Revision 16 of this pamphlet includes the addition of a section on fully-lined valves (4.1.9), a more robust section on liquid expansion chambers (5.5), recommendations on plastic pipe selections and discussion on gas permeability under vacuum (9), a caution on pneumatic testing (11.2.2), updated guidance on hydrostatic testing (appendix A, 2.3.1), and addition of a […]
Many have never seen a large and sudden release of anhydrous ammonia (NH3). Most who work with Ammonia have seen the Seward, IL ammonia release videos; however, these two videos do not put the release into perspective as to the large area which is impacted by these catastrophic releases. The Texas Air Control Board took
One area that is often overlooked or not applied during process hazards analysis (PHA) is a review of previous incidents. This is often not done as the process has no reported incidents in the past five years. We can discuss/challenge that “phenomenon” in a later posting, but I wanted to offer this bit of advice…
With the release of the CSB accident report involving the catastrophic failure of an ASME pressure vessel and me posting it this afternoon, I am already getting e-mails (5 and counting within the first two hours) claiming the incident is “1 in a million” and that I am scaring people for no sound reason. Really?
This accident occurred December 7, 2009, with a violent rupture of an ASME pressure vessel. The video contains an animation which depicts the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) that accumulated over time in the walls of a pressure vessel where synthetic quartz crystals were manufactured under extremely high pressures and temperatures. The incident had many failures
OSHA is considering revising its Process Safety Management (PSM) standard, 29 CFR 1910.119, to address gaps in safety coverage; or updating its Flammable Liquids standard, 29 CFR 1910.106, and Spray Finishing standard, 29 CFR 1910.107, based on the latest consensus standards. The following options are being considered:
The first (1st) public review of draft standard IIAR 4-201x, Installation of Closed-Circuit Ammonia Mechanical Refrigerating Systems is now open. Substantive changes resulting from this public review will also be provided for comment in a future public review if necessary. IIAR 4 specifies criteria for the installation of closed-circuit ammonia refrigeration systems. It presupposes that
How many process safety management systems for ammonia refrigeration have you seen that included “temporary operations”? There seems to be an industry-wide mind set that there are no “temporary operations” in ammonia refrigeration. Heck, even the largest ammonia refrigeration trade group states there are is no such thing as “temporary operations” in the ammonia refrigeration
RMPs must be updated at least once every five (5) years. You must fully update your RMP for resubmission sooner than the five-year anniversary date, if any of the changes specified below occur [as specified in 40 CFR 68.190(b)]. If a change alters the Program Level that applies to any covered process, the RMP must
Anyone who has submitted an RMP or maybe done a Worst Case Scenario (WCS) using EPA’s modeling software “RMP* Comp” will recognize this little checkbox at the bottom of the data page just above the SUBMIT button… But when is this little checkbox, which can have a large impact on your scenario, allowed to be
We are often questioned about our audit methology and techniques. Clients ask… “How did you know to ask me about that?” or “Why in the world do you want to see that for in a PSM/RMP audit?” Well, here is one way I learned what gets asked for; attached is an official EPA RMP Inspection
The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has released the panel investigation report into the November 16, 2012 HOTWORK explosion and fire that occurred on an offshore platform. The explosion and fire resulted in the tragic deaths of three (3) workers, serious injuries to others, and the discharge of pollutants into the Gulf of
