RISK ASSESSMENT AND MITIGATION FOR BETTER SAFETY: CASE STUDY OF KEMAMAN PORT

Abstract

The increase in awareness and responsibilities among stakeholders in a port environment has made safety evaluation an operational priority. Operating a port is a high-risk activity with underlying potential for accidents and loss of lives, besides causing massive property and environmental damage. Kemaman Port has multiple operations and handles volatile chemicals that may lead to disaster if an accident were to occur due to negligence. Therefore, the safety tools at the port have to suit a terminal specialized in handling liquid chemicals. To determine risk level at the port, assessment may be conducted using the hazard identification method (HAZID) to determine the hazards and risk matrix. The “As low as reasonably practicable” (ALARP) principle should be adhered to in determining which risk is tolerable or intolerable. In this study, the hazard and risk data at Kemaman Port were obtained through literature review and engagements with experts. As a result, eight main hazards were identified and the risk matrix was used to find the highest frequency and consequences of the hazards, besides the risk probability during operations. The overall results may demonstrate a significant improvement to the safety of port operations.