Chemical Process Safety (PSM/RMP)

Reading through the opening comments from OSHA and EPA at this weeks Senate Committee hearing discussing Executive Order 13650 – Improving Chemical Facility Safety and Security offered us some very interesting insights as to what OSHA and EPA are doing and planning in their efforts to improve process safety.  Here are some of those that

My article earlier this year about line breaks on relief valve vent lines that are attached to a header/manifold got a lot of you to ask more questions about the practice of “line breaking” (or as some call it “process opening”).  I have tried to answer each question but thought it may be helpful to

The Technical Safety Authority of Saskatchewan (“TSASK”) has finalized its investigation into the December 24, 2013, explosion at the Co-op Refinery Complex (“CRC”) in Regina. The investigation has concluded that a bypass line of Polymerization Unit 27 froze following a maintenance procedure.  The stress of the freezing process ruptured the bypass pipe.   Once the air

Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works and The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Date: Thursday, December 11, 2014, 10:00 AM Place:  406 Dirksen Senate Office Building 12/12/14 – UPDATE on the hearing:

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues to strengthen security at the Nation’s high-risk chemical facilities through the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program.  Chemical Security Program Statistics as of November 1, 2014…

In the world of process safety, we live by our chosen and adopted Recognized and Generally Accepted Good Engineering Practice(s) (RAGAGEP) and when our HHC/EHS is Chlorine (Cl2) we turn to the Chlorine Institute and their “Pamphlets” for our needs.  And one of their most-used pamphlets is Pamphlet 6 – Piping Systems for Dry Chlorine. 

One of the most common debates in the refrigeration industry is “do my condensers need relief protection”?  Everyone from OSHA to IIAR has chimed in with their positions.  But recently the SAFTENG team was doing some work in the great state of New Jersey and came across New Jersey’s State Code for refrigeration plants, which

This week, I began working on a process design review project for a client looking to build a facility in the state of WI. This facility will use Anhydrous Ammonia within the facility and SAFTENG was hired to ensure compliance with the design and installation/construction of their Anhydrous Ammonia process. As part of the project,

As I have discussed many times with many clients, the practice of “bench testing” relief valves (RV) is a common practice in many industries; but in some industries, the practice has been considered to be a waste of time and money. At least that was the case until now! It appears that one major trade