Know when to say “when”: A review of safety incidents involving maintenance issues

Abstract

Utilizing information from investigations conducted by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board, the authors offer insights on the hazards inherent in plant maintenance activities. Lessons learned from these investigations are presented with examples from actual case histories.

Surveillance of hazardous substances releases due to system interruptions, 2002

“…Hazards should be identified in advance and a plan developed to proceed safely if precautions cannot be met. If, during the course of work, it is discovered that hazards may be present, it is important to stop work and conduct a hazards analysis" [8].…”

Improving the robustness and resilience properties of maintenance

“…There is the need for the production staff to make adequate preparations for maintenance (Okoh and Haugen, 2014a), e.g., by ensuring that residual hazardous materials are evacuated from equipment to be maintained and by selecting and securing isolation points, and so on (Wallace and Merritt, 2003). Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) and Permit To Work (PTW) systems are some tools that can facilitate coordination and communication between maintenance and production.…”

Safety in Engineering Maintenance

“…Four good safety-related practices to be followed during maintenance work are as follows [14]. Failure to follow good practices during any phase of maintenance can lead to potentially hazardous conditions.…”