Risk management in belt conveyors is extremely important for the smooth running of conveyors in general.
According to the international standard, which aims to establish the elements and conduct for risk management, risk can be defined as the result of uncertainty in the expected objectives. Uncertainty, in turn, consists of the absence of concrete data regarding an event, its understanding, the probability of its occurrence and the resulting consequences.
Existing hazards must be documented and controlled appropriately due to the incidence of risks in locations and equipment. During the operation, the professional who will conduct the risk study must plan the time and resources needed to complete this management. Some risks with a higher degree of magnitude may require detailed analysis by specialists in the discipline covered, while others may have a low enough risk not to require more detailed studies.
The importance of choosing carriers for risk management
In the day-to-day life of companies that handle bulk solids, the choice of conveyors that will be the subject of a more detailed study can depend on a number of factors. Some of the issues that can have a significant influence on the choice of these assets are:
- State of conservation of civil and metallic structures, as well as mechanical components;
- Proximity to the sea, particulate emissions or other sources of corrosion;
- Whether the conveyor is low to the ground or elevated;
- Criticality of the equipment to the production process. In this respect, it is important to know whether the object under analysis is simple or has redundancy;
- Access to the object, as well as how to operate and maintain it;
- Claims history.
From a safety point of view, these analyses should ideally be carried out on equipment periodically, from the moment it is designed, in order to mitigate the possibility of accidents. In this context, even a visual inspection of the structural part is recommended to be carried out under the lights of risk management in which these will be identified, analyzed and evaluated, defining the actions required for their treatment.
How can risk management be carried out efficiently on belt conveyors?
Having established this scenario, there is plenty of scope for applying risk management tools. In the bulk solids handling market, such as mining, ports and agricultural companies, there are countless belt conveyors that have been in operation for years, with different manufacturers and types of maintenance.
Therefore, the methodology proposed for this risk management must be easy to use for the staff involved in preserving the asset.
When carrying out this type of analysis, it is essential to know which phase of the project the carrier is at in order to define the tool.
There are several stages, some of which are
1. Project design;
2. Project detailing;
3. Construction planning;
4. Commissioning;
5. Operation;
6. Maintenance.
Ideally, it's best to start analyzing and managing risk right from the project's conception, so that the practices are more effective and require a lower investment cost.
Tools needed for risk management on belt conveyors
Risk management can vary from the use of simpler tools for less complex risks, to processes with a high degree of difficulty, involving mathematical modeling.
A wrong choice of tool can negatively affect confidence in the risk management process. In short, the two most common mistakes in selection are:
- Opting for a tool that is not capable of effectively analyzing, evaluating and defining the treatment of risk;
- Opting for a more complex and/or time-consuming tool than is really necessary given the simplicity of the analysis and the clarity of the treatment.
Risk identification is a crucial phase in this management process. If this phase is not carried out properly, the other steps are compromised. To identify the risks that exist in the field for conveyors, it is a good idea to start the risk management journey by using a checklist, which should be completed during the field inspection of the belt conveyor that is undergoing maintenance or operation. Vale that the checklist is also suitable for other stages of the asset's life.
Checklist for risk management
The checklist should be drawn up based on compliance with the standards corresponding to the object, as well as the expertise of the team involved. After completing the checklist, a brainstorming or consolidation meeting is recommended.
In this way, undesirable hazards can be grouped so that a probability and impact associated with each risk can be assigned. Therefore, in addition to the checklist, another tool can be used to identify risks associated with the checklist.
Risk management requires deciding on the level and priority of hazards. At this stage, risks can be determined as tolerable, unacceptable or subject to mitigation.
During the risk treatment stage, existing controls are evaluated and the need for new supplies to mitigate or eliminate the danger is defined. In this process, there is a great deal of interaction between the assessment and treatment of the threat. At all times, as recommended in the risk standards, attention must be paid to monitoring the stages of the analysis, as well as communicating the study carried out efficiently to all those involved.
Conclusion
Risk management is an extremely important issue in the industrial context as a whole. With it, it is possible to identify, analyze and treat risks from various sources, which could cause the most diverse damage, be it financial, humanitarian, health and/or environmental.
The methodology adopted by Kot Engenharia for risk management in belt conveyors has as one of its main advantages its wide application in countless types of conveyors. In addition, as it does not require complex computational studies, it does not involve a large investment cost.
Kot has the necessary experience to identify, record, analyze, and develop intervention plans related to the risks involved in its companies' activities. Consult our team for more information!
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References:
[1] BRAZILIAN ASSOCIATION OF TECHNICAL STANDARDS (ABNT). NBR 13743:1996. Inspection guide for continuous conveyors in operation - Belt conveyors. Rio de Janeiro.
[2] BRAZILIAN ASSOCIATION OF TECHNICAL STANDARDS (ABNT). NBR 13742:2009. Continuous conveyors - Belt conveyors - Safety procedures. Rio de Janeiro.
[3] BRAZILIAN ASSOCIATION OF TECHNICAL STANDARDS (ABNT). NBR 13862:2017. Continuous conveyors - Belt conveyors - Safety requirements for design. Rio de Janeiro.
[4] CEMA (CONVEYOR EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION). TR 2015 - 01 - Recommended CEMA Risk Assessment Process, 2015.
[5] FERREIRA, AENDER LUCIO BARBOSA - METHODOLOGY FOR RISK ASSESSMENT IN MINING EQUIPMENT APPLIED TO BELT CONVEYORS
[6] ISO. ISO 31000: 2009. Risk management-Principles and guidelines. International Organization for Standardization, 2009.
[7] JOY, Jim; GRIFFITHS, Derek. National Minerals Industry Safety and Health Risk Assessment Guideline, Minerals Industry Safety and Health Centre (MISHC), University of Queensland, Australia, 2005.
[8] JOY, J. Occupational safety risk management in Australian mining. Occupational medicine, v. 54, n. 5, p. 311-315, 2004.
[9] MAQOHSC (MINING AND QUARRYING OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY COMMITTEE). MAQFRM-001 - Conveyor Safety Inspection Checklist, 2015.
[10] MINISTRY OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT. Regulatory Standard No. 12 - Safety at Work in Machinery and Equipment. Ordinance of the Secretariat of Labor Inspection - SIT - No. 233 of 09.06.2011.
[11] MINISTRY OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT. Regulatory Standard No. 22 - Occupational Health and Safety in Mining. Ordinance of the Secretariat of Labor Inspection - SIT - No. 202 of 26.01.2011.
