 The production of methanol,
which is carried out on a 24-hour basis, involves highly
complex and costly equipment handling highly flammable
material and operating at high temperatures, pressures
and speeds. As such, great importance is always paid
to ensuring efficiency and reliability of operations.
These critical operating parameters provide an increased
potential for loss – both in terms of injury to personnel,
and economic loss because of equipment damage and loss
of production.
Due to the magnitude of potential losses should such
an event occur, safety and emergency response is a high
priority in the operation and management of the MHTL
Complex.
Mirroring world developments, we have also broadened
our perspective to adopt a more holistic approach to
safety, incorporating environmental, health and safety
issues under the umbrella of the Risk Management.
A “cradle to grave” approach protecting the five key
facets of our business - people, property, the environment,
liability issues and business income are adopted in
our operations, as evidenced by the following initiatives
performed both at the design and construction phase
and continued into the on-going life of the plant.
Design Phase
The plants are designed to the most stringent codes
and standards that govern plant construction and quality
control procedures are put in place to ensure that these
are strictly adhered to.
Risk and Environmental Impact Assessment
• During the construction phase, Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) and Risk Assessment (RA) studies are
performed in accordance with the approval processes.
Pre startup safety review
• In addition to local regulatory requirements, Hazard
& Operability Studies (HAZOP) covering all areas
of the plant are carried out to identify and rectify
potential hazards in order to improve safety and operability.
High priority is also given to ensuring that construction
and plant equipment are in accordance with the design
specifications. Employees are also intimately involved
in preparing safety, operating, maintenance, and emergency
procedures prior to the production of the first molecule
of methanol.
Plant Operations
Management Systems have always been the cornerstone
philosophy used by the Methanol Group in guiding the
Group’s operational performance. As a responsible manufacturer,
the Group has always kept up to date with the relevant
international developments applicable to all facets
of its business. This drive resulted in the TTMC Company
becoming the first in Trinidad and Tobago to be certified
to the 1994 ISO 9002 Quality Management System with
the other companies following. Certification to 2000
ISO 9001 has been completed.
The US-based Process Safety Management System is in
the process of being implemented and the ISO 14000 Environmental Management
System will be adopted throughout the Group’s operations.
Some initiatives, which the Group has embraced to minimize
loss exposures at its facilities, include:
Employee Orientation Training
Following a detailed recruitment process, all new employees
are oriented into all aspects of the business. Employees
directly involved in plant operations are exposed to
a more rigorous training program introducing the process,
equipment and safety considerations applicable to their
job tasks.
Process Safety Information
Compilation and maintenance of process safety information
including Chemical Hazards Information, Process Technology
Information and Equipment Information are considered
essential records.
Standard Operating Procedures (S.O.P)
These detailed written instructions for employees are
built into the Quality Management System and includes
information on operating limits, consequences of deviations,
safety and health considerations, and handling of defined
emergency and crisis situations.
Mechanical Integrity
A pro-active equipment integrity philosophy is essential
to the Group’s operations to minimise the risk of hazardous
releases. Systematic equipment monitoring, both on-line
and routine inspections are a way of life. External
risk audits performed annually by international Loss
Control specialists and the local Ministry of Energy
..
Permit-to-Work System
All maintenance and other special activities are governed
by a Permit-to-Work Management System to ensure that
safe working conditions are maintained at the facilities
during the execution of the work.
Emergency Planning and Response
While all attempts are made to minimize losses, due
to the nature of the Group’s operations, detailed emergency
action plans to appropriately and safely handle hazardous
releases have been developed and are constantly updated.
These are complimented by the availability of all appropriate
first-line response hardware and the support of a National
Emergency Response Group.
Incident Investigation
Every incident that occurs, including near misses, that
results in, or could have reasonably resulted in a loss
(human or economic) is investigated by a standing Safety
Audit team that includes members from the Risk Management,
Engineering, Operations and Human Resource Work Groups.
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