Chemical industry is pervasive in every aspect of our life. It is expanding and growing in magnitude and scales with the faster pace of industrialization and becoming more complex. It is one of the industries where hazards and safety management is most required. The death and disability rates from unsafe production and use of chemical products are high.
The book provides valuable information about the pertinent aspects of safety and hazards management in chemical industries. The main causes of accidents, their effects on human beings, production and finances have been studied. Theories, structures, and prevention of accidents have been discussed.
Good housekeeping is of utmost importance for controlling accidents in production plants, laboratories, workshops, warehouses, etc. Poor housekeeping not only brings inefficiency but also enhances the chances of industrial accidents. Applications and methods of good housekeeping have been provided.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) protects the workers from injuries likely to be caused by hazardous environment. General specifications, types, maintenance and statutory regulations regarding the availability of PPE have been discussed.
The book also suggests methods of building plants that are technically sound and ensure the safety of people working inside the plant as well as living in the surrounding area; studies various chemical processes like hydrogenation, polymerization, isomerization from the safety point of view; explains various control systems and instrumentation for production and safety; discusses the safe use of electricity for industrial applications like illumination, heating, cooling, transportation, running of machines, etc. Safety in the processing of chemicals some of which are toxic, inflammable and explosive has been dealt with, and details of examination and inspection of pressure vessels during manufacturing operations have been provided. Besides, some other pertinent aspects have been taken up in this book, including fire management, disaster management, occupational health, industrial hygiene, safety audit and statutory provisions for safety. Two case studies have also been included to discuss practical problems encountered in safety aspects of hazards management in chemical industries.
The book will be useful for students and teachers of chemical engineering, safety management, disaster management, people working in chemical industries, and all those concerned with safety and hazards management in these industries.
M.N. Vyas is postgraduate in Chemical Engineering from England, and worked there for Unilever Port Sunlight for five years as Development Technologist. After his return to India, he joined Indian Petrochemicals Corporation Ltd. (IPCL) as Project Engineer. In his 29 years of working with IPCL he held senior positions in project plant commissioning operations and technical services. He superannuated as GM Operations (Health Safety and Environment).
He has been working as adjunct professor, visiting professor and external examiner in technical institutions like Dharamsinh Desai University, Nadiad, LD Engineering College, Ahmedabad, and GCET, V.V. Nagar, Anand. He was elected Fellow of the Institution of Chemical Engineers, London and made Registered Chartered Engineer, London for his contribution in the field of Chemical Engineering.
