Chemical Process Safety (PSM/RMP)

EPA has announced it will increase efforts to prevent catastrophic accidents and explosions that threaten employees and emergency responders and release chemicals that threaten human health and the environment in neighboring communities.  EPA selects National Enforcement Initiatives (NEIs) every three years to focus resources on national environmental problems where there is significant non-compliance with laws, and where…...

The state of IL has passed some Anhydrous Ammonia (NH3) regulations that will require retail Ag fertilizer businesses to:… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...

The House Appropriations Committee has approved language blocking OSHA’s efforts to cover Anhydrous Ammonia bulk processes located at “fertilizer businesses”. The legislation now awaits consideration on the House floor. The bill prevents OSHA from revising a previous enforcement position relating to the “retail exemption” (1910.119(a)(2)(i) that would pull around 4,800 anhydrous ammonia fertilizer facilities into…...

The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has formally announced that “Emergency Planning and Response” and “Preventive Maintenance” are the Board’s newest “Most Wanted Safety Improvements”. The CSB has concluded that inadequate or poor emergency planning or response is a recurring finding in the CSB’s investigations. And that inadequate mechanical integrity programs, delayed or deferred preventive…...

For years now OSHA and EPA have taken similar approaches to how they view DOT containers (Tank Trucks and Railcars) when they are connected to a process.  Both agencies have stated that as long as the motive power (e.g. tractor or locomotive) remains in place then the unloading falls under DOT and thus the content…...

The Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) today announced a landmark set of regulations to strengthen workplace and environmental safety at oil refineries across the state.  The regulatory proposals are intended to make California refineries safer both for workers and surrounding…...

As I have said in the past, the National Board publishes a FREE magazine, The Bulletin, each quarter that almost always contains information that we can use in our daily management of chemical processes. The best part of these FREE articles are they come from a VERY RELIABLE source and are written in such a…...

Attention to CSB management challenges could result in stronger results and protection for the public, and increased confidence in management integrity and accountability.  Based on our continuous audit work, CSB public hearings, congressional hearings and CSB board meetings, EPA’s IG identified three (3) management challenges and one internal control weakness related to operational controls.  The…...

On September 24, 2010, Employee #1 was standing five feet away from a pressure test being conducted with nitrogen. Inside the test, the cylinder was a downhole tool used in oil and gas production. For unknown reasons, the tool inside the test cylinder exploded knocking the threaded end cap off the test cylinder. The explosion caused the straps…...

The new T/O program formalizes the “Test Only” process by providing National Board certification to organizations conducting in-service testing of pressure relief valves. The program includes an adjustment for restoring nameplate set pressure and provides customer and inspector confidence in testing capabilities.  T/O Certificates of Authorization will be extended to current VR certificate holders. New applicants can obtain a T/O Certificate of Authorization by…...