Elements of Process Safety

Risk assessments use frequency data mostly from generic sources, typically from the North Sea offshore environment or from process facility records mainly from Europe. As QRA's are being applied increasingly in North America and in the developing world, novel techniques are necessary to establish...

On July 27, 2009, OSHA issued a National Emphasis Program for the chemical industry (“the Chemical NEP”). Pursuant to the Chemical NEP, OSHA will conduct PSM inspections of numerous chemical facilities. This presentation will review lessons learned from OSHA's Refining NEP, particularly the OSHA...

Process safety is about controlling risk of failures and errors; controlling risk is primarily about reducing the risk of human error. All elements of Risk-Based Process Safety (RBPS) and alternative standards for process safety (such as US OSHA's standard for Process Safety Management [PSM] or ACC...

Process data is often analyzed during the investigation of industrial fires and explosions. Our analyses often reveal near misses or warning signs that foreshadow the eventual causes of a catastrophic event. In some cases the facility may have been unaware of these near misses or not realized their...

A method for adjusting spring operated pressure relief valve (SORV) inspection intervals is presented based on hazard identification, financial risk assessment, fluid service, and comