The main chemical property of oxidizers is that they result in fire outbreaks, or an explosion when they react with organic or inorganic chemically oxidizable substances (Dikshith, 2013). The reaction can also lead to the formation of hazardous substances for instance, when nitric acid is mixed with organic compounds, simultaneous reactions of oxidation and nitration occur causing an explosion.
Oxidizers are mainly used for industrial purposes. They can also be used in textile industries and yogurt making industries. Industries use concentrated nitric acid to manufacture sulphuric acid, metal extraction and manufacture of nitrogen fertilizers such as CAN. Nitrogen fertilizers are further used in food production in the farming sector.
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The hazardous caused oxidizers are classified into three categories which are gas, liquid and solid. These classifications vary in the level of toxicity from the other. Oxidizers are potential fire hazards and may not necessarily be combustible but can increase the flammable range of a chemical or intensify combustion (Dikshith, 2013). Examples of such oxides include benzoyl peroxide and sodium hypochlorite. Apart from causing an explosion, oxidizing materials may be toxic and corrosive. The level of corrosiveness on an individual depends on the route of exposure and the dose.
Exposer limit for oxidizers are other dangerous chemicals in working places have contributed to the control of occupational diseases. Permissible Exposure Limit expounds more on their oxidizers namely nitric acid, hydrogen peroxide, and calcium hypochlorite. Regarding nitric acid, OSHA provided employees average airborne exposure of 8 hours. This is the highest level of exposure workers can be exposed to without incurring negative health impacts such as irritation, chronic pulmonary diseases, and health breakdown. Permissible Exposure Limit for nitric acid is 2ppm. According to Occupational Safety Health, nitric acid becomes dangerous to the health of the workers when it is at 25ppm. On the other hand, hydrogen peroxide has had an exposure limit of 1ppm, and it is dangerous to the life of the employees at 75ppm. Calcium hypochlorite has an exposure limit of 1 ppm, and it is dangerous to the health and lives of the workers when it exceeds 65ppm.
OSHA (1994) standards are all critical in maintaining safety for the employees in the workplace. In a fertilizer manufacturing industry, employees are likely to handle hazardous chemicals which are a threat to their health. PSM standard is essential to enabling the manager to draft a process from identifying hazards, reducing the effects and investigations after an incident. First, the manager develops written safety information that identifies the workplace chemical and process hazards in fertilizer manufacturing. The process hazards, in this case, includes reactivity, flammability, and health. Prevention measures of these hazards should also be incorporated to decrease the severity of a given hazard. Additionally, the employer ought to identify the machinery and the technology applied in the fertilizer manufacturing process.
Secondly, the PSM standard helps to conduct a hazard assessment in the fertilizer industry. The assessment includes finding out the potential causes of accidents and any previous release in the industry that nearly caused a catastrophic impact. For instance, in nitrogenous fertilizer manufacturing, ammonia can be released accidentally from the ammonia storage tank. It is also essential to estimate the health and safety consequences for employees. The workers carrying out processes involving highly dangerous chemicals are trained regularly. This training is accomplished through competent sources, and it is well documented.
Besides, employers involve the employees on the conducted assessment and in the development of chemicals risks prevention plans. Allow the employees to access all-hazards prevention measure records as required under the PSM standards. This information makes the workers aware of the possible risk they face in their job. The new employees must be provided with freshers training every three months to ensure they understand the changing operating procedure of the manufacturing process (Rashid et al. 2013). The PSM also requires the employees to write a document confirming that the workers have obtained the necessary skills, and knowledge to conduct duties regarding the specific operating procedure safely. The chemical and toxicity level of all chemicals involved in fertilizer manufacture is documented. Documents on hazard analysis and mitigation procedures should be accessible
Moreover, create a strategy to mitigate the results of a hazard assessment. This system will also account for emergency responses and risk prevention. Even a low range of chemical release can cause major accidents; therefore, employers should create an emergency strategy to deal with small gas releases. Employees also should conduct a periodic review of the fertilizer manufacturing industry and the assessment. This review is conducted by a PSM expert with knowledge of the whole process involving highly hazardous chemicals. The safety review confirms that the hazards analysis process has been conducted and the recommendations have been implemented before carrying out the fertilizer production process (Rashid et al. 2013). The most recent two audit reports should be retained. Lastly, the manager also develops a procedure for process and chemical use in the industry.
References
Dikshith, T. S. S. (2013). Hazardous chemicals: safety management and global regulations . CRC press.
OSHA (1994) 29. CFR 1910.119, Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals -- Compliance Guidelines and Enforcement Procedures
Rashid, M. I., Ramzan, N., Iqbal, T., Yasin, S., & Yousaf, S. (2013). Implementation issues of PSM in a fertilizer plant: an operations engineer's point of view. Process Safety Progress , 32 (1), 59-65.
