Page 209 - Rotating Machinery Pratical Solutions to Unbalance and Misalignment

Procedures

the scheduled activities. This should include designating a loca-
tion to meet in the event of an emergency to ascertain an accurate
head count. In addition, discuss what assistance each individual
will provide in handling the emergency.

PROCEDURE

1. Place safety first!
2. Read and understand all procedures to be performed, and
adhere to all cautions, warnings, and notes on safety.
3. Review lock out and tag out procedures.
4. Assure operating personnel have all been properly notified
of your planned activities.
5. Safety glasses, hard hat, and other protective equipment
stipulated for the work location, must be worn at all times.
6. Observe and adhere to all safety warning signs, such as
NO SMOKING.
7. Inspect stairways, ladders and railings for wood rot, secure
fasteners, and general structural integrity.

CAUTION: Large cooling towers must have two means of exiting.
In general, most towers have a stairway and either a ladder or
other escape system which should be located at the opposite end
of the tower. Most towers are fabricated of flammable materials
and often the fluid(s) being cooled are flammable. A second es-
cape route is imperative in the event of a fire on or near the pri-
mary means of access to the tower.

8. Assure a fire extinguisher is available on the cooling tower
deck, and that it has been properly tested and inspected.
9. Sniff (using the proper sniffer or other instrument) for gas
or other process fluid leaks, which could be either toxic
and/or flammable.
10. When the process fluid is toxic, assure breathing appara-
tuses are available and in proper working order.