Cause Effect Analysis Essays

Cause Effect Analysis Essays Cause Effect Analysis Essay Cause Effect Analysis Essay As an operator who works in oil and gas industry, I will present a life incident in one of the oil and gas location called Piper Alpha disaster UK. Piper Alpha was a North Sea oil production platform operated by Occidental Petroleum (Caledonia) Ltd. The disaster began with a routine maintenance procedure. On the morning of the 6th of July, a certain backup propane condensate pump in the processing area needed to have its pressure safety valve checked. The work could not be completed by 18. 00 and the workers asked for and received permission to leave the rest of the work until the next day. The tube was sealed with a plate. Later in the evening during the next work shift, the primary condensate pump failed. None of those present were aware that a vital part of the machine had been removed and decided to start the backup pump. Gas products escaped from the hole left by the valve and lead to an explosion and resulting fire that destroyed the platform on July 6, 1988, killing 167 men, with only 59 survivors. The death toll includes 2 crewmen of a rescue vessel. Total insured loss was about ? 1. 7 billion (US$ 3. 4 billion). The generation and utilities module, which included the fireproofed accommodation block, slipped into the sea. The largest part of the platform followed it; the whole accident took place in 22 minutes. That was the end of Piper Alpha. What went wrong? The fishbone diagram identifies some possible cause and effect. METHOD/PROCEDURE ENVIRONMENT MATERIAL MANPOWER MACHINE Poor leadership Poor maintenance PTW risk assessment use incorrect Absence of blast wall Inadequate maintenance/safety procedure Poor practice /audit complacency Lack of communication between crew shift Lack of training Deluge fire system turnoff Primary condensate pump failed No quality checking on production line Poor production planning Poor isolation of maintenance Heat, smoke and fire Hazardous area Carbon monoxide/fumes Piper Alpha disaster UK Using the cause and effect analysis tool, as defining the problem first, brainstorming as the second step and Identify cause, I and my teams outline some of the major challenges for oil and gas facilities, which fall into two categories. The first is overcoming the physical environment. The second is doing this in a manner that meets regulatory requirements and increasing societal expectations related to environmental performance and social benefits. This report was instrumental in bringing about the regulatory control of Offshore Installations (Safety Case) Regulations. A safety case is a written document in which a company must demonstrate that an effective safety management system (SMS) is in place on a particular offshore installation. With respect to the first of these challenges, significant progress has been made through the development of ISO Draft International Standard, addressing design, construction, transportation, installation, and removal of offshore structures, related to the activities of the petroleum and natural gas industries. Focus areas for advancement and extension of Oil and Gas development include: ? Adherence to Permit-to-Work SystemThis was a system of paperwork designed to promote communication between all parties affected by any maintenance procedure done on the platform. The system on Piper Alpha had become too relaxed. Employees relied on too many informal communications and communication between shift changes was lacking. ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Disabling of protective equipment by explosion The firewalls on Piper Alpha could have stopped the spread of a fire. They were, however, not built to withstand an explosion. The initial blast blew the firewalls down, and the subsequent fire spread unimpeded.? Need for safety trainingThe workers on the platform were not adequately trained in emergency procedures, and management was not trained to make up the gap and provide good leadership during a crisis situation.? Auditing is vitalOccidental Petroleum had regular safety audits of its facilities but they were not performed well. Few, if any, problems were ever brought up, even though there were serious issues with corrosion of deluge system pipes and heads and many other issues. When a major problem was found, it was sometimes just ignored.? Proper isolation of plant for maintenanceThe disaster would not have occurred if the pump where work was being done had been positively isolated. Isolation is not achieved by shutting a valve but requires means such as insertion of a slip plate or removal of a pipe section.? Emergency Shutdown ValvesProper location of emergency shutdown valves and backup valves are essential to cutting off fuel supply in case of a fire; above water positioning provides testing accessibility for vigilant maintenance.? Fire and explosion protectionProtection against and mitigation of fire and explosion as well as fire fighting are of particular importance as there is no possibility to rely on outside assistance, such as the fire brigade.? Temporary Safe Refuge (TSR)TSR on each installation should have a breathable atmosphere through prevention of smoke ingress and provision of fire protection; escape routes and embarkation points should be determined through safety cases. Prevention of smoke ingress into TSR is available through smoke and gas detectors that initiate smoke dampers and prevent circulation of smoke throughout the TSR.? Evacuation and EscapeMore than one route to helicopters and lifeboats must be present at any given time to ensure evacuation of the platform in a crisis situation. To facilitate escape from a hazardous situation, luminescent strips and heat shielding provide visibility in smoke and protection from flames, respectively. Secondary escapes such as ropes, ladders, and nets are also available as backup for the more sophisticated escape methods. ?  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Use of wind tunnel tests and explosion simulations in designWind tunnels are useful to assess the effectiveness of the ventilation and the gas detection system. The explosion simulations help investigate the effect of different layouts on explosion overpressures and assess the effectiveness of blast walls. If all oil and gas industry embrace this new regulatory, which should address the risk of series of explosion event scenarios. This produces an approach more commensurate with that of quantitative risk analysis and away from the â€Å"worst case† scenario. It also puts explosion risks into context. Beside give training and seminars to new and old employees alike. Have people check employees’ performances in a given period. Have a computer-based information system to maintain the organization and staff awareness. It will not only give you back-up files but make the system work faster. Make sure it is maintained and updated at all times.