The development of hydrogen and hazardous areas standards

IEC standards for hazardous areas for over 20 years, and the ISO standards for hydrogen in the last 3 years. We now have a mix of identical, modified and home-grown standards, standards in revision, and IEC or ISO standards which are still to be considered. This keynote presentation looks at the process of adopting standards; it covers the how and why. It reflects on the politics and considers what can be learnt from the people involved, locally and internationally. Some of the hot technical issues will be raised as examples of these interactions. This session also considers the next 20 years.

Strategies to safely manage the new Hydrogen technology

Hydrogen is a future clean fuel and energy carrier - due to its lower CO2 emissions. To ensure its safe implementation it is imperative that we fully understand and manage the risks associated with hydrogen technology. While many of the historical incidents have similarities to other fossil fuel accidents, it is important to understand hydrogen’s unique properties and associated hazards. Hence, it is critical to implement safety strategies that will reduce the likelihood and consequences of unintended catastrophic events. This presentation includes novel research activities being undertaken to increase our knowledge and minimize uncertainties with hydrogen fuel.

The latest hydrogen safety research updates – fire and explosion

Recent hydrogen research projects have revealed some interesting information, some of which is revealed during this presentation. These research results have been shared with the process safety community because they cover the critical safety issue. Gexcon is a working member of the SH2IFT-2 project group, which aims to increase the knowledge required to safely handle hydrogen and hydrogen-based energy carriers, such as ammonia. The SH2IFT-2 project is using real-world testing of hydrogen releases: fires and explosions, to improve the accuracy of the software tools - which model these consequences. Gexcon has contributed to the EU funded HySEA and HySAFE projects.

 Presentation & Panel Discussion: 

These three safety agencies are working collaboratively within governments and with industry stakeholders to ensure the safe and effective development of Queensland’s hydrogen economy. RSHQ is a data driven risk-based regulator with a ‘zero serious harm’ vision that has taken a leading role in hydrogen safety regulation. RSHQ recently released the final draft of the Hydrogen Safety Code of Practice and continues to engage with Queensland’s industry providing certainty around safety. Workplace Health and Safety provides advice to planning authorities as a technical referral agency for hazardous chemical facilities under the Planning Act 2016. Hazardous chemical facilities may be determined as major hazard facilities under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. Any facility storing 5 tonnes of hydrogen, or 20 tonnes of ammonia, is a hazardous chemical facility and subject to the assessment provisions of state code 21 Electrical Safety Office regulates the electrical safety of all Queenslanders where the work and live. Under the Electrical Safety Act 2022 requires all electrical work be carried out be an appropriately licensed person and business and that the electrical installation in a hazardous area or involving high voltage to be inspected by an Accredited Auditor to confirm it is electrically safety prior to energisation. The ESO also regulates electrical equipment used in an electrical installation, including in a hazardous area. This paper will explore the safety regulation framework for hydrogen in Queensland and Australia considering gas, electrical and workplace safety requirements The paper will provide an analysis of some of Queensland’s latest hydrogen projects, the challenges faced by proponents and regulators and how they have progressed through Queensland safety assessment frameworks.

Presentation & Panel Discussion: 

These three safety agencies are working collaboratively within governments and with industry stakeholders to ensure the safe and effective development of Queensland’s hydrogen economy.

RSHQ is a data driven risk-based regulator with a ‘zero serious harm’ vision that has taken a leading role in hydrogen safety regulation. RSHQ recently released the final draft of the Hydrogen Safety Code of Practice and continues to engage with Queensland’s industry providing certainty around safety.

Workplace Health and Safety provides advice to planning authorities as a technical referral agency for hazardous chemical facilities under the Planning Act 2016. Hazardous chemical facilities may be determined as major hazard facilities under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. Any facility storing 5 tonnes of hydrogen, or 20 tonnes of ammonia, is a hazardous chemical facility and subject to the assessment provisions of state code 21 Electrical Safety Office regulates the electrical safety of all Queenslanders where the work and live.

Under the Electrical Safety Act 2022 requires all electrical work be carried out be an appropriately licensed person and business and that the electrical installation in a hazardous area or involving high voltage to be inspected by an Accredited Auditor to confirm it is electrically safety prior to energisation. The ESO also regulates electrical equipment used in an electrical installation, including in a hazardous area.

This paper will explore the safety regulation framework for hydrogen in Queensland and Australia considering gas, electrical and workplace safety requirements The paper will provide an analysis of some of Queensland’s latest hydrogen projects, the challenges faced by proponents and regulators and how they have progressed through Queensland safety assessment frameworks.

Regulations and the Law within Hydrogen Sites – A previous regulators Perspective

With the rapid adoption of hydrogen as a suitable alternative renewable fuel, an understanding of the law (and its implications) for hydrogen projects is critical. A core barrier to the industry is consensus: which Act is to be followed, does it come under Work Health and Safety, or is it a matter for the Technical Regulator. The presentation provides some guidance around: • Which Act applies, when it applies, and how to apply its intention • What the requirement is for Deemed to Comply • Understanding the principal of 60079.10.1 within Hydrogen Compliance questions from the audience are welcome.

Safe storage of ammonia, the best energy carrier of hydrogen

Ammonia is the best carrier of hydrogen, and is stored in large atmospheric storage tanks. The safety and integrity of these tanks are of utmost importance to the new renewable energy sources-based hydrogen and ammonia industry. How to maintain this is a topic for the session. This presentation also discusses unique design features, applicable codes and standards in tank design, fabrication, commissioning, and operation. Guidelines for the inspection protocol for ammonia tanks are covered too. Ammonia storage incidents - presented at the past safety symposiums over the last 50+ years - are reviewed. This presentation is designed to help industry understand the challenges involved in the safe storage and handling of ammonia.

Safe design of hydrogen systems

Hydrogen is a source of clean energy, and is contributing to a sustainable future. We do, however, need to ensure that safety is inherent in systems using this resource. As an emerging technology, project management and planning – integral to safety - need to be embedded in the design and lifecycle of the systems, to protect producers, transporters, users and the public. This presentation covers how safety can define the design, construction, operation and maintenance of a system. The specific challenges around hydrogen are also covered.

Static electricity – the shocking truth

Static electricity is generally regarded as a nuisance and is often misunderstood and underestimated, either due to the lack of awareness of the risks it poses or because of neglect and/or complacency. In many branches of industry, hazardous atmospheres exist due to the presence of flammable liquid, gases, combustible dusts and fibers. No matter how the explosive atmosphere is classified, all potential ignition sources must be eliminated, with static electricity perhaps being the most insidious of them all. Static electricity is the prime culprit for at least two serious fires or explosions in industry worldwide every day of the year. In the U.S. alone, static electricity causes on average 280 industrial incidents each year according to fire and emergency departments, and result in injuries and fatalities, hundreds of millions of dollars in property damage, lost production or plant downtime, and environmental release issues. This session will outline the newly released AS/NZS 1020 and newly adopted AS/NZS 60079-32-1 standards which affect the Australian and New Zealand hazardous area landscape. It will cover what you need to know?

Evolution in Gas Detection Systems used for Life Safety Applications

Presentation: Gas Detection Systems (GDS) have been used for life safety applications to prevent harm to personnel in industry for over 50 years. As the technology evolved and became more robust and reliable, it has been common to place a demand on GDS to control equipment to reduce risk associated with toxic or flammable gas environments in traditional and new industries such as Hydrogen. GDS are now performing safety functions and integrated into plant hazardous area design and fire safety systems. Working under the false umbrella of a protective GDS that is degraded or non-operable may be worse than having none.

Evolution in Gas Detection Systems used for Life Safety Applications

Gas Detection Systems (GDS) have been used for life safety applications to prevent harm to personnel in industry for over 50 years. As the technology evolved and became more robust and reliable, it has been common to place a demand on GDS to control equipment to reduce risk associated with toxic or flammable gas environments in traditional and new industries such as Hydrogen. GDS are now performing safety functions and integrated into plant hazardous area design and fire safety systems. Working under the false umbrella of a protective GDS that is degraded or non-operable may be worse than having none.

Placarding Under the WHS, or similar

A decade on from Safe Work Australia's release of the model WHS Regulations, uniform dangerous goods signage (placarding) remains an issue between the States and Territories. Queensland's adoption of placarding under the Globally Harmonised System (GHS) spans three separate Acts, and the use of recognised standards and guidelines introduces difficulties not experienced elsewhere.

This discussion reviews the placarding requirements in the States and Territories, evaluates challenges associated with placarding based on GHS classifications and showcases examples where challenges are prevalent.

Director Supply and Networks Electrical Safety Office, Office of Industrial Relations

Presentation's Panel Discussion:

These three safety agencies are working collaboratively within governments and with industry stakeholders to ensure the safe and effective development of Queensland’s hydrogen economy.

RSHQ is a data driven risk-based regulator with a ‘zero serious harm’ vision that has taken a leading role in hydrogen safety regulation. RSHQ recently released the final draft of the Hydrogen Safety Code of Practice and continues to engage with Queensland’s industry providing certainty around safety.

Workplace Health and Safety provides advice to planning authorities as a technical referral agency for hazardous chemical facilities under the Planning Act 2016.  Hazardous chemical facilities may be determined as major hazard facilities under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011. Any facility storing 5 tonnes of hydrogen, or 20 tonnes of ammonia, is a hazardous chemical facility and subject to the assessment provisions of state code 21

Electrical Safety Office regulates the electrical safety of all Queenslanders where the work and live.  Under the Electrical Safety Act 2022 requires all electrical work be carried out be an appropriately licensed person and business and that the electrical installation in a hazardous area or involving high voltage to be inspected by an Accredited Auditor to confirm it is electrically safety prior to energisation. The ESO also regulates electrical equipment used in an electrical installation, including in a hazardous area.

This paper will explore the safety regulation framework for hydrogen in Queensland and Australia considering gas, electrical and workplace safety requirements.

The paper will provide an analysis of some of Queensland’s latest hydrogen projects, the challenges faced by proponents and regulators and how they have progressed through Queensland safety assessment frameworks.