Document 6R3BQyLY5pB2gQmQx29gQE9gR

MONSANTO COMPANY ANNISTON P U N T STANDARD OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS FOR AROCLORS April 1966 ;/ { NV 024951 738206 SA F E TY AND | HOUSEKEEPING i NEV 024952 hO OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS A&OCLORS SAFBTT AND HOUSEKEEPING Safety of operations in the Aroclor Plant depends on the individual operator. Materials being handled and operations must be observed closely to guard against the following: Cause and Action to Prevent 1. Chlprine Gas Chlorine gas is a very toxic corrosive gas. Leaks or high pressure can occur to liberate it. Action to Prevent a. Report Chlorine gas exposure immediately for treatment with Antidote. Milk may be used in mild cases to relieve throat irritation. Oxygen from the resuscltator in the Dispensary is available. b. Keep gas mask in good condition. Keep a good canister in the mask. Use these type masks only in chlorine concentrations to 2-3X chlorine in air. c. Use a Scott Air Pak in concentrations of chlorine gas above 3X in air. Three units are available in the Aroclor-Biphenyl Department. d. If caught in chlorine gas without a mask, hold your breath and go cross wind until you are out of range of the.gas. Place a handkerchief over your nose in small quantities of chlorine. e. Report all chlorine leaks for repair immediately. Make temporary, repairs with tape if possible. f. In case of a major chlorine leak, the source of chlorine gas must be stopped. Notify the Chlorine Plant lamedlately if the pressure on the chlorine manifold exceeds 30 psig. Cut off liquid chlorine from the car. NEV 024953 738208 Aroclors Safety & Housekeeping 2. Thermal Burns 2. Cause end Action to Prevent Contact with hot uninsulated product lines at the chlorinators and still areas. Contact vith uninsulated steam lines and open steam. Contact with hot Aroclors from broken lines or leaks. Contact with open flames at stills or from heating lines in the department. Action to Prevent a. Know that contact with equipment and product will cause a thermal b u m due to the high temperatures. Make changes in operations with this hasard in mind. b. Know the first aid treatment for burns. Cold Hater Treatment (See Appendix A Emergency Section). c. Hear gloves and long sleeve shirts with the sleeves rolled down when operating. Gloves and clothing can make the difference between first and second degree burns. d. Report uninsulated lines for repair of insulation. e. Use only steam lines with hose and hose clamps in good condition. f. The following operations are hazardous and should be done with care: (1) Catching samples at the Aroclor chiorinstor circulating pumps. (2) Sampling the Solid Aroclor still receiver. (3) Drawing bottoms on the Aroclor stills. NEV 02^95^ 738209 Aroclor* Safety & Housekeeping 3. Explosion 4. Falls 3. Cause and Action to Prevent An explosion could occur in the chlorinators by slugging liquid chlorine to the distributor. Slugs of liquid chlorine could react fast enough to cause excessive pressure in the vessel. A rupture of the chlorinator could occur. Action to Prevent a. Observe operation of the chlorine vaporizer and do not let liquid chlorine get into the rotameters. Pipe lines will be frosted. b. In case chlorine feed lines are frosted, close liquid chlorine feed valve to the vaporiser. Check steam addition to the vaporizer. Do not start up until source of trouble has been located. c. Do not close valve in water discharge line from the chlorinator coll. d. Observe temperature of the chlorinator periodically and be sure it is not too hot (180C. maximum). Slipping on cement floors, stairs, Aroclor on floor, ice conditions; tripping over objects (hose, pipe, valve handles, etc.); or losing footing on ladders, etc., can cause falls. Action to Prevent a. The majority of minor, serious, and nearmiss injuries in the Aroclor Dept, are the result of falls. Prevention is always within the ability of the operator by use of expert operating practices. NEV 024955 738210 Aroclors Safety & Housekeeping 4. Falls (Contd.) 5. Fires 4. Cause end Action to Prevent b. The following items should be done: (1) Return hose to rack after using. (2) Keep operating areas clean of all foreign objects. (3) Return ladders to racks when not in use. (4) Keep gloves on and hands out of pockets, especially going up stairs. (5) Place guards around any area that presents a hazard that should be guarded. c. Poor lighting due to burned out bulbs should be corrected at once. Poor light ing due to inadequate facilities should be reported. d. Spills must be cleaned up Immediately following their occurrence. Report any spill that cannot be cleaned up within the shift to the Chief Operator. Spills are to be reported in the log book. Fires can occur by: Biphenyl, Santovax R, or Santowax C ignition. Chlorine problems in the vaporizer allow ing reaction with steam to release hydrogen. Furnace burner backfire. Wood, rags, or paper on hot lines. Sparks from welding apparatus of open flames r NEV 024956 738211 Aroclors Safety & Housekeeping 5. Fires (Contd.) 