Development and Issue of Technical Standards
KHK develops and issues technical standards to ensure and maintain high pressure gas safety.
High pressure gas-related operations are commonly utilized in various industrial fields. It is absolutely necessary for the companies involved in such industries to be active in autonomous safety operations. KHK develops and issues technical standards to support their activities and also, submits proposals to METI (Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) on technical matters concerning high pressure gas safety.
Inspections and Evaluations
KHK inspects evaluates high pressure gas-related equipment, vessels, etc. as an impartial and neutral organization.
KHK executes the following legal inspections and evaluations/investigations prior to ministerial approval for conducting an autonomous inspection, approval as a registered manufacturer, or approval of the application of a special design, accreditation of specified equipment, etc., as an independent impartial organization.
- Initial investigation prior to ministerial approval as an accredited self in-service safety inspection executing company, an accredited self completion inspection (after modification of a plant) executing company, a registered manufacturer of transportable containers or a registered manufacturer of designated equipment, etc.
- Legal in-service safety inspection of cold evaporators, refrigeration facilities, etc.
- Legal inspection of pressure vessels, transportable gas containers (cylinders), refrigerators, etc.
- Evaluation of special design for high pressure gas equipment to be conducted prior to obtaining ministerial special technical approval or prior to applying special standards other than those included in the detailed technical standards that are illustrated as examples by ministerial notification.
- Evaluation of manufacturer's management system for high pressure gas equipment (valves, pumps, compressors, etc.) to be conducted prior to obtaining ministerial approval.
- Accreditation of specified equipment (refrigerators, air separation units for nitrogen generation).
- Assessment on earthquake-proof designs of equipment and facilities.
KHK also conducts extensive activities in the areas for which legal inspections are not mandatory, including inspections and tests, type approval, etc.
- Inspections, tests, etc., of equipment which does not apply to the High Pressure Gas Safety Law, including equipment for export in accordance with test standards set forth by clients.
- Inspection of refrigeration facilities, safety checks for cold evaporators.
- Approval of inspection bodies and testers for LPG plants or containers of LPG tank trucks.
- Type approval of vaporizing unit equipment for LPG bulk supplying systems.
- Approval of construction companies of refrigeration facilities.
Education
KHK provides various education and training courses for persons to develop technical and safety management capabilities, and for the purpose of developing qualified operators who can work at the front end of production and construction sites.
KHK provides training courses for those engaged in the production and sales of high pressure gas in order for them to acquire the qualifications necessary to maintain the safety of high pressure gas. This education program is composed of about 30 training courses covering various areas such as general high pressure gas, LP gas, and air-conditioning/ refrigeration. KHK has educated a total of approximately 120,000 people a year. In order to ensure and promote high pressure gas safety, KHK also publishes text-books and provides other safety promotion training courses as well as technical lectures and seminars on safety.
There is growing interest in ISO certification for various management systems, and KHK provides training seminars for internal inspectors and education courses on ISO and on occupational health and safety for the acquisition of such certification.
Qualifying Examinations
KHK carries out the legal qualifying examinations on high pressure gas safety assigned by the competent authorities.
KHK has been carrying out 12 kinds of examinations in accordance with both the High Pressure Gas Safety Law and the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Law of each examination office throughout Japan.
KHK is also assigned by the government and prefectures (45 prefectures at present) to issue certification to those who pass the following qualifying examinations.
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Ministerial examinations
- Class-A Chemical
- Class-A Mechanical
- Class-1 Refrigeration
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Prefectural examinations
- Class-B Chemical
- Class-B Mechanical
- Class-C Chemical (LPG/ special subjects)
- Class-2 Refrigeration
- Class-3 Refrigeration
- Class-1 Sales
- Class-2 Sales
- LPG Installation Engineer
Research and Development
In order to contribute to the improvement of safety in high pressure gas, KHK conducts long-range R/D programs, covering basic and applied technologies as well as the development of machines, equipment and safety systems.
