Chemical Process Safety (PSM/RMP)

Most ammonia refrigeration personnel know their refrigerant is flammable, but most would also tell us that they do not have any “Hazardous Locations” (e.g. Class 1, Div 1 or 2 locations) associated with their refrigeration process.  Most of these workers will explain their engine room/compressor room ventilation system is designed, installed, and maintained to ensure…...

Is the act of loading/unloading a PSM/RMP chemical exempt from OSHA/EPA enforcement?  Absolutely not!  Somewhere this little fib began and it has spread like wildfire.  If you have a release of your HHC/EHS during unloading or loading, rest assured OSHA and/or EPA can investigate and inspection, and here’s why…… Membership Required You must be a...

This is not meant to be a trick question, but many think it is.  A close examination of the specific wording in the PHA element of the RMP rule will quickly identify DIFFERENT wording than what is in OSHA’s PSM std (just another example of how these standards are NOT identical!)…. Membership Required You must...

Here are some of my favorite Hotwork Safety Talk and Training resources.  They may be helpful at your facility…. Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...

There is some language in the EPA’s Risk Management Plan program requirements that tends to cause some confusion… The owner or operator of a stationary source shall revise and update the RMP submitted under §68.150 as follows: (5) Within six months of a change that requires a revised PHA or hazard review So when are we…...

Point -Counter Point PSM Discussion.  Below is my position and counter to “my opinion” is that of a friend who specializes in PSM for the refrigeration industry.  You can read his position at his website taocomplaince.com Scenario:  You have a freezer with racking. The racking inside this freezer needs to be replaced. You hire a…...

“Hot work” means work involving electric or gas welding, cutting, brazing, or similar flame or spark-producing operations.  Click “Read More” below to view and download the ppt…. Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...

Explosion at Belle Vue: 2 injured between life and death Tuesday, September 27, 2011, 17:11 An explosion occurred this morning at the Belle-Vue brewery Leeuw-Saint-Pierre. Two people were seriously injured. Their prognosis is engaged. The leak was stopped. An ammonia leak occurred around 8:50 Tuesday when three workers from an outside firm conducted the dismantling of an old installation. ” The…...

Have you every walked up on a hotwork job and asked who is the fire watch, only to have five welders not even look up and point to each other? It happens, but there is a simple way to correct this behavioral problem – High Visibility Vests…. Membership Required You must be a member to...

Anyone involved with PSM/RMP knows about “facility siting” and all the attention it has gotten since the Texas City, TX incident in 2005.  Many companies struggle with this type of analysis, so I am passing along some great data that could be used during an expansion project at an existing facility or for a new…...