Risk assessment for Bio Mass

ProCa
wood pellet boiler

Prompt Sheet - This sheet should only be used for guidance, in order for you to complete your
own risk assessment for the operation of a Bio Mass Wood Pellet Boiler

Hazard  Suggested action/control measure

Something with a If hazard These are some of the measures that will help
potential to cause harm. exists control the risks. Select the most appropriate
and who it controls for your circumstances.
could harm
01. Inappropriate Ensure the boiler and pellet feed mechanism etc is
maintenance regime cleaned and serviced by a competent person as
leading to worn specified by the manufacturers’ instructions. (usually
components, possible carried out annually)
blockages within the
system which has the Regular maintenance by user: (follow
potential to cause a manufacturers instructions)
dust concentration Regular weekly visual inspection.
which could lead to an Regular emptying of the ash bins.
explosion and a build Regular greasing of induced draught fan bearings.
up of Carbon Monoxide Manual brushing of the flueways.
(CO).
02. Build-up of CO leading Appropriate controls to ensure safe entry for working
to Carbon Monoxide in confined spaces. See HSE document: Safe Work
Poisoning. in Confined Spaces

Implement a permit to work system as part of the

working in confined spaces procedures and follow
method statement for safe entry to storage area.

Suitable work activity risk assessment/method

statement is in place and reviewed as necessary.

Appropriate restricted access to the storage area,

e.g. interlocking key to entry doors.

Only appropriately trained competent persons in

confined space procedures to enter the storage
area.

Adequate ventilation of the storage area (must be

ventilated at all times, either mechanically or by
being designed to have a through draught).

Always ventilate fuel storage area before entry.

Do not enter the storage area until you are sure it is

safe to do so.

H&S/JC/Reviewed 01.20/Next Review 01.22

 Installation of Carbon Monoxide detectors to the
plant room/boiler house and the pellet storage area.
(follow manufacturers guidance for maintenance and
the correct siting of detectors)

Use a portable CO detector to check the air quality

prior to entry of the storage area.

If detectors highlight the presence of CO, turn the

heating unit off following the appropriate
manufacturer’s instructions, contact the supplier
and/or manufacturer and request assistance.

If entry to the storage area is required due to a

possible plant failure, re-evaluate the plan of entry
on your method statement. Before entry, follow your
emergency protocols, ensuring that two people are
present (one for entry and one to witness the entry
and raise alarm if required). If there is any reason to
believe fumes may be present, then entry should not
occur until 30 minutes after this has dissipated.

Ensure a safe system of work is followed at all times

when working in the storage area, e.g. consideration
given to duration of work time, effective
communication channels, appropriate PPE such as
overalls, a rated dusk mask (a disposable respirator
of class FFP2 (EN149) or re-usable cartridge P2
(EN143)

Warning signs are placed on both sides of the

storage access entry door(s) so that it can be seen
when the door is open. The warning sign should
include the following information:

DANGER – RISK OF CARBON MONOXIDE

POISONING, there is danger to life from
odourless carbon monoxide and lack of oxygen.
Check atmosphere before entry. No entry for
unauthorized persons. Keep children away from
storeroom.

Fuel storage to be kept free from any water ingress

(wet fuel leads to fermentation which can have
associated risks of dangerous gas build up).
03. Danger of moveable Procedures for an interlocking system are in place to
parts, e.g. rotary arm shut off the hopper delivery and isolate the auger
(agitator) that sweeps prior to entry.
the biomass fuel into
the auger. Only competent trained persons to carry out any
operational issues with any moving parts as
specified by the manufacturers.

H&S/JC/Reviewed 01.20/Next Review 01.22

04. Explosion or fire. Scheduled maintenance regime of Biomass boiler
and all its components (flue ducts and chimney etc.)

Correct operating procedures as per the

manufacturer’s instructions are followed.

Possible installation of a water sprinkler system (this

is not a legal requirement, but is considered good
practice).

Combustible materials are not stored in the boiler

house.

The fuel storage area is used only for its intended

purpose (no other combustible materials are stored).

There are no possible ignition sources within the fuel

storage area, particularly electrical fittings.
If it is necessary to install electrical equipment within
the fuel storage area, the equipment should be
suitably IP (ingress protection) rated against dust
ingress (IP 50 or 60). Please note if such equipment
is installed it requires ongoing maintenance,
expertise is unlikely to be available from ‘local’
electricians.

Use battery operated or intrinsically safe lamps when

inspecting fuel stores.

Dust concentration is effectively controlled within the

wood storage area to prevent dust accumulation.
Ensure that dust cannot escape into other areas
such as the boiler room.

Restricted access controls are in place for the boiler

house and pellet wood store.

A good quality fuel supply is purchased.

05. Possible wood gas The manufacturer’s control system is followed to
escape from biomass shut down a biomass boiler in a controlled fashion
boiler combustion before removing electrical power from the boiler
chamber which can house.
lead to the fuel load on
the grate to gasify. Only fully trained operators shut down the biomass
boiler.
A problem is unlikely to
occur providing the
boiler flue has been
designed to evacuate
the boiler combustion
chamber in the event of
a total electrical failure.

H&S/JC/Reviewed 01.20/Next Review 01.22

06. Combustion chamber Regular checks of the oxygen reading on the display
flash-back when panel are made; reading should not be less than 3%
opening the chamber 02 on startup.
doors.
07. Inappropriate oxygen Fully trained operators only to monitor the
content to the boiler to Lambdatronic controller panel of the biomass boiler
ensure full combustion to identify faults within the system.
process.
Only competent contractors carry out any remedial
works.
08. Inappropriate moisture The appropriate storage instructions as per the
content of fuel for the manufacturer’s recommendations are followed.
boiler, causing the
malfunction of the Good quality appropriate wood pellets from a
boiler. reputable supplier are purchased.
09. Operation of boiler by Only fully trained and competent persons operate
unskilled personnel, the boiler.
leading to malfunction
of boiler. Restricted access to boiler house and fuel storage
area.

Permit to work system for maintenance activities.

10. Excessive inhalation of Appropriate control measures are in place to
dust leading to minimise the inhalation of dust.
respiratory disease.
The appropriate Personal Protection Equipment
(face mask) BS 4275 EN149 2001 FFP2/3 is used
when emptying ash bins, brushing the flueways or
any other dust control related tasks.
11. Manual Handling All personnel receive manual handling training.
injuries.
Mechanical aids are used to move heavy items.

A work activity assessment is in place for the

loading/unloading of pellet deliveries.
12. Delivery Vehicle A vehicle and pedestrian risk assessment is in place
collisions with (template is available on KELSI).
pedestrians.

H&S/JC/Reviewed 01.20/Next Review 01.22

 Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5

What are the hazards? Who might be harmed What are you already Risk Is anything further Action & review
and how? needed?
Spot hazards by: Identify groups of people, List what is already in You need to make sure Remember to prioritise
consider: place to reduce the that you have reduced Deal with those hazards
 walking around your likelihood of harm or make Trivial, risks ‘so far as is that are high-risk and have
workplace  employees low, serious consequences
any harm less serious, reasonably practicable’.
 asking those doing the task  temporary / agency staff medium, first.
what they think examples include: List:
 contractors high or An easy way of doing this
 checking manufacturers’  volunteers
instructions  guarding stop is to compare what you
 members of the public  actions required
 considering health hazards  training (please are already doing with
 children (including work  who needs to do them
 procedures, safe see matrix good practice. If there is a
experience)  by when
systems of work
 lone workers below) difference, list what needs  check actions
 personal protective
 pupils to be done. completed
equipment (PPE)
 service users
Risk rating
Slightly harmful Harmful Extremely harmful
Highly unlikely Trivial risk Low risk Medium risk
Unlikely Low risk Medium risk High risk
Likely Medium risk High risk STOP
Risk level Action and timescale
Trivial No action required and no documentary record needs to be kept.
Low No additional physical control measures are required, however monitoring is necessary to ensure that the controls are
maintained.
Medium Efforts should be made to reduce the risk and the reduction measures should be implemented within a defined period. Where
the medium risk is associated with extremely harmful consequences, further assessment may be necessary to establish more
precisely the likelihood of harm as a basis for determining the need for improved control measures.
High Work should not be started until the risk has been reduced to an acceptable level. Considerable resources may be allocated to
reduce the risk. Where the risk involves work in progress, urgent action should be taken.
Stop Work should not be started or continued until the risk has been reduced. If it is not possible to reduce risk even with unlimited
resources, work has to remain prohibited.

H&S/JC/Reviewed 01.20/Next Review 01.22

Activity / operation/ event: Operation of Biomass Boiler Assessment date:

Establishment: Review date:

Risk Step 5
Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 rating Step 4 Action & review

Identify the hazards Who might be What are you trivial/ Is anything further Responsible Date
harmed & how? already low / needed? Action person completed
doing? medium / required
high / stop
1.Inappropriate
maintenance regime
leading to worn
components,
possible blockages
within the system
which has the
potential to cause a
dust concentration
which could lead to
an explosion and a
build up of Carbon
Monoxide (CO).

2. Build-up of CO
leading to Carbon
Monoxide Poisoning.

3. Danger of
moveable parts, e.g.
rotary arm (agitator)
that sweeps the

H&S/JC/Reviewed 01.20/Next Review 01.22

biomass fuel into the
auger.

4. Explosion or fire

5. Possible wood
gas escape from
biomass boiler
combustion chamber
which can lead to
the fuel load on the
grate to gasify.

A problem is unlikely
to occur providing
the boiler flue has
been designed to
evacuate the boiler
combustion chamber
in the event of a total
electrical failure.
6. Combustion
chamber flash-back
when opening the
chamber doors.

7. Inappropriate
oxygen content to
the boiler to ensure
full combustion
process.

8. Inappropriate
moisture content of

H&S/JC/Reviewed 01.20/Next Review 01.22

fuel for the boiler,
causing the
malfunction of the
boiler
9. Operation of
boiler by unskilled
personnel, leading to
malfunction of boiler.
10. Excessive
inhalation of dust
leading to
respiratory disease.

11. Manual Handling

injuries.
12. Delivery Vehicle
collisions with
pedestrians.

Assessor name(s): Job title:

Signature: Review date:

H&S/JC/Reviewed 01.20/Next Review 01.22