DPR identify process safety as one of major challenges in downstream sector

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The Director, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mordecai Ladan, has said that the downstream sector of the oil and gas industry was facing major challenges in process safety, stating that there was need for discussions and improvement. He called on stakeholders in the country to invest in safety-systems, stressing that it will help prevent unforeseen accidents.

Ladan who was represented by the Deputy Director, Safety Health and Environment, DPR, Mrs Onyebuchi Sibeudu, noted that, the failure of process safety management is an accident waiting to occur, “Majorly, most of the safety challenges in the industry are found in the downstream sector. Non adherence to safety guidelines and procedures by some of the operators, low awareness on the importance of process safety, none implementation of adequate safety management system, high number of facilities setup and manned by unequipped or untrained hands are part of difficulties faced by the downstream sector.”

Ladan disclosed that the agency is currently working on a safety audit clearance policy during the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineering (NSCHE) on Process Safety Seminar in Lagos, with the theme: ‘Deepening process safety understanding and practice in the oil and gas and process industry sectors in Nigeria.

According to the director “The department is currently working on safety audit clearance policy which is geared towards enhancing process safety management and operation’s steadiness in the downstream sector.

“The Nigerian oil and gas industry as major focus on policy trust is to ensure optimal production and distribution of good oil and petroleum products and to secure a safe and environmental friendly manner by a healthy work force.”

According to Internet research, process safety is a blend of engineering and management skills focused on preventing catastrophic accidents and near misses, particularly structural collapse, explosions, fires and toxic releases associated with loss of containment of energy or dangerous substances such as chemicals and petroleum products.

Meanwhile, the Chairman, Vita Foam, Bamidele Makanjuola, said that it was very difficult to find safety gadgets with the independent marketers adding, “It doesn’t show the level of commitment we have as people committed to the safety market.

“Safety is still to be a serious subject matter to Nigerians. That we are in the oil and gas industry doesn’t mean that we have eternalized the process of safety because industrial processes are becoming more complex.

“How many safety gadgets and equipment did you install in your stations? Investing in safety systems is never a waste of money because it is used to prevent accidents.”

“The Nigerian oil and gas industry as major focus on policy trust is to ensure optimal production and distribution of good oil and petroleum products and to secure safe and environmental friendly manner by a healthy work force,” Makanjuola said.

He reiterated that by pursuing this policy, the industry is better positioned to generate the much, needed in the industry. Chairman, addressing the attendees, stated that process safety is a very important matter but is ignored mostly by industries, reiterating that only the operators in the oil and gas industry takes it as a serious matter.

In Makanjuola’s words: “You hardly find safety gadgets with the independent marketers and it doesn’t show the level of commitment we have as people committed to the safety market.  No matter how you see it, safety is still to be a serious subject matter to Nigerians.”

He challenged those in the oil and gas industry on their commitment to safety and urged them to acquire and install more safety gadgets and equipment in their stations. He maintained that being in the industry doesn’t eternalized process safety as industrial processes are becoming more complex.

“Investing in safety systems is never a waste of money because it can prevent accidents that could cost you your company,” he added.

Makanjuola advised the organizers to go beyond the oil and gas industry to sell the programme the manufacturers and their employees in Nigeria as the programme tries to marry academic theories with practical experiences.


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