National Incident Management System

What is National Incident Management System (NIMS)

National Incident Management System (NIMS) is a comprehensive framework that guides all levels of government, NGOs, and the private sector in effectively managing incidents and emergencies (work together to prevent, protect against, mitigate, respond to and recover from incidents). NIMS was established by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to provide standardized approach to incident management across various sectors and lead by its agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

NIMS provides stakeholders across the whole community with the shared vocabulary, systems and processes to successfully deliver the capabilities described in the National Preparedness System. NIMS defines operational systems that guide how personnel work together during incidents.

Key Component of NIMS

1. Common Terminology: NIMS establishes a common language and framework for all responders which helps to eliminate confusion and improve communication during incidents management.
2. Incident Command System (ICS): A key component of NIMS, ICS provides a standardized organizational structure for managing incidents, allowing for efficient resources allocation and coordination among multile agencies.
3. Preparedness and Planning: NIMS emphasizes the importance of preparedness through training, exercises, and planning to ensure that all stakeholders are ready to respond effectively to incidents. 
4. Resource Management: NIMS includes guidelines for managing resources, including personnel, equipment, and supplies, to ensure that they are available and effectively utilized during emergencies.
5. Mutual Aid Agreements: NIMS encourages jurisdictions to establish agreements to provide assistance to one another during incidents, enhancing overall response capabilities.

Conclusion

NIMS plays a critical role in emergency management by providing a structured approach to incident management that enhances collabortion and effectiveness accross all levels of government and the provate sector. By adopting NIMS, communities can improve their preparedness and response capabilities and ultimately reducing the impact of emergencies on lives and property.

For more detailed information, you can visit the official FEMA NIMS page.

Reference:

1. National Incident Management System | FEMA.gov
2. Emergency Management Institute - National Incident Management System (NIMS)
3. National Incident Management System

Bhopal Incident

Accident Description

Incident:

• Bhopal Disaster

Date:

• 3 December 1984

Location:

• Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India

Impact:

• Immediate death were estimated at over 3,000 peolple but long-term estimates suggest 15,000 to 20,000 people may have died due to exposure.
• Over 500,000 people suffered injuries ranging from respiratory issues to neurological and reproductive disorders.
• Many survivors continue to suffer from chronic illnesses, and birth defects have been reported in subsequent generations.

How it happened:

• A massive leak of methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas from a pesticide plant owned by Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL). The toxic gas spread over nearby densely populated areas, exposing more than 500,000 people and causing thousands of immediate deaths, with long-term health effects still felt today.

Reference:

1. Bhopal disaster - Wikipedia
2. Bhopal disaster | Causes, Effects, Facts, & History | Britannica
3. IChemE Loss Prevention Bulletin 269
4. https://www.timeline.bhopal.net/

Process Safety Video - The legacy of Piper Alpha

 Process Safety Video - The legacy of Piper Alpha

Hazard and Operability (HAZOP)

What is Hazard and Operability (HAZOP)?

Hazard and Operability Study also known as HAZOP is a structured and systematic method used to identify potential hazards and operability problems in a process or system. It is normally carried out by a competent and dedicated team. It was one of the method for Process Hazard Analysis (PHA).

HAZOP normally studies and identifies any potential deviations from the design intend, examines their possible causes and assessing the consequences. HAZOP methodology uses guide words as way to systematically assessing the process or system. These guide words are combination of the deviations (No, Less, More, As Well As, Part Of, Reverse, Other Than & etc.) and the parameters (Flow, Tempreature, Pressure, Level & etc.).

As per CCPS definition, a HAZOP is a systematic qualitative technique to identify process hazards and potential operating problems using a series of guide words to study process deviations. It was used to question every part of a process to discover what deviations from the intention of the design can occur and what their causes and consequences may be. This is done systematically by applying suitable guidewords. This is a systematic detailed review technique, for both batch and continuous plants, which can be applied to new or existing processes to identify hazards.

Why Do We Need HAZOP?

We need to perform HAZOP as part of the Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) and risk assessment requirements. 

When to Perform HAZOP?

We need to perform HAZOP to examine the deviations from the design requirements and intents.

How to Perform HAZOP?

HAZOP can be performed by the following steps:

1. Define the Scope & Objectives – Establish the boundaries of the study, including the system or process to be analyzed.
2. Form the HAZOP Team – Assemble a multidisciplinary team of experts, including engineers, operators, and safety professionals.
3. Break Down the System into Nodes – Divide the process into manageable sections (nodes) for detailed analysis.
4. Identify Process Parameters – Examine key variables such as temperature, pressure, flow rate, and chemical composition.
5. Apply Guide Words – Use predefined keywords like “More,” “Less,” “Reverse,” or “None” to explore potential deviations.
6. Analyze Causes & Consequences – Determine the root causes of deviations and assess their impact on safety and operations.
7. Evaluate Safeguards – Identify existing control measures and determine if additional safety mechanisms are needed.
8. Document Findings & Recommendations – Record observations and propose corrective actions to mitigate risks.
9. Review & Implement Changes – Ensure that recommended improvements are applied and periodically reassessed.

Main reference for HAZOP:

1. IEC 61882 Hazard aand Operability Studies.
2. PSM Egypt HAZOP Guideline

Process Safety Video - Deepwater Horizon Blowout Animation

Process Safety Video - Deepwater Horizon Blowout Animation

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FCVCOWejlag