Abstract
Dust and gas explosions are characterized by damage to property and fatal consequences related to their occurrence. Despite laws, regulations, and standards to prevent and mitigate explosions, dust and explosions are a recurring event in South African industries. This study aimed at identifying if a gap existed between South African local regulations and standards to prevent and mitigate industrial explosions. A comparative literature review was done to identify the international best practice regulations and standards. Risk reduction measures presented in the hierarchy of loss prevention control such as inherent safety, passive engineered safety, active engineered safety, and procedural safety were reviewed to incorporate process safety human factor and company culture as additional contributing factors to dust and gas explosions. A survey questionnaire was structured using the principles from the hierarchy of loss prevention control and recommended local and international regulations and standards. The survey was distributed to professionals and experts in the edible oil industry. The responses received show that three knowledge gaps exist within the industry professionals and experts. The knowledge gaps are within the following principles of the hierarchy of loss prevention control: (i) Inherent safety - respondents showed a lack of awareness and utilization of area classification information. The lack of exposure can be attributed to manufacturing companies outsourcing the design of processes and plants and area classifications to engineering design and consultancy companies. (ii) Engineered safety - respondents lack awareness of the significance of passive barriers that are within their systems. This can result in poor decision-making when encountering an emergency- as the knowledge of the safer areas of the plants or site is poor within respondents. (iii) Process safety management - inconsistent responses were noted with 9 respondents (53%) showing confident awareness but 11 respondents (65%) claim to utilize the principles...
M.Phil. (Engineering Management)