SABTANK safety officer interview question answer

SABTANK safety officer interview question answer: Sabtank – located in Jubail, Saudi Arabia an affiliate of SABIC. Sabic Terminal Services Company (Sabtank) currently operates the majority of the petrochemical storage at Jubail Port. Ten to hundreds of contractor companies engaging in maintenance work in Sabtank. Sabtank requires one safety officer of 20 workers. Therefore there is always a demand for safety officers. We have also worked in Sabtank, so we know what questions are asked. On that basis,  muniriyathse (safety zone) has prepared the SABTANK safety officer interview question answer.

Q-1 Introduce yourself?

My name is …………….         I graduated from Z.A ISLAMIA College Siwan India. I have worked for 2 years as a safety officer in Sabtank Jubail, MEG and TEG pipeline, SABIC affiliate with Sendan. Now again I have come back to Sabtank with another contractor Global Sources for EDC pipeline replacement. 

Q-2 Elements of SHEM?

SABIC has 17 elements.

SHEM 00 - Leadership and management system

SHEM 01 - HSE Documentation and control

SHEM 02 - Risk assessment / SAFAR

SHEM 03 - Operating and maintenance procedure

SHEM 04 - Training and competence

SHEM 05 - Third-party HSSE requirement

SHEM 06 - Pre-start-up HSE review

SHEM 07 - Mechanical integrity

SHEM 08 - Safe work practices

SHEM 09 - Management of change (MOC)

SHEM 10 - Incident investigation, reporting, classification and analysis

SHEM 11 - Emergency planning and response

SHEM 12 - Health and environmental hygiene

SHEM 13 - Environmental standards

SHEM 14 - Security standards

SHEM 15 - Road transport safety

SHEM 16 - Product stewardship

Q-3 How many LSRs are in SABIC?

SABIC - LIFE SAVING RULES (LSR)

1 - Safe system of work (SSOW)

2 - Confined space entry

3 - Working at height

4 - Lifting operations

5 - Line breaks

6 - Energy isolation

7 - Created openings

8 - Disabling safety

9 - Vehicle Safety

10 - Management of change (MOC)

Q-4 Define of all SABIC work permits?

1. General Work Permit -Written authorization to perform non-operation activity that does not create enough heat or sparks to ignite flammable gas-air mixtures or flammable materials.

Activities of General Work.

• Vehicle Entry in non-hydro carbon area/common area.
• Work at height activity.
• Installing & removal of blind activities.
• Adjusting & repairing instruments that will not have any effect on the operation, process or personnel.
• Plant Area cleaning and housekeeping activities (not part of Operational activities)
• Visual monitoring - Any machinery or instrument monitoring such as vibration or noise testing.
• Plumbing work
• Changing Lamps in buildings.

2. Hot Work Permit - Written authorization to perform operations activity capable of supplying ignition energy for igniting flammable mixtures or combustible materials that may be released to create a potential fire or explosion hazard using a Hot Work Permit. Any area that has a Hazardous Area Classification for Flammable Gases and Vapors

Any area within proximity of potential flammable and combustible material release points (flanged and/or threaded piping connections, instrumentation bleeds, separators, tanks, dehydrators, pig traps, regulators, meters, compressor stations, transfer pumps, and other equipment).

Any area where combustible/flammable materials are adjacent to the opposite side of metal partitions, walls, ceilings, or roofs and have the potential to be ignited by heat conduction or radiation. Vehicle Entry in hydrocarbon area or potential hydrocarbon existence.

Activities of Hot Work.

• Gas/flame cutting, grinding, welding, brazing, soldering etc.
• Using heat or flame for any activity, etc.
• Any release of flammable gases and materials.
• Hot tapping activity.

 Hot Work Control

Isolate combustibles and flammables that cannot be relocated from ignition sources by flame-proofed covers or otherwise shielded with metal or fire-resistant guards or curtains.

Fire Watch Responsibilities.

