I have written about this topic several times, but in reading the newest edition (2015) of NATIONAL BOARD INSPECTION CODE I came across some actual language that must be considered when establishing our Safe Upper Design Limits for our pressure vessels. I feel like I must state the obivious once again – a relief valve is […]
California is looking to REVISE their CalARP regulation with an additional “Program Level” specific to petroleum refineries. This is coming from Interagency Working Group on Refinery Safety and they are proposing to form a new Article 6.5 Program 4. Program 4 eligibility requirements are…
These proposed CalARP emergency response program amendments are intended to apply ONLY to petroleum refineries, and incorporate recommendations from the Report of the Interagency Working Group on Refinery Safety.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) (EPA/OSHA) issued this Chemical Safety Alert as part of an ongoing federal effort to improve chemical risk management, advance safety and protect human health and the environment.1 Recent catastrophic chemical facility incidents in the United States prompted the President to issue Executive
With OSHA’s recent revision of their definition of “retail”, there are literally thousands of ammonia facilities that have entered into the world of PSM and have gone from RMP 2 to RMP 3. So this posting is just to offer some insight and/or an alternative to API 510 inspection practices and to help those facilities
More than 50,000 preliminary assessments were reviewed by DHS from facilities with chemicals of interest 3,146 facilities are currently covered by CFATS More than 3,000 facilities voluntarily removed, reduced, or modified their holdings of chemicals of interest 2,111 visits to assist facilities with compliance 3,242 Security Plans authorized 2,658 Authorization Inspections conducted
Enclosed are the Office of Inspector General’s (OIG’s) three fiscal year 2015 management challenges and one internal control weakness for consideration as part of the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) Federal Managers’ Financial Integrity Act review. The Reports Consolidation Act of 2000 requires our office to report what we consider the most serious
For several years now, with OSHA and EPA have issued bulletins/alerts regarding Excess Flow Valves. These alerts/bulletins warned against placing too much faith in these valves when it comes to PREVENTING a “catastrophic release”. These valves do not have a history of failing because of defects, they have a history of failing due to IMPROPER
OSHA has published a set of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding their REVISED PSM Retail Exemption Policy. The questions they answer are:
At approximately 10:00 a.m. on November 4, 2003, Employee #1 was filling a nurse tank from the bulk anhydrous ammonia tank at the ammonia plant. After the nurse tank was full, Employee #1 disconnected the hoses from the nurse tank and was exposed to anhydrous ammonia. The exposure resulted in burn injuries to his face,
As the car industry learns that the “mildly flammable” refrigerant (per ASHARE 34) HFO-1234yf is actually a Category 1 Extremely Flammable Gas (per the manufacturer’s SDS and 1910.1200) and those facilities who have over 10,000 pounds of HFO-1234yf fall under PSM (1910.119), it is becoming a less and less attractive global warming (GW) alternative. And
With all the recent changes in the Process Safety community within the USA, I have been getting a lot of questions regarding pressure vessels and what to expect when it comes to how they play a role in PSM/RMP programs. These vessels pose our greatest risk within our process as they contain the majority of
