P-297 Effective Health Risk Assessment Focusing Non-Routine Activities at Refinery – Important to Reduce Health Risk

Introduction & Objective At refinery operations, non-routine activities are performed infrequently based on operation requirements like emergency maintenance, start up, shutdown, slowdown etc. These are important as details of the health hazards and control measures may not be fully known which increases uncertainty and complexity to their risk scenarios control. The objective is a proactive approach to identify such activities & advising appropriate control measures to enhance workplace healthiness. Method We adopted AIHA exposure & risk assessment methodology. First, we did basic characterization which includes workplace, workforce & prospective hazards. At refinery plant operation areas total around 6000 workforce was targeted doing total 11 types of non-routine activities like insulation removal, refractory removal, sludge removal, buffing, grinding, welding, blasting, painting etc. Exposure assessment and risk characterization done based on the quantitative data, comparing standard guidelines ACGIH. Control measures advised and confirmation of the effectiveness done with periodic evaluation. Result We observed high health risks in 2 activities for chemical exposure, 4 for dust exposure, 2 heat exposure and 3 noise exposure. Control measures advised like substitution of pyridine with acridine, fume extractor system for welding fume, local exhaust ventilation system for catalyst unloading, supplied air line for blasting activity, organic vapor full face mask for painting, cooling jackets for heat stress activities. The total number of persons benefitted is around 1530. Discussion and Conclusion Effective health risk assessment is a vital tool for quantifying health risk and implementing control measures for non-routine activities. Ultimately reduces the health risks and makes the workplace and workforce healthy and safe.