Mike Brock

It is with regret that we heard about the passing of one of our Honorary Members, Mike Brock who worked for BOC.

In the late 1980s, he worked tirelessly with his colleagues from other gas companies to combine the two offices of CPI in Paris and Cologne into the Brussels office and create EIGA. Mike was both chair of IGC and chairman of CEN TC23 at a critical time for the gases industry.

Mike’s hard work on standardisation and services to the gas industry was recognised by being awarded an MBE by the Queen.

In the words of many, “Mike was the prototype of the British gentleman you could trust and who behaved as a gentleman with everybody.”

We extend our sympathies to Mike’s widow, Ann and his family.

Doc 63/20 - Prevention of Tow-Away Incidents

(Revision of Doc 63/14)

A tow-away incident occurs when flexible hose(s) used to transfer product between a delivery vehicle and stationary equipment is not disconnected prior to moving the vehicle.

The primary objective of this publication is to recommend practical methods for preventing road vehicles being moved away while still connected to fixed equipment.

It supports compliance with the relevant requirements of existing regulations and standards. This publication is also applicable to vehicles carrying cryogenic receptacles that are filled or emptied into a fixed installation while on board the vehicle.

The publication is part of the programme to develop Globally Harmonised publications and is republished by all Regional Associations with no changes.

Doc 188/20 - Safe Transfer of Toxic Liquefied Gases

(Revision of Doc 188/14) - Accidents during the transfer of toxic gases are often dramatic and nearly always very dramatic in the case of liquefied toxic gases.

The objective of this EIGA document is to describe the best practices for the safe transfer and use of toxic liquefied gases in transportable gas containers; in particular the filling of small containers (e.g. cylinders) with toxic liquefied gases from large containers (e.g. ISO-containers and pressure drums). The document recommends risk management measures to protect people and the environment.

TB 11/20 - Loss of Vacuum on Vacuum Insulated Cryogenic Storage Tanks Due to Inner Vessel or Internal Piping Leak

(Revision of TB 11/14) The Technical Bulletin details an incident that occurred to a 60,000 litre liquid nitrogen tank that suffered a brittle fracture of the outer jacket.

Recommendations are given on how both operators and fillers of cryogenic storage tanks to detect a loss of vacuum by observing icing of the jacket and the actions to be taken.

The Technical Bulletin is intended for both users and fillers of all cryogenic tanks.

ADR

Under ADR Transport Regulation: the Dutch Department of Transport initiated a new Task Force between competent authorities and the industry (such as EIGA , but also transport vehicle manufacturers) to investigate and define ADR rules for Battery Electric Vehicles and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles intended to carry Dangerous Goods.

Several EIGA member experts and EIGA staff were accepted to participate in this Task Force.

The Task Force had it’s kick-off meeting in October which was an open discussion on what contribution can be expected from a number of existing Working Parties in ADR and a first list of possible risks to consider for regulation.

Contact Jan Strybol for more info.

COVID19, second wave

After a summer in which many of us thought we had left the COVID-19 emergency behind us, the virus is again present and widespread.

Compared to the first wave however, we are now better prepared. Indeed, EIGA members, the National Associations and the Authorities continued with the implementation of different mitigating measures, such as the regulatory flexibility measures proposed in BN 25 to the EMA and individual national authorities, the numerous installations at and the upgrading of hospitals, the awareness campaigns on the return of cylinders, the sanitising protocols of packages… just to mention a few.

However, it is necessary to underline that the current exponentially increasing numbers in COVID-19-affected personnel in quarantine (also due to improved contact tracing ), increases the likelihood for the need for other personnel to be trained in jobs they are not accustomed to.

Therefore, in addition to keeping a high focus on product and equipment stock-related aspects, it can be important to consider strengthening measures that ensure the availability of personnel in order to guarantee the continuity of our essential supply to patients.

EIGA continues to engage with EMA on Covid19

Please read the EIGA/MGC weekly update to EMA on the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the supply of medicines in the Union/EEA. ’ :

"As result of this week’s meeting, we like to communicate to the EMA that our industry does currently not experience shortages of medical gases to the EU market, nor a significant demand increase.

Still, we like to ask EMA to remind the national competent authority of our document BN25/20 (members only) on regulatory flexibility during this pandemic 2^nd wave and to maintain these derogations for the coming winter period"

The European Clean Hydrogen Alliance

EIGA 's application to join the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance has been accepted.

The operational details of the Alliance, including work of the round tables, are currently in preparation.

More hydrogen

EIGA discussed hydrogen safety gaps with the Hydrogen Council, HySafe, and CEN-CENELEC.

EIGA joined AICHE HCS to inventorise failure rates data and risk assessment methodologies. The aim is to obtain specific failure rates of components for hydrogen use, rather then rely on generic literature data from other industries.

CBAM or Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism

The EU carbon tax should be introduced at the EU borders by 2022, but there remains uncertainty as to the way the CBAM will be deployed. Link to Euractiv article.

EIGA shared its feedback on CBAM via this consultation (for more info, please contact p.cornille@eiga.eu).

ETS State Aid Guidelines

EIGA met Hydrogen Europe to elaborate on hydrogen being included on the list of activities eligible for for compensation against higher electricity costs (see also Euractiv article).

Doc 102.03/20 - Safety Audit / Assessment Tool – Industrial Gas Cylinder Filling

The former Appendix 2 of Doc 102 – Safety Audit / Assessment Tool for Industrial Gas Cylinder Filling – has been reviewed and published as Doc 102.03. All annexes of Doc 102 are listed in Doc 102.01.

Info 30/20 - Electrical Safety

Revision of Info 30/13) - The Industrial Gases industry is very familiar with the hazards of gases including pressure and the physical state. Whilst it is understood that we need electricity to enable the industrial gases industry to function, the potential hazards of electricity may be less well understood.

The purpose of this Safety Information is to highlight the hazards and to give guidance on how those in the gases industry should approach electricity. This guidance is intended to be applicable to all electrical installations ranging from offices to high voltage installations on air separation units.

Info 28/20 - Operation of Carbon Dioxide Road Tankers and Equipment while Loading and Unloading

(Revision of Info 28/12) - EIGA’s Safety Advisory Council has been notified of an incident where a driver of a carbon dioxide road tanker sustained very serious head injuries that endangered his life.

This accident was similar to other recent incidents that have caused the death of drivers while loading and unloading carbon dioxide. In all of these accidents it was found that the failure to follow procedures or lack of procedures had been the main cause.

This Safety Information document is intended to raise awareness of these serious incidents and to provide basic recommendations and guidelines to prevent similar events taking place in the future.

It should be read by all personnel involved in establishing procedures for carbon dioxide transfer operations and those involved in managing and training drivers and operators.