Process Safety Management: An Outline for Compliance

This outline is intended to provide you with a “thumb-nail” sketch of the overall elements of Process Safety Management Standards for Highly Hazardous Chemicals, 29 CFR 1910.119. This outline will introduce you to the various aspects of the standard. Paper published with permission.

Integrated Citrus Information System

To manage the business of citrus processing, Coca-Cola Foods re-engineered the information systems that supports their fruit processing functions. The single, integrated system that was developed is called Citrix: the CITRus Information exchange. This new information system starts with information about procured fruit and adds additional information as the fruit is delivered, processed, and paid for. “State of the art” computer technology and techniques are used to deliver the best possible tool to those involved in the business of citrus processing for Coca-Cola Foods. Paper published with permission.

Water Use and Wastewater Flow Reduction in the Citrus Processing Industry

The Citrus Processing Industry is faced with increased pressures from a number of different sources to reduce water consumption and wastewater discharges. The Florida Water Management Districts are moving toward more restrictive limits on consumptive use permits. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) are moving toward zero discharge limits for industry wastewater discharges to surface waters, wherever possible. The cost of water consumption and wastewater treatment and disposal are increasing, therefore, there is a significant cost incentive for industry to reduce water consumption and wastewater discharge. A logical and economical approach to addressing this issue is by reduction of: • In-plant water use • Wastewater volume • Wastewater concentrations Implementation of a water use and waste reduction program establishes a pro-active environmental image for the corporations and industry as a whole. Paper published with permission.

Workplace Ergonomics: An Approach to Health, Safety, and Productivity

Ergonomics is a discipline that considers the mental and physical capabilities and limitations of people in relation to the demands of their work. The goal of ergonomics is to minimize error and fatigue by matching job requirements with human abilities through a process of analysis and design in determining the dimensions and layout of the workspace, the design of tools and equipment, and the development of work procedures. When jobs fit people, the result is improved productivity, reduced accidents and injuries and greater job satisfaction. This paper briefly examines the ergonomic approach to identifying and reducing job related risk factors associated with cumulative trauma disorders and back stress. Examples of controls to eliminate risk factors are presented along with some workplace design principles and guidelines. Paper published with permission.

New Generation of State Test House Equipment

The new generation State Test House Brix/Acid test system, is a bold integration of open platform, personal computer and process controller instrumentation and software sub-systems designed to maximize the efficiency and utilization of existing automatic fruit analyzer hardware. The new equipment provides cost-effective, state-of-the-art hardware connectivity and software programmability. The new generation of test house equipment is a recombination of basic industry approved automatic fruit analysis, test hardware and procedures. The scope of modernization and renovation included system rewiring, incorporation of a programmable controller, a new test computer, UNIX operating system, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) software, a fourth generation relational data base, communications system, and a central office host computer. A new environmental systems enclosure, new weight controllers, sample scale, Super VGA color monitor, pH and temperature sensing instrumentation, multi-form printers, and 9600 baud modems were also furnished. The method of testing for Brix and acid remained intact. Paper published with permission.

Energy Efficiency Opportunities for Citrus Processing

Improving efficiency and saving money are primary concerns of any citrus processing operation. Conducting a full scale energy audit will reveal the energy use characteristics of your entire operation and help you to discover opportunities to improve energy efficiency. Projects are evaluated on the basis of economic feasibility and operational practicality, and accepted or rejected by the appropriate plant personnel. Utility rebates are often available for the accepted projects based upon energy savings. Energy efficiency programs can be, and have been, used to improve operational efficiency and save money — money that could be better used to expand your operation or increase your profit margin. Paper published with permission.