Chemical Process Safety (PSM/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…...

It is becoming more common to find facilities using or at least “experimenting” with some “car seal” program or, as some call it, the “Lock Open – Lock Closed” program.  These are the programs where a valve has been identified as a safety critical valve and needs to either stay closed or open until certain…...

The GUIDANCE ON INVESTIGATING AND ANALYZING HUMAN AND ORGANIZATIONAL FACTORS ASPECTS OF INCIDENTS AND ACCIDENTS is a report published by ENERGY INSTITUTE, LONDON. Simply attributing incidents/accidents to human error is not adequate; human factors aspects should be investigated such that lessons are learned to prevent recurrence. Each incident or accident is a learning opportunity, but one that can…...

On June 20, 2009, an ammonia line ruptured during maintenance at a poultry processing plant in Robeson County, N.C., killing one employee and injuring several others. This accident should remind employers of the hazards associated with the use of anhydrous ammonia as a refrigerant at food processing plants. Click Here (.pdf) to see and print this 2-page…...

We have come long ways with our SOPs over the past 20 years!  But we still struggle with annual certifications of these SOPs.  If anyone is a non-believer in what I am going to share with you in this article I encourage them to just randomly grab any SOP from your system and walk it…...

  Below are the set of questions that will be asked during a VPP Assessment at PSM covered facilities. In my opinion, these are the same questions that should be asked at ALL PSM facilities! These questions are being provided so that we can ask these questions, whether we want to be a VPP site…...

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I have received a lot of private comments on some of my recent posts regarding hazardous locations and ventilation.  As usual most are very positive and appreciative and a few were not so charming.  But one of my friends and clients has informed me that I should post my response to his questions as it worked…...

Many facilities will use mechanical ventilation to aid in reducing worker exposures, as well as controlling flammable atmospheres from becoming explosive.  There are some general rules of ventilation that should be applied in all cases and this article is an attempt to briefly mention the key points.  Mechanical ventilation systems are ONLY as good as…...