Health and Safety Executive

OCE Breaking containment – non-hydrocarbon lines Offshore COSHH Control approach 1 essentials General ventilation

This information will help offshore What this sheet covers dutyholders (owners, operators and This sheet describes good practice for opening non-hydrocarbon lines. contractors) to comply with the Control It covers the key points you need to follow to help reduce exposure to of Substances Hazardous to Health an acceptable level, as part of your COSHH assessment. Regulations 2002 (COSHH), as amended, to protect workers’ health. Hazards 3 Non-hydrocarbon lines can This guidance consolidates good control contain ethylene glycol, practice and reinforces existing knowledge biocides, scale inhibitors etc. with additional information. 3 Health risks include cancer, genetic damage, reproduction It will help you carry out COSHH effects, and sensitisation by assessments, review existing assessments, inhalation or skin contact. deliver training and in supervising activities 3 Gas lines, eg nitrogen, can give GLYCOL involving substances hazardous to health. rise to an asphyxiation hazard. DIRECTION OF FLOW

It is aimed at staff whose responsibilities Access and equipment include the management of substances 3 Erect barriers and notices. hazardous to health on offshore 3 Restrict access. installations (eg occupational health 3 See sheet OCM1 if work is in a confined space. specialists, COSHH assessors, supervisors etc). It is also useful for trade union and Planning and procedures employee safety representatives. Planning

Following this guidance is not compulsory 3 Define the isolation standards and routines for draining, purging and venting. and you are free to take other action. But if you do follow this guidance, you will 3 Provide for drainage to appropriate drains, eg closed drains. normally be doing enough to comply with 3 Provide for gas venting to a safe place, eg a flare stack or cold vent. the law. Health and safety inspectors seek 3 Establish emergency procedure. to secure compliance with the law and may Control equipment refer to this guidance as illustrating good practice. 3 In poorly ventilated areas, provide enough fresh air to dilute and remove air contaminants.

Also see essential information on the back 3 Provide portable/personal detectors where hazardous gases or vapours can be emitted. of the sheet. 3 Provide a spillage clean-up kit. 3 Provide eyewash equipment and an emergency shower close to the work site.

Breaking containment – non-hydrocarbon lines OCE11 General ventilation

Control procedures Employee checklist 3 Isolate the line for safe opening. Are you sure about safe 3 Connect via valves and lock the pipework to the appropriate drain. work procedures? Purge and drain the fluids. 3 Vent pressurised gases to a safe place. Is the equipment in good 3 Prove isolation. Carry out pressure build-up (PBU) checks. condition and working 3 If necessary, have the authorised tester perform the gas test. properly? 3 Workers should break joints gently. In the event of an unexpected Is your portable/personal release, workers should evacuate the area immediately and raise the alarm fully charged and alarm. working properly? 3 Fit ‘Disturbed joint’ tags on broken joints 3 Test for leakage on remaking the joint. Is your respirator working properly? Check it every Personal protective equipment (PPE) – see OCM3 time. 3 Provide portable/personal alarms where hazardous gases or vapours Look for signs of leaks, can be emitted. wear and damage before 3 Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) is not normally needed. every job.

Other protective equipment Do you have a spill clean- 3 Where necessary, provide additional eye protection (visor or goggles). up kit handy? 3 Provide disposable coveralls (Type 6). If you find any problem, 3 Provide clean chemical-resistant gloves, eg nitrile, and new gloves get it fixed. Don’t just when these are damaged. carry on working. 3 Discard gloves at the end of the shift. Use, look after and store Maintenance, examination and testing your PPE in accordance with instructions. Checking and maintenance 3 Make and follow schedules for preventative maintenance of plant and Discard single-use gloves monitoring equipment. every time you take them 3 Before each use, check that portable/personal gas monitors are fully off. Discard other gloves charged and working properly. at the end of the shift. 3 Check for signs of damage to control equipment before starting work. Wash hands before eating, drinking or using Records the lavatory. 3 Keep records of all examinations and tests for at least five years. Personal monitoring 3 Monitoring is not normally necessary. Cleaning and housekeeping 3 Place a temporary bund to contain any spillage. 3 Clear up small spills with inert absorbent pads. Dispose as hazardous waste. 3 Label bags of dirty clothing to warn the laundry about the hazard. Waste 3 Drain liquid residues to appropriate drains through hoses and valve connectors.

Breaking containment – non-hydrocarbon lines OCE11 General ventilation

Personal decontamination and skin care Other hazards 3 Provide warm water, mild skin cleansers, nailbrushes, and soft paper, n Flammability

fabric towels or hot air for drying. Avoid abrasive cleansers. n Residues that may catch fire

3 Provide pre-work skin creams, which will make it easier to wash dirt spontaneously from the skin, and after-work creams to replace skin oils. n Hydrogen sulphide (H S) 2 n NORM (naturally occurring Caution: ‘Barrier creams’ or ‘liquid gloves’ do not provide a full barrier. radioactive material) n Mercury Training and supervision n Substances harmful to the 3 Provide supervision – ensure that safe work procedures are followed. marine environment 3 Tell workers, including maintenance workers, what the hazards and n Asbestos gaskets risks are. 3 Training includes toolbox talks on: Further information n following safe working procedures Developing process safety n how to react to alarms and evacuate safely; indicators: A step-by-step guide n how to use RPE and check that it is working; for chemical and major hazard n how to clean up spills correctly; and industries HSG254 HSE Books n what to do if something goes wrong. 2006 ISBN 978 0 7176 6180 0 3 Involve managers and supervisors in health and safety training. www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/ hsg254.htm Essential information Asbestos essentials OCE0 Advice for managers www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos/ OCM1 Confined spaces essentials/ OCM3 Personal protective equipment (PPE) OCE14 if mercury is present You can find the full Offshore OCE6 if hydrogen sulphide is present COSHH essentials series at ORE1 if NORM is present www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/index.htm IP code for hoses IP code for breaking flanges

This guidance was developed by representatives from the UK offshore oil and gas industry and trade unions, with HSE.

© Crown copyright 2011 Published by the Health and Safety Executive 03/11