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How to authorize abnormal operating conditions?

2025-08-22View Original

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I. Under what circumstances is it necessary to handle abnormal operating conditions? NO.1 (I) Abnormal operation of the process system. Situations such as significant deviations from the key operating parameters of the device (triggering of alarms, process deviations with serious consequences such as overheating, overpressure, excessive liquid level, interruption in feed supply, and severe imbalance in material ratios). (II) Abnormal operation of equipment and facilities. Failure or malfunction of critical equipment (such as faults or shutdowns of pumps/compressors in the equipment), as well as situations such as caking or blockages in the equipment’s pipelines. (III) Abnormality in the control system. Situations such as device interlock activation and safety valve operation. (IV) Abnormalities in unconventional operations. Such as abnormal situations during startup and shutdown phases, serious violations or leaks (leaks of flammable, explosive, toxic, or harmful substances) that occur during special operations and maintenance activities, as well as abnormal operations on the process system (lack of proper operating procedures). (5) Possible natural disasters. Natural disasters such as earthquakes, heavy rainfall, and thunderstorms can occur in the area where the device is located. (VI) Equipment operates with defects. Such as leaks in equipment pipelines, pipelines getting stuck, abnormal vibration of pumps or pipelines, the continued use of pressure-bearing special equipment and pipelines beyond their statutory inspection deadlines, equipment being modified without going through the proper procedures, safety accessories not being used properly, and the continued use of equipment that has been deemed unfit for use after evaluation. II. What principles should be followed in dealing with abnormal operating conditions? NO.1 (I) Retreat to a safe state promptly and decisively. After an abnormal condition occurs and the retreat conditions or specified abnormal scenarios are met, it is necessary to first revert to a safe state in order to facilitate further handling. (II) Minimize the number of on-site responders. During the handling of abnormal operating conditions, on-site personnel must be strictly controlled, clear responsibilities must be defined, and crowd gathering must be avoided to prevent serious injuries. (III) Prudent handling based on risks. It is necessary to fully identify all possible abnormal operating conditions of the system, and determine appropriate response strategies based on risk analysis, in order to avoid relying on experience or luck, which could lead to improper operations and subsequent serious consequences. (IV) Effectively prevent accidental release of energy. During the handling of abnormal operating conditions, the principle of releasing pressure first before opening equipment and facilities should be followed, in order to minimize work under pressure and avoid accidents caused by inadequate energy isolation. (5) Ensure the reliability and stability of upstream, downstream, and utility systems. The connections between units upstream and downstream in chemical plants are quite close; when dealing with abnormal conditions in a particular unit, it is necessary to consider the potential impact on the utility systems as well as the upstream and downstream units, in order to prevent such abnormalities from causing greater fluctuations or problems in those systems. III. What is the significance of authorization for abnormal operating conditions? In the event of sudden abnormal conditions, using the ordinary mechanism for transmitting confirmation messages can easily result in missing the optimal time for taking action. Therefore, as the parties responsible for ensuring safe production, company leaders should develop an awareness of delegation when it comes to dealing with such abnormal conditions, establish and sign delegation agreements, and clarify the decision-making authority for handling such situations at the grassroots level. The purpose of authorization is not merely to meet formal compliance requirements; more importantly, it involves delegating authority at the conceptual level. Authorization is explicitly granted through written agreements, which specify the exact circumstances under which each facility should be shut down or personnel evacuated. The company establishes and continuously improves procedures for dealing with abnormal operating conditions in various production units, based on actual risks and operational experience. It reviews the suitability and effectiveness of these procedures annually, and reauthorizes the personnel responsible for handling such abnormal conditions as well as the conditions under which they carry out their tasks. IV. To whom should authorization be granted for abnormal operating conditions? NO.1 Chemical enterprises should grant full authority to the following personnel, specifying clear requirements for handling situations and conditions for personnel evacuation: (1) Authority over production scheduling. The company should grant production scheduling authority over the entire plant and system to make decisions regarding the handling of abnormal conditions; it should also notify the relevant departments in a timely manner based on the progress of dealing with such abnormal conditions, and decide whether to switch to emergency rescue measures. It also grants the authority to allocate resources necessary for handling abnormal operating conditions, thereby coordinating the balance of upstream and downstream material and utility systems. (II) Delegation of authority to team leaders. Grant team leaders the authority to take on-site actions in accordance with the requirements of the procedures for dealing with abnormal operating conditions ; In situations posing a threat to life safety, the team leader has the authority to make decisions regarding the emergency evacuation of personnel. (3) Authorization for the main operator of the equipment. In accordance with the requirements of the procedures for handling abnormal operating conditions, when process parameters deviate significantly or the unit encounters sudden abnormal situations, the shift operator in charge of the unit must make timely adjustments and report to the unit’s management personnel as well as the dispatch staff ; When decisive action is required due to an urgent situation, the chief operator has the authority to bring the device back to a safe state. The chief operator is the first person to deal with any abnormalities in process parameters or equipment settings; they possess extensive practical experience and a strong sense of risk, and are also the most familiar with the conditions required for safe production. They are given the authority to take action first and report afterwards, which helps to ensure the safety of plant operations to the greatest extent possible. V. How to Develop and Apply Procedures for Handling Abnormal Conditions No. 1 (I) In its daily operations, the company should carefully analyze and assess the risks associated with various production units and key locations, as well as the types of accidents that may occur and their severe consequences. It is necessary to identify potential abnormal conditions and establish clear, actionable procedures to ensure that those authorized to handle such situations have guidelines to follow and a basis on which to act. (II) The procedures for dealing with abnormal operating conditions should at least include the causes of such abnormalities, the possible consequences, the steps to take for handling them, the principles for retreating, the conditions under which shutdown is necessary, as well as the safety measures to be implemented during this process. The steps for handling the situation should be described in a quantitative manner wherever possible; the actions to be taken by the chief operator, the field operators, and the team leader should be outlined separately to ensure coordinated handling based on clear division of responsibilities. If the operator increases the opening degree of valve FV0001 by 10%, and the assistant operator closes the flow control valve for the reverse tower, the shift leader shall contact the dispatch team to stop the steam supply to the bottom reboiler. (III) The company shall include the handling of abnormal operating conditions in its training and drill plans. Regular training exercises on abnormal operating conditions are organized; through daily training and tabletop simulations, the effectiveness and practicality of the procedures for dealing with such conditions are assessed. Any issues identified in these procedures are addressed by continuously improving them and enhancing training, to ensure that those authorized to handle such situations have a thorough understanding of them.

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