Ever wondered what 10-15 tons of Anhydrous Ammonia looks like when it is released from a busted hose during unloading? Wondered how big would the cloud be? How dense is the cloud? Does the cloud rise or fall to the ground? Well here are some great shots showing us all these things.
2015 UPDATE: Some of my refrigeration PSM buddies reminded me that the industry now has its own RAGAGEP for piping installation, ANSI/IIAR 4-2015, Installation of Closed-Circuit Ammonia Refrigeration Systems. I do applaud the IIAR for their work in establishing this ANSI standard for the industry, but for those so happy to “correct me” I like to point
Some interesting data put together each year by the Wisconsin Department of Public Health Services. 2009 is the most recent update to their data. Here are the summaries: Since 1993, Wisconsin has had 768 uncontrolled ammonia releases, representing approximately 45 releases per year. 445 (58%) of Wisconsin’s ammonia releases involved refrigeration systems. A total of 302 people have sustained injuries as
Most businesses have established their safe upper and lower limits for the most obvious process parameters such as pressures, temperatures, and levels; but in a flammable liquid process involving non-conductive flammable liquids establishing a safe upper and lower limit for flow is an ABSOLUTE MUST. There is not a Recognized and Generally Accepted Good Engineering
This regulatory requirement is often mismanaged, which oftentimes results in many other related issues within a process safety management system. In this article, I will discuss a methodology a facility can apply in establishing its “safe upper and lower limits.” In this example, I will use process pressure, as it is the easiest to illustrate,
Key provisions of PSM OSHA’s preamble to the PSM Standard goes a long way to provide us insight as to why there are 14 elements to the standard and what each requirement in each element is intended to serve. The entire preamble is a very long read, but there are some key provisions in Section
A requirement that many think is “common sense” and “simple” continues to appear on 3rd party audit reports and OSHA/EPA citations year after year. So why is something so “common” and “simple” so difficult to comply with? Often times we make something simple to difficult for our own good. In this article I want to
Executive Summary: Minor non-permanent injuries (to two operators), and more severe injuries to a third employee resulted when ammonia refrigerant vapor was released from a safety valve on the outdoor refrigerant condenser. Equipment failure, ambient conditions, inadequate staff training contributed. A certificate of inspection was issued with follow-up. A complete plant survey was conducted and additional certificates of inspection issued.
As many of you know I have written extensively about flammable liquids safety, a true passion of mine within the safety field. But there is this SMALL detail that too many facilities are overlooking, but relying on in a very BIG way. Secondary Containment, or a “dike” as it is often called. Here are just
As you know, EPA regulates certain hazardous chemical facilities under 40 CFR Part 68 – known as the EPA Chemical Accident Prevention or Risk Management Plan (RMP) program. EPA is aware that state and local communities are major stakeholders in the RMP program, and as such the Agency would like to alert you to a
It’s here!!!!!! OSHA announced today they are officially EXPANDING the PSM Covered Chemical Facilities National Emphasis Program (NEP) to cover the ENTIRE NATION and State Plans. This Instruction applies OSHA-wide. Both programmed and unprogrammed inspections will take place in all OSHA Regions and will begin immediately in all Regions. Some Key Points to share with
This is an Investigation Report that EVERY PSM/RMP risk manager who has FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS in their process MUST READ! I would add that EVERYONE who has flammable liquid tanks on their site should read this report. The report could be used as an example of: 1) the “Accident Domino Theory”, 2) a TRACKING SYSTEM for
