I have written often about this topic and it is without a doubt the most questioned/challenged topic in my 5-Day Advanced Process Safety course. Several toxic substances are listed as regulated substances under 40 CFR §68.130 with CONCENTRATION QUALIFIERS (e.g., “conc 37% or greater”). The four(4) regulated substances that have concentration qualifiers are: Ammonia (conc…...
The wonderful team of process safety engineers “across the pond” in the UK have published an EXCELLENT and MUST READ guide on how a business can develop their process safety LEADING indicators. This is a MUST READ for those PS Leaders who are looking for ideas on what and how to measure PSM/RMP Leading Indicators. …...
HAZMAT containers used for flammable, corrosive, and toxic liquids and gases will have a pressure/vacuum relief valve to prevent damage to the tank from changes in the internal pressure. These valves MUST be inspected and maintained in line with the manufacturer’s instructions. Some valve designs require a special tool to dismantle them for servicing. Investigations…...
Investigation into an explosion of a High-Voltage (HV) circuit breaker indicated that recently carried out maintenance may have been a causal factor. The incident resulted in catastrophic failure of the HV circuit breaker leading to fire/explosion and could have resulted in fatal injuries. Maintenance of HV and LV circuit breakers typically involves both the cleaning…...
Way back in my day as a site safety manager, one day I had a knock-down-drag-out with the facility maintenance manager regarding overdue piping inspections. It was not long before my Plant Manager stopped by for a chat. Apparently, the maintenance manager was not too happy having the lowly safety manager expect him to carry…...
If you deal with emergency planning and response to releases of hazardous substances you can take a deep breath and have a sigh of relief… OSHA is NOT touching its HAZWOPER standard under its proposed revision to its emergency response standards. The changes OSHA is proposing will apply ONLY to its Fire Brigade standard, 1910.156. …...
As you know, I am a huge fan of the FM Global Data Sheets and I still recommend them to all my clients. If your business is too cheap to buy RAGAGEPs, these Data Sheets are by far your next best options as they are FREE. And in some situations, I actually prefer the FM…...
Who might be covered by a new Emergency Response standard? The draft Emergency Response standard would apply to employers that mitigate a hazard in an emergency response situation and the activity is currently covered by 29 CFR 1910.156, or is not covered by another OSHA standard. The standard would apply to, but not be limited…...
Have you seen OSHA’s proposed ER standard? It will replace 1910.156 and encompass all aspects of emergency response, such as firefighting, fire rescue, emergency medical service, technical rescue (rope/high angle, cave, etc.), vehicle/machinery rescue, water rescue/recovery (land/shore-based, Swiftwater, underwater), search and rescue (urban, mountain, wilderness). I have gone through the proposed standard and structured it…...
Having had the privilege of working with a railroad this year, I have learned a lot about how “safety” functions in an industry sector I knew absolutely nothing about. But in this time, I have come to really like the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) approach to managing safety across this industry. The FRA had to…...
Today I got one of my favorite magazines, of which I have been suggesting everyone in the PSM arena subscribe to (for FREE) – The BULLETIN from the National Board. And in this edition, the NB has an article on the Hanson RV that has an indicator telling when the valve has been activated. These…...
Respondent operates a petrochemical manufacturing process at the Facility, utilizing regulated substances to produce vinyl chloride monomer, meeting the definition of ” process”, as defined by 40 C.F.R. § 68.3. Sulfur dioxide, hydrogen chloride, vinyl chloride and propylene (collectively, “regulated substances”) are each a “regulated substance” pursuant to 40 C.F.R. § 68.3. EPA conducted an…...
