This debate seems never to die, and I keep adding more examples to make my point crystal clear… When pressure- and leak-testing piping, we are to use the Hydrostatic Method rather than the Pneumatic Method. ASME provides three (3) specific situations in which we can use Pneumatic Testing instead of Hydrostatic Testing. And these exceptions […]
A plant worker died following an exposure to hydrofluoric acid at a chemical plant in St. Gabriel. Two workers with burns were taken from the plant to a hospital where one of them died during surgery. company statement: (scrubbed by me)
I am not a fan of “government”, but I am a fan of so many of the workers within our government. They can do some fantastic work. Take this latest and greatest tool for Chemical Safety, for example. This is just too “cool,” and if you are into HAZMATs or Chemical Safety, this is a
North Carolina is an OSHA-approved State Plan that covers both private and state and local government workers. With certain exceptions, the N.C. Department of Labor (NCDOL) adopts federal OSHA standards verbatim. Standards information and activity provides the status of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Division’s adoption of federal standards and compliance dates. When OSH
Anhydrous ammonia bulk storage plants shall not be installed within the limits of any municipality unless such anhydrous ammonia bulk storage plant is located within an industrial park or an industrial area serviced by a municipal fire department. The installation of any such bulk storage plant within the limits of a municipality, the construction of
The following policy applies to anhydrous ammonia storage tanks (tanks) in Kansas.
In 2019, the state of IL passed some revisions to its NH3 Fertilizer codes. On 12/31/2025, ALL NH3 storage tanks that are old Railcars converted to a storage MUST be removed from service.
In all my Process Safety courses, we discuss the key RAGAGEPs for Primary Containment (ASME B31.3, ASME Section VIII, etc.). I am always taken aback by how many safety professionals tasked with managing PSM/RMP-covered processes know so little about these critical standards. I am not teaching them to be piping or pressure vessel SME’s; but
ASTM F2786 is an excellent source for reliable information on how to “Leak Test” Polyethylene (PE) piping systems. The practice provides information on apparatus, safety, pre-test preparation, and procedures for conducting field tests of polyethylene pressure piping systems after installation using gaseous testing media such as unodorized inert non-toxic gas or air, and applying pressure
On November 6, 2024, authorized EPA representatives conducted a compliance inspection of Respondent’s facility to determine its compliance with the Risk Management Plan (“RMP”) regulations promulgated at 40 C.F.R. Part 68 under Section 112(r) of the Act. EPA found that Respondent had violated regulations implementing Section 112(r) of the Act as noted on the attached
A question I get not nearly enough, and when I do, the party that asked it is usually not happy with my answer. But when we pressure test our piping pneumatically, we MUST establish a “safe distance”. And simply stated, the distances START @
A term not even mentioned in OSHA’s 1910.119 or EPA’s Part 68, but a term that has huge impacts on process safety. So what is a “Battery Limit” in the context of Process Safety? I use the definition provided by AICHE… The perimeter of a specific manufacturing process area. It is often defined by the
