Real-Life Decision Making
You're an industrial engineering technician for a very large company that
designs and builds oil and gas refineries. At this job, you design equipment
for the new plants. It's also part of your job to inspect and maintain the
systems once they've been built.
Currently, you're inspecting a piping system at one of these plants. So
far, everything has been constructed to code, and you're pleased with the
contractor's work. Perhaps this will be one of the easier days on the job!
As you go along the piping system inspecting joints and valves, you suddenly
notice that one of the main shut-off valves at a valve station is not within
reach.
Normally, all shut-off valves must be within easy reach of the operator
so that he can quickly turn the valve and stop the flow of liquid or gas in
the pipe.
However, changing this valve station to a lower height will require refitting
quite a bit of piping and putting in a new valve station. This could add considerably
to the cost in an already swelling budget.
You think of another solution. Perhaps a ladder or stool could be made
available so that the operator could reach the valve in case of emergency.
What do you do?