chemicals

The API Process Safety Committee approved “Management of Hazards Associated with Location of Process Plant Tents” in September. This recommended practice (RP 756) had been anticipated by the industry beginning in 2013. The report provides guidance for managing risk from explosions, fires and toxic material releases to on-site personnel located in tents. The API committee’s report evaluates recommended practices concerning five different types of tents utilized, including air-inflated structures.

Tents included in the tent siting evaluation study are intended for occupancy and may be used for breaks or meals, weather shelters, change houses, orientation, training, meetings, tool stations, offices, laboratories or equipment assembly, just to name a few. API 756 suggests tents for these uses and others will be required to meet the owner/ operator’s tent siting evaluation criteria, and mitigate consequences or risk where required. Air-inflated structures, or Dynamic Air Shelters (DAS), are considered to be the solution to minimize these risks and comply with API’s newly recommended practices.

Many industrial plants began purchasing DAS ahead of the approved practices to avoid the rush. As the leading distributor of DAS and a turnkey logistics services provider, Turnaround Logistics is currently helping turnaround managers and logistical planners comply with API 756 through supplying DAS, while increasing wrench time in the process.

DAS’ Director of Sales and Marketing Aaron Knape said, “Dynamic Air Shelters is proud to have Turnaround Logistics as a distributor of our products.”

As more industrial plants work to comply with API’s suggested safety guidelines, Shawn McGee, CEO of Turnaround Logistics, continues to see an increase in inquiries about the air-inflatable DAS and how plants can best comply while approving efficiencies.

“There is a lot of work to do to inform the industry about the importance of these shelters, how they improve safety and wrench time, and which shelter products best comply with RP 756,” he said. “As product experts, it is our job to help educate turnaround and safety managers on the best solutions to comply with API. Most shelters that are considered to be ‘blast resistant’ are actually not able to meet the high blast ratings DAS can.”

DAS is a soft structure designed without ridged beams to completely mitigate the risk of a metal beam falling on workers and becoming more dangerous than the pressure of the blast itself. While labeled as “blast resistant,” other tents’ structures still utilize ridged beams.

Turnaround Logistics is one of just a few providers for DAS, but the only provider with innovative logistical solutions both in and outside of DAS, and where you might least suspect it. The company creates logistical efficiencies where others do not through complementary custom services and products, including on-site catering, all types of lunch and break tents, specialty rentals, parking lot management and transportation, premium hygienic facilities, utility vehicles, generators, ice makers, cool down huts and alternatives to troublesome busses.

Turnaround Logistics’ experienced team prides itself on being able to use its extensive industrial experience and premier workforce accommodation products to work with customers to not only comply with RP 756 but to create innovative logistics solutions that help customers maximize their resources as their “turnkey solution partner.”

For more information about Turnaround Logistics and how they can service your next turnaround, call (281) 478-4670 or email sales@turnaround logisticsinc.com.

The tragic explosion at the West Fertilizer plant in Texas has raised many questions about chemical safety. While a fertilizer plant would not normally fall under our typical clientele, it is important to take this opportunity to discuss the need for caution and protection in the petrochemical industry.

Any time that combustible or explosive materials are present, safety must be priority number one. For example, some of the most dangerous situations can occur when a unit is being drained or taken down for maintenance. Planning ahead and taking the appropriate amount of time to prepare carefully can ensure the well-being of your employees and your business. Planning ahead can also help avoid any miscommunications or gaps in the turnaround process. If everyone knows their roll in the procedure then there is less risk that a problem will go unnoticed or an important step will be neglected.

Proper ventilation is also an important aspect of the turnaround process. When a plant is undergoing repairs, cars and trucks may be parked where they normally would not be. Exhaust fumes from a running truck can cause serious complications if they are accidentally taken in with the air supply. A simple way to avoid this is to plan safe parking places for vehicles that are far enough away from workers, equipment, trailers, and plant traffic.

Besides the obvious chemical dangers and blast risks, the warmer weather can also put your employees in danger. Surprisingly, spring weather has a high potential for causing heat stroke due to quick escalations in temperature. The human body generally needs a few days to adjust to hot weather, but in the springtime the thermometer can jump 20 degrees within a day. Providing shade and/or shelter is an easy way to protect your workers. Everyone should be alerted of the warning signs of heat stroke and how to prevent it.

API Approves RP 756 Guidelines for Blast-Resistant Shelters

Never Underestimate the Importance of Safety

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