AAOM Handbook

Appendix 3 – Hazard Release Mechanisms

• Design - fatigue, chemical action, wear and fouling are all, to some extent, 'designed in' to a process based on the purpose of the process and the choice of technologies for its implementation. • Operation - wear, stress and fouling can be influenced by the age of process elements, operating rates, operating conditions, feed materials, maintenance and process shutdown/start-up cycles etc. • People - the errors, omissions or deliberate actions of people, resulting in changes to operating procedures/limits or material/equipment specifications, can lead to stress, chemical action or wear. • Environment; o Commercial - innovation and competition may lead to obsolescence of product, services or technology. o Natural – e.g. flood, tornado, hurricane, volcanic eruption, earthquake, or landslide can lead to stress, erosion, or silting. o Social – e.g. social unrest or sovereign risk may lead to damage or changes to expectations, standards, laws etc.