The fire watch should be trained and certified. He is responsible and authorized to immediately stop the hot work if hazardous conditions arise. His role includes:

• Monitor flammable and combustibles, spark containment and for any abnormal event.
• Being familiar with the area and potential hazards and knowing how to obtain assistance in an emergency.
• Stop the hot work if a fire (or unsafe situation) is observed, inform the operations supervisor and initiate appropriate.
• Monitors the hot work area for changing conditions watches for fires, and extinguishes them if possible.
• Ensure that the area is covered with a fire blanket and all openings in the nearby area to control sparks and slags.
• Fire watch shall stay at the hot work location for at least 30 min. after completion of the work

Welding, Cutting and other Mechanical hot activities:

Permit receivers shall deploy qualified welders only. For a particular type of welding job. Ensure to relocate all moveable fire hazards in the vicinity at least 15 meters from the hot work site Provide adequate ventilation (natural, mechanical, or respirator) for all welding, cutting, brazing and related activities

The permit receiver must fill out the Welding Job Checklist (ST-OMS-316.10-F16) and submit it at the time of receiving the permit. PPE and clothing requirements for the cutter, welder and welder’s helper shall be by the PPE procedure

Hot tapping is the method of connecting to piping or pressure vessels without removing a pipe or vessel from service. This means that a pipe or tank continues to be in operation whilst maintenance or modification is being done to it. It is commonly used to replace or add sections of pipelines without the interruption of service for air, gas, water, steam, and petrochemical distribution systems.

3. Electrical work permit --Work on, with or near an electrical installation such as testing and measurement, repairing, replacing, modifying, extending, erecting, maintaining and inspecting. The Electrical Work Permit is to, Safeguard authorized personnel working to prevent unexpected power isolation affecting the normal operation of the plant and prevent unexpected incidents during restoration of power as while Isolation and Restoration of Transformer Feeders, Switchgears, Motors and Transfer of Automatic Transfer Switches or other Electrical Equipment.

4. Confine space entry permit -- Confined Space is any enclosure space (though not always entirely) having a limited opening for entry and exit; presents serious hazards to occupants; or is not intended for continuous employee occupancy. The space is large enough and configured to allow entry (including partial entry) of a person (s) for the performance of an assigned task. Confined spaces include, but are not limited to, storage tanks, process vessels, ventilation and exhaust ducts, manholes, pits, and excavations more than 1.2 meters in depth.

Preparation of Confined Space for Maintenance Activity:

Standby Man (Entry Attendant)

Standby Man Shall be a direct hire or Short/Long Term contractor employee who is trained/qualified, certified and interviewed by the EHSS Department, authorized by his sponsoring Department Sr. Manager and to monitor the entry site and seek emergency assistance to ensure the safety of personnel present within the confined space.

Standby Main Responsibilities:

• To monitor the entry site
• Seek emergency assistance to ensure the safety of personnel present within the confined space.
• Maintain a record of all persons entering/exiting the confined space at each entry or exit at the back of the confined space permit. Additional sheets can be used upon requirement.
• Wear a coloured vest for identification.
• Terminate the entry in case of any condition changes at the site as per the Confined Space permit.
• Not enter in confined space in any circumstance and shall not leave the site.
• Maintain visual /verbal contact and eye contact with entrants with the workers inside the confined space
• Stop work if the conditions deteriorate.
• Sounding the air horn alarm to notify everyone that the confined space shall be evacuated.
• Use of a portable radio for communication or air horn.
• Ask all the entrants to leave the confined space immediately in case of emergency.
• Familiar with the Emergency Alarm Manual Call Point/Assembly Area.

Rescue Plan

A Rescue Plan (ST-OMS-316.10-F10) is used to rescue persons from a Confined Space in an Emergency. The rescue plan shall be approved and all actions shall be taken before a work permit. A Rescue Plan shall be prepared followed by the formal Job Safety Analysis (JSA) and shall be approved by all concerned before initial entry.

A rescue plan shall be conducted by a formal team consisting of a Fire Captain (Fire shift Supervisor) or above (Incident Commander or Fire Manager), Operation (Supervisor & above) and Maintenance (Supervisor & above). The Rescue Plan (ST-OMS-316.10-F10) shall be attached with a confined space entry permit at the site.

The Rescue Plan shall be approved /revalidated by the Fire Captain (Fire shift Supervisor) / Incident Commander / Fire Manager, before the start of any confined space entry and the Permit issuer shall notify the Fire Captain (Fire shift Supervisor) or above (Incident Commander or Fire Manager), about any change in the confined space during the time of entry.

The fire captain/ Incident Commander / Fire Manager is responsible for providing specifications of the Mechanical devices used for rescue purposes in the Rescue Plan.

