OCE7 - Pigging operations

Health and Safety Executive

OCE Pigging operations

Offshore COSHH Control approach R essentials Respiratory protective equipment

This information will help offshore What this sheet covers dutyholders (owners, operators and This sheet describes good practice for control of exposure in pigging contractors) to comply with the Control operations. It covers the key points you need to follow to help reduce of Substances Hazardous to Health exposure to an acceptable level, as part of your COSHH assessment. Regulations 2002 (COSHH), as amended, to protect workers’ health. Hazards 3 Residues from pigging This guidance consolidates good control operations can contain solid practice and reinforces existing knowledge waxes, condensates and gases. with additional information. These can include hazardous substances such as: It will help you carry out COSHH n BTEX (benzene, toluene, assessments, review existing assessments, ethyl benzene and xylenes); deliver training and in supervising activities n hydrogen sulphide (see involving substances hazardous to health. OCE6); n NORM (naturally occurring

It is aimed at staff whose responsibilities radioactive material). include the management of substances 3 The workplace exposure limit hazardous to health on offshore (WEL) for benzene is 1 ppm (8-hour time-weighted average (TWA)). installations (eg occupational health 3 The WELs for H2S are 5 ppm (8-hour TWA) and 10 ppm (15-minute TWA). specialists, COSHH assessors, supervisors etc). It is also useful for trade union and Access employee safety representatives. 3 Restrict access to authorised personnel. 3 Prevent entry by any worker into the receiver. Following this guidance is not compulsory 3 Provide eyewash equipment and an emergency shower close to the and you are free to take other action. But work site. if you do follow this guidance, you will 3 Erect barrier and notices. normally be doing enough to comply with the law. Health and safety inspectors seek Equipment and procedures to secure compliance with the law and may Control equipment refer to this guidance as illustrating good practice. 3 Provide fixed and portable hydrocarbon detectors in the area. 3 Provide H2S specific detectors. Also see essential information on the back 3 Provide a benzene-specific monitor. of the sheet. 3 Provide a fully enclosed receiver (trap) to isolate the pig or sphere in a well-ventilated area. 3 Ensure that displaced vapours vent to a safe place or to a vapour recovery system. 3 Ensure that drains are sloped to prevent residues building up, and covered to minimise vapour releases.

Pigging operations OCE7 Respiratory protective equipment

3 See ‘Cleaning and housekeeping’ section below if this is done on site. Control procedures 3 Fully depressurise and vent the receiver before opening the door. 3 Allow five minutes for gases and mists to clear after opening: keep clear. 3 Monitor the air for benzene and H2S after venting. Personal protective equipment (PPE) – see OCM3 3 Ensure portable/personal alarms are worn. 3 Ensure that all items of PPE are compatible Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) – see OCM4 3 Where necessary for pig or sphere removal and cleaning, provide CE-marked RPE with an assigned protection factor of at least 10 for vapour.

Other protective equipment 3 Provide disposable coveralls (type 3) with a hood. 3 Provide clean chemical-resistant gloves, eg nitrile, and new gloves when these are damaged.

Maintenance, examination and testing Checking and maintenance 3 Make and follow schedules for preventative maintenance of plant and monitoring equipment. 3 Before each use, check that portable/personal gas monitors are fully charged and working properly.

Examination and testing – RPE 3 Examine and test RPE thoroughly at least monthly and infrequently used RPE at least three monthly. Replace worn parts.

Records 3 Keep records of all examinations and tests for at least five years. Exposure monitoring 3 Prove that you are using the right level and type of RPE – use monitoring records or carry out personal air monitoring. 3 Use personal monitoring results to decide if you need to carry out biological monitoring for benzene. 3 Test wax for NORM, for safe disposal. Cleaning and housekeeping Areas 3 Provide a dedicated, bunded, well-ventilated and drained cleaning bay for pig or sphere cleaning. 3 Keep receiver bays clean of residual oils and waxes by low-pressure washing.

Pigging operations OCE7 Respiratory protective equipment

3 Provide a full set of PPE for low-pressure washing: RPE, slicker suit, Employee checklist gloves, boots, visor and goggles. Is your portable/personal alarm fully charged and Waste working properly? 3 Residues are ‘hazardous waste’. Label containers clearly – include a UN number where appropriate. Store and dispose of waste safely. Look for signs of leaks, wear and damage before Personal decontamination and skin care every job. 3 Provide warm water, mild skin cleansers, nailbrushes, and soft paper, If you find any problem, fabric towels or hot air for drying. Avoid abrasive cleansers. get it fixed. Don’t just 3 Instruct workers in how to clean their skin effectively. carry on working. 3 Tell workers to wash hands before every break. 3 Provide pre-work skin creams, which will make it easier to wash dirt Co-operate with health from the skin, and after-work creams to replace skin oils. surveillance.

Wash hands before Health surveillance eating, drinking or using 3 Conduct low-level health surveillance for dermatitis involving skin the lavatory. checks by suitably trained responsible person.

Other hazards Training and supervision n Hydrogen sulphide (H S) 3 Provide supervision – ensure that safe work procedures are followed. n NORM (naturally occurring 2

3 Tell workers, including maintenance workers, what the hazards and radioactive material) risks are. n Musculoskeletal disorders – 3 Explain the early signs of dermatitis. manual handling awkward 3 Training includes toolbox talks on: heavy items in restricted n how to use equipment properly; places n how to use the benzene monitor; n Flammability n how to use the right safe working procedures; n Substances harmful to the n how to react to alarms and evacuate safely; and marine environment n what to do if something goes wrong.

3 Involve managers and supervisors in health and safety training. Further information Respiratory protective Essential information equipment at work: A practical OCE0 Advice for managers guide HSG53 (Third edition) OCM3 Personal protective equipment (PPE) HSE Books 2005 OCM4 Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) ISBN 978 0 7176 2904 6 OCM6 Exposure monitoring www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/ OCM7 Health surveillance hsg53.htm ORE1 Breaking containment (NORM) Workplace exposure limits EH40 www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/table1.pdf

You can find the full Offshore COSHH essentials series at www.hse.gov.uk/coshh/index.htm

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