How can I tell if my PV was Post-Weld Heat Treated (PWHT)?
On the ASME Form U-1 (Manufacturer’s Data Report for Pressure Vessels), the information regarding Postweld Heat Treatment (PWHT) is typically found in Line 14.
Are we overdoing procedures?
by Wynand Serfontein, Senior Scientist @ Sasol Technology (Pty) Limited In a safety management system, there is a constant battle to find the optimum balance between procedures and common sense. On the one hand, both our educational systems and legal systems support a culture of procedures. The educational system encourages written material to be studied
ASME B31 Quality Assurance Program for weldments
An ASME B31.3 welding quality assurance (QA) program must cover the full lifecycle of a weldment, from procedure qualification to final testing, to ensure structural integrity. It serves as a mandatory framework for contractors to demonstrate that their processes and personnel consistently meet the minimum safety requirements for process piping. The QA program must include the following:
How many welds have to be visually inspected per ASME B31.3
In ASME B31.3, the number of welds that require visual inspection depends entirely on the Fluid Service Category designated for the piping system. Because visual inspection is the primary quality control method, the requirements are strict. For the vast majority of process piping (Normal Fluid Service), 100% of the completed welds must be visually inspected.
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland – Ammonia National Audit Program results
An interesting comparison to OSHA NEP results for the Ammonia refrigeration industry. From July 2009 to June 2011, Workplace Health and Safety Queensland (WHSQ) conducted an audit and inspection program at 102 facilities using anhydrous ammonia-based industrial refrigeration systems. Facilities included a range of food processors (meat, dairy, processed foods), cold stores, and ice works.
Using the common practice of “Draining Oil Pots” on refrigeration systems to examine the differences between “controlled” and “uncontrolled” releases of ammonia
If you have been around ammonia refrigeration very long, you have most likely heard a horror story or two related to “draining an oil pot.” This task is also very well known by OSHA and EPA inspectors and is often used as a point of review for operating and maintenance procedures during PSM/RMP inspections. So
Ammonia Incidents in Oregon from 1993-2007
Ammonia Incidents in OregonFrom 1993 – 2007 ORHSEES recorded a total of 3,187 qualifying chemical incidents in Oregon. Of these qualifying incidents, 240 (7.5%) involved a release of ammonia. 87.5% of the ammonia releases occurred at fixed facilities while 12.5% occurred during the transport of ammonia. A total of 67 of the 240 ammonia incidents required an evacuation order, affecting 3687 people. Evacuations ranged from
An interesting “Facility Change” that fell through the cracks
During a recent project the SAFTENG team came across an interesting “change” to a covered process that fits the “changes to facilities” perfectly. The covered process was a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) unit on a coal fired boiler. The unit was having problems during cooler months with the ammonia condensing before it reached the SCR unit.
The finer points of OSHA’s and EPA’s Management of Change requirements
My Management of Change (MOC) presentation today at the BWC Ohio Safety Congress. Click Here to download the pdf. Many thanks to the BWC (a “Partner in Safety” with SAFTENG for the past 7 years) for asking me to speak on Process Safety.
EPA cancels their July 2012 Public Access to RMPs
Greetings Everyone: A few months ago, I wrote to tell you about the EPA’s desire to re-establish public internet access for certain categories of information collected by the Risk Management Plan (RMP) Program. In that note, I wrote of the Agency’s intent (in the absence of negative feedback) to post this information online by July
UK’s HSE REVIEW OF AMMONIA INCIDENTS 1992 – 1998
This note presents the results of a review of ammonia incidents reported to Health & Safety Executive (HSE) over the period 1992-1998. It also provides details of the main sources of guidance on the storage, handling and use of ammonia. Ammonia is used in the manufacture of fertilisers, nitric acid and many other products. It