The “two key points and one major issue” that the chemical industry must understand!

Thread Content

I. What are the one or two key points and one major issue? “\"Two key areas and one major hazard\" refers to the hazardous chemical processes that are under strict supervision, the hazardous chemicals that are under strict supervision, and the major hazards, collectively referred to as \"two key areas and one major hazard\". Emphasizing the safety concept of \"focusing on key aspects and strengthening supervision\" is an important measure to promote safe production management in enterprises. Highly regulated hazardous chemical processes: In 2009 and 2013, 18 highly regulated hazardous chemical processes were announced in two batches. The first batch includes 15 key hazardous chemical processes that are under strict supervision, such as phosgene and phosgenation processes, electrolysis processes (chlor-alkali), chlorination processes, nitration processes, ammonia synthesis processes, cracking processes, fluorination processes, hydrogen-related processes, diazotization processes, oxidation processes, peroxidation processes, amination processes, polymerization processes, and alkylation processes. It also covers the safety control requirements for these processes, the key parameters to be monitored, and recommended control schemes. Batch 2: Three types of hazardous chemical processes that are under strict supervision, including new coal chemical processing technologies, calcium carbide production processes, and azotization processes, along with their safety control requirements, key monitoring parameters, and recommended control schemes. 74 types of hazardous chemicals under strict supervision: those that are subject to close monitoring and are commonly encountered in production. Examples include: chlorine, ammonia, liquefied petroleum gas, hydrogen sulfide, methane, natural gas, crude oil, gasoline (including methanol-based and ethanol-based gasoline), naphtha hydrogen, benzene (including crude benzene), sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, methanol, sodium chlorate, nitrocellulose, etc. Hazardous chemicals as major hazard sources: The standard \"Identification of Major Hazard Sources of Hazardous Chemicals\" (GB18218-2018) details the hazardous chemicals that constitute major hazard sources along with their critical quantities, the criteria for identifying such sources, the indicators used for identification, the classification of major hazard sources, and the process for identifying them. II. What to do for projects involving two key points and one major issue? 1. Operators of installations related to the “two key areas and one major issue” must have a high school education or higher, while management personnel in related fields must have an associate degree or above ； It is necessary to strengthen regular safety training for employees, so that every worker fully understands and masters the risk factors present in their work environment as well as the preventive measures, thereby effectively improving their safety skills and risk awareness. Safety supervision departments at all local levels should carefully refer to the \"Criteria for Identifying Major Potential Hazards in Production Safety Incidents in Chemical and Hazardous Chemicals Production and Operation Units (Trial Version)\), and include the qualifications of relevant employees as a key focus during law enforcement inspections. Those who do not meet the requirements shall be subject to severe penalties in accordance with laws and regulations, and their operations must be suspended for rectification. 2. For construction projects involving \"two key areas, one major aspect\" and first-time industrial design, a HAZOP analysis must be conducted during the basic design phase. 3. For large-scale construction projects involving highly regulated hazardous chemical processes, highly regulated hazardous chemicals, and major hazard sources of hazardous chemicals (hereinafter referred to as “two key areas and one major hazard”), the design unit must possess a comprehensive engineering design qualification, or a corresponding first-class professional qualification in the fields of chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, or oil and gas (offshore oil) engineering. 4. The process package design documents for construction projects involving the “two key areas and one major project” shall include a process hazard analysis report. 5. For construction projects that fall under the category of “two key areas and one major hazard,” they must meet at least the requirements of the following current standards and specifications, with the strictest safety provisions taking precedence: a. Code for General Layout Design of Industrial Enterprises (GB50187); b. Code for General Layout and Transportation Design of Chemical Enterprises (GB50489); c. Code for Fire Protection Design of Petrochemical Enterprises (GB50160); d. Code for Fire Protection Design of Oil and Gas Engineering Projects (GB50183); e. Code for Fire Protection Design of Buildings (GB50016); f. Code for Design of Oil Depots (GB50074); g. Code for Design of Detection and Alarm Systems for Flammable and Toxic Gases in Petrochemical Enterprises (GB50493); h. Guidelines for Safety Design Management of Chemical Construction Projects (AQ/T3033). 6. Chemical processing units that fall under the category of “two key areas and one major hazard” must be equipped with safety instrumented systems, and major hazard sources involving hazardous chemicals must have a comprehensive safety monitoring and control system in place. 7. Emergency shutdown systems for two key areas and one major hazard: a. Hazardous chemical processes: Large-scale and highly hazardous chemical plants must be equipped with emergency shutdown systems in accordance with the recommended control schemes (Document No. 116); large-scale chemical plants involved in hazardous chemical processes are required to have emergency shutdown systems (Order No. 41). Large-scale and highly hazardous chemical plants should also be equipped with safety instrument systems (emergency shutdown or safety interlocks) using the recommended control methods (March 2013, second batch). b. Major hazards: Primary or secondary major hazards require the installation of emergency shutdown systems ； Class I or Class II major hazard sources involving toxic gases, liquefied gases, and highly toxic liquids are equipped with independent safety instrument systems. c. Hazardous chemicals under strict supervision: Facilities handling hazardous chemicals that are subject to strict supervision should be equipped with automated control systems, while highly dangerous and large-scale facilities must be fitted with safety instrument systems (emergency shutdown or safety interlocks) in accordance with the law.