INTRODUCTION
Environmental and safety regulations become more stringent for oil and gas pipeline. Now a day in order to ensure[S1 safety in gas pipeline periodic and sudden inspections are carried out by a regulatory body within the company or outside the company. Proper adherence to these regulations, periodic and sudden inspection are carried out to the oil and gas pipelines. In addition to [S2] Periodic and sudden inspection, a supervisory inspection team also monitors the field level inspection works to ensure adherence to the regulations and safe operation of the gas pipeline networks.
Observing regulation, sound inspection practice also ensures adherence to the regulations and smooth operation of the system to prevent accidental damages. This will ultimately save life, money and property. In Titas Gas Transmission & Distribution Company ltd. (TGTDCL), regular inspection becomes increasingly important, as the pipeline gets older. As this time of modern age, various sophisticated technologies, developed over the years for proper inspections of pipelines are available to us. TGTDCL is the oldest and largest utility service providing organization in the country. Company is bestowed with the responsibility to transmit and market the natural gas within her franchise area. In order to distribute and market natural gas to the consumers, construction of high pressure and low pressure gas pipelines are required and their safety is a key issue to the company.
1.1 Statement of the problems
TGTDCL started in 28th April 1968. Initially it started in Dhaka area. Later on it expands it’s franchises area within as on 30th June, 2005 the company had a network of 9195 Km pipeline [Appendix-A] and the total number of customer was 1041732. During 2004-2005 financial years, TGTDCL sold 9118.25 MMCM gas to its customers. In view of the above statistics, it is very important to ensure that the company follows the safety and environmental regulations and ensure it by regular inspection and other preventive measures. There are many drawback in administration, technical and logistic
support, trained manpower and careless users. To overcome these problems selected objectivity and methodologies are described below. The project will study the inspection practice in TGTDCL in light of the safety and environmental regulations of Bangladesh
1.2 Objectives:
° Study the inspection practices in TGTDCL and assess the effectiveness of the current practices.
° Identify rooms for improvement in the current practice.
° Suggest newer and / or different inspection technologies if applicable.
1.3 Outline of the methodology:
° Literature review of the modern inspection technologies and methods.
° Literature review for the health, safety and environmental regulations of
° Collection of data and information regarding the inspection practice within the company
° Assess the effectiveness of the current practice.
Suggest improvement and newer / different technologies and methods.
REVIEW OF STANDARD INSPECTION METHOED
2.1 Inspection Purpose
Regular inspections mean monitor worksite conditions, and work procedures ensure company’s safety standards and regulatory requirements are being followed or not. They also enable to identify the associated hazards before these become problem. It also reveals where improvements are needed, such as: - equipment, work procedures, worker training or worksite conditions.
The end result of the inspection would be a list of potential problems and suggest corrective measures. To ensure health and safety, employees, contractors and subcontractors should follow the standard inspections procedures or methods and suggest corrective measures if necessary. All inspection findings and corrective measures should be documented and shared with others in the worksite.
2.2 Types of Company Inspections
Company inspections should be include
1. General Site Inspections
2. Equipment and Vehicle Inspection
2.2.1 General Site Inspections
General sites include all field and office worksites, work camps and company leisure areas such as employee lounges and cafeterias. All these sites should be regularly inspected for any possible hazards to health, including unsafe work practices and conditions.
Inspections should be scheduled according to the hazards at the sites and the work, i.e. a gas pipeline may require regular inspections.
Worksite inspections should assess the:
° physical layout and conditions of the site, including location, terrain, season and weather
° hazards of materials being handled
° condition of equipment and tools used
° work practices and behaviour of people at the site (employees, contractors, subcontractors, visitors and clients )
° level and quality of supervision given to workers
Physical hazards
Site, equipment and material hazards checklists are:-
° Slipping and tripping hazards
° Presence of noxious gases
° Faulty or missing emergency equipment
° Improper or missing signs
° Faulty machinery, cables, ties downs, etc.
° Poor house keeping
° Confined spaces
° Inadequate or missing personal protective equipment blocked exits
° Overhead hazards
° Electrical hazards
° Difficult terrain for vehicular or personal movement
° Flammable, corrosive or explosive materials
° Missing material safety data sheets
Safety Inspector has the right to inspect any item/equipment either online or may order to remove for further inspection in workshop. All site personnel must co-operate with the Safety Inspector. If any serious violations of safety rules are found, safety inspector / Officer can issue a stop to work order.
