The research reported here assessed the costs and benefits of the proposed California process safety management (PSM) and California Accidental Release Prevention regulations that are designed to improve safety at oil and gas refineries in California. The authors estimate these costs and benefits in four categories: costs to industry (to implement the regulation), costs to…...
The SPAR-H method applied in this study could analyze and quantify the potential human errors and extract the required measures for reducing the error probabilities in PTW system. Some suggestions to reduce the likelihood of errors, especially in the field of modifying the performance shaping factors and dependencies among tasks are provided. The PTW process…...
How safe is your Permit-to-Work management system? (QRA Results) Read More »
At a brewery, the base plate-to-shell weld seam of a 90-m3 vertical cylindrical steel tank failed catastrophically. The 4-ton tank “took off” like a rocket leaving its contents behind, and landed on a van, crushing it. The top of the tank reached a height of 98′. The internal overpressure responsible for the failure was an…...
Low Pressure storage tank @ brewery catastrophically fails (RD installed upside down) Read More »
3/31/2016 UPDATE – The Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office says the cause of an explosion and fire is undetermined. Their investigation is complete and they have turned matters over to the insurance company(s). 3/14/2016 UPDATE – Best video yet (however it is one of the workers we saw in a previous video standing too close)…...
Crocker Park Propane Tank BLEVE (Update #4 03/14/16) Read More »
Questions include… Why is EPA proposing amendments to the RMP rule? How is EPA’s proposal related to efforts to implement EO 13650? What are the impacts from accidents at RMP facilities? What requirements are included in the proposal? Has EPA discussed these proposed changes with stakeholders or other federal agencies? How will EPA engage stakeholders…...
EPA releases Q&A’s on Proposed Changes to the RMP Rule Read More »
Friday, April 29, 2016; 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Location: 12806 Gateway Dr. S, Tukwila, WA 98168 If you plan on attending in person please RSVP to devin.proctor@lni.wa.gov. Seating is limited. Teleconference number available for this event: 1-866-715-6499 Passcode: 1897720443 Workshop Facilitator: Jerry L. Jones, PE, CSP, CHMM, CFEI, Chemical Engineering Consultant Sponsored by: Washington State Department of…...
In my last several Process Safety courses, I had several requests for “code requirements” surrounding Relief Valve “maintenance” (e.g., inspection, replacement, and rebuild frequencies). In general, there is the “at least every five years” interval that is ever so popular, and the vast majority of manufacturers will REQUIRE their RV(s) the be changed/rebuilt/certified “at least”…...
What is the REQUIRED FREQUENCY of my relief valve(s) maintenance Read More »
In October 2015 I wrote about justifying our Maximum Intended Inventories (MII) so that we balance business needs with risks associated with large quantities of highly hazardous chemicals on site. Now we have come full circle and now a facility is being asked to define their MII as it relates to their material and energy…...
Tying your Maximum Intended Inventory back to your material and energy balances Read More »
The major provisions of this proposed rule include several changes to the accident prevention program requirements, emergency response requirements, and public availability of chemical hazard information. Accident Prevention Program Revisions This action proposes three changes to the accident prevention program requirements…. Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a...
A sneak peek @ EPA’s Revised RMP Rule (the NPRM) Read More »
This week (2/24/16) we saw the Office of Management and Budget approve EPA’s Notice of Public Rule Making (NPRM) in their attempt to revise their Risk Management Plan rule. Several weeks ago I posted some of the revisions that EPA is considering and it is hard not to argue for all of their proposed revisions…...
As I have said before, I am a huge fan of Global FM’s Data Sheets, as these FREE data sheets provide EXCELLENT information for businesses who may not have the funds or the ability to use other codes. And today I got a notice that FM revised their data sheet 7-49, Emergency Venting of Vessels and this…...
FM Global offers FREE GUIDANCE on implementing a “car seal” program Read More »
What happens when a vacuum of 23″ of Hg (11.2965 psi) is pulled on a “damaged” Railcar. This means that there is ~14.7 psi outside the Railcar pushing inward against only 11.29 psi inside the Railcar. The effect is an amazing force with a very dramatic outcome! Video in REAL-TIME…… Membership Required You must be...
The power of a vacuum (Videos w/ Railcar and Tank Truck) Read More »
