Control (Un)Loading

Image © EPSC

Hazards

  • Unexpected run away reaction.
  • Formation of toxic chemicals.
  • Overfilling or loss of containment.

When Important

  • Receiving of chemicals at your site.
  • Loading chemicals to a tank or reactor.
  • Waste handling operation.

Challenges in the Field

  • Lack of knowledge & guidance of the contractor or operator involved.
  • Line up.
  • Chemical identification.

Options to Get it Right

  • Validate that the right chemical is loaded by a positive identification: analysis of a sample, inline analysis (density), certificate, barcode, clear label.
  • Have a good procedure in place with check points.
  • Provide unique coupling for hazardous chemicals (e.g. Chlorine, Ammonium, Ethylene oxide) to avoid wrong line-up.
  • Use colour codes (or bar codes that can be scanned) on pipelines, tubing and connection point.
  • Use professional firms for transporting the chemicals (that are ADR, ADN & RID compliant).
  • Guide contractors well that are involved in (un)loading.
  • Assure that receiving equipment has sufficient volume available.
  • Have a compatibility matrix available to understand the hazards.

This page only summarises the guidance – refer to the EPSC website for further information.


For more information on our Process Safety Fundamentals (or other) playing cards please contact us.