Chemical Process Safety (PSM/RMP)

Technical Safety BC (British Columbia) has issued two new safety orders regarding ammonia in refrigeration plants.  Failure to comply with the requirements of these safety orders may result in enforcement action under the Safety Standards Act and associated regulations. These two (2) safety orders are: Safety Order SO-BP-2021-01: Secondary Coolant Safety Order SO-BP-2021-02: Emergency Discharge…...

Back in February of this year, I posted an article on how badly broken our “Industrial Zoning” process is broken in the USA.  The article was titled: “FAILURES of true “facility siting” – our “zoning” process is broken and dangerous!” and it was about a chemical plant’s pleas to the city council to not rezone…...

The number 1 failure that causes releases of anhydrous ammonia in agricultural and bulk transports is hose failures!  Without a doubt, at a fertilizer distribution center, loading and unloading DOT containers via transfer hoses pose the greatest risk for a catastrophic event.  So special attention is deserving when it comes to the hose(s) we will…...

NOTE:  Anyone can download these pamphlets for FREE; just visit the CI bookstore and go through the purchasing process as if you were buying them and you will NOT be charged or even asked for a credit card! The Chlorine Institute (CI) has updated their Pamphlet 95, Gaskets for Chlorine Service (Ed. 6), and added…...

Whenever I am doing a Chlorine project this always comes up, as I almost always try and get anyone who is using elemental chlorine to make the switch to “bleach”, or sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl).  Too many facilities are not capable of safely storing and handling elemental chlorine – that is just a hard fact.  These…...

This case has bounced around for a while now, but the power plant won their case and had the 29 C.F.R. § 1910.120(q)(3)(iv) citation vacated by the OSHRC.  On a personal note, I agree with the dissenting opinion.   Only Item 2 of that citation is at issue on review—it alleges a violation of 29 C.F.R…....

I will give these guys this credit… they make great videos for the ammonia refrigeration industry.  But as a safety professional, I was appalled at some of their actions and lack of safety while watching two of their videos.  This particular video shows two (2) workers removing and replacing an NH3 valve – a clear…...