Case Study in M+a – Communication and Understanding Hazards and Safety Concepts

A multinational corporation acquired a local consumer products manufacturing facility. Hazard awareness and process safety protocols were lacking at the local company, especially as measured against the parent company’s corporate standards. The primary root cause was lack of a strong management of change procedures, as the processes in the facility were originally designed for non-flammable products but over time the facility transitioned to handling flammable liquids and combustible dusts.

Hundreds of unique chemicals/products stored and handled at the facility were analyzed to determine compliance with local fire codes and serve as a design basis for safety program improvements. Specific challenges around flammable liquids and combustible dusts were deemed to be highest risk and were addressed immediately.

This case study presents high level findings and both capital and operational budget related recommendations applicable to companies in similar situations. By applying a combination fire/building code evaluation and hazardous materials / process safety gap analysis, the company was able to prioritize risk reduction actions in alignment with their strategic objectives. This work presents a basis for hazardous material safety in facilities that store and handle a wide range of hazardous materials and aligning risk remediation activities with corporate objectives.