The CSB promulgated its Accidental Release Reporting Rule to help the CSB decide when to initiate an investigation into an accidental release, including whether to deploy a team of investigators to the site to do “all things necessary and proper” to initiate an investigation and obtain critical information about the incident. Upon arriving at the…...
Reporting of Accidental Releases (CSB Guidelines) Read More »
The best birthday present a process safety engineer could ask for; especially on a birthday when a client is dealing with a tragedy. OSHA has “officially” announced the potential changes to the scope of the current PSM standard it is considering:… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a...
EPA is proposing to require all facilities with Program 2 and 3 processes to conduct a root cause analysis as part of an incident investigation for an RMP-reportable accident as defined under 40 CFR 68.42. This includes requiring the root cause analysis to include specific elements, requiring the use of a recognized investigation method, and…...
EPA’s Risk Management Program Safer Communities – Root Cause Analysis Read More »
EPA is proposing a requirement in 40 CFR 68.67(c)(9) for some Program 3 regulated processes to consider and document the feasibility of applying safer technologies and alternatives as part of their PHA. This requirement applies to petroleum and coal products manufacturing processes (classified in NAICS code 324) and chemical manufacturing processes (NAICS code 325) that…...
The location of stationary sources, and the location and configuration of regulated processes and equipment within a source, can significantly affect the severity of an accidental release. The location of the stationary source in relation to public and environmental receptors may exacerbate the impacts of an accidental release, such as blast overpressures or concentrations of…...
EPA’s Risk Management Program Safer Communities – Facility Siting Read More »
Whether caused by a natural hazard or some other event, power loss at hazardous chemical facilities can lead to a variety of negative impacts. Pumps and compressors may stop running, stirrers may quit mixing, lights may go out, and instruments and controls may malfunction. These equipment outages can lead to tank overflows, runaway chemical reactions,…...
EPA’s Risk Management Program Safer Communities – Power Loss Read More »
A hazard evaluation is defined as the identification of individual hazards of a system, determination of the mechanisms by which they could give rise to undesired events, and evaluation of the consequences of these events on health (including public health), environment, and property. These evaluations often use qualitative techniques to pinpoint weaknesses in the design…...
EPA’s Risk Management Program Safer Communities – Hazard Evaluation Amplifications Read More »
On August 18, 2022, EPA signed the Safer Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention (SCCAP) rule, which proposes revisions to the Risk Management Program (RMP) to further protect vulnerable communities from chemical accidents, especially those living near facilities with high accident rates. The proposed rule would strengthen the existing program and includes new safeguards that have not…...
Risk Management Program Safer Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention Proposed Rule Read More »
Two workers received 1st and 2nd-degree chemical burns after an ammonia leak at a food processing facility. An employee of the facility attempted to isolate the auto-purger and turn it off but was exposed to ammonia. A refrigeration technician then entered the mechanical room wearing a short-sleeve t-shirt and received chemical burns. One individual received…...
Ammonia leak at an industrial food processing facility results in 2 injured Read More »
Chemical Process Safety Articles INDEX (1,443 postings as of 8/2022) New HSE Shared Research project on Corrosion Under Insulation – can you contribute to this important research? (UK’s HSE) It does not take 1,500 pounds of Chlorine to pose a serious hazard The BULLETIN – Summer 2022 The CSB’s Accidental Release Reporting Rule Data Massachusetts…...
Chemical Process Safety Articles INDEX (1,443 postings as of 8/2022) Read More »
Ruptured pipe due to corrosion under insulation Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI) is prevalent in major hazard plants both on and offshore, including nuclear and chemical plants, oil refineries, and offshore installations…. Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...
At 11:00 a.m. on May 23, 2019, an employee removed a regulator from a chlorine gas cylinder to perform yearly maintenance and repacking. When the employee attempted the close the shutoff valve, the valve malfunctioned and stopped turning while still slightly open without the employee’s knowledge. When the employee removed the regulator, chlorine gas escaped…....
It does not take 1,500 pounds of Chlorine to pose a serious hazard Read More »