Ventilation

Only pneumatic-driven blowers, fans and movers are allowed to ventilate the confined spaces. Fans and air movers shall be ensured that it is electrically bonded and grounded to the vessel. For any confined space, a minimum of 10 cycles of continuous air force ventilation is mandatory before conducting a gas test.

The ventilation rate inside the confined space including the ventilation rate in the breathing zone shall be 15-20 complete air changes per hour or one cycle every 3-4 minutes for a confined space. It can also be calculated by dividing the ventilating equipment flow rate (capacity) over the volume of confined space using the same unit system. Do not stop the ventilation system while personnel are inside the confined space.

During Entry

When personnel are inside the confined space, a signboard containing the following information must be posted at the point of entry of ground level as appropriate.

Interruption of Entry

When entry is interrupted for any reason, a signboard containing the following information must be posted at each point of entry.

Confined space work permit requirements/package

• Marked P&IDs (pipe and instrument drawing)
• Electrical layout, Blind list
• Approved formal JSA shall be attached to the confined space permit
• Rescue plan (in case of critical confined space)
• Ventilation pla

Formal JSA REQUIREMENTS

• Breakdown the job into sequence step
• Identify the hazards from activity, surrounding tools and equipment
• Conduct a risk assessment for each hazard
• Recommend risk control measure
• List down the responsible person for each recommendation
• Ensure JSA recommendations are implemented during site operation and performing the work as applicable.
• JSA shall be reviewed and approved.

Click here for details about JSA

Emergency Equipment Requirements

The following minimum equipment must be maintained and ready for emergency use at the point of entry:

• Appropriate length of lifeline.
• Self-contained, 60-minute positive pressure breathing air apparatus (Air Pak).
• Fire Extinguisher.
• Radio/Air horn or other adequate communication device(s) to summon additional help in case of an emergency

Consider the following points for hot work activities in confined spaces:

• Ensure adequate ventilation when performing hot work in a confined space.
• No gas torches shall be left unattended inside any confined space.
• Disconnect the hose at the regulator, if removal of the torches is impractical inside a confined space.
• Remove any flammable and combustible material from the area.
• Fire blankets shall be UL listed (Under Writer laboratory) FM approved (Factory Mutual) or any other certified, recognized international organization.
• Do not permit more than one Hot Work Activity at the same time in one confined space.

5. Excavation Work Permits

Excavation means any activity where the surface of the ground is penetrated starting from 10 cm depth.

All underground areas and services including foundations, pipelines, cables, drains and channels shall be identified (e.g. through P&IDs, site & plant layout drawings).

Use of a cable locator and/or other techniques such as exploratory excavation to identify the location of underground services shall be implemented.

If the presence of any underground services is indicated, the underground services shall be exposed and exactly located by hand tool excavation only.

No mechanical excavation shall be made within 1 meter of any underground services and is only allowed to a depth where it is confirmed that no services are in place.

The Excavation Work Permit is a basic Assessment of the excavation work to be conducted, which should be sufficient for most activities. If this Permit does not cover the total risk of the specified activities, a formal JSA shall be completed.

The requirements for barriers and signage.

The requirements for shoring and/or additional supports.

Excavation more than 1.2 meters ( 4 feet) deep shall be treated as work requiring a Confined Space Entry Permit in addition to the Excavation Work permit.

6.     Radiation Work Permit

To minimize the exposure to any radiation amount and risk associated with it; also to define safety requirements for working with or near radioactive source equipment, for additional information refer to the Ionizing Radiation procedure.

The radiation safety officer (RSO) is responsible for the survey of radiation levels around the sources and whenever it is required during NDT, to safeguard the safety of the personnel, and is responsible for maintaining the monitoring equipment, distribution and collection of TLD badges and documentation of personal exposure recorded.

RADIATION SAFETY OFFICER (RSO): A person who has been selected to be responsible for overseeing radiation safety in the organization.

7.     Lifting Permit

Lifting Permit controls any lifting operations which are essentially non-routine activities.

Lifting Operations: Lifting operations are the lifting of any load/object using a Crane (Fixed/Mobile) and chain block.

Lifting operations shall be controlled through a Lifting Permit, which is required in the Hazardous Assessment and Control Form in addition to the Lift Plan and shall be aligned with the Lifting Equipment procedure (ST-OMS-316.06) requirements on safe lifting.

