Respondent owned and operated the petroleum refining facility which produces, processes, stores, or handles more than the threshold quantities of flammable substances. Respondent’s hydrocracker unit (HCU) is a covered process under Program 3 of the RMP regulations.
On April 10, 2020, there was an incident at the facility. One of the facility’s covered processes was in operation when an operator determined that a Pressure Safety Valve (PSV) was not seated properly. After discussions with the control room and the arrival of a senior operator, the facility undertook a procedure to reseat the PSV. The procedure indicated that the pressure UPSTREAM of the PSV should be abated by closing an UPSTREAM valve. The PSV could then be reseated.
However…
the operator closed the valve DOWNSTREAM of the PSV increasing pressure and rupturing a valve in the process that was unsuited for the increased pressure.
A fire and two minor injuries resulted from the release.
VIOLATIONS
Count 1:
40 C.F.R. § 68.69(a) – Failure to implement operating procedures
An operator did not properly implement the site’s Safety System Bypass Procedure when attempting to reseat the PSV. Instead of closing the upstream high-pressure valve to relieve pressure on the PSV, he instead closed the downstream low-pressure valve resulting in an overpressure and subsequent release of high-pressure hydrocarbon from the downstream valve bonnet.
Failure to follow the Safety System Bypass Procedure is a violation of 40 C.F.R. § 68.69(a).
CIVIL PENALTY AND TERMS OF SETTLEMENT
Respondent shall pay $47,357
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