While the primary focus of any process safety plan should be to drive the risk to a level which is ‘As Low As Reasonably Practicable’ (ALARP) to protect people, the environment and business there are several regulatory requirements that must also be met to drive continual improvement.
Organisations across the globe and from all industries are adopting the use of consolidated sets of compliance controls, not only to show operational transparency of good manufacturing practices but to ensure that governance requirements can be met.
Gexcon is experienced in the field of national and international safety and environmental legislation, our engineers are able to provide expert guidance and advice on how to achieve regulatory compliance and develop safety management systems tailored to individual requirements.
For advice and guidance on regulatory compliance specific to your country and business needs, please contact your local Gexcon Office.
Safety regulations in Norway
Our engineers could assist customers who are located in Norway to perform studies to comply with regulations applicable in the country, such as:
- Eksplosjonsverndokument
- Storulykkeforskriften
- Sikringssone
- Sikkerhetsavstander
- Oppbevaring av farlig stoff
Seveso/COMAH
The Seveso Directive 2012/18/EU (implemented in the UK through the Control of Major Accident Hazards or COMAH Regulations 2015) was put into effect to ensure that all necessary measures were taken to prevent major accidents and limit the consequences to human life and the environment.
The regulations apply to any operator storing quantities of qualifying substances above specified thresholds. Qualifying substances include flammable, toxic, and environmentally harmful materials and the quantities stored determine whether the installation is categorised as Upper or Lower Tier.
The range of process safety services offered allows Gexcon to provide a complete service to assist with Seveso/COMAH compliance for both Upper and Lower Tier operators. Our role has ranged from providing specialist support in the form of expert advice and complex modelling using FLACS-CFD software through to acting as dedicated process safety experts, handling all aspects of compliance.
If you think your installation may fall under the scope of the Seveso Directive but are unsure, contact us and we will advise whether your facility qualifies and the next steps.
ATEX Workplace Directive/DSEAR Regulations
Employers are responsible for identifying and controlling fire and explosion hazards posed by dangerous substances used in their facilities to ensure that employees, assets and the environment are protected.
Such substances can be commonly found in the following operations:
- Solvent handling operations, including paint spraying and mixing
- Gas cylinder storage and use, including LPG
- Fuel gas/biogas installations
- Bulk powder storage, transfer and additions
- Plastics shredding and recycling
- Foundries and metalworking
Directive 99/92/EC (ATEX Workplace Directive) prescribes the minimum requirements for improving the health and safety of workers potentially at risk from explosive atmospheres. In the UK, the requirements of this directive – as well as the physical aspects of the Chemical Agents Directive – are featured in the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR).
Gexcon has vast experience in conducting assessments in line with both the ATEX Workplace Directive and DSEAR, which include hazardous area classification, risk assessment and pragmatic recommendations for compliance and reducing risks to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP).
To enhance your knowledge of the DSEAR & ATEX Regulations, Gexcon offers a variety of courses which can be delivered online or face-to-face.
Occupational health and safety compliance
Working with hazardous materials is associated with inherent risks. As an employer, we understand your concern about the safety of your employees and your priority is to protect them against any hazard.
Our consultants are specialists in fire, explosion, toxic hazards and other similar energy releases and have in-depth knowledge about working in a safe manner with hazardous materials. This allows our team to assist you in defining the right personnel protection equipment at the right places and defining safe working locations at your facility.
Gexcon can advise on policies and safe work methods that expose your staff to the minimum risk and help you to design your facilities in such a way that they are compliant with all applicable regulations.
Field of Studies
- Exhaust gas studies
- Helideck and crane siting
- Wind chill analyses
- Ventilation studies
- Flare design studies
Environmental permitting
The aim of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is to protect the environment by providing the necessary information to a local authority when deciding whether to grant planning permission for a project (new or extension) which is likely to have a significant impact on human health and the environment. This can include air emissions, water abstraction, wastewater discharges, waste generation, storage and disposal.
Gexcon has extensive experience in the field of environmental assessments and can provide a range of services to assist with obtaining the information required to obtain such permits.
Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR)
Pressure Systems Safety Regulations (PSSR) relate to the safe design and use of pressure systems and aim to prevent serious injury from the hazard of stored energy due to failures of the component parts.
Employers have a duty of care to provide a safe working environment and safe pressure system equipment.
The range of equipment covered by PSSR is extensive but includes nuclear power station systems, process vessels, compressed air systems, boilers, refrigeration plants and heating systems.
Gexcon has extensive experience in the field of safety management and can offer pragmatic recommendations for compliance and reducing risks to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP).
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