Risk Analysis of Oil Products in Large Oil Storage Tanks
The oil products stored in large oil storage tanks exhibit characteristics such as flammability, explosiveness, and toxicity, with their hazardous traits mainly manifesting in the following ways:
1. Volatility of oil products: Many light oils have a tendency to evaporate easily, as seen with gasoline vapor. Elevated temperatures significantly accelerate their actual evaporation rates. In windless conditions, these vapors can spread up to 50 meters along the ground, concentrating in low-lying areas within the storage vicinity, thereby increasing the risk of fire.
2. Flammability and explosiveness of oil products: Vapors from volatile oils can combine with air to form combustible mixed gases. When reaching a specific concentration, these gases can ignite in the presence of a flame and explode if exposed to a fire source, with the risk of explosion primarily linked to the lower explosive limit and explosion range.
3. Asphyxiation due to oil poisoning: Oil vapors possess certain levels of toxicity, posing risks of organ damage and poisoning upon entering the human respiratory system. Chronic exposure to oil can lead to symptoms such as dizziness and fatigue, and prolonged skin contact can cause dryness and dermatitis. In environments with excessively high oil concentrations, oxygen levels may decrease, leading to rapid suffocation.
Significance of Safety Management and Control in Large Oil Storage Tank Inspection and Maintenance Projects within Petrochemical Enterprises
A large-scale oil storage tank, characterized by a capacity exceeding 100 m3, encompasses essential components such as the tank top, tank bottom, and tank wall. In the event of an accidental fire, large-scale oil storage tanks pose a significant risk due to their potential for extensive burning and the challenges associated with fire suppression, resulting in substantial losses. The inspection and maintenance projects for these tanks in petrochemical enterprises are intricate endeavors, given that they primarily store flammable and explosive substances such as crude oil and gasoline, with high actual storage density.
Crude oil and heavy oil, containing inherent moisture, can lead to continuous splashing in the event of a fire, exacerbating the impact over a larger area. Over time, operational use may introduce issues like corrosion and deformation of the tank body and its accessories. It becomes imperative to conduct thorough inspections and maintenance to address various safety risks and ensure the continual safe operation of large oil storage tanks.
The inspection and maintenance of such tanks involve electricity consumption, hot work, and other potentially hazardous activities. The entire construction process is intricate and perilous, generating significant amounts of flammable gas or liquid, thereby forming explosive mixed gases. To ensure the seamless execution of oil storage tank inspection and maintenance projects, comprehensive safety management and control on the construction site are paramount. Prioritizing a safety-first construction concept, judicious allocation of site personnel, strict control over hazardous points, and the elimination of associated risks are critical measures. Standardizing all construction processes contributes to the reduction of adverse conditions, enhances the efficiency and quality of maintenance projects, elevates the management standards of petrochemical enterprises, and maximizes economic benefits.
Common Challenges in Safety Construction during Inspection and Maintenance Projects for Large Oil Storage Tanks in Petrochemical Enterprises
In the practical execution of inspection and maintenance projects for large-scale oil storage tanks within petrochemical enterprises, significant risks are inherent, with a notable potential for accidents. It is imperative to gain a deeper understanding of the current state of safety management and control in construction, identify root causes, and implement effective preventive and control measures. Creating a secure working environment for inspection and maintenance personnel is crucial to enhancing the construction efficiency and quality of large-scale oil storage tank inspection and maintenance projects. An analysis of safety incidents in maintenance and repair projects within the petrochemical industry reveals the following deficiencies in on-site construction safety management:
Weak Awareness of Enterprise Red Line Safety:
The understanding of the correlation between safety, development, and benefits in maintenance engineering construction remains inadequate. There is a tendency to marginalize safety, with deficiencies in the formulation of safety technical measures for large oil storage tank maintenance projects. Ineffective supervision of on-site safety technical measures results in poor on-site safety management.
