Chemical Process Safety (PSM/RMP)

Workplace Health and Safety Queensland – Ammonia National Audit Program results

An interesting comparison to OSHA NEP results for the Ammonia refrigeration industry.  From July 2009 to June 2011, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) conducted an audit and inspection program at 102 facilities using anhydrous ammonia-based industrial refrigeration systems. Facilities included a range of food processors (meat, dairy, processed foods), cold stores, and ice works…....

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Using the common practice of “Draining Oil Pots” on refrigeration systems to examine the differences between “controlled” and “uncontrolled” releases of ammonia

If you have been around ammonia refrigeration very long, you have most likely heard a horror story or two related to “draining an oil pot.”  This task is also very well known by OSHA and EPA inspectors and is often used as a point of review for operating and maintenance procedures during PSM/RMP inspections.  So…...

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Using the common practice of “Draining Oil Pots” on refrigeration systems to examine the differences between “controlled” and “uncontrolled” releases of ammonia Read More »

Ammonia Incidents in Oregon from 1993-2007

Ammonia Incidents in OregonFrom 1993 – 2007 ORHSEES recorded a total of 3,187 qualifying chemical incidents in Oregon. Of these qualifying incidents, 240 (7.5%) involved a release of ammonia.  87.5% of the ammonia releases occurred at fixed facilities while 12.5% occurred during the transport of ammonia. A total of 67 of the 240 ammonia incidents required an evacuation order, affecting 3687 people. Evacuations ranged from…...

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An interesting “Facility Change” that fell through the cracks

During a recent project the SAFTENG team came across an interesting “change” to a covered process that fits the “changes to facilities” perfectly.  The covered process was a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) unit on a coal fired boiler.  The unit was having problems during cooler months with the ammonia condensing before it reached the SCR unit…....

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The finer points of OSHA’s and EPA’s Management of Change requirements

My Management of Change (MOC) presentation today at the BWC Ohio Safety Congress.  Click Here to download the pdf.  Many thanks to the BWC (a “Partner in Safety” with SAFTENG for the past 7 years) for asking me to speak on Process Safety…. Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership...

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EPA cancels their July 2012 Public Access to RMPs

 Greetings Everyone: A few months ago, I wrote to tell you about the EPA’s desire to re-establish public internet access for certain categories of information collected by the Risk Management Plan (RMP) Program.  In that note, I wrote of the Agency’s intent (in the absence of negative feedback) to post this information online by July…...

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UK’s HSE REVIEW OF AMMONIA INCIDENTS 1992 – 1998

This note presents the results of a review of ammonia incidents reported to Health & Safety Executive (HSE) over the period 1992-1998. It also provides details of the main sources of guidance on the storage, handling and use of ammonia.  Ammonia is used in the manufacture of fertilisers, nitric acid and many other products. It…...

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UK’s HSE REVIEW OF CHLORINE INCIDENTS 1992 – 1998

This note presents the results of a review of chlorine incidents reported to HSE over the period 1992-1998. It also provides details of the main sources of guidance on the storage, handling and use of chlorine.  Chlorine and chlorine-based derivatives are reactive materials which are used in the chemical manufacture of a wide range of…...

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Stairs vs. Ladders and Emergency Egress

In recent years we have been seeing an increasing trend for facilities to relocate equipment to their rooftops.  We suspect this is being done for two primary reasons: 1) it is free real estate and 2) it gets sensitive equipment away from  forklifts, scissor lifts, manlifts, and other motorized equipment.  Either reason we support; however,…...

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Taking credit for a building in a WCS under RMP

I have touched on this topic in some of my other writings and have received many e-mails inquiring about my statements.  First let me state that this impacts ALL industries, but it appears it has struck a nerve in the NH3 refrigeration industry, so my response will be specific to this industry since 100% of…...

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