Safety Info Posts

A look at EPA’s Ammonia Refrigeration General Duty Clause (GDC) Pilot Project

SAFTENG members can get an update to EPA’s Ammonia Refrigeration General Duty Clause (GDC) Pilot Project from Janet Bowen, EPA Region 1, presentation.  This program is slated to end on September, but ammonia refrigeration was chosen as one of the priority sectors for this GDC enforcement pilot.  Mrs. Bown provides us with nice updates on this pilot program and the problems

EPA RMP citations @ food plant (NH3 & $18K w/ $68K SEP)

Respondent operates a “stationary source” and has registered an RMPlan with the EPA for its stationary source and has developed an RMProgram accidental release prevention program for the stationary source. Respondent operates an ammonia refrigeration process that has 13,000 pounds of ammonia in onsite storage. Respondent has one RMProgram level 3 covered process. On March

Verification of Energy Isolation Device effectiveness is CRITICAL (CCPS Process Safety Beacon)

This month’s CCPS Process Safety BEACON is about energy isolation practices in chemical process units and although I personally think they missed the mark on this one, it is a PERFECT EXAMPLE as to why many businesses involved with processing Highly Hazardous Chemicals/Extremely Hazardous Substances do NOT allow for “single valve isolation”, especially when there is NO

RMP Trends Analysis (NC DEQ)

I recently came across some interesting RMP data from the state of North Carolina (NC), one (1) of the nine (9) states granted delegation of EPA’s authority to implement and enforce the risk management program rule.  It is only a very small percentage of RMP covered facilities, but these data and trends may be the

Pressure Testing Hazards are serious and need written procedures

As we have discussed here many many times, pressure testing of our primary containment systems for our hazardous materials is an absolute necessity to ensure the integrity of our construction/installation and/or alteration/repair.  But these tests come with some serious risks, EVEN HYDROSTATIC TESTING is a very hazardous activity.  And as shown in the OSHA investigation

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