Job Hazards Analysis for Nitrogen Purging

1. Mobilization of Materials & Tools 

Potential Hazard

• Slips and tripping hazard
• Material Falling
• Hand Injury
• Strike against any equipment
• Manual handling 

Control/Mitigation Measures

1. Correct Sign Board should be posted.
2. Proper arrangement of all materials
3. Proper barricading to avoid any trips & slips
4. Secured all materials, substances or chemicals before transporting from one point to another
5. Removed all sharp objects
6. Use appropriate essential personal protective equipment (PPE) to carry any kind of all possible obstacle/trip hazards.
7. Trained banks man must be provided while the vehicle is in operation.
8. As per workplace required SOP’s, transport should adopt the speed limit.
9. Provide essential and proper supervision for the workforce and follow ergonomically precautions while doing manual handling.
10. Proper communication while lifting the objects.

2. Site Preparation for the Work Activities

(Air Compressor (AC), Hydro-Jetting Machine (HJM), Vacuum Tanker (VT), Diesel Generator (DG), Crane, Pneumatic Pump, Fork Lift, tec) 

Installation of air movers (air ventures) 

Potential Hazard

• The entry of equipment’s without valid gate pass 
• Poor communication between work parties.
• Lack of safety awareness/Knowledge & inexperience
• Energized Equipment
• Pressurized Fluid
• Nitrogen Cylinders / Unit
• Flammable & / or Toxic Atmosphere
• Unauthorized Work
• Static electricity
• Hose failure
• Tripping hazard

Control/Mitigation Measures

1. Must require valid gate passes.
2. Proper and essential supervision to be available at the workplace front at all times by performing party to make sure that the workers has a good knowledge of the activity to be performed and working to the approved Job Hazards Analysis and Permit to Work (PTW) Requirements.
3. Make a suitable Plan for the work and or job task including personnel accountable for pre job preparation such as isolation, depressurization, draining, venting, flushing, etc. of the equipment, device and or machinery system to be extermination.
4. Ensure the equipment, device and or machinery system to be extermination is positively isolated from all sources of energy such as hydraulic, pneumatic, electrical mechanisms etc.)
5. Ensure the equipment, device and or machinery system is depressurized & content is drained securely.
6. Arrange the appropriate essential Nitrogen (N) Cylinders considering the volume to be purged.
7. Ensure the deployment of Nitrogen (N) unit inside the plant does not create any hazard for the facility.
8. Carry out the gas test for safe working area
9. Obtain the required permits from the permit issuer
10. Provide earthing / grounding of the air mover
11. Proper laying of hoses – keep access clear Confirm isolations
12. Inspection of hoses before the connection
13. Do not use damaged hoses.
14. Provide whip checks & safety pins to hose joints
15. Clear the working area for access to avoid slip. Trip fall
16. barricading the area and proper signboards should be displayed

3. N2 Purging 

Potential Hazard

• Improper / Defective Tools
• Rupture of Nitrogen Supply Hoses & Couplings
• Cold Burn
• Excess or Less Nitrogen Supply
• Unsafe Disposal of Purged Fluid
• Asphyxiation

Control/Mitigation Measures

1. Make sure that the tools, machinery or equipment such as N2 Unit, Pump, Hose, Coupling & Pressure Gauges etc. to be used are free from fault.
2. Make sure that the N2 supply hoses and couplings are rated for the required service and pressure
3. Stay away and be safe from the pressurized N2 hose & coupling to avoid cold burn injury in case of the leak.
4. Calculate the amount of N2 needed for the volume to be purged.
5. Check the calibrated pressure gauge to ensure the amount of N2
6. handle the purged fluid safely and dispose of as per QP procedure
7. spillage of fluid should be cleaned with water immediately
8. Use proper PPE to handle the waste
9. Prepare written operating procedures & train employees.
10. Use Half mask respirator with
11. chemical filter required 
12. The air quality must be essentially tested for dangerous and critical contamination or oxygen deficiency.
13. Do not enter a vessel/tank/pipeline, which is contaminated or filled with N2. Without gas testing

4. In the Event of Emergency Alarm

Potential Hazard

• Panic 
• Unfamiliar with an emergency alarm
• Slips trips and falls.
• Lack of knowledge of the emergency procedure. 

Control/Mitigation Measures

1. In case of plant alarm or gas detector alarming below mentioned initiatives are to be taken
2. Immediate:
3. STOP/suspend all activities.
4. Do not run-in an emergency situation to avoid physical injury such as trip, slip, fall.
5. Familiarized of emergency evacuation procedures.
6. Machinery, engines and vehicles should be switch off and stopped. 
7. All workers/employees should rush to the nearest muster point.
8. All personals should wait at the muster point for next instruction from the officials.
9. Ensure the Supervisors at level have attended the HSE induction and the information to be communicated essentially to all workforce/employees.

5. Housekeeping

Potential Hazard

• Slips trips and falls 
• Scattered materials

Control/Mitigation Measures

1. Regular housekeeping at the site shall be performed. 
2. Ensure proper wind-up & housekeeping at the worksite.
3. Adequate and correct stacking of materials.
4. Regular inspection and immediate corrective action. Keep always clear of obstruction.
5. Regular clearing of worksite shall be implemented.
6. All access and egress ways must always be Clear.

6. Manual Handling

Potential Hazard

• Hand injury
• Back injury

Control/Mitigation Measures

1. Use proper PPE
2. Always adopt the necessary ergonomics precautions and ensure good supervision by the accountable person.

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Job Hazards Analysis for Nitrogen Purging