Chemical Process Safety (PSM/RMP)

This is my last article in my series regarding excess flow valves. I haveattempted to explain how these devices can aid in controlling a significant leak, as well as how these valves get abused in their design and maintenance. As I have stated before, these valves should NOT be considered a “safeguard” in our PHA’s until we have […]

There is a LOT of chatter about OSHA’s revised “retail facility” LOI and what it means to some industries and the timing the courts could play in the outcome.  The magazine AGProfessional has published a VERY NICE update on the legal proceedings and what lies ahead for the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) and The Fertilizer Institute (TFI)

EPA has issued a memorandum to all Regional Administrators to establish EPA policy on the effect of the OSHA’s reinterpretation of the “retail exemption” under the Process Safety Management (PSM) standard.  The RMP regulation contains a provision at section 68.190(b)(7) requiring facilities to revise and update risk management plans within six (6) months of a

This is a classic EHS spoof that any EHS auditor can appreciate.  It comes from one of the finest process safety professionals that walk among us and oh how he is fun to work with.  Joe can make a bad day one of your best days, just by being “Joe”.  An awesome audit leader and

The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors has released its Third Quarter Report of Violation Findings for 2015.  The data captures problem areas and trends related to boiler and pressure vessel operation, installation, maintenance, and repair; and also identifies problems before unsafe conditions occur.  This report serves as an important source of documentation

This is a study done by Commission of the European Communities which looked at the causes and consequences of Ammonia Accidents in the-the EU.  It is a nice breakdown of the accidents and their contributing factors that we may be able to learn from. Due to its massive use, ammonia is often involved in accidents. Ammonia is

Liquid ammonia leakage accidents can cause serious consequences. This paper makes research on the liquid ammonia leakage accidents based on safety system engineering theory model. Shanghai Baoshan”8.31” liquid ammonia leakage accident is used as an example in this paper and the direct and indirect reasons for the accident are analyzed and combined into four factors: human, material

After maintenance, a scaffold was taken away to be able to start the cooling fan.  Seconds after start up of a cooling fan, there was a lot of noise and a metal scaffold deck flew through the air and fell on the ground.  CLICK HERE (pdf) for the Incident Alert.