This is a telling video, showing us the consequences of “slugging a compressor” with liquid anhydrous ammonia. I do not have the details of the event, but one would have to consider the cause being a “High Level” in the vessel the compressor is intending to pull vapor from. These vessels should have level control […]
At 4:45 p.m. on December 27, 2017, an employee was adding piping from a man-lift to a chemical tank when he struck a transducer on a nearby chemical tank containing tetra-methyl ammonium hydroxide. The employee was drenched and was able to lower the man-lift and get into the emergency wash station. Several co-workers assisted the
When I was growing up in the profession, PSM was the king standard we lived by. Everything we did revolved around our Process Safety Management System. One thing that I continue to find is facility personnel not assigned to the process and contractors working within the covered process “battery limits” and never knowing what they
UPDATED on 7/21/2018 For SAFTENG Members – On Scene News Report Video from ABC13 Houston
An operator at a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) processing facility heard a loud noise coming from an area of the plant during start-up, following significant maintenance works. The operator identified that high pressure, flammable natural gas was being released to the atmosphere from a localized point beneath the insulation of process equipment. The Department of
Recently a facility had an NH3 release via an RV and in the spirit of “doing it right” made all the necessary calls, including notifying their local FD. The FD arrived, although it was not required as the facility response team had matters under control before their arrival, the FD felt it was necessary to
Employees such as chemical process operators may be required to shut down processes, close emergency valves and otherwise secure operations that are not in the hot zone or danger area before evacuating in the event of an emergency. (See 29 CFR 1910.38(a)(2)(ii).) These procedures need to be delineated carefully, and employees must be trained to
For SAFTENG members… I have revised my Car-Seal Program to incorporate the “attendance requirements” for deviated valves.
From the WorkSafeBC annual report… In 2017, following work-related deaths at an ice rink, we utilized the Risk Analysis Unit’s research on ammonia exposure to launch a three-phased province-wide inspection initiative focusing on ammonia exposure to ensure that owners and employers of facilities using ammonia are correctly managing the risks associated with the toxic gas.
Have you ever wondered what a “No. 54 drill-size Opening” is? This is a phrase used in OSHA’s 1910.111, Storage and handling of anhydrous ammonia. In simple terms, OSHA has established that if the potential leak is through an opening of No. 54 drill-size or smaller then, the opening need not be protected by an excess-flow valve.
This is a topic that is near and dear to me, as it is one I learned very early on in my career as a means to safely perform PRD work on an RV or RD that is connected to a header/manifold. Although this design MUST be adequately done AND must be managed very tightly,
This is a classic. Details matter, contrary to what many want to claim about safety plans, programs, practices, and operating and maintenance procedures. The fact is, there MUST be a balance between details and length and complexity. Some jobs will need a 10-page procedure, and some will need a half-page. The idea that shorter is
