Health and Safety Feature Library

Operations Engineer's library catalogues editorial features going back five years.

Access to all archive material is free to all, including non-members of IPlantE (the Institution of Operations Engineers) or BES (Bureau of Engineer Surveyors), under the umbrella of SOE (Society of Operations Engineers). However, to discover the many benefits of becoming an SOE member, please click here.

14/11/2022 Lighting for ATEX environments Illuminating hazardous and explosive environments can be quite a technical matter. Codes specify the technical solutions appropriate to the risks. By Toby Clark » Read More

14/11/2022 Determining access rights for facilities Whether talking about a machine, robot, room or entire building, how is it best to ensure safety by restricting employee access? By Steed Webzell » Read More

31/10/2022 What’s up with HAZOPs? A hazard and operability study (HAZOP) is a type of risk assessment used for chemical process systems at the design and planning stage. It was first created as part of ICI’s six-stage hazard study process in the 1960’s, and subsequently ... » Read More

17/10/2022 Digital transfer for safety data Four regional automotive manufacturer and supplier associations have endorsed a free and open-source digital transfer system of chemicals safety data sheets, ESDScom, in a joint position statement, an edited version of which is published ... » Read More

23/09/2022 Visualising the invisible Umicore shines a light on gas sensors at work » Read More

23/09/2022 Making the grade Calibrating and maintaining a gas analyser is a critical business, with the potential of fines and even plant shutdowns for any companies reporting incorrect readings. By Steed Webzell » Read More

21/09/2022 Documenting Ex repairs Wherever there are gaseous atmospheres and dust, there is the potential for explosions with disastrous results. It is easy to see why legislation relating to hazardous areas and ensuring it is followed is important. When repairing ... » Read More

21/09/2022 Bulking up Using the right kind of bulk bags and handling equipment is paramount for the transportation, storage, processing and packaging of many solid materials – as is ensuring the highest levels of safety. By Brian Wall » Read More

18/07/2022 What's up with HAZOPs? A hazard and operability study (HAZOP) is a type of risk assessment used for chemical process systems at the design and planning stage. It was first created as part of ICI’s six-stage hazard study process in the 1960’s, and subsequently ... » Read More

17/05/2022 Rising up to the challenge The post-Grenfell Building Safety Bill aims to alter substantively how the welfare of high-rise buildings is managed – but the late-stage removal of the building safety manager role has caused some misgivings. By Brian Wall » Read More

17/05/2022 Beyond REACH What does a government-imposed delay to the implementation of UK REACH regulations mean for chemical plants and their supply chains? By Steed Webzell » Read More

13/04/2022 PPE changes for the workforce: guidance for employers With new PPE regulations that came into force on 6th April, under the Personal Protective Equipment at Work (Amendment) Regulations 2022, employers that supply safety equipment to employees must carefully assess their health and safety ... » Read More

14/03/2022 Workplace permitting and digital safety Yokogawa makes the case for a digital approach to safety management of plant operations, as it launches a new version of its RAP control-to-work software » Read More

19/01/2022 Understanding explosive atmospheres Many different industrial environments can contain explosive atmospheres containing gases, vapours, mists or dusts. Such environments present a very significant risk. Equipment operating in these environments must, therefore, be properly ... » Read More

18/11/2021 Missed opportunity in gas detection? Data not only has a role to play in driving automation and improving efficiency but critically has the ability to make positive changes to a range of strategic workplace issues. One of the most compelling of which is the potential to ... » Read More

11/11/2021 PPE: Up close and personal In the wake of supply failures and often mediocre quality PPE equipment during the pandemic, a new conformity assessment process is now in force for placing all forms of such protective wear on the market. By Brian Wall » Read More

14/10/2021 Drone detection Drone technology is being utilised to detect leaks in gas pipelines and storage facilities; it is quicker and more accurate than manual methods » Read More

05/10/2021 Fire risks in AD facilities Anaerobic digestion (AD) facilities are becoming ever more common in the UK, as a means of generating energy, in the form of biogas, from agricultural waste products that would otherwise contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. But as the ... » Read More

23/09/2021 She who watches the watchers Jane Nash is Allianz Engineering’s new health, safety and quality manager for its 600 engineering surveyors in engineering, construction and power business that inspect plant and equipment across industry for safety and compliance ... » Read More

23/09/2021 Asbestos in the rail network As with any other sector, it is essential that sufficient information regarding the potential location of asbestos is recorded prior to carrying out any demolition, repair or refurbishment work. It is equally important for rail workers to ... » Read More

14/05/2021 The case for industrial sprinkler systems In early April, when industrial fires broke out in two different locations, they both had the same devastating outcome. Neither building contained a sprinkler system and both businesses are now counting the cost of the damage and dealing ... » Read More

08/04/2021 The enemy in the room In a further move to protect the workforce, HSE inspectors are targeting firms that flout the rules on dealing with dust hazards. And high on the list of offenders is hardwood. By Brian Wall » Read More

11/02/2021 Thermal imaging to pinpoint methane leaks Methane is roughly 30 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide – which has made detecting and tackling the massive leakages across the oil & gas industry ever more urgent, reports Brian Wall » Read More

14/01/2021 Measuring access platform safety A new report from a trade association brings together, for the first time, reports of incidents and accidents involving powered access platforms. The data pinpoints the key safety risks of these ever-more essential site machines » Read More

07/01/2021 A nation alone - protecting the safety of lone workers Since March, many office staff have switched to work at home most or all of their time, many of whom are essentially lone workers. Merely relying on the day-to-day business activity may not be enough to protect all members of staff » Read More