Lesson 9 – Product Deliveries

Sodium Cyanide is classified as “Dangerous Goods”

Customer requirements include:

• Do a ‘off-loading task risk assessment’
• Control risks with correct equipment, training, procedures, etc
• Customer is responsible for safe off-loading.
• Train and Appoint ‘Nominated Qualified Person’ (NQP) to execute off-loading.

Site written ‘Safe Work Procedure’ for site delivery.

• Legislation require task risk assessment.
• Written ‘Safe Work procedure’ for high risk tasks.
• Sodium Cyanide off-loading is a high risk task.
• Provide detailed steps and risk mitigation actions.
• A checklist should be completed during off loading process to prevent complacency.

Typical examples of SWP’s:

• Change of a cyanide circulation pump.
• Decontamination of equipment and tools.
• Handling emergencies and abnormal situations.
• Replacement of instrumentation.
• Cyanide mixing and dosing.

‘Qualified Person Appointment’ (Offloading operator) requirements: 

• Knowledge on Sodium Cyanide product hazards and risks.
• Competency in use of Off-loading procedure / work instruction.
• Competency in the use of Off-loading checklist.
• Competency in applying/adhering to plant emergency procedures.

‘Qualified Person Appointment’ requirements: 

• Competency in applying Sodium Cyanide first aid / rescue procedure.
• Competency in related off-loading and storage procedures / work instructions.
• Be able to operate a pump, interpretation of level, tank/stock capacities, etc.)
• Competency declaration based on documented assessments on all of above
• Legally appointed by a written letter from Area Responsible Manager.

Site Off-loading Process: 

A written procedure should include the following:

• Qualified road tanker driver responsibility.
• Offloading operator responsibility.
• Qualified offloading operator has overall responsibility for off-loading process.
• Qualified offloading operator and Driver work together as a team.
• Driver is responsible for handling and operating the tanker and the on-board equipment.

• High risk area around off-loading hose and plant piping should be clearly marked and all personnel must be informed of the risk.
• Only one person in the high risk area at a time – buddy rescue system will apply.
• Customer Qualified Person is responsible for and handling/operating of site equipment.

Vehicle Driver Responsibilities:

• PPE must be donned and in good condition.
• Delivery Documentation must be handed to ‘customer responsible person’.
• Product in Tanker.
• Tanker valves.
• Tanker flanges and couplings.
• Tanker air pressurization system.
• Tanker flexible hoses.
• Tools

Offloading Operator Responsibilities:

• PPE must be donned and in good condition.
• Off loading procedure.
• Off loading check list.
• Off load area barricading.
• Off loading flanges and connections.
• Off loading valves and piping.
• Site storage tank.
• Storage tank product level monitoring.
• Be fully aware of the storage tank free space capacity.
• Bunds and sumps must be clean and empty (No Contaminants)

Key Task included in site procedure: 

• Offloading operator or process official check tanker docs and available storage space.
• Offloading operator ensure correct parking and correct off-loading point.
• Offloading operator and driver will prepare for off-loading.
• Offloading operator confirm tasks on checklist and authorize off-loading on delivery documents.
• Offloading operator /Driver initiate off-loading and driver stays outside high risk area.
• On completion, Offloading operator /Driver stop pump or air supply.
• Driver initiate depressurisation of tanker.
• Offloading operator closes plant valves and opens off-loading hose drain valve.
• Driver disconnect delivery hose once he is sure it is depressurised!
• Driver decontaminates hose, connections, equipment and stow away in vehicle.
• Offloading operator/Driver complete after off-loading tasks and clean-up site.
• Offloading operator/Driver confirm completion on checklist and sign off.
• Offloading operator accept product by signing delivery doc.