EQ conducted an extensive assessment of the OSHA compliance status of a large metallurgical facility. In this evaluation of the facility's entire process operations, several potential areas of concern were observed and reported to the client. A plan of action was prepared to address the issues in order of priority.

As part of this study, the IH staff monitored the client's personnel with the highest exposure rates to heavy particulate fugitive dust. This analysis lead to recommendations which were enacted to improve the airborne conditions for the plant's personnel.

EQ conducted a compliance status assessment of selected processes and operations at two facilities. This assessment followed the guidelines established in the OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) Standard (29 CFR 1910.119) and the proposed EPA (40 CFR 68) Risk Management Program for Accidental Release Prevention (RMP). The purpose of the assessment was to ensure compliance with the 14 PSM program elements and to develop a comprehensive implementation plan to estimate PSM and RMP resource needs. The assessment involved: 1) interviews with key management personnel, 2) reviews of documents that define the 14 PSM system requirements and reviews of records designed to verify the status of critical tasks, 3) facility inspections, and 4) identification of resources available to address system deficiencies. At the completion of the site assessment, a written implementation plan was presented covering all program elements needed for compliance including prioritization of the order in which the process hazard analysis will be accomplished, and the resources, timing, and estimated costs/manpower needed to achieve compliance.

EQ also provided process safety management (PSM) technical support for processes in the coke plant byproducts recovery area and in the steel plant where highly hazardous chemicals are present above regulatory threshold quantities. Affected processes in the coke byproducts area included the light oil recovery plant and the phenol plant where benzene is the PSM-regulated chemical. Affected processes in the steel plant included chlorination systems serving the powerhouse, pump house, and water treatment plant and a production coating line where chlorine and hydrogen, respectively, are the PSM-regulated chemicals. Nine of the 12 program elements of the OSHA PSM standard were identified for inclusion in the scope of work developed by EQ industrial hygienists and chemical engineers. These program elements included employee participation, pre-startup safety review, emergency planning and response, incident investigation, contractor program, mechanical integrity, management of change, process hazard analysis (PHA), and compliance audits. Written programs were prepared to address each of these programs, and written reports were prepared for separate PHAs completed for the six affected processes in the coke byproducts area and steel plant.

EQ serves the Air Force through a contract which provides technical support worldwide in four major categories: Public Health -- risk assessments; Industrial Hygiene -- recognition, evaluation, and control of workplace hazards including ergonomics, air quality, asbestos, lead-based paint, and noise; Radiation -- both ionizing and non-ionizing radiation studies; and Environmental Health -- pollution prevention studies, and air, water, and waste management compliance. These tasks include sampling and analysis of water, soils, sludges, air, commercial products, and fuels for physical, chemical, and biological pollutants and contaminants in media such as environmental, medical, hazardous, radiological, and solid waste.

EQ's multidisciplinary staff provide key services covering the total spectrum of your environmental engineering requirements from project planning to complex site assessment/remediation projects. This listing contains just a few of the projects that EQ has completed for our clients.

If you would like additional information or if you have any questions concerning these projects please contact Bob McCullough at (800) 229-7495.