The isolation of personnel from lifting operations (by barricading the affected area using physical barricades to create an exclusion zone) shall be considered in the Lifting Permit for the task.

Before starting lifting.

• Verify that the risks have been assessed, and the control and mitigation measures are in place.
• Verify safe conditions through workplace inspection.

Lifting Permit Implementation.

• Lifting operations shall be conducted by Affiliate competent staff, accredited contractors or sub-contractors engaged through contractors Affiliate accredited to manage sub-contractors.
• Personnel involved in lifting operations shall not walk under the load once the lift has commenced.
• Number of personnel, roles and certification references.
• References to associated documentation (Lifting Equipment inspection checklist, The Hazardous Assessment and Control Form, Formal JSA and Lifting Plan).
• Other proximity hazards e.g. lifting over live plants, overhead power cables, public roads, etc.
• Verification that specified lifting equipment has been visually inspected and certified by the Lifting Equipment Inspection Checklist in the Lifting Equipment procedure (ST-OMS-316.06) before the lift commences.
• Load integrity and dropped object inspections.
• Wind/weather (e.g. limitations of cranes, sail area of load).

Critical lifting

• Lifting of radioactive sources means RT equipment.
• Any lifting that equals or exceeds 75% of the crane's rated capacity within the life configuration of the crane.
• Tandem lifting and lifting with a jib crane.
•  Liftover live services/pipeline

8. High-pressure jetting (HPJ)

This section provides requirements for HP water jetting and sand Blasting Work permits using high-pressure jetting Work Permits (ST-OMS-316.10-F8). Where possible and available hands-free High-Pressure Water Jetting & Sand Blasting utilizing a machine shall be the preferred option to be followed. HPWJ shall only take place after the following steps have been completed.

Sandblasting Hazards

Abrasive blasting operations can create high levels of dust and noise. Abrasive material and the surface being blasted may contain toxic materials (e.g., lead paint, silica), hose rupture and de-attaching hoses, that are hazardous to workers.

Substitution

1. Use a less toxic abrasive blasting material.
2. Use abrasives that can be delivered with water (slurry) to reduce dust.

Isolation and Containment

• Use barriers and curtain walls to isolate the blasting operation from other workers.
• Use blast rooms or blast cabinets for smaller operations.
• Use restricted areas for non-enclosed blasting operations.
• Keep coworkers away from the blaster.
• Ventilation

Q-5.   Define work plan

SABIC - PERMIT PROCESS OVERVIEW

WORK ORDER - WORK PLAN

1 - Lifting plan

2 - Excavation clearance

3 - LOTO certificate

Q- 6: Define LOTO

Lockout/Tagout Certificate –means to provide a safe environment for performing maintenance, repair or replacement operations on process facilities by disconnecting or separating the energy sources, to protect the people and equipment. Isolation can apply in the following ways.....

Types of isolation

Ø  Mechanical/Process isolation

• ·        Physical disconnection-removal of pipe section by using blind flange.
• ·        Blinding/Blanking-different types of blinding like spade & spacer, spectacle blind, blind flange etc...)
• ·        Double block & bleed (bleed means vet & drain)-shutting two isolation valves and opening a bleed valve.
• ·        Double block- If double block with bleed isolation is not possible, double block isolation only could be acceptable with the required precautions, if backed (Samaritan) by the risk assessment.
• ·        Single block & bleed-used only when the reasonable possible alternative and the risk is acceptable.

Ø  Electrical isolation-LOTO - electrical, valve, telecommunication, energy sources include mechanical, hydraulic, and pneumatic (air), chemical, thermal, radioactive, gravity etc...

LOTO –is a safety procedure used in industry to ensure that dangerous machines are properly shut off and not able to be started again before the completion of maintenance or repair work.

LOTO process

Ø  Step 1 – Preparation for LOTO

Ø  Step 2 – Securing LOTO

Ø  Step 3 – Try out and verification (start the job)

Ø  Step 4 - LOTO removal

Q-7. Difference between hazard and risk

A risk is the chance, high or low, that any hazard will actually cause somebody harm. A hazard is something that can cause harm, e.g. electricity, chemicals, working up a ladder, noise, a keyboard, a bully at work, stress, etc.

