Carriage, Handling and Storage of Dangerous Goods along

28 RECOMMENDATIONS
2.3.3 Sustaining Operational Performance and Integrity
2.3.3.1 Inspections and Testing of Critical Equipment
RECOMMENDATION
Member Countries should determine minimum standards for the operation and maintenance
of critical equipment, which should be regularly inspected and tested by terminal and port
management and external authorities where required.
CHALLENGE
The risk analysis determined that not all equipment is regularly tested and inspected, and that records
of inspections and tests are not well documented. The National Working Groups also determined that
some terminals have no or limited procedures for inspections and tests to be carried out.
The purpose of an Inspections and Test Plan is to put together a single document that records all
inspection and testing requirements relevant to the critical equipment of a specific terminal/port.
An Inspection and Test Plan identifies the equipment or process to be inspected or tested, by whom
and at what stage or frequency, references to relevant standards, acceptance criteria and the records
to be maintained. The purpose of Inspection and Test Plans, when properly implemented, is to prevent,
predict and readily detect equipment failure, and help to ensure and verify whether equipment is
working according to applicable standards and requirements.
The person who carries out the test and inspection must be competent, skilled and have experience
with the type of installation/equipment.
References
• Maintenance Management System for Upstream Operations in Oil and Gas Industry:
Case Study, World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology 60, 2009.
• Management of Process Hazards, API Recommended Practice 750.
ACTIONS
Technical and Management
Inspection and testing programmes for critical equipment should be developed. This programme
should include:
• a complete list of all critical equipment and systems that are subject to testing and inspection.
This list should include but be not limited to pressure vessels, storage tanks, critical piping
and hoses, relief systems and devices, emergency-shutdown systems, critical alarms, highlevel
alarms and interlocks, safety equipment, oil-spill equipment and critical- detection
equipment. The list should include and specify the method and frequency of testing and
inspection, acceptable limits and criteria for passing a specific test or inspection;
• testing and inspection procedures that follow commonly accepted standards and codes;
• documentation of completed testing and inspection. In general, to assist in determining
any needed changes in the frequency of testing, inspection and preventative maintenance,
documentation should be retained for the life of the equipment;
• procedures to correct equipment deficiencies or operations that are outside acceptable
limits; and
• a system for reviewing and authorising changes in tests and inspections.