Research & Development Center
The Research & Development Center studies technology for the protection of consumers. To maintain and promote safety at every stage from distribution to consumption of LPG and alternative fuel this Center conducts extensive research ranging from LPG properties, to supply and consumption facilities, various safety devices, and safety-guaranteeing systems. With its initiative-taking responsibility in this field, it is also performing R/D activities under a commission of the national government and requests by the private sector, or as a project undertaken by High Pressure Gas Safety Institute.
The Research & Development Center is developing and building up technical data and know-how so that KHK can establish its own verification and checking systems for inspection and approval operations. It is also promoting surveys and research on the improvement of safety-related and inspecting technologies concerning high pressure gas. Its accumulated technical data together with the survey and study results will be fully utilized when further rational safety standards are established. The Center is carrying out research and examinations entrusted to it in order to help companies develop new technology and products.
Measures to Promote LPG Consumer Safety
KHK strives to promote safety activities and by propose safety measures on the handling of LPG, paving the way to a more comfortable and peaceful lifestyle and living environment.
KHK takes various measures to ensure that consumers can use LPG without any anxiety. One such measure is the promotion of safety services through compilation and distribution of various manuals targeting LPG dealers. Another is promotional and instructional campaigns on LPG safety through newspapers and brochures targeting about 26 million households nationwide. With these efforts for safety promotions, KHK is aiming to create a more comfortable living environment for LPG consumers.
KHK also provides a training program to develop professional safety engineers as well as information on necessary techniques that LPG dealers and safety management agencies should provide as consumer safety services.
Technical Exchanges and Collecting and Offering of Information
KHK collects and offers information on accidents and technologies for high pressure gas safety. In addition, KHK exchanges general information with foreign organizations and carries out overseas technical cooperation.
KHK provides information and offers library services for not only KHK members but also employees of related industries to carry out research, investigation, and business activities concerning high pressure gas safety. For this purpose, KHK collects information on accidents and literature on high pressure gas from home and overseas and then categorizes this information for client convenience.
KHK has also opened an Overseas Cooperation Office for supporting consultations related to high pressure gas from abroad and technical exchanges with foreign organizations in Korea, Taiwan, etc.
Example: At the request of a Taiwanese company, KHK conducted a technical review
On July 15, 2020, a fire broke out at Mailiao No. 1 Factory of the Formosa Petrochemical Company, causing three injuries (Nonhospital event). To investigate the cause of this accident and prevent its recurrence, the company has compiled an internal investigation report.
At the request of the company through the Industrial Safety and Health Association of Taiwan, KHK conducted a technical review of the report. KHK made several suggestions and recommendations to improve the quality of the report.
KHK hopes that this review will help prevent accidents and ensure safety in the future.
Assessment and Registration of Management Systems
As a accredited body for management systems based on ISO9001, ISO14001 and OHSAS18001, the KHK-ISO Center performs assessment and registration activities concerning management systems of quality, environment and occupational health and safety.
Having abundant experience in assessing management systems of companies in a variety of industrial fields, ranging from high pressure gas, to electricity, chemical, mechanical, construction and service businesses, the center can respond appropriately to various requirements.
Auditor placed in seven branches nationwide as well as the headquarters (in Tokyo) provide assessment and certification registration services concerning various management systems, keeping close and frequent contact with the recipient organizations so that each corporation can make use of a system that will effectively improve its corporate activities.
A quality management system brings merits to both clients and registering business organizations through raising awareness of quality, reevaluating management practices, and promoting smoother business transactions. The quality management system, which is being utilized worldwide, is aimed at ensuring corporate quality that passes in international society.
An environmental management system brings merits to registering corporations through contributing to global environmental issues, boosting further environmental awareness, and cutting cost by promoting savings in energy and resources. Certification of an environmental management system acts as proof to the world community that a company has a high level of environmental consciousness.
The Occupational Health and Safety Management System (OHSMS) results in a decrease in the number of serious occupational accidents, a rise in health and safety standards, and the alleviation of potential hazards (accident causes) by risk assessment. The Center is approved by the Japan Industrial Safety and Health Association (JISHA) as a JISHA-OHSMS accredited organization.