RISK ASSESSMENT No
Page 1 of 2
RA025-C

Work Activity:
Draining oil (ammonia plant)
Thornliebank Industrial Estate Glasgow G46 8JW
Tel: 0141 638 7916
Fax: 0141 638 8111
Site/Location:
Various site locations
Those at Risk
Y/N Comments - enter names or general groups
Star Employees:
Y
Maintenance, Service and Installation Engineers and Assistants
Other workers:
N
General Public:
N
Comments: No young person (under 18 years) will be allowed to carryout draining oil unless a competent person
closely supervises them.
Hazards
1. Escape of ammonia under pressure during oil draining.
2. Rupture of oil/ammonia collecting vessels due to over pressurisation.
3. Restricted access (drain pots are frequently sited under surge drums or in other inconvenient locations making
escape difficult.
4. Reflex movement in the event of a sudden gas release.
5. Environmental hazard due to rupture or incorrect storage of waste oil
Control Measures (existing or planned)
Control
PPE:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Details
Safety boots with a heel, good grip and steel toe cap (200 joule)
Overalls/protective clothing (non-absorbent if possible). An apron may also be worn.
Safety goggles (to BS EN 166-349B)
Nitrile impervious gloves to BS EN 374
Hard hat
RPE - Full face mask respirator to BS EN 136 fitted with filter cartridge type K2 P3 should
be available.
Equipment:
1. Empty container for waste oil
2. Hose pipe to allow oil to flow into container
3. Check that a supply of drench water is immediately available for dilution of ammonia
splashes to the skin, eyes or clothing. Acceptable supplies in order of preference are (1)
Emergency shower or (2) Tap with hose connected or (3) Two 9 litre buckets of fresh
water.
Information,
Instruction, and
Training
1. System operating and maintenance manual
2. System diagram of connections
3. Only Star engineers experienced in handling ammonia will drain the oil. They may have an
apprentice or assistant helping them or observing the operation.
4. Eye protection must be worn when opening any refrigeration system.
5. RPE may be required in circumstances where significant amounts of ammonia vapour is
evolving from the drained or draining oil. DO NOT WEAR RPE UNLESS YOU ARE
TRAINED
6. Wear impervious gloves to prevent ammonia/oil contacting the hands.
RISK ASSESSMENT No
Page 2 of 2
RA025-C
Control Measures Continued
Control
Supervision:
Environment;
Procedures,
documents etc
COSHH:
Communications:
Emergency
action/procedures
Access:
Waste:
Details
Supervisors must;
1. Ensure engineers are trained in the safe use of the RPE.
2. Ensure that RPE is subject to recorded monthly maintenance checks (a requirement under
COSHH)
3. Ensure that engineers are appropriately trained in handling ammonia
4. Satisfy themselves that oil can be drained safely from individual plants. This may require
the writing of site specific risk assessments for unusual or difficult oil draining operations
1. The plant room ventilation should be force run and a door left open to the outside if
possible.
CHECK YOUR ESCAPE ROUTE IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
1. Oil drain pots should not be isolated from the system unless a suitably rated relief valve is
fitted.
2. An assistant or observer should be stationed in the clear air within sight of the person
draining the oil to sound alarm should there be excessive ammonia trapped in the oil and
the engineer is overcome.
1. The COSHH or product data sheet for the oil being drained and for ammonia should be
read.
1. The site maintenance manager should be told that oil is going to be drained.
1. Rescue and action in case of a Leak should be according to the site safety action plan.
2. First Aid procedures are included in Star Technical Bulletin No101
1. Access to the area should be strictly controlled by the engineer draining the oil.
1. Waste oil must be handed to the client or a registered waste operator.
2. Drums of waste oil may be stored indoors or outdoors but if storing outdoors this must be in
a suitable bund.
3. Leave the drum open to prevent refrigerant entrained within the oil over pressurising and
bursting the drum. However, when storing drums indoors, ensure that the amount of
ammonia evolving from the drum is not excessive and does not present an additional
hazard in the area.
4. Label the drum to indicate contents.
5. When handing the oil to a waste operator a waste transfer note must be obtained.
Risk Evaluation of Identified Hazards
Likelihood
Highly unlikely = 1
Unlikely = 2
Likely = 3
Severity
Slightly harmful = 1
Harmful = 2
Extremely harmful = 3
(Likelihood x Severity = Risk level) 1 = Trivial, 2 = Tolerable, 3-4 = Moderate, 6 = Substantial, 9 = Intolerable
Identified Hazards (base scores on existing or planned control measures)
Triv' Tol'
Mod' Sub' Int'
1. Escape of ammonia under pressure during oil draining.
2x1
2
2. Rupture of oil/ammonia collecting vessels due to over pressurisation. 1x3
3
3. Restricted access (drain pots are frequently sited under surge drums or in
other inconvenient locations making escape difficult)
1x3
3
4. Reflex movement in the event of a sudden gas release.
1x2
2
5. Environmental hazard due to rupture or incorrect storage of waste oil 1x2
2
Note:
Moderate scores; Thought should be given to reducing risk, but the cost and time requirements of prevention
should be carefully considered and limited.
Substantial:
Work should not be started until the risk has been reduced, for work in progress, urgent
action is required. Considerable resources may have to be allocated.
Intolerable:
If unlimited resources cannot reduce risk, work will be prohibited.
Is risk adequately controlled using the above control measures Y/N
State further action required:
Y
If "NO" State further action required
Note : This risk assessment is only valid when all control measures are in place before the work or activity
commences and will be reviewed 18/02/2012 or earlier if the nature of the work changes or there is a
dangerous occurrence.
Assessor:
Chris Haslam
(Sign)
Date 18/2/2011
References:
HSE Guidance Note PM81 Safe management of ammonia refrigeration systems,
Star Technical Bulletin No101
Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations 2002 (COSHH)