Bhopal accident could safe if all the safety precautious could be taken PSRM Process safety Risk Management is a nice to stop any where. Safe the Humans, by ANK

1. Engro Polymer & Chemicals Ltd.
Importance of (PSRM)
Process Safety Risk Management.
Bhopal Disast er
On December 3, 1984, a Union Carbide plant in Bhopal leaked 42 tons of
toxic methyl isocyanate gas, leading to the Bhopal disaster. The
official death toll of the disaster was about 3,000 initially. A more
probable figure is that 8,000 died within two weeks, and it is
estimated that an additional 8,000 have since died from gas related
diseases. Greenpeace cites a total casualty figure of 20,000 as its
conservative estimate. The Bhopal disaster is often cited as the
World's Worst Industrial Disaster. December 3 is observed as black day.
Every year all government offices in Bhopal remain closed on this day.
What Happened
During the night of December 3rd 1984, large amounts of
water entered tank 610, containing 42 tons of methyl
isocyanate. The resulting reaction generated a major
increase in the temperature of liquid inside the tank
to over 200°C (400°F). The MIC holding tank then gave
off a large volume of mixed toxic gases, forcing the
emergency release of pressure. The reaction was sped up
by the presence of iron from corroding non-stainless
steel pipelines (Design failure). Massive panic
resulted as people woke up in a cloud of gas that
burned their lungs. Thousands died from the gas and
many were trampled in the panic.
PSRM
Application of management systems and controls (programs, procedures, audits, evaluations ) to manufacturing or chemical process
in a way that process hazards are identified, understood, and controlled so that process- related injuries and incidents (which might
effect plant personnel, contactors or off- site communities ) are prevented.
Failures of the accident, clearly showing the PSRM importance.
 The plant location (located near a densely populated area, instead of the other side of town where it had been offered land), PHA not
conducted, worst case scenario was not available
 Using hazardous chemicals (MIC) instead of less dangerous ones. Process design failure.
 Storing these chemicals in large tanks.
 Possible corroding material in pipelines. (Mechanical integrity or maintenance procedures not applied.)
 Poor maintenance of the plant. (Maintenance procedure & Training of the staff failure).
 Failure of several safety systems (due to poor maintenance and regulations). HHP maintenance & safety critical equipments importance.
 Lack of on-site emergency plan. (ERP was not covering out side community plan).
 Lack of investment in plant safety & Management neglect,
 Cost-cutting erodes safety,
PSI, PHA, Operation & Maintenance procedures, Safe work practices, Quality Assurance, Mechanical Integrity, Personal training and
performance, Emergency planning & Response, and Auditing procedure could safe the accident from happening.
(PSRM) A KEY OF THE PROCESS SUCCESS
By: ANK