5 Cause end Action to Prevent Action to Prevent a. Area oust be clear of trash or flammable materials. Use trash skips and cans. b. Smoke only in areas so designated. c. Use. spark producing equipment only with a fire permit and proper inspection. d. Use care In lighting gas torch or the still furnaces. e. Fire fighting equipment includes: (1) Two wheeled dry powder units. (2) Rose house with 200 ft. of hose. (3) Two dry powder hand extinguishers, One CO2 hand extinguisher. (4) Two 3/4" water hoses. (5) Hose connection north of Santowax. (6) Scott Air Paks. (7) Fire truck in fire house. f. Observe visitors in the plant, and be sure they observe safety rules. NEV 024957 738212 Ardelora Safety 6 Housekeeping 6. 6. The following is s list of chemicals handled in the Aroclor Plant operations and the precautions to be taken during their handling: a. Chlorine Gaa This is a corrosive gaa which is toxic. Leaks or back pressure can occur and liberate chlorine gas in the area. Operators should have their cartridge type respirators handy at all times while in the area. Use of gas masks is explained in Section B.l. If you are caught without a gas mask, and large amount of chlorine gas are liberated, hold your breath and go cross wind until you are out of range of the gas. Once out of the area, obtain an emergency gas mask and return to the area and correct the trouble. A victim of chlorine gas fumes must be removed as quickly as possible from the gaseous area. Place patient on his back with head and back elevated. Milk may be used in mild cases as a relief from throat irritation. If the patient has stopped breathing, start artificial respiration immediately. b. Biphenyl Biphenyl is a flammable material which will bum. Burning should not be done in the presence of Biphenyl or Biphenyl vapors. The melting point is 68.7C., and the auto ignition temperature is 258C. Inhalation of Biphenyl fumes is not recommended, since it can cause a drugged effect on the person. c. Santovax E Santowax R is a flammable material which will bum. It is relatively non-toxic to human beings. However, the vapors of Santowax R are irritating to the mucous membranes and bronichial tract. Pro longed breathing of the vapors should be avoided. The smiting point is 140C. a NEV 024958 738213 Aroclor Safety & Housekeeping 6. (Continued) d. Santovex C e. Ferric Chloride f. Attapulgus Earth g. Hydrated Lime h. Crude Arodors 1. Hydrogen Chlorine Gas j. Still Bottoms or Residue 7. Same as Santowax R, since it is the crude material prior to distillation. Ferric Chloride la a black-brown solid. It causes only slightly Irritating effects on the skin or mucous membranes. When heated it will decompose and release toxic fumes of Chlorine. It will react with water to produce toxic and corrosive HCl fumes. This material is a dried earth. No danger in handling. Hash off with water to clean No particular hazard in handling this material. The dust is irritating to the eyes and skin, and should be washed off with water. Crude Aroclors are hot, since all are handled in steam traced or Jacketed lines. They can easily cause thermal burns in contact with the skin. Prior to air blow ing, the material has HCl fumes entrained in it which are Irritating to the skin or mucous membranes. This is a corrosive gas which is toxic. It is irritating to the mucous membranes, to the eyes, and to the respiratory tract. It will react with water to form Hydro chloric Acid. Fumes from still bottoms are toxic. They are extremely Irritating to the mucous membranes, to the eyes, and respiratory tract. NtV 024959 738214 Arocl ors Safety & Housekeeping 8. HOUSEKEEPING The Aroclor chlorinetor end still operators ere responsible for house* keeping during their shift. Good housekeeping is the nark of good operations, safety practices, quality, and costs. Housekeeping duties are equal in importance with all other operating duties. Poor Practices Action to Prevent 1. Hoses, valve handles, dip stocks, rags, and other material on ground or floor. a. Replace after use. b. Have place to store all necessary operating aids. c. Report needs to supervision. 2. Product Leaks. a. Tighten valve packing glands and flange bolts. b. Report leaks to Chief Operator for maintenance alteration. 3. Trash and Crude Drums. a. Contact Chief to have drumB moved from area. b. Use trash skip in area. A. Product spills or clean out meases. a. Prevent necessity of clean-out by keeping tracing, insulation, or jacket in good repair by getting items turned in for maintenance work. b. Spills must be cleaned up when they are made. Clean up will continue through the following shifts to finish the Job. NEV 02A960 738215