G Morton May 2012
ESS Arrangements
For the management and control of Pressure Systems/Vessels
Introduction
ESS Managers have a duty to provide a safe workplace and safe work equipment.
ESS Managers are responsible for ensuring pressure systems/equipment are managed and controlled so as not to give rise to health and safety risks.
For further information re pressure systems click on this link to view the ACOP http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l122.pdf
(Note Appendix 1 of the ACOP provides advice about which systems/equipment are covered by the regulations) For more information on the pressure equipment regulations click on this link http://www.hse.gov.uk/pressure-systems/law.htm#regs1999
The main hazards are

impact from the blast/explosion or release of compressed liquid or gas

impact from parts of equipment that fail or any flying debris

contact with the released liquid or gas, such as steam and

fire resulting from the escape of flammable liquids or gases
The level of risk from the failure of pressure systems/equipment depends on a number of factors including

the pressure in the system

the type of liquid or gas and its properties

the suitability of the equipment and pipework that contains it

the age and condition of the equipment

the complexity and control of its operation

the prevailing conditions (eg a process carried out at high temperature) and

the skills and knowledge of the people who design, manufacture, install, maintain, test and operate the pressure equipment and systems.
The main regulations covering pressure equipment and pressure systems are the
Pressure Equipment Regulations 1999 and the Pressure Systems Safety
Regulations 2000.
Examples of pressure systems, vessels and equipment are:

Boilers and steam heating systems

Pressurised process plant and piping

Compressed air systems (fixed and portable)

Pressure cookers, autoclaves and retorts

Heat exchangers and refrigeration plant

Valves, steam traps and filters

Pipework and hoses and

Pressure gauges and level indicators.
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G Morton May 2012
The main causes of accidents/incidents involving pressure systems are:

poor equipment and/or system design

poor maintenance of equipment

unsafe systems of work

operator error, poor training/supervision

poor installation and

inadequate repairs or modifications
Controlling/managing pressure systems/equipment
ESS Managers responsible for controlling, managing and operating pressure systems/ equipment will ensure
 Equipment/systems are safe and suitable for the intended use/purpose eg are the right materials being used in the manufacturing process and are modifications/repairs being carried out properly?
 They know and understand the operating conditions of system/equipment including the characteristics of the relevant fluid in the system and the safe operating limits of the equipment.
 Suitable protective devices are installed and function correctly eg devices such as safety valves, bursting discs and electronic appliances, and ensure they are adjusted to their correct settings and in good working order at all times.
 Suitable Planned Preventative Maintenance is arranged and carried out including a whole-system maintenance programme that considers factors such as
 age, uses and the environment in which it is operated.
Make provision for appropriate training so that anybody who operates, installs, maintains, repairs, inspects or tests pressure equipment has the necessary skills and knowledge to carry out their job safely. Refresher training should be included.
 Arrangements are made for systems and equipment to be examined by a competent person (Insurance Engineer) as required under PSSR, including production of a written scheme of examination
(WSE) Note: for information on developing a WSE click on this link http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg178.pdf
, to be used by a competent person to carry out the examination – details in the PSSR Approved Code of Practice
(L122). Click here for the ACOP http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l122.pdf
 CDM - Where new pressure systems/pressure vessels are brought into use as part of a construction project then the project manager/project engineer/surveyor must ensure that all critical information relating to the equipments operation/use/test is available in the health and safety file, and that this information is passed to the ESS person responsible for its operations and maintenance.
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G Morton May 2012
Pressure Systems/Vessels - Flow Diagram
ESS staff given responsibility for controlling/managing pressure systems/vessels will use the process outlined below in the flow diagram to ensure they are subject to control, inspection and maintenance, including necessary thorough examinations by a competent person (Insurance Engineer) as required by legislation.
Note: Pressure systems have a wide definition and include a range of equipment eg boilers and steam heating systems; pressurised process plant and piping; compressed air systems (fixed and portable); pressure cookers, autoclaves and retorts; heat exchangers and refrigeration plant; valves, steam traps and filters; pipe work and hoses and pressure gauges/level indicators.
 (Note Appendix 1 of the ACOP provides advice about which systems/equipment are covered by the regulations) http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l122.pdf
The responsible person will identify and list all pressure systems where a relevant fluid is pressurised >0.5 Bar above atmospheric pressure
Note: steam <0.5 Bar is included
New Pressure systems:
ESS employees that purchase or otherwise bring into use new pressure systems (new installations
– new build refurb etc) must notify
Maintenance Team
Administration and
Insurance Section
Rationalisation: The responsible person will assess the need for, and condition of equipment and dispose/decommission equipment that is no longer required, or which is beyond repair .
The responsible person will arrange inspections/repair of all equipment, and provide updates to Maintenance
Team Administration as necessary
Maintenance Team Administration will update the ESS
Schedule for Pressure Systems as necessary
The responsible person will arrange as necessary: a programme of inspection
/maintenance for all pressure systems. Note: All records must be maintained for the life of the equipment
Maintenance Team Administration Support will provide a copy of the ESS Schedule Pressure Systems to the
University’s Insurance Section
The University’s Insurance Section will provide the Insurance
Company’s Engineer with a copy of the Schedule
The Insurance Company’s Engineer will develop a schedule of thorough examination for each system and examine the equipment as required.
Records arising from inspections and maintenance will be held on Maintenance Team
PPM data base
The Insurance Engineer will provide a report for each pressure system, the report detailing the condition and any necessary remedial action will be sent to ESS Maintenance
Team Administration
ESS Maintenance Team Administration will send copies of reports raised following thorough examination to the designated responsible person
ESS Maintenance Administration will forward copies of all
RIDDOR reports raised by the Insurance Engineer to the
ESS Health and Safety Management Group (and the designated ESS person responsible for managing or otherwise controlling the system)
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