Q-8. Define incident

There are two types of incidents:

1. May also be referred to as a “near‐miss”, “near‐hit”, “close call” or “dangerous occurrence”.
2. Accident

Q-09. What documents will be checked during crane lifting

Operator and rigger third party card (TUV), crane client inspection sticker, crane daily checklist, lifting plan and permit,

Q-10.  What is Flashpoint

The minimum temperature at which a liquid gives off vapour in sufficient concentration to form an ignited mixture with air near the surface.

Q-11. How many psi are in one bar?

 14.5 bar

Q-12. Ladder must be extended____________________ above the landing point.

3feet

Q-13. The grinder RPM must be the ________________ RPM of the grinding wheel.

LESS THAN

Q-14. ANSI standard for the safety glass is __________.

Z87.1

Q-15. The oxygen cylinder shall be stored a meter away from the combustible storage area.

20ft or 6.1 m

 Q-16. SABIC SHEM‐08 is _________________________

SHEM 08 is a safe work practice in SABIC. SHEM 08 has 11 sections:

1. General HSE rules
2. Laboratory HSE rules
3. Material handling and storage
4. Road transportation of materials
5. Electrical safety
6. Lifting equipment
7. Tools handling
8. PPEs
9. Working at height
10. Work permit
11. LOTTO

Q-17. What is a hazard assessment control form?

Click here for the answer

Q-18. What is a last-minute risk assessment?

Click here for the answer

Q-19. SHEM 8.1 General HSE rules?

Click here for the answer

Q-20. Responsibilities of a safety officer?

Click here for the answer

Q-21. What type of gloves are being used during the handling of hazardous chemicals?

Rubber gloves

Q-22. Define the PASS of fire.

Pull, aim, squeeze. sweep

Q-23. What is the cause of hazard marking no 4 in the health hazards?

Deadly

Q-23. As a safety officer, what is your prime responsibility?

Ensure the job is carried out with all safety requirements in place.

Q-24. Work platforms must have toe boards, mid rails, top rails and an access ladder once they reach a height of:

6 feet

Q-25. Excavation “Spoils” must be set back a minimum of _____ from the sides of the excavation.

2 meters

Q-26. The harness capacity of anchorage point‐-------------------------------------------------

5000 pounds

Q-27. the capacity of medium-duty scaffold per square foot‐------------

50 pounds

Q-28. IDLH: immediately dangerous to life and health above of H2S------------

100PPM

Q-29. PEL Permissible exposure limit of CO----------- 

25 PPM

Q-30. Compressed gas cylinder hazard and precaution

Hazard: compressed cylinder pose of fire and explosion, toxicity, oxygen displacement and

physical hazard.

Precaution: cylinder stored upright position and shadow place, don’t dragged or trapped, Empty

cylinders should be stored separately. valves should be closed when not in use.

Q-31. What is the NFPA Hazard Identification System please identify below diagram color scheme below?

It is a national fire protection association, and each section is used to identify a different category of potential hazard.

Red - flammability

Blue - health hazard

Yellow - stability and reactivity

White - Specific hazards such as carcinogenic, acid, base

Q-31. How do chemicals enter our body? How we can control it?

they can enter your body through four major routes.

1. Inhalation – gases and airborne particulates can be breathed in through your nose or mouth.
2. Absorption – chemicals, including dust, smoke or vapours, can enter your body through your skin or eyes.
3. Ingestion – chemicals can enter your body through your mouth.
4. Injection – chemicals can enter your body through an accidental impact, cut or puncture to your skin.

Q-32. What is a created opening?

Created opening - any open area such as (12" in the least dimension) open grating, open manhole, open floor, more than 8" deep excavation opening, pit etc… considered as a created opening.

Q-33. What is a line break?

Line break - means opening (for maintenance, cleaning etc...) of a pipe, line, or other part of a process that contains material capable of causing injury by temperature, pressure or chemical properties to people & environment. Before line break a hazard/risk assessment shall be made by knowledgeable persons with all necessary steps as indicated below shall be considered/documented...

• Reason for line break, include LOTO-specific procedure and try to achieve a zero-energy state.
• Methods to barricade area to reduce exposure potential while the system is (being) open.
• Consider immediate SDS control measures if something is wrong.
• Test the safety shower in the area, obtain and wear the appropriate PPE and ensure its condition is suitable for use.
• Clean up any spillage immediately and assign a qualified operator to be on standby during line breaks to act in case of emergency.

For more than 20 questions and answers about the SABIC safety interview, click here