Insufficient Comprehension of Cumulative Safety Risks:
In the implementation of large-scale oil storage tank maintenance projects, various specialties coexist. High-risk operations, such as high-altitude work, confined space entry, and hot welding, constitute a significant proportion. Adverse weather conditions further compound safety risks. Some enterprises lack precision in risk identification throughout the inspection and maintenance process, leading to inadequate on-site safety risk analysis and control measures. Overemphasis on overall project construction progress, pursuit of short-term benefits, neglect of safety production rules, and failure to adhere to standards can easily result in diverse safety accidents.
Non-Standardized Management of Oil Storage Tank Inspection and Maintenance:
The management of inspection and maintenance for oil storage tanks lacks standardized practices. Clear operational specifications and requirements exist for various operation links, demanding a high level of managerial competence. Varied levels of professionalism among managers, uneven attention to key management elements during direct operations, and the failure to accurately identify explicit problems can lead to larger accidents stemming from seemingly minor issues.
Construction Safety Control Measures for Large Oil Storage Tank Inspection and Maintenance in Petrochemical Enterprises
In the execution of large-scale oil storage tank inspection and maintenance projects in petrochemical enterprises, collaboration among various departments is essential to address the core factors contributing to construction accidents. Achieving the standardization of maintenance process management requires a comprehensive understanding of safety technical measures in all aspects of inspection and maintenance. Petrochemical enterprises must actively study and formulate effective preventive measures during oil storage tank maintenance, rectify shortcomings, ensure construction safety, and establish a foundation for the robust development of the enterprises.
Strict Clearance of Contractor Entrance:
Recognizing the major risk posed by contractor safety management is crucial. The overall strength of the contractor's construction team directly influences the entire life cycle safety management of large oil storage tank inspection and maintenance. Stringent examination of the contractor's qualifications, especially for personnel engaged in special operations, is necessary. Active safety technical disclosure and targeted training ensure personnel are well-prepared, emphasizing the importance of using specialized tools, equipment, and adhering to safety regulations during the construction process.
Strict Control of Risk Identification:
Establishing a safety management concept centered on risk identification is imperative. Identification of dangerous factors during large oil storage tank inspection and maintenance is critical to prevent accidents. Rigorous risk analysis, targeted preventive measures, and continuous optimization are necessary, particularly in high-risk operations such as tank cleaning. Systematic risk analysis before operations, continuous monitoring, and safety technical disclosure contribute to the enhancement of on-site safety awareness.
Strict Implementation of Safety Measures:
Inadequate safety measures during large-scale oil storage tank inspection and maintenance hinder dynamic safety control, compromising essential safety and reliability. A comprehensive construction permit system, on-site double-monitoring, and regular inspections by management personnel are crucial. Continuous strengthening of management measures ensures the effective implementation of safety measures throughout the construction process.
Serious Safety Assessment:
A thorough assessment of on-site construction personnel is essential to standardize operations and reduce illegal practices. Combining efforts, implementing reward and punishment measures, and utilizing information technology for monitoring contribute to the construction personnel's safety awareness. Strict implementation of assessment systems, irregular or regular site inspections, and a "zero tolerance" approach towards safety hazards ensure a safer working environment.
Formulation of Emergency Plans:
Given the safety risk points inherent in large-scale oil storage tank inspection and maintenance, the formulation of emergency plans is critical. Active summarization of practical experiences, continuous improvement of emergency plans, and on-site drills enhance the emergency handling capabilities of construction personnel. Regular adjustment and optimization of emergency plans, based on actual drill results, ensure strong operability, reduce the impact area of accidents, and enhance overall accident controllability.
Conclusion
The construction of maintenance and repair projects for large oil storage tanks in petrochemical enterprises is intricate and fraught with high risks. Without effective risk control and comprehensive risk analysis, various accidents are prone to occur. It is imperative to proactively reinforce the conceptual understanding, align it with the specific conditions of petrochemical enterprises, and implement preventative measures against risks. Ensuring the safety of critical links, meticulous process management, identification, and elimination of potential safety hazards during construction are essential steps to guarantee the reliability and safety of the construction process in accordance with the specified on-site inspection and maintenance requirements.
