Ask a group of experienced engineers in ammonia refrigeration, ammonia fertilizer, and eletrical utilities if Post Weld Heat Treating (PWHT) is needed for vessels used in Anyhydrous Ammonia service and you will get a varying degree of answers. I am certainly not one to ask, but we do recommend PWHT for any new vessels put…...
MI Inspection of Anhydrous Ammonia Vessel (No PWHT) Read More »
I think someone has awakened the giant within the USA Government Safety Agencies! Below is a SUMMARY of the document request from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to a business wanting to build a Gas Liquefaction Plant in Corpus Christi, TX. For those involved in Process Safety, the list will be recognizable; but ask yourself… Would…...
Now this is Process Safety Information!! Read More »
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August 2012 CCPS Process Beacon – HOTWORK HAZARDS Read More »
This report documents research undertaken in 2007 and 2008 to examine the important factors affecting the production of flammable vapour in incidents where large storage tanks of volatile liquids are overfilled. This is an important output from the Buncefield response programme that was not published on completion due to constraints on HSL staff involved in…...
Flammable vapour cloud risks from tank overfilling incidents Read More »
From OSHA’s PSM Preamble… The term “process” when used in conjunction with the application statement of the standard establishes the intent of the standard. The intent of the standard is to cover a “process” where the use, storage, manufacturing, handling or the on-site movement of a highly hazardous chemical exceeds the threshold quantity at any…...
Excellent depiction of PSM/RMP Process Arrangements Read More »
This article is meant to provide some guidance to mechanical refrigeration operators (e.g. ammonia refrigeration processes) as to when a “pressure test” is required and when a “leak test” is required and what are the specifics that have to be met in order to comply. Not having performed a “pressure test” on field erected piping…...
Pressure Testing vs. Leak Testing for Mechanical Refrigeration Processes Read More »
The video discusses the four main components of inherently safer design as identified by the NAS study. They are substitute, minimize, moderate and simplify and are described as: 1) Substitute: replacing one material with another that is less hazardous; 2) Minimize: reducing the amount of hazardous material in the process; 3) Moderate: using less hazardous process conditions such…...
Inherently Safer Design (CSB Video) Read More »
Earlier this year, the US EPA cited a company for not having trained staff on-site at all times the Extremely Hazardous Substance (EHS) or Highly Hazardous Chemical (HHC) is on-site in quantities that exceed the Risk Management Plan threshold. The case (Click Here for my summary of the case) involved an ammonia distributor. The only…...
Process Safety, Staffing, and responding to alarms Read More »
ASME VIII, M-11 INSTALLATION OF SAFETY AND SAFETY RELIEF VALVES Spring loaded safety and safety relief valves normally should be installed in the upright position with the spindle vertical. Where space or piping configuration preclude such an installation, the valve may be installed in other than the vertical position provided that: (a) the valve design…...
Can a spring-loaded Pressure Safety Valve be installed horitionally? Read More »
Many THANKS to John Newquist, Assistant Regional Administrator at OSHA, Region V for sharing this data with us! In fiscal year 2012, Region V leads OSHA Regions in conducting Local Emphasis Program (LEP) involving PSM and ammonia seems to be a common theme with several anhydrous ammonia releases that have been investigated. I wanted to focus on…...
PSM Enforcement UPDATE from Region V Read More »
This is a PERFECT EXAMPLE of how a “non-covered” chemical within a PSM Covered Process can impact that PSM/RMP covered process. This can happen to any type of covered process; just not in a refinery! I have personally experienced a single acid line (not covered in the PSM program) leak over another pipe in a…...
A NON-PSM chemical impacting a PSM covered process Read More »
This DOSH Directive implements OSHA’s National Emphasis Program (NEP) for Chemical Facility Process Safety Management in the State of Washington. The purpose of the NEP is to reduce or eliminate workplace hazards associated with the catastrophic release of highly hazardous chemicals. Effective 5/2/2012. Statewide, a minimum of three inspections per year will be completed using…...
WA-OSHA latest State Plan to implement PSM CHEM NEP Read More »
