Chemical Process Safety (PSM/RMP)

Ammonia (concentration 20% or greater) and Ammonia (anhydrous) Alternative Release Scenarios (EPA FAQ)

Pursuant to the Risk Management Program regulations, the owner or operator shall identify and analyze at least one (1) alternative release scenario for each regulated toxic substance held in a Program 2 or Program 3 process above its threshold (40 CFR §68.28). If a facility has both ammonia and ammonia (anhydrous) on site above their […]

NFPA’s Tentative Interim Amendment (TIA) 27-1 – 2027 Edition of NFPA 30

Tentative Interim Amendment (TIA) 27-1 refers to a significant update to the 2027 Edition of NFPA 30: Flammable and Combustible Liquids Code. Issued on April 15, 2026, with an effective date of May 5, 2026, this TIA (Log #1886) was processed by the Technical Committee on Flammable and Combustible Liquids to address safety gaps regarding

What is a Hierarchy of Hazard Control Analysis (HCA)?

Under Cal/OSHA’s Process Safety Management (PSM) standards (specifically Title 8 §5189.1 for refineries and §5110.16 for other facilities), the Hierarchy of Hazard Control Analysis (HCA) is a formal, documented requirement that goes significantly beyond the traditional OSHA “inverted pyramid.” While standard safety protocols often treat the hierarchy as a suggestion, Cal/OSHA makes it a mandatory

The history of H2S’s IDLH Limit

The Evolution of the Hydrogen Sulfide IDLH: From Lethality to Escape Impairment The history of the Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) value for Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) reflects a critical evolution in industrial safety. It highlights a shift from focusing purely on survival to understanding the physiological “tipping points” that prevent a worker from

The history of NH3’s IDLH Limits

The history of ammonia’s Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health (IDLH) levels is a classic example of how occupational safety standards evolve as toxicological data becomes more refined. Since the concept was first introduced in the 1970s, the ammonia limit has undergone significant downward revisions based on a better understanding of acute human tolerance.

Styrene Tank explosion and fire on chemical tanker Stolt Groenland (Report & Video)

On 28 September 2019, a cargo tank containing styrene monomer on board the Cayman Islands-registered chemical tanker Stolt Groenland ruptured due to runaway polymerization. The catastrophic rupture released a large quantity of vapor into the atmosphere, which subsequently ignited. Fire-fighting efforts by the emergency services took over six hours and involved more than 700 personnel

OSHA Citation Report: Standard 1910.252 (General Requirements)

Reporting Period: October 2024 – September 2025 This report summarizes the enforcement activity for 29 CFR 1910.252, which covers general requirements for welding, cutting, and brazing. The data reflects current penalty amounts and identifies the economic sectors most frequently cited. Executive Summary During the specified period, OSHA issued 160 citations across 115 inspections, resulting in

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