Chemical Process Safety (PSM/RMP)

In response to the tragic 2017 incident in which several people were killed by exposure to ammonia at an ice arena in Fernie, British Columbia, ABSA is now extending the scope of the plant registry to include ammonia refrigeration plants and they just published new guidance and establishes requirements for the ammonia-bearing refrigeration systems operating

This is a MUST read for those of us in the process safety arena… OPEN to everyone as this is from ABSA – the pressure equipment safety authority

Here is a listing of just some of the Loss of Primary Containment (LOPC) events involving pressure equipment unsafe conditions, accidents, and fires that have been reported to and investigated by ABSA.  This information is provided to make people aware of the general nature of pressure equipment unsafe conditions, accidents, and fires. The intent is to

A bleeder valve was left open during transport truck anhydrous ammonia delivery, causing a large amount of ammonia to enter and violently rupture an aluminum caged plastic Intermediate bulk container (IBC or tote) filled with water. The IBC/Tote rupture released ammonia and the delivery driver suffered fatal injuries and other workers, including a facility employee,

NOTE: this occurred in 2007 – I just missed it in my research and just now posting it. At a meat product processing plant Employee #1 and Employee #2 were working on the production floor near a section of piping that had been removed the prior day during the rerouting of an ammonia refrigerant line.

It is not unusual to hear many engineers lay claim that by using stainless steel piping, that they are fully eliminating the risk of corrosion under insulation (CUI) within their piping circuits.  But could stainless steel piping be susceptible to CUI much like it’s cousin in the piping family… carbon steel? The short answer is

If you have ever participated in or facilitated a Process Hazard(s) Analysis before you have certainly heard the phrase “never happened before” and the implication that we would be wasting our time if we spent any more time discussing the scenario.  As a facilitator, it is our responsibility to force the discussion, as we should

Those that follow my PSM & RMP Citations / Analysis postings most likely have noticed a significant change in the level and depth that EPA and OSHA are conducting their RMP and PSM inspections.  They have cited many more RAGAGEP issues and now dig deep into PHA’s and SOP’s than they ever had before.  This

A contractor was performing rust corrosion removal and prevention services on pressurized piping at a chemical plant in Freeport, Texas. In October 2016, two contractor employees were seriously injured when a pipe ruptured, releasing trichlorosilane. Following an inspection, OSHA issued the contractor a two-item serious citation. The first item, grouped for penalty purposes, alleges violations