Attention must be paid to safety in chemical production to avoid safety risks

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A fire broke out at a fluorosilicon materials company in Quzhou, Zhejiang. The fire lasted for over 20 hours; although no injuries were reported, it caused environmental pollution and required significant investment of human and material resources. Accidents in chemical production generally have serious consequences; therefore, chemical companies must pay close attention to production safety and prevent production risks. 1. All enterprises should pay close attention to weather forecasts and disaster warning information, strictly fulfill their primary responsibilities for safe production, carry out inspections and rectifications of potential hazards related to major risks, key equipment, critical processes, and important areas, promptly eliminate safety risks, and take strict precautions to prevent safety accidents caused by natural disasters. 2. Strengthen process control; production under conditions of excessive temperature, pressure, or load is strictly prohibited. If necessary, reduce the production load appropriately, and any early signs of danger must be addressed promptly. Strengthen the inspection of operating equipment to prevent any leaks or losses of fluid, and ensure that control systems such as safety instruments, emergency shutdown mechanisms, and interlock systems are in a safe and reliable condition. 3. All lightning protection and lightning mitigation facilities must be tested and thoroughly inspected to ensure that the equipment and facilities are in good working condition. Strengthen the inspection of equipment and facilities in cooling and emergency support systems such as circulating cooling water, cooling spray systems, and fire protection water supply systems. 4. It is strictly prohibited to operate hazardous chemical storage tanks at excessive liquid levels; it is necessary to ensure that equipment and facilities such as pipeline valves, pumps, cooling spray systems, and alarm devices in the tanks are in good condition. Strengthen the inspection of safety equipment and facilities such as monitoring systems, ventilation systems, fire prevention measures, explosion protection measures, pressure relief systems, gas prevention systems, corrosion prevention measures, leak prevention measures, and dikes in work areas to ensure safe operation. http://p7.itc.cn/images01/20201110/75523892777640658de992b7cb97e0eb.png5. Strengthen storage management: Toxic chemicals and substances that undergo chemical reactions when in contact with water should not be stored in damp, permeable areas or warehouses where water can penetrate; waterproof and moisture-proof measures must be taken ； Flammable and explosive hazardous chemicals must be stored in a cool, well-ventilated, and dry environment, with strict control over temperature and humidity, as well as monitoring of the concentrations of flammable and toxic gases. 6. Strengthen the safety management of gas cylinders: they should be stored in categories and in designated areas, away from heat sources, to prevent exposure to direct sunlight, rain, or water. Measures should also be taken to prevent them from toppling over, and it is strictly prohibited to store them lying down. Cylinder accessories must be complete, and hand or special tools should be used to open or close the cylinder valve. When handling cylinders filled with flammable gases, slow movements should be used to prevent the generation of static electricity sparks. 7. Strictly manage the startup, shutdown, inspection, and maintenance of the equipment; before starting up or shutting down, a work plan must be formulated, safety measures prepared, and a checklist for the startup and shutdown procedures established, along with safety condition checks to be carried out. Strengthen the safety management of special operations such as hot work and entry into confined spaces, strictly follow the procedures for operation approval, assign dedicated personnel to oversee the work on site, remove all combustible materials from the area, and implement appropriate emergency response measures. http://p7.itc.cn/images01/20201110/601f81ec36ac40c0927c4daed80a376c.png8. During periods of high temperatures, transportation and handling of flammable and explosive hazardous chemicals should be avoided; outdoor operations are best carried out in the early morning or late evening. During loading, unloading, and handling, operations must be carried out strictly in accordance with the procedural guidelines; rough handling such as dropping, hitting, dragging, or rolling is prohibited. Loading and unloading of hazardous chemicals must be halted during thunderstorm weather. 9. Organize drills for special emergency plans against high temperatures and floods, as well as on-site response plans; stockpile necessary emergency supplies to enhance the ability to handle emergencies. In the event of an emergency flood situation, production must be arranged or an emergency shutdown must be carried out in accordance with the emergency plan. 10. Implement effective heat prevention and cooling measures, and maintain the air conditioning systems in various operation rooms to ensure their proper functioning. During periods of high temperatures, arrange the workers’ outdoor working hours carefully to avoid working during those times as much as possible, thereby ensuring their safety. The consequences of chemical accidents are severe; Weiwei hopes that all chemical companies will adhere to these 10 safety guidelines to ensure safe production. This article is reprinted from Huludao Fire Department.