There is a method to OSHA’s madness in PSM (as well as EPA’s with regards to RMP) when it comes to conducting a Process Hazard Analysis (PHA). Unfortunately too many facilities have been duped into believing that the effort they put forward into what they called a PHA was quite frankly a waste of time. […]
A review of our 2013/2014 audits showed that pipe labeling is a problem across all industries and all types of hazardous materials. Out of 39 audits, 19 had issues with pipe labeling, with the vast majority of those issues being “labeling not meeting a RAGAGEP or company standard.” During audits, it all boils down to
I am always amazed at the number of facilities that do not understand their hazardous materials and the proper safety techniques in managing the hazards these HAZMATs present. Recently I came acorss a sitution where a contractor was left to “prepare piping for a line break”. The facility utilizes natural gas, as a fuel, within
For the doubting Thomas (no offense to actual people named Thomas), here is a bit of info to BELIEVE… I can not believe I have to say this in the Year 2026, but: Anhydrous Ammonia is a FLAMMABLE GAS Look it up on any reputable SDS. Yes, it is shipped as a non-flammable gas, but
Improving the Nation’s Chemical Security Program Statistics as of May 1, 2015 More than 49,000 preliminary assessments were reviewed by DHS from facilities with chemicals of interest 3,348 facilities are currently covered by CFATS More than 3,000 facilities voluntarily removed, reduced, or modified their holdings of chemicals of interest 1,890 visits to assist facilities with
Marking Hazardous (Classified) Locations is a critical step in both compliance and personnel safety. While OSHA and the NEC (NFPA 70) mandate the classification of these areas, they are surprisingly quiet on exactly how to physically mark them. Because “invisible” hazards like flammable vapors or combustible dust can’t be seen, you should use a tiered
This decision covers several interesting items and sets a HUGE precedent for RESPONSIBILITY of PHA and Audit items from the PREVIOUS owners PHAs and Audits. The decision CONFIRMED that “utilities” within the process, in this case a “positive pressure unit” on a control room ventilation system, is a piece of COVERED EQUIPMENT. It also establishes
In the world of pressure vessels (like those governed by ASME Section VIII), the terms “stress relieved during fabrication”, Cold-Formed Heads, and Hot-formed Heads relate to heat, but they are very different techniques used in PV construction. PWHT is about treating the material after it’s been worked, while “hot formed heads” is about shaping the
Most everyone has seen a bollard; they may not have realized what they were seeing at the time, but most have seen one. But this group of people who have seen one grows much smaller when we begin to ask “what makes a bollard a safety device?” A couple of years ago I shared an
