PSM and RMP Citations/Analysis

This case is interesting, as I have always challenged the concept that an engine room (membership required)with large roll-up utility doors and windows and personnel/fire doors that are found propped open more often than not would contain the “catastrophic release of NH3”.  It seems this EPA inspector was one who attended one of my 5-Day…...

This case is interesting, as I have always challenged the concept that an engine room (membership required)with large roll-up utility doors and windows and personnel/fire doors that are found propped open more often than not would contain the “catastrophic release of NH3”.  It seems this EPA inspector was one who attended one of my 5-Day…...

This EPA CAFO has me wondering who upset the U.S. EPA. There are only two (2) violations; one is the most cited RMP violation in the past seven years and is quite minor; the other was one of the newest RMP requirements, and those two violations netted a $93,000 citation. Respondent is the owner and…...

The Respondent owns and operates a bleach manufacturing facility, which operates a bleach manufacturing process (the Process) and maintains a maximum chlorine inventory greater than the threshold quantity of 2,500 pounds. The Process is subject to OSHA’s process safety management standard, 29 C.F.R. § 1910.119, because the Process involves greater than the threshold quantity of…...

Respondent is the owner and operator of a facility. Respondent operates a bulk liquid storage facility and offers a full range of heating, blending, and product services. Various products, such as vegetable oil, chemicals, and petroleum products, are received in tanks for storage and transferred out of the facility to customers. Some of the petroleum…...

This case reflects a common issue in ammonia refrigeration: Lack of or Poor Lockout/Tagout Practices. This 1,600-pound release was caused by an existing ammonia compressor that was started up on an ammonia line that was meant to be “TAGGED OUT” of service (however, the tag had fallen off) while in the process of tying the…...

Respondent owns and operates a wastewater treatment plant that uses chlorine, stored as liquified gas under pressure, to disinfect wastewater. In its October 2020 risk management plan, the plant indicated that it stored up to 12,000 pounds of chlorine on-site in one-ton cylinders. On November 3, 2022, EPA performed an inspection of the plant to…...

The alleged violations below have been grouped because they involve similar or related hazards that may increase the potential for injury or illness…. Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...

Respondent operates a facility that produces glass-to-metal seals and high-temperature co-fired ceramics for use in semiconductor products. The Facility is located just over half a mile from a residential neighborhood; just under three-quarters of a mile from a charter school; just over three-quarters of a mile from a church and a skating rink; less than…...

Respondent operates a facility to manufacture chlorine, bleach, and hydrochloric acid. At all times relevant to this CAFO, Respondent produced, used, or stored more than 2,500 pounds of chlorine at the Facility and was subject to the requirements of CAA § 112(r)(7). At all times relevant to this CAFO, Respondent produced, used, or stored hydrogen…...

Respondents owned and operated a seafood processing and cold storage warehouse facility. The Facility is one building that consists of two separate spaces on either side of a dividing wall. One side of the Facility is used for seafood processing and packaging. The other side of the Facility is a cold storage warehouse used to…...

Respondent is the facility’s owner and operator. The EPA inspected the Facility from July 27 to July 29, 2021, to determine the Respondent’s compliance with Section 112(r) of the CAAmand 40 C.F.R. Part 68 (“the Inspection”).  Operations at Respondent’s Facility include, among others, repackaging chlorine for utilization in sodium hypochlorite bleach manufacturing. The Facility also…...