Chemical Process Safety (PSM/RMP)

4/20/2018 UPDATE:  To further this discussion… consider a diffuser tank is 95% effective (Source: IIAR Technical Paper), meaning that 5% of NH3 would theoretically make it to the atm. WHEN that 5% is greater than 100 pounds, you have a REPORTABLE RELEASE.  Using an actual “oil separator” at a client, the RV has a 0.75″ […]

The Association for Rubber Products Manufacturers (ARPM) is an organization that was started in 2010 after elastomer products company executives belonging to the RMA mutually agreed that a stand-alone association was needed for codes/standards.  Those of us in the process safety field are all too familiar with the RMA and ARPM, as these organizations write

Almost every manufacturing facility that handles a hazardous material will utilize hoses in their handling of the material.  And one of the biggest risk any facility will manage is the BULK UNLOADING/LOADING of their HAZARDOUS MATERIALS.  Whether the hazardous material is a PSM/RMP covered chemical or just a good ole fashion HAZMAT, the integrity of

Last month, March 2018, WorkSafe BC revised their “Ammonia in Refrigeration Systems” manual.  This manual describes the hazards of ammonia and how to prevent and control exposure. It lets you know your responsibilities as an employer and shows you how to prepare for emergencies and investigate ammonia releases to help prevent future accidents.

Current Statistics To date, DHS has received more than 88,258 Top-Screen submissions from more than 40,000 unique facilities. Of these, the CFATS program currently covers 3,441 facilities. These high-risk facilities are divided into four tiers, with Tier 1 facilities posing the highest security risk. CFATS Activities It is important to note that this regulatory program

Is your fire water is a “protection/mitigation” safeguard in your Process Safety program?  Most covered processes, whether toxic or flammable, will utilize firewater as a “critical utility” to help protect/mitigate a release and/or fire from the process.  When this is the case, our fire water system (reservoir(s), pump(s), fire water piping, hydrants, monitor nozzles, etc.)

This topic is a bit off, but for some reason, this issue is trending in our RMP/PSM audit findings.  We have been finding this since we began performing RMP audits in the 2002-2003 time frame, but the numbers are trending up.  Now, this is NOT about a “hazardous condition,” but in almost all our cases,

Recently I posted an article about the IIAR’s new Maintenance Standard that was going to allow bench testing of a “sampling” of our Relief Valves (RVs) as an alternative to the 5-year cycle.  I have written numerous times about this practice, but I could never compete with the National Board’s article(s) on the topic.  Their

The Federal EPA just updated their RMP User Manual.  This is the go-to manual to find all the answers to your RMP submittal questions when using RMP eSubmit Software.  The manual “unofficially” also provides much insight into all the submittal data you are being asked to provide.  It even explains how the WCS and ARS

Sen. Chuck Schumer announced today that OSHA, the Environment Protection Agency (EPA), and Homeland Security (DHS) have agreed to create new protocols requiring notifications and coordination with local governments & emergency services when a company is cited with serious violations in wake of the deadly chemical explosion and fire at a cosmetic factory.  In January,