Are you maintaining your structures properly? As plants age, corrosion seeps in and is a deadly killer. Do not ignore corrosion. It can cause catastrophic failures.
A safety bulletin by the Minerals and Energy department of Australia mentions " In January 1998 a wharf walkway structure failed due to extensive corrosion when 6 men were walking on the structure. All men fell with the failed walkway structure 8 metres to the ocean, some suffering serious injuries. An investigation identified that corrosion of the failed walkway truss was severe and some cross bracings in the truss had completely corroded through. It was further reported that in 1991 and 1993 structural engineering reports had been commissioned and these reports recommended that repairs be carried out to corroded members on several walkway structures including the structure which collapsed. At the time of the collapse, none of the rectification work identified in those reports for this walkway structure had been attempted. The investigation report concluded “the walkway truss failed as a result of the mine operators inadequately actioning reported recommendations by consultant engineers.” Treatment plants may also be very corrosive environments and there have been several incidents where steel floors have collapsed. Where corrosion in structural steelwork is more than merely a surface feature or where the corrosion may have diminished the original strength of the structure, a structural design engineer should be employed to assess the safety of the structure. If remedial work is recommended then such work should be carried out immediately, or in accordance with the priority timeframe identified in the consultant’s report. Furthermore, employees should be encouraged to report cases of structural steelwork corrosion they identify. Periodic plate and weld thickness tests should be performed on all bins, silos and hoppers to ensure their structural integrity has not been affectedby corrosion".
Read the safety bulletin in this link.
Contribute to the surviving victims of Bhopal by buying my book "Practical Process Safety Management"
A safety bulletin by the Minerals and Energy department of Australia mentions " In January 1998 a wharf walkway structure failed due to extensive corrosion when 6 men were walking on the structure. All men fell with the failed walkway structure 8 metres to the ocean, some suffering serious injuries. An investigation identified that corrosion of the failed walkway truss was severe and some cross bracings in the truss had completely corroded through. It was further reported that in 1991 and 1993 structural engineering reports had been commissioned and these reports recommended that repairs be carried out to corroded members on several walkway structures including the structure which collapsed. At the time of the collapse, none of the rectification work identified in those reports for this walkway structure had been attempted. The investigation report concluded “the walkway truss failed as a result of the mine operators inadequately actioning reported recommendations by consultant engineers.” Treatment plants may also be very corrosive environments and there have been several incidents where steel floors have collapsed. Where corrosion in structural steelwork is more than merely a surface feature or where the corrosion may have diminished the original strength of the structure, a structural design engineer should be employed to assess the safety of the structure. If remedial work is recommended then such work should be carried out immediately, or in accordance with the priority timeframe identified in the consultant’s report. Furthermore, employees should be encouraged to report cases of structural steelwork corrosion they identify. Periodic plate and weld thickness tests should be performed on all bins, silos and hoppers to ensure their structural integrity has not been affectedby corrosion".
Read the safety bulletin in this link.
Contribute to the surviving victims of Bhopal by buying my book "Practical Process Safety Management"
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