Burns & condensate

Hazard Recognitionwww.discountppe.com

Burns and Hot Condensate

http://www.discountppe.com


Objectives:

Upon completion of this module, the participant will be able to:

Recognize the hazard posed by the several heat sources

present in the plant with particular attention to steam and

hot condensate

Identify the potential consequences associated with

hazards related to steam and hot condensate

Describe actions required to control the hazards

associated with steam and hot condensate

Identify the three levels of burn wound severity

Identify the first aid actions for treating burn wounds




Key Principles

Several accidents (burn wounds) with serious

consequences are recorded each year due to contact with

hot condensate or exposure to steam

Hazard posed by steam and hot condensate should be

identified and the risk reduced using systems already in

place in all units, such as Last Minute Risk Assessment,

Work Permit, etc.




Discharging hot condensate to the sewer

The rope holding the drain hose became loose

The operator is splashed by the jumping drain hose

A burn results




Other Incidents

An employee is performing routine

work and opens a valve on a steam

line.

Condensate sprays out of another

valve that was inadvertently left

open

A burn results




Other Incidents

An employee was attempting to

unplug a drain line that was located

below a steam safety valve.

Pressure on the system built up

Safety valve released, causing a

spray of hot water to be emitted from

the exhaust

Employee was burned




Other Incidents

In private situations, contact with hot boiling water (especially

children) in the kitchen is daily business!




What is dangerous about overheated steam?

Special Note: Overheated Steam

Answer: It’s very hot and you can't see it!!!




Why Is Hot Condensate Dangerous?

We worry about hot hydrocarbons / chemicals and additives but

condensate is only water !

(We Think)!!





Burn wounds start to develop when

there is contact with temperatures as

low as 140 °F (60 °C)

3 barg steam is already 248 °F

(120 °C)

40 barg steam is 716 °F (380 °C)

0.

1.3

2.5

3.8

5.

130 140 150 160 170 180 190 200 210

Tim

e (

se

c)

Temperature (°F)

Time and Temperature Relationship to Serious Burns

5 sec

2 sec

1 sec

0.5 sec

(Data from American Burn Association)

The degree (1st, 2nd of 3rd) of burn

wounds depends on temperature,

duration of contact and energy

capacity of the product that causes

the burn.

So contact with steam often results in burn wounds even though PPE

may be worn





Steam traps contain condensed steam often at 194 °F (90 °C) and always above 167 °F (75 °C) - so the potential for burn wounds is always present.

Hot condensate has a greater (energy) capacity to cause burn wounds than steam.




Equipment / Location Where The Contact Is

Possible

Atmospheric condensate drums

Steam drums

Atmospheric exhausts from

turbines or other equipment

Silencers from turbines of other

equipment

Steam traps




Equipment / Location Where The Contact Is

Possible Condensate drains used for winterizing

Excessive draining or leakage can result in pools of hot condensate

accumulating at grade and filling holes, sumps, low points, etc.

……and more (add yours)

Locations where hot condensate is being temporarily discharged / drained

Locations where equipment is being purged with steam

Uninsulated sections or damaged insulated sections of:

– Steam lines

– Condensate lines

– Steam tracing




Precautions To Prevent Contact

If it is necessary to discharge hot condensate to an open system, the following precautions can be taken:

Guide the hot condensate to an area not normally occupied by

people.

Barricade / segregate the area if possible.

Place signs to alert personnel and communicate the hazard to

affected personnel.

Remark the hazard in work permits and LMRA

Steam hoses should be properly secured when used for routing the

condensate.

Hot condensate should not be discharged in locations where light

hydrocarbons and high vapor pressure chemicals (flammables or

dangerous to health or simply bad smelling) might be present to

avoid excessive evaporation




Winterizing is of special concern:

– Release of hot condensate is increased


Special precautions are necessary when:

– Commissioning steam tracing

– Troubleshooting steam trap and tracing

failures

– Draining accumulations of hot condensate

– Discharging steam to atmosphere




Steam traps might temporarily plug; the pressure build- up

can result in a sudden / violent release of hot condensate

with potential for splashing in the surroundings





Steam is used to heat hydrocarbons and

chemicals:

– Insulation for protection against accidental

contact with hot piping and surfaces is done

only where presence of personnel is routine.

