Henrique Jaques | 901011 | 13th December 2013

Risk Assessment
CHEMICAL PROCESS MACHINE OPERATOR
PAGE 1
Job Description
A Chemical Process Technician is expected to work, usually, from 9am to 5pm, Monday to
Friday, with possibility of extra hours to meet project deadlines. As an example, he could work
on a seven-day shift system that might include weekends, evenings and nights. The working
time will be spent between the laboratory, office and processing plant. Peers consist of other
Chemical Process Technicians, Design Engineers, R&D Managers or even Plant Managers. Use of
laboratory equipment, computers, processing machinery and various chemical substances is to
be expected.
Products and Materials
As far as products and material used are concerned, they will be composed mostly by chemicals
compounds, both natural and synthetic, and petrochemicals, paints, coatings, adhesives, glass,
metals, polymers and ceramics.
Required Skills
Ability in mathematics and science, particularly chemistry;
Good problem-solving skills;
Planning and organizational ability;
Excellent computer skills;
The ability to manage projects, budgets and people;
Good spoken and written communication skills;
The ability to work as part of a team;
A clear understanding of wider commercial pressures.
Hazards
Potential hazards while handling such products and materials include:
Fire/Explosion Hazard, while handling petrochemicals;
Chemical Hazard, such as systemic poisons, asphyxiates, carcinogens, mutagens,
teratogens, irritants, allergens, sensitizers, anesthetics and narcotics;
Radiation, due to radioactive isotopes;
Temperature, due to highly exothermic reactions

PAGE 2
Risk Assessment

P Description
Chance
%
10 Very Likely 50
6 Likely, possible 10
3 Unusual, but possible 1
1 Could happen occasionally 0,1
1 Remotely possible 0,01
0 Unlikely 0,001
0 Most Unlikely, only theoretically possible 0,0001


S Type of Loss
Characteristic
People Damage
100 Sever Catastrophe Many fatalities above 10 M$
40 Disaster Few fatalities 1-10 M$
15 Very Serious Fatality 100 k$ - 1 M$
7 Serious Sever injury 10-100 k$
3 Important Absence 1-10 k$
1 Minor First Aid below 1 k$

R = P x E x S
Risk
Level
Actions
R>400 Very High Consider discontinuing operation
200<R<400 High Immediate correction required
70<R<200 Medium Correction, improvement required
20<R<70 Low Attention required
R<20 Negligible Additional action not required


E
Exposure
Description
10 Constantly
6 Frequently
3 Occasionally
2 Unusually
1 Rarely
1 Very Rarely
PAGE 3
Hazard Likelihood Exposure Type of loss
Risk
Level
Fire:
Dimethyl ether 1 2 15 30
Explosion:
Ethylene oxide 1 2 40 80
Chemical:
Ammonia 6 6 7 252
Formaldehyde 3 6 7 126
Benzene 3 2 15 90
Hydrocodone 1 3 7 21
Radiation:
Thorotrast 3 3 15 135
Temperature:
Aluminum and Bromine 3 6 7 126
Legend:
Corrosive Toxic Carcinogen Narcotic

According to this matrix, there are some things that should be resolved, namely the problem
with the High Risk with Chemical Hazards and some attention/solution should be put towards
the Radiation and Temperature Hazards.