HEALTH & SAFETY
HOW OBSOLETE PARTS CONTRIBUTE TO WORKERS’ SAFETY
Neil Ballinger, head of EMEA at EU Automation, explains how correct obsolescence management can keep production at optimal levels by preventing unsafe work environments and further chemical plant damage.
for smaller chemical processing companies, with expenses coming from repair costs, lost production, quality assurance (QA) issues and contractual compensation. New parts, although usually cheaper upfront than obsolete parts, can lead to further lost revenue if surrounding legacy equipment requires updating to function. Part failure is especially important in the chemical processing industry, where there may be dangerous substances in high-pressure environments. For example, the recent 2,500- gallon sulfuric acid spilled at a Shell cracker plant in Pennsylvania, USA, was caused by a single flange valve failure. Not only can a failure lead to possible damage to other machinery but is also a hazard to workers and the maintenance team needing to conduct repairs. The need for specific clean-up operations and PPE for repairs can only further the costs and prolong downtime. It has long been known that incidents in the chemical processing industry might be caused by single parts. For example, piping causes a third of failures, with a third of these leading to fire and explosion. Monitoring ageing equipment is crucial, and sourcing obsolete parts can ensure ease of replacement for equipment with high failure potential, avoiding the need for system-wide replacement and further downtime.
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COMPLIANCE Due to the strict regulations surrounding the chemical processing industry, including the 2015 Control of Major Accident Hazards
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2021 Senseye report found that among the Fortune 500 Global list, oil and gas companies lose $46 billion a year to unplanned downtime. Downtime caused by machine failure can be damning
Regulations, the testing of equipment feeds into the cost of downtime. When legacy equipment fails and a new part is installed, the equipment will need retesting and recertification to ensure compliance. If the rest of the system needs adapting, the whole production line will need retesting as well. This is where obsolete parts can help. Obsolete parts are those that have been discontinued by the manufacturer and can include second-hand parts or refurbished used parts. Such parts can help reduce downtime in chemical processing as they are identical to the failed part and are already compliant to regulations. The rarity of unused obsolete parts can
make them especially difficult to track down unless users purchase them from a credible provider, such as EU Automation, which provides components from all the major automation suppliers such as Omron, Mitsubishi, Indramat and others. EU Automation supplies globally, usually with same day delivery, and a full one-year warranty. The speed at which replacement obsolete
parts can be delivered to manufacturers, leading to reduced downtime, maintenance of system compliance, and the freedom from system adaptation, makes obsolete parts a cost-effective option for chemical manufacturers. Warrantied obsolete parts reassure manufacturers that failure is unlikely, ensuring the safety of workers, which is an overlooked priority in the industry. Safe environments are crucial for maintaining production, for both the workers, the machines, and the reputation of your business.
EU Automation
www.euautomation.com
floor signal markers, available now from workplace visual communications and safety products specialist Beaverswood. Manufactured from tough and hard-
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wearing PVC, the anti-slip, self-adhesive markers, which include new directional feet designs, can be quickly laid down to indicate clearly where people can walk in hazardous areas such as walkways and forklift truck routes, or step safely when accessing pallet positions or block stacking areas. This improves overall safety in busy
warehouses and other industrial workspaces, better protecting people against the risk of injury or harm caused by bumping into storage racking systems, tripping over floor pallets or colliding with vehicles.
IMPROVE WAREHOUSE SAFETY WITH FLOOR SIGNAL MARKERS
he quick and easy marking out and identification of safe walkways and access points on warehouse floors is provided by a range of high visibility
Capable of withstanding the rigorous
wear and tear caused by the daily abrasion of FLTs, wheeled pallet trucks and general footfall, the markers are available in a choice of six eye-catching colours – yellow, red, white, green, black, blue – for high visibility. A selection of handy sizes is also available in packs of 10, 50 and 100: T- shape 200mm x 300mm, plus shape 300mm x 300mm, arrow 90mm x 90mm, foot symbol 300mm x 100mm, L-shape 200mm x 200mm and 90mm circle diameter. The floor signal markers are part of an extensive range of cost effective, high- quality Beaverswood products that improve the efficiency, safety and sustainability of the physical workplace. These include labelling and signage products, waste segregation and collection systems, 5S visual communication solutions and specialist impact protection, racking protection and warehouse safety products.
Beaverswood
www.beaverswood.co.uk
Autumn 2022 UKManufacturing
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