Chemical Process Safety (PSM/RMP)

The host facility, an anhydrous ammonia storage facility,  contracted with a company, who in turn, contracted with Respondent (sub-contractor) to perform services on pipelines within the facility. Respondent provides sixteen different services or “lines”, as it refers to them. Each of these lines is comprised of crew members that have been trained and tested in…...

For those of you involved process safety and your process has “pressure vessels” and “relief valves” the National Board’s magazine “BULLETIN” is a really nice addition to our educational materials.  For instance, this quarter the magazine has an article clearing up a practice that has been questioned for years…  Purposely Setting a Valve Higher than…...

This is an interesting case!  From all evidence I have seen, this ice rink was ordered by the local Fire Department to comply with CalARP regulations back in 1999-2000 time frame.  This ice rink was stated as having only 2,056 pounds at the time the business was ordered to shut down (CalARP TQ is 500#…...

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in response to Executive Order 13650, requests comment on potential revisions to its Risk Management Program regulations and related programs. In this Request for Information (RFI), the Agency asks for information and data on specific regulatory elements and process safety management approaches, the public and environmental health and safety risks…...

A coroner’s jury has ruled the death of a man, who inhaled anhydrous ammonia last year, accidental. The jury ruled the man died of a brain injury caused by a lack of oxygen due to chemical burns from inhaling anhydrous ammonia from a ruptured tank. He also had bacterial pneumonia and acute chronic respiratory failure…....

A number of years ago the SAFTENG team was asked to aid in an investigation involving a flash fire that injured a worker. The State Fire Marshall was able to establish the flash fire was ignited OUTSIDE of the atmospheric vessel. We were challenged with finding out how and why. This incident was traced back…...

The American Petroleum Institute (API) issued three new first edition standards to enhance refinery safety and inspection programs as part of its core commitments to improving workplace safety and protecting the environment. RP 583, Corrosion Under Insulation and Fireproofing: This standard will assist with industry inspection, and allow maintenance personnel to fully understand the complexity…...

Provide the name of the person designated as the emergency contact. If your facility has a regulated toxic substance, you may already have designated a facility emergency coordinator in your notification to your Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) under EPCRA Section 312. If your facility has more than one emergency contact, provide just one name…...

Registration is now open for EPA’s Web-based software, RMP*eSubmit. The software is used for online Risk Management Plan (RMP) reporting. RMP*eSubmit allows facilities to submit, correct, resubmit, and access their RMPs online, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. EPA asks that all facilities use this method to submit RMPs: it’s easy to use…...

The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors has released its First Quarter Report of Violation Findings for 2014.  The data captures problem areas and trends related to boiler and pressure vessel operation, installation, maintenance, and repair; and also identifies problems before unsafe conditions occur.  This report serves as an important source of documentation…...

This is an amazing summary from OSHA that shows us the number and severity of Hot Work Accidents involved with doing hot work on improperly prepared vessels.  There are other hot work fatalities mixed in, but the vast majority of these incidents involved welding/cutting on vessels/containers that were NOT properly prepared. Check out 1910.252(a)(2)(vi)(C) and 1910.252(a)(3)(i) for…...