Chemical Process Safety (PSM/RMP)

I see severe risk-taking regarding “safety assumptions” in process safety in my travels. I guess I am just “old school” and believe that every Pressure Vessel (PV) deserves its very own Pressure Relieving Device (PRD). But in today’s economy, where “costs” can be a driver in decision-making, I have experienced numerous scenarios where a single…...

For my Process Safety followers, here is your Monday Morning “trick question” (which I do not know the answer to)… Scenario: I have an ASME Section VIII Pressure Vessel that will be used in flammable liquid service. The “dip leg(s)” inside the vessel do not extend down to 6″ from the bottom of the vessel…...

Please note, this is NOT a chemical process safety incident, but the design failures and human errors are directly related to process safety hazards. The design of a new passenger ferry’s engine and inadequate follow-on training for engineering crewmembers led to a 2022 fire aboard a Staten Island Ferry.  The fire broke out in the…...

The Chemical Safety Board (CSB) updated its published list of reported chemical release incidents. These are not incidents that the CSB is investigating, these are incidents that were reported to the CSB under their Accidental Release Reporting rules (40 CFR 1604)…. Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a...

I love the CSB’s work, but this study could have been said in really simple terms… State Fire Code(s)!  I have written dozens of articles explaining the specific requirements of the International Fire Code (IFC), from which most of the 50 states have adopted some “revised” version.  Chapter 50 of the IFC (and those states…...

Many thanks to my friend in safety down under, Mr. Peter Hunt, Director and Principal Consultant, Whamcorp Pty Ltd On 25 March 1991, a contractor died after an ammonia tank he was upgrading exploded at the ICI plant. BACKGROUND… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log...

The operators of a global ink and coatings manufacturing company could have prevented an employee from suffering burn injuries from a flash fire that erupted in an industrial mixing vessel containing flammable liquids and vapors by following federal regulations for handling of highly hazardous chemicals. An OSHA investigation determined a flash fire sparked in the…...