At approximately 10:40 a.m. on April 2, 2019, the housing of a three-inch Y-strainer of an isobutylene line that fed into reactor K8 ruptured and isobutylene was released, forming a vapor cloud. Three employees responded to mitigate the isobutylene vapor in the reactor area.
At 4:45 a.m. on July 29, 2018, 16 employees were operating vegetable packaging equipment and performing material handling activities at a vegetable processing facility that used ammonia refrigeration. A fan unit for an evaporative condenser unit fell onto the condenser coil due to the structural failure of a motor bracket. While falling, the fan cut
This video is exactly why the ASME B31 piping RAGAGEPs prefer hydrostatic pressure testing vs. pneumatic methods. When we take piping up to 400 psi and higher we are creating a serious hazard; thus the code(s) have built-in administrative controls to ensure personnel are NOT near the piping when the test pressure is achieved and
This video was shared with me from outside the USA. The audience certainly does not understand what they are witnessing or they would not be watching so closely. Although we can not see the fire impinging on the vessel, we can see the RV discharge has ignited. Then after a few moments, I’m told this
This is NOT my personal interpretation of this ASME B31.3 “leak testing” requirement(s), but it is the official position of the Alberta Canada pressure equipment safety authority. I share this as another “official” explanation of what ASME B31.3 requires in terms of pressure/leak testing and this regulatory agency’s interpretation of how they read this critical
This little matter always leads to an energetic discussion during our Emergency Response assessments/planning exercises. But most states have a state code that will read something like this… Access to refrigeration systems having a refrigerant circuit containing more than 220 pounds (100 kg) of Group A1 or 30 pounds (14 kg) of any other group
An operator was working to remove a pressure gauge on what was assumed to be depressurized tubing. The upstream piping the pressure gauge tubing was connected to had been isolated, de-pressured and air-gapped so that this section of line was positively and physically isolated from the process. However, during the work to isolate the process
A new direct expansion chiller was installed at an ice arena to replace an existing chiller. After almost 20 weeks of service, an ammonia leak was detected, which released ammonia into the machinery room. The low level (25 ppm) ammonia alarm sounded and the ventilation system was activated to continuously evacuate vapors to the outdoors
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has revised regulations designed to reduce the risk of accidental releases of hazardous chemicals. These regulations are part of the EPA’s Risk Management Program (RMP), which the Agency established under authority in the Clean Air Act and recently amended on January 13, 2017. After a process of reconsidering several parts
The CSB proposes to add a new part to title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations, which will appear as a new part 1604. The proposed part will consist of six (6) sections. Proposed § 1604.1 states the purpose of the rule. Proposed § 1604.2 sets forth key definitions. Section 1604.3 sets forth who
In EPA’s RMP standard there are four (4) TOXIC substances which have listed concentrations: Hydrochloric acid 37% or greater Hydrofluoric acid 50% or greater Nitric acid 80% or greater Ammonia 20% or greater If we have any of these four (4) substances in solution AND their concentration is LESS THAN (<) the listed concentration, we
These days the one thing I love about my job is when a client actually asks me to lessen their risks through safety engineering. Yes, I went to school and got my BS in OSH and my MS in SE and they are stunningly different applications. With one, I help companies with their OSHA compliance
