Some industries’ RAGAGEPs will call out the risk of using a butterfly valve as an energy isolation device due to its propensity to “leak by”. In this incident, the valve catastrophically failed, releasing NH3, resulting in a worker and a contractor being hospitalized. I do not know if the valve was locked out, but that […]
Part 1: Is the act shown in the video an: Error? Mistake? Or Violation? Keep in mind that we all make errors, mistakes, and commit violations. Part 2: Which class of error, mistake, or violation? Tips to help:
In the spring of 2024, emergency responders responded to an ammonia leak at a cold storage facility in southern Ontario. The incident occurred on the roof, where a corroded shut-off valve on the hot gas line of an ammonia center evaporator failed, resulting in the release of ammonia gas into the surrounding environment. The cold
As we have discussed many times, I am a strong advocate of the SIF approach to risk management. Growing up in the PSM arena, we realize that the entire process safety effort is built on the SIF model. However, for those unfamiliar with managing catastrophic risks, SIF can become just another “flavor of the year”
Respondent produced, used, or stored ammonia at the Facility and released a reportable quantity of an EHS, ammonia. On or about August 31, 2022, a “release” of ammonia in excess of 100 pounds occurred at the Facility (the release). As a result of the information obtained by the EPA and subsequent investigation, the Complainant has
I see numerous RMP citations for businesses failing to update its RMP submittal every five years. And the EPA will issue a single citation using 68.190. One day, I hope the EPA will take this a step further and issue another citation against 68.15…
I normally do not share cases that are handled as Expedited Settlement Agreements (ESA) but this one incldued three (3) very common findings during our PSM/RMP audit, so I am sharing this case: Source: https://yosemite.epa.gov/OA/RHC/EPAAdmin.nsf/Filings/55591B2C4849A1E585258CBB006EE6A9/$File/CAA-01-2025-0037%20Bic%20Consumer%20Products%20Final%20Order.pdf
A team of auditors identified a potential risk associated with bypassed safety devices and inconsistent interpretation of regulations after multiple incidents of noncompliance were issued, associated with the operator’s failure to comply with 30 CFR 250.869 and 30 CFR 250.870 in 2025. The BSEE Performance-Based Risk Inspection (PBRI) covered five assets (all production platforms) in
The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) has investigated a recent offshore gas release incident resulting from the failure of a ¾-inch pipe nipple connected to a compressor suction scrubber (Figure 1). The failure led to an immediateplatform shut-in and a full muster of personnel onboard. The released gas posed a significant safety risk,
At an Ethylene unit in the Czech Republic (2015), when swapping over cooling water supply lines during a flowmeter calibration, the operator made a simple mistake. While intending to open valve #3 on the spare supply line, he closed the identical valve #2 instead, shutting off all cooling water to the Light Ends columns. A
A picture-perfect BLEVE caught on drone cam. A storm chaser captured this fire and BLEVE while traveling to chase a storm in Canada. This was in Sidney, MT, and may be the best training video showing a BLEVE (he has even slowed the footage down so we can see it in slow motion).
I have debated this many times and finally just gave up on the industry to do the right thing. And yes, there is a line item in NFPA 350, that I have requested the NFPA to address. But for me, in all my years, we would evacuate the NH3 from the condenser coils and lock
