EMERGENCY PLANNING & RESPONSE

Administrative Controls
Procedures for directing and / or checking human performance on a plant or process task
(e.g., vessel entry, hot work permits, lock-out / tag-out procedures).
Consequence Analysis
The development of potential scenarios describing hazardous events that may occur due
to loss of engineering or administrative, controls and the evaluation of resulting impact
on site personnel, off-site communities, and the environment. Consequences are analyzed
independently of the event's probability or frequency of occurrence.
Engineering Controls
Systems or interlocks involving the operation of physical components (e.g., sensors,
transmitters, valves, or other control elements, dykes for containment) without human
intervention (i.e., "automatically").
ERPG (Emergency Response Planning Guidelines)
A system of guidelines, developed by a committee of the American Industrial Hygiene
Association, which are intended to provide estimates of concentration ranges where one
might reasonably anticipate observing adverse effects as described in the definitions for
ERPG-I, ERPG-2, and ERPG-3, as a consequence of exposure to a specific toxic
substance.
ERPG-1
The maximum airborne concentration below which it is believed that nearly all
individuals could be exposed for up to 1 hour without experiencing other than mild
transient adverse health effects or perceiving a clearly defined objectionable odor.
ERPG 2
The maximum airborne concentration below which it is believed that nearly all
individuals could be exposed for up to 1 hour without experiencing or developing
irreversible or other serious health effects or symptoms that could impair their abilities to
take protective action.
ERPG 3
The maximum airborne concentration below which it is believed that nearly all
individuals could be exposed for up to 1 hour without experiencing or developing life-
threatening health effects.
Hazard
An inherent property or characteristic of a material, system, or process that has the
potential for causing serious injury to people and/or property or environmental damage.
Hazard Evaluation
The application of process hazards analysis methodologies (also commonly referred to as
hazard evaluation methodologies) to determine the significance of hazardous situations
associated with a process or activity. It uses qualitative or quantitative techniques to
pinpoint weaknesses in design, operation, and lines of defense, provided by engineering
and administrative controls, which can lead to hazardous events. It may also provide an
assessment of risk resulting from the magnitude of the consequence and the probability of
the event occurring.
Mitigation
Lessening of the impact of a hazardous event by reducing the magnitude of the event
(e.g., its size or duration) and/or the exposure of people, property, or the environment.
Process Hazard
A condition which has the potential to result in a release of, or exposure to, a hazardous
substance, or in the release of energy (mechanical or chemical), which in turn can cause
serious injury to personnel, significant property damage or significant environmental
harm.
Qualitative Risk Assessment
The systematic development of non-quantitative estimates of the expected frequency and
consequence of potential hazardous events associated with a process, facility, or
operation, based upon engineering evaluation.
Quantitative Risk Analysis (QRA)
The systematic development of numerical estimates of the expected frequency and
consequence of potential hazardous events associated with a process, facility or
operation, based upon engineering evaluation and application of appropriate
mathematical techniques.
Consequence Analysis
The main risks at EPCL PQ site include:
Fire
Flammable gas release and explosion
Large VCM, EDC or Chlorine release
Bomb Threat or Sabotage
Emergency planning for all these hazards should be based on worst case scenario for each
type of hazardous event.
The intent of consequence analysis is to help understand the type, severity and number of
potential injuries, property damage and significant environmental effect both on and off
the site.
A qualitative review of these hazardous impacts is acceptable if the effects are confined
to the site. However, if the effects could extend offsite such as large VCM, EDC or
chlorine release, a more quantitative analysis is required.
Emergency Preparedness And Response Manual Distribution and Updates
1. A system for periodically updating the manual, at least three years cycle should be in
place.
2. Updated copy of the manual should be available in all Control Rooms / Control
Centers and with all key members involved in emergency handling.
3. Distribution list for the manual should be maintained and the manual should be
updated as and when required but not later than 03 years.
Things to Remember
1. Steps like climbing on monkey ladders in Grave emergency shutdown should be
avoided / replaced with less time consuming options e.g., provision of Remote Block
Valves (pneumatic or electric motor driven), chain operated valves operable from
grade level.
2. The site emergency preparedness program should be presented to the SOC at least
once in two years in which performance and concerns should be objectively reviewed
and evaluated
3. Status of recommendations from weekly and quarterly simulated exercises should be
issued to all relevant interfaces once in two months with copies to Department
managers and SOC Chairman.
4. The status should also be presented in SOC or relevant Sub Committee of SOC once
per year by the Safety Section.
5. Necessary coordination with Civil Authorities should be established and maintained
in order to protect population outside plant premises.
6. Squad member should be able to complete donning of Scott Air Pak within 40
seconds including sealing of the face piece.
7. Rescue operations guidelines shall be developed for Emergency Squad Members and
Control Centers.
8. All new / transferred employees / contractor workforce should undergo an initial
training on site emergency procedures and their role statement in case of emergency.
9. Record of simulated exercises / class room trainings shall be maintained by safety
section.
10. Emergency alarm codes should be established and followed for quarterly simulated
exercises (minimum) and real emergencies.
11. Deputy Squad Leader and Squad Leader should have participated at least in one
quarterly drill as a squad member or an observer.
12. The squad leader / deputy squad leader must have undergone confined space rescue
training at least once during past 03 years.