Control technology assessment for coal gasification and liquefaction processes, BI-GAS Pilot Plant, Homer City, Pennsylvania.

Details

• Corporate Authors:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Description:
  A control technology survey was conducted at the BI GAS pilot facility (SIC-1211) in Homer City, Pennsylvania on August 16 and 17, 1979. The BI GAS coal gasification process was an important emerging technological development in the gasification of coal to a high heat fuel. Potential hazards included noise, fire, coal dust, carbon-dioxide (124389), carbon-monoxide (630080) (CO), methane (74828), char, hydrogen (1333740), hydrogen-sulfide (7783064), naphthalene (91203), trace metals, phenols, nickel-carbonyl (13463393), and mercaptans. The safety policy at the facility stressed minimal activity in the gasifier structure and was effective in reducing exposures to process contaminants from leaks. Other control measures included CO monitors with alarms, self contained breathing apparatus for emergency use, and a 5 minute escape air pack respirator. Employees received a safety policies and procedures manual. Safety training sessions and monthly meetings were held. Fire prevention, accident prevention, chemical handling, emergency procedures, and first aid procedures were emphasized. Annual physical examinations were given. The authors conclude that the major weakness of the medical program is the absence of a preemployment physical examinations. Periodic skin examinations are recommended to reduce skin irritations and to detect possible exposures to polynuclear aromatics.
• Subjects:
  Accident Prevention Accidents Accidents, Occupational Biomechanical Phenomena Electricity Occupational Health Risk Assessment Risk Factors Safety Safety Management Staff Development Workplace

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• Keywords:
  Coal-gasification Control-technology Explosive-gases Field-Study Flammable-liquids Health-programs NIOSH-Author NIOSH-Contract NIOSH-Survey Noise-exposure Occupational-hazards Region-3 Safety-education

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• DOI:
  https://doi.org/10.26616/NIOSHECTB11917a
• Publisher:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Contract
• Genre:
  Field Studies ; Control Technology
• Place as Subject:
  Maryland ; Ohio ; OSHA Region 3 ; OSHA Region 5 ; Pennsylvania
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  DPSE - Division of Physical Sciences and Engineering
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  1-34
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:00133493
• Citation:
  Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, ECTB 119-17a, 1981 Jan; :1-34
• CAS Registry Number:
  Carbon dioxide (CAS RN 124-38-9) ; Carbon monoxide (CAS RN 630-08-0) ; Methane (CAS RN 74-82-8) ; Hydrogen (CAS RN 1333-74-0) ; Hydrogen sulfide (CAS RN 7783-06-4) ; Naphthalene (CAS RN 91-20-3) ; Nickel tetracarbonyl (CAS RN 13463-39-3)
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1981
• Performing Organization:
  Enviro Control, Inc., Rockville, Maryland
• Peer Reviewed:
  False
• NAICS and SIC Codes:
  1211 - Bituminous Coal and Lignite - (SIC)
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:03107657ed4f254c27ad2a47fc45b3fbde8ac5a935bbd1d6288241f6336d83a513d3a33d120dc4912972c8730a00fdb6b195749f3a71d93a4a54f35274e2fc82
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/179579/cdc_179579_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 3.54 MB ]