– Viscous hydrocarbons and chemicals will

adhere to fabric and skin:

• The severity of burn wounds might increase due

to the prolonged heat transfer

• Do not attempt to remove the product adhering to

skin to avoid tearing the skin





How To Protect Yourself

Know where the risks are on your unit(s).

Make sure steam and condensate systems on your unit(s)

are well maintained.

Make sure that steam trap drain / tail lines are tied down so

that they cannot injure someone when they discharge.

When preparing work in the field or practicing LMRA before

start of work, check for location of steam traps and

discharge direction vs yourself.

Be on the lookout for new hazards that are caused by steam

and condensate as the units are being prepared for winter

operations.

Know what to do if you are burned and the location of safety

showers. At first, flush with a lot of (normal temperature)

water for at least 15 minutes. Quick response may minimize

the severity of the burn.




Burns: Memory Refresher

Burns can be caused by dry heat (like fire), wet heat (such

as steam or hot liquids), radiation, friction, heated objects,

electricity, or chemicals.

Thermal burns are the most common type. Thermal burns

occur when hot metals, scalding liquids, steam, or flames

come in contact with your skin.





Burns to your airways can be caused by inhaling smoke, steam,

superheated air, or toxic fumes, often in a poorly ventilated space





There are three levels of burns:

First-degree burns affect only the outer layer of the skin. They cause

pain, redness, and swelling.

Second-degree (partial thickness) burns affect both the outer and

underlying layer of skin. They cause pain, redness, swelling, and

blistering.

Third-degree (full thickness) burns extend into deeper tissues. They

cause white or blackened, charred skin that may be numb.




First Aid - For Minor Burns

If the skin is unbroken, run cool water over the area of the burn or soak it in a cool water bath (not ice water).

Keep the area submerged for at least 5 minutes.

A clean, cold, wet towel will also help reduce pain.

Calm and reassure the person.




After flushing or soaking, cover the burn with a dry, sterile

bandage or clean dressing.


Protect the burn from pressure and friction.

Once the skin has cooled, moisturizing lotion also can help.




Minor burns will usually heal without further treatment.


However, if a second-degree burn covers an area more than 2 to 3 inches in diameter, or if it is located on the hands, feet, face, groin, buttocks, or a major joint, treat the burn as a major burn.

Do not take any medicine (other than pain reliever if required) without seeking medical attention




Call site or local medical emergency

immediately

First Aid - For Major Burns

DO NOT remove burnt clothing or

product that is stuck to the skin.

DO NOT apply any ointments. Avoid

breaking burn blisters.

Make sure the person is breathing. If

breathing has stopped, or if the

person's airway is blocked, open the

airway. If necessary a trained person

can begin rescue breathing and CPR.




Cover the burn area with a dry sterile bandage (if available) or clean cloth. A sheet will do if the burned area is large.

First Aid - For Major Burns

If fingers or toes have been burned, separate them with dry, sterile, non-adhesive dressings.

Elevate the body part that is burned above the level of the heart. Protect the burnt area from pressure and friction.

Take steps to prevent shock. Lay the person flat (but NOT if a head, neck, back, or leg injury is suspected) elevate the feet about 12 inches, and cover with a coat or blanket. Continue to monitor the person's vital signs until medical help arrives.




Objectives Review:

Upon completion of this module, the participant will be able to:

Recognize the hazard posed by the several heat sources

present in the plant with particular attention to steam and

hot condensate

Identify the potential consequences associated with the

hazards related to steam and hot condensate

Describe actions required to control the hazards

associated with steam and hot condensate

Identify the three level of burn wounds severity

Identify the first aid actions for treating burn wounds



Burns & condensate

Education

Transcript of Burns & condensate