintenance • Less complicated controls

8. Stored Energy • Pressurized Fluids - Pneumatic Transport • Dense Phase • Intermittent Series of Slugs of Material • Low Pipeline Velocity • Low Abrasive Wear • Schedule 40 Mild Steel Pipe can be Used • More complex control system

9. Stored Energy • Pressurized Fluids • Steam • Work involving a major steam system • May involve a major part of the facility • Working on a Package Boiler installation • May simply involve a small unit and supply a point source of heat • Yet each involves working with a source of Hazardous Energy – Steam • In turn the same procedures must be adhered when isolating the systems • Appropriate LO/TO procedures

10. Stored Energy • Electrical Energy • Power Distribution & Control • Basics of Process Control • UPS (Uninterruptible power supply) • Always LO/TO at power source the Motor Control Center (MCC)

11. Stored Energy • Electrical Energy • Fatality resulting from equipment contacting live wires • Link-Belt crane

12. Stored Energy • Electrical energy • Electrical power sources • Live wires • Batteries (Chemical Energy) • Capacitors • Discharge

13. Stored Energy • Electrical energy • Static Electricity • The build-up of static electricity depends on whether the rate of charge dissipation is greater than the rate of charge generation. • A very high voltage can be produced quite rapidly, leading to electrostatic discharge (ESD) sparks and shocks • Sparks can occur unexpectedly and potentially cause fire or explosion • Ignition is possible if a fuel is present and a potentially flammable atmosphere could arise • The same phenomena which create lightning and thunderstorms are around us every day, creating incredibly high voltages which cause sparks and shocks. • If there is a flammable atmosphere present, such as a solvent vapour or dust cloud, then the risk of explosion may cause concern • Refueling of Aircraft

14. Stored Energy • Electrical Fatalities 2006 • 04/03/06, 50yr, 11yr exp –Boom contacted energized wires • 05/19/06, 77yr, 58yr exp –Contacted energized conductor • 06/21/06, 75yr, 50yr exp –Contacted energized wires-fire • 07/27/06, 25yr, 2yr exp –Contacted energized guy wire

15. Stored Energy • Thermal Energy Hazards • Molten Metal - Iron, Copper, etc. • Smelter, cupola, BOF, EAF, autoclave • Do not allow water in vicinity of molten metal • Safe Work Practices • Specific Training • Adequate ventilation, heat shielding • Personal Protective Equipment • Personal Monitors & Alarms • Drink plenty of fluids • Watch for signs of Heat Stress

16. Stored Energy • Thermal Energy Hazards • Dust Explosions - Baghouse • High Surface Area • The dust must be combustible. • The dust must be capable of becoming airborne. • The dust must have a size distribution capable of flame propagation. • The dust concentration must be within the explosible range. • An ignition source must be present. • The atmosphere must contain sufficient oxygen to support and sustain combustion. • Dust Explosions In Mines • Development of methods for arresting underground tunnel explosions

17. Stored Energy • Thermal Energy Hazards • Dust Explosions • Explosion Suppression System • Rupture Disk • Vent gases Fuel (dust) Confined Space (equipment, building) Oxygen Ignition Source

18. Stored Energy • Chemical Energy • Chemical reaction • Hazardous Waste Facility • Recent Explosion in Apex, North Carolina - 5 October, 2006 • Environmental Quality Company • Previous Blast in Romulus, Michigan – August, 2005 • Electrical Resistance Hazards • Resulting in fires

19. Stored Energy • Compressed Gases & Mixtures of Compressed • 3 major groups of compressed gases: • Liquefied gases – liquid at ambient temperature while under pressure • Propane, carbon dioxide, anhydrous ammonia, nitrous oxide, etc • Non-Liquefied gases – permanent gases at ambient temperature even at very high pressure • Oxygen, nitrogen, helium, argon • Dissolved gases – Acetylene - chemically very unstable, cylinders packed with inert, porous filler & saturated with acetone into which the acetylene gas dissolves and in turn is stable • Cylinders must be kept Secured & Capped • Compressed gas cylinders if damaged can become uncontrolled rockets

20. Stored Energy • Compressed Fuels • Liquified Gaseous Fuels (LGF) • Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) • Propane • Gas Cylinders • Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) • LNG Tankers • Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) • Gas Cylinders • Propane – New Composite Lite

21. Stored Energy • Magnetic Energy • Rare Earth Magnets • These Magnets are extremely powerful, and potentially dangerous. • Could cause malfunctions in cardiac pacemakers • They are brittle, and if allowed to snap together from a distance, they will break and can send sharp shrapnel flying. • Modern magnet materials are extremely strong magnetically and any person required to handle magnets should be appropriately trained about the potential dangers of handling magnets. • Magnets should be kept away from sensitive electronic equipment.

22. Stored Energy • Other Forms of Stored Energy

23. Stored Energy • In Review: • To control hazardous energy one must be able to: • Identify all energy sources including Stored Energy • Be able to evaluate hazardous conditions • Identify and establish the effectiveness of each control option • Ensure adequate training • Formal training as well as On the Job training • Combine Theory with practical Hands-On training • Objective assessments must be made to ensure that the individual has acquired an understanding and the competencies that are required

24. Stored Energy • Again • Hazard Control Involves: • Safety Engineering - Technology • Identification of Hazards • Evaluation of Hazards • Control of Hazards • Alive & Well • Safety Management – Administrative • Safety Program Elements • Establishment of Policies • Development of Procedures

25. Stored Energy • Dad’s Home • Tackle Stored Energy • and You’ll Be Ready To • Tackle The Evening • HeyDad, I Was Thinking - - - • What Better Reason • Still A Packer Fan eh?

26. Stored Energy

27. Stored Energy

28. Stored Energy • Dad’s Home • Tackle Stored Energy • and You’ll Be Ready To • Tackle The Evening • HeyDad, I Was Thinking - - - • What Better Reason • Still A Packer Fan eh?

29. Stored Energy • U

30. Stored Energy • U