Those of you working in a PSM/RMP facility should have heard of the term “line break” and many have most likely participated in a “line break”. Although the term “line break” implies it only applies to opening a line/pipe, it is intended to cover ALL non-routine process openings. This task is one of the higher risk tasks for workers in a covered process; these risks encompass even those workers who are not directly involved in the task of opening the process. Hence why OSHA list this task specifically in 1910.119(f)(4) as one that REQUIRES an SOP/SWP! This article will discuss what a “Line Break” procedure should include, look like, sound like, and smell like!!!
First off, here is what OSHA says about “line break”…