Gasket Modification –  why does this happen…..maintenance backlog, not aware of the implications of gasket modification, training, experience,  site culture.

How do we stop this practice , would welcome comments, and yes it was a high hazard chemical processing site.

Through a failure a person can directly cause an accident. However, people tend not to make errors deliberately. We are often ‘set up to fail’ by the way our brain processes information, by our training, through the design of equipment and procedures and even through the culture of the organisation we work for.

People can make disastrous decisions even when they are aware of the risks. We can also misinterpret a situation and act inappropriately as a result. Both of these can lead to the escalation of an incident.

 

Reducing error and influencing behaviour – https://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsg48.htm

The HSG 48 guidance on human factors provides a good generic but not major hazard explicit basis for consideration of the human element of safety measures and focuses attention on 3 areas:

To prevent mechanical problems, spiral wound gasket designs are available with a solid outer ring that generally has a grooved inside diameter (I.D.) and/or a solid metal inner ring that has a bevelled outside diameter (O.D.) to retain the spiral winding. These rings will add mechanical stability for many applications, Outer rings are essential on raised face flanges and some other connections. Ideally, rings or the flange configuration on both the I.D. and O.D. will confine the gasket, without a pinch point for mechanical damage. ASME B16.20-2017 (Revision of ASME B16.20-2012) – Metallic Gaskets for Pipe Flanges . The outer ring may be carbon steel that is painted, metal plated, or otherwise coated to inhibit atmospheric corrosion.

 

For further information contact us – info@academyji.com or contact your Flexitallic representative.