Case Studies » Cranswick Country Foods
The challenge
A visit was made to Cranswick Country Foods in Ballymena to consider compliance in respect of the Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR). This was identified as a gap in the operational assessments and the need to ensure compliance with DSEAR particularly in respect to storage and handling of gases.
The main activity of the site is to process, prepare and pack fresh pork; the site operates 24/7. The site has a number of plant rooms designed to provide a mix of chilled air, water, ice making facilities and air conditioning across the operations. All of this is achieved through the use of gas refrigerated closed loop systems.
The solution provided
DSEAR imposes a requirement to eliminate or reduce risks to safety from fire, explosion or other events arising from the hazardous properties of any dangerous substance used in connection with a work process. To assist Cranswick an assessment of the site was carried in compliance with the DSEAR regulations 2002.
Routine operations involve potentially dangerous substances, and these have purpose-designed process controls. Potentially dangerous substances used and produced by the processing operations included flammable gases and liquids, plus compressed and liquefied gas systems and use of corrosive substances.
Significant findings from the risk assessment survey were clearly set out in the detailed report provided, along with recommendations to address fire, explosion and corrosion hazards and support best practice on-site to demonstrate DSEAR compliance going forward.
