by Haris Quintana

Risk management is essential in any business. It’s fair to say, though, that specific industries rely on risk management to a broader extent than others. Disasters in retail, for example, rarely impact anyone outside of a given company. By comparison, disasters in an industry like oil refinement can have a catastrophic impact on environments and local communities. And, that could leave you facing significant legal issues as well as closure. 

It’s no secret that oil refinement is one of the most hazardous occupational sectors in the world. Workers within this industry face real and ongoing risks every single day. If you’re to stand any chance at success, you must develop strategies to ensure you don’t ever slip up on those risks. The question is, what dangers do you face, and how can you avoid each one?

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Oil leaks

The consequences of oil leaks can be seen across our oceans, with even minor spillages wreaking devastation on marine life for miles around. The Gulf Oil Spill in 2010 was the worst leak to date and resulted in an estimated 3.19 million barrels of oil leaking into the Gulf. Since then, most oil companies have taken steps to avoid a repeat performance, and you should do the same. 

Leak detection technology is one of the best options here. It both alerts you to a leak as soon as it happens, and lets you know where the breach lies so that you can address any issues. Aside from that, proper training ensures both the running of your refinery and appropriate emergency responses if necessary. 

Fires and explosions

Unsurprisingly, oil refineries are also at real risk from fires and explosions. This is something we’ve seen recently in the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery. Despite being the largest refinery on the U.S. east coast, a blaze here caused so much destruction that Philadelphia Energy Solutions have had to close shop. And, the same would undeniably happen to you if a fire were to break out. 

The best way to avoid this would be to take proper fire precautions. Flames spread fast where flammable liquids like oil are involved, so something like the Class B Fire Foam from Talan Industries is a must. Again, proper safety training can also ensure the fastest possible responses if a blaze were to break out. 

Mechanical failure

Mechanical failure is another pressing concern. This is also evidenced by the Gulf Oil Spill, which began due to mechanical failures resulting in eleven deaths. The best way to avoid this is to both buy quality mechanics and be sure to keep on top with continual monitoring by professionals. This might not be an easy or cheap goal to achieve, but it could save lives and your oil refinery in the long-run. 

Finding success in the most dangerous occupational industry is never going to be entirely risk-free. But, with the right approach, you should find that you can eliminate enough risks to offer your team and your environment at least some level of security.