Safe Work Procedure Ammonia Compressor Room Entry

SAFE WORK PROCEDURE –AMMONIA COMPRESSOR ROOM ENTRY

This safe work procedure seeks to establish a safe and consistent means for entering the Compressor Room. It complies with all applicable regulations and standards and is consistent with education and training provided to all entrants of the Compressor Room.

The following procedure is applicable to all Compressor Room **entrants and failure to comply will result in disciplinary action.

**Entrants would typically include the following:

Arena Attendants, the Lead Hand, the Department Head (Director) Electricians and maintenance Contractors,WSBC and BCSA Inspectors and the Osoyoos Fire Department.

Entry requirements: Entrants must possess a Class 4 or 5 Power Engineering Certificate or a Refrigeration Safety Awareness Officer Certificate. Anyone without this certification must be accompanied by someone with this classification at all times.

PROCEDURE

Make sure you satisfy the above entry requirements.
Make sure you are not wearing contact lenses.
Inform your Supervisor or a Co-Worker that you are entering the Compressor Room.
Look at the ammonia concentration gauge located in the Vestibule. Make sure the reading is below 300ppm. DO NOT ENTER IF THE LEVELS ARE ABOVE 300 ppm.
Obtain your full-face respirator and be sure it has been fit tested within in the past 12 months. Check to make sure there is no facial hair on your face where the respirator seals against your skin. An escape respirator may also be used.
You must carry your respirator with you at all times and put it on when:

Concentrations are greater than 25ppm and less than 300ppm.
An audible or visual alarm activates while you’re in the Compressor Room. (Once you have donned your respirator, leave the Compressor Room immediately).
Undertaking the task of draining the Oil Pots (See Safe Work Procedure).
Minor fluctuations in ammonia concentration levels are being investigated.
You encounter a strong smell of Ammonia

Complete your work/fill out plant logs then inform your Supervisor or Co-worker when you exit the Compressor Room.

NOTE:

The audible alarm activates when the Ammonia concentration level has reached or surpassed 300 ppm. This means the Compressor Room must be activated immediately. Once you have evacuated to the Pre-Entry Room, look at the Ammonia concentration gauge and follow the directions for the applicable concentration displayed on the gauge.

THIS SAFE WORK PROCEDURE MUST BE REVIEWED, ADAPTED AND ADOPTED PRIOR TO IMPLEMENTATION.

THIS INCLUDES A TEST DRILL TO ENSURE THE PROCEDURE IS SITE-ACCURATE