As an initial step, and prior to publication of any proposed changes to existing rules or enforcement policies, OSHA is convening a Small Business Advocacy Review Panel (“SBAR Panel”) in accordance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act, or RFA (Sections 601 through 612 of Title 5 of the United States Code). This Panel consists of members from OSHA, the […]
The Process Safety Management (PSM) standard is intended to prevent or minimize the consequences of catastrophic releases of highly hazardous chemicals (HHCs). It requires employers to adopt a comprehensive management program that integrates technologies, procedures, and management practices to help assure safe and healthy workplaces. OSHA is considering revisions to the PSM standard, including changes
Last week OSHA shared an update on where they are at with their desired revisions to the PSM standard (1910.119). Some of the potential PSM Revisions include: Atmospheric Storage Tanks Oil and Gas-Well Drilling, Servicing, and Production Chemical Reactivity Safer Technology and Alternatives Additions to Appendix A Chemicals Dismantling/Disposal of Explosives Define/Updating RAGAGEP Mechanical
We have seen this far too often… operating ranges that are too close to RV set points. Here is some excellent guidance from a great pressure vessel RAGAGEP, the National Board (NBIC-Parts 1-3) on how to establish the DESIGN characteristics for a pressure vessel based on the OPERATING PARAMETERS the vessel will be operating in…
Both OSHA and EPA require PSM/RMP facilities, more specifically covered process(s), have a QA program in their Mechanical Integrity (MI) Program… 1910.119(j)(6) Quality assurance. 1910.119(j)(6)(i) In the construction of new plants and equipment, the employer shall assure that equipment as it is fabricated is suitable for the process application for which they will be used. 1910.119(j)(6)(ii) Appropriate checks
As a process safety professional, what do we see and what comes to mind when we see a pipe flange like the one shown here? In this small and simple picture, how many sections of OSHA’s PSM standard (or EPA’s RMP rule) impact this pipe flange; better yet, can we name all the RGAGEPS that
UPDATE 10/18/2016 – Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Office reduced the number of violations cited from 15 to nine and lowering fines from $115,500 to $69,300. About a month after the blast, the Honolulu Fire Department said its investigation determined the explosion was likely caused by a digital pressure gauge in the tank that produced an
Full disclosure, I do PSM/RMP audits, but that does not change the facts that I will present in this article. Over the past couple of years, I have seen first-hand companies cancel or fail to schedule their 3-year PSM/RMP audits because their State EPA, Federal EPA or OSHA did a PSM/RMP inspection at their facility
On March 23rd a worker at a seafood processing building/warehouse in Boston, MA was killed in a catastrophic release of anhydrous ammonia. Since then there has been much speculation as to how this tragedy occurred and whether or not the facility’s refrigeration process fell under OSHA’s PSM and EPA’s RMP standards. As it appears at
One of the means to protect an OUTSIDE atmospheric storage tank is a weak roof-to-shell seam. As we can see in this video, a diesel tank at a wharf in Apia, Samoa was equipped with such a means of fire venting. I am assuming this on the basis of the information we can obtain from the
Sometimes I come across some items as I do work for clients that are priceless in helping us make our case for safety and this one is a “feather in our [hard] hat”. Apparently some employers in the state of California decided that using pressure vessels built to some code other than ASME Section VIII
On April 9, 1998, an 18,000-gallon propane tank exploded (BLEVE) at the Herrig Brothers farm in Albert City, Iowa. The explosion killed two volunteer firefighters and injured seven other emergency response personnel. Several buildings were also damaged by the blast. CLICK HERE for the CSB Report.
