Teksal Safety and our global manufacturing partner, Sofis, featured in the August edition of Oil and Gas Australia, in the article, “Safety and cost-effective benefits of valve interlocking”:
Given the safety-critical environments of oil, gas, chemical processing and mining industries, incorrect processes and/or human error in plant operations can have catastrophic consequences.
To mitigate the negative operational impacts, valve interlocking systems are a widely employed risk management strategy and form an important component of process safety.
While these industries are governed by international standards and have to comply with certification authorities, it is up to operators to take a disciplined approach to maintain best practice and facilitate operational safety.
How does valve interlocking protect your plant and your people?
Mechanical valve interlocks ensure your workers adhere to a safe sequence of operation. They are mechanical devices permanently mounted on top of valves and other process equipment. The transfer of uniquely coded keys eliminates the chance of human error, improves valve operating efficiency, and protects operating personnel.
Risk of accidents in the process industry is greater during startups, shutdowns and maintenance. In many accidents, the root cause is the incorrect operation of manual isolation valves. There are many applications in which valve interlocks can be used as an added control measure for protecting people, the environment or company assets.
Leading global valve interlock manufacturer Sofis provides bespoke solutions that protect people and property throughout the world. Sofis interlocks are used in many applications where safe and ‘right first time’ valve operation is required, such as pressure relief valves (PSV), pig launching and receiving, inert gas systems, pump start up, flare lines, boiler blow-down, ‘2 out of 3‘ and tanker loading/unloading.
With more than 350,000 interlocks installed in oil, gas and petrochemical plants worldwide, Sofis’ Smith Flow Control interlocks and Netherlocks interlocks are used as an industry standard by renowned companies to create a safer working environment.
About Sofis
Sofis manufactures valve operation systems such as mechanical valve interlocks, portable actuators and valve position indicators. Sofis is the world’s largest interlock manufacturer, providing bespoke interlocking solutions that protect people and property throughout the world.
About Teksal
Teksal Safety is the Australian and New Zealand distributor for Smith interlocks and Netherlocks interlocks, and supports Sofis’ complete product range, including supply, installation, commissioning and training services.
As a specialist service provider of valve interlocking systems, Teksal Safety offers a planned inspection and maintenance program of the valve interlocks to help ensure the operational integrity of these important safety systems.
Teksal Safety technicians have undertaken work for some of Australia’s largest resource and energy suppliers, including Woodside Energy, Chevron, Santos, QGC, Inpex, Shell, Origin Energy, BHP Billiton and Conoco Philips.
For more information about our valve interlocking solutions, call 1300 TEKSAL email sales@teksal.com.au.
