What is a primary goal during the design stage regarding hazardous material processing?

Establishing adequate separation distances during the design stage is crucial for ensuring safety when processing hazardous materials. This practice is part of inherently safer design principles, which aim to minimize the risk of accidents and exposure to hazards. Adequate separation distances help prevent accidents, such as leaks, explosions, or fires, from affecting adjacent processes, equipment, or personnel.

By integrating sufficient physical space between hazardous materials and operational areas, designers can significantly reduce the potential impact of an incident. This space can facilitate safer handling and provide a buffer zone that can contain spills or releases, allowing for a more secure processing environment.

While maximizing efficiency, reducing costs, and increasing labor hours are important considerations in any design, they do not directly address the core objective of minimizing risk in hazardous situations. This highlights the importance of prioritizing safety through strategic design choices, making adequate separation distances a primary goal during the design stage.