Comparison of risk rating for chemical hazards in a petrochemical enterprise with two risk assessment methods / 中国职业医学

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To compare and analyze the risk rating for chemical hazards of aromatics complex in a petrochemical enterprise using two risk assessment methods. METHODS: Occupational hygiene investigation and chemical detection for workplaces of the construction project were made. The risk ratings were made in five workplaces including that of the aromatics extraction,disproportionation,isomerization,xylene fractionation and adsorptive fractionation. Two risk assessment methods were employed. They were the optimal indicator system of risk assessment on occupational chemical hazards( optimal indicator system) and the semi quantitative risk assessment model of Singapore. The results of risk rating generated by the two risk assessment methods were then compared and analyzed. RESULTS: Using the optimal indicator system,the risk rating of benzene was mild in the five workplaces; and the risk rating of methylbenzene and xylene was slight. However,using the semi quantitative risk assessment model of Singapore,the risk rating of benzene was extremely high in both the aromatics extraction and disproportionation workplaces; the risk rating was high in xylene fractionation,and was medium in the isomerization and adsorptive fractionation workplaces. The risk rating of methylbenzene was high in the aromatics extraction and disproportionation workplaces,and was low in the other three workplaces. The risk rating of xylene was low in the five workplaces. CONCLUSION: The optimal indicator system is more feasible,practical and objective for the assessment of chemical hazards. It is more suitable for risk assessment of occupational chemical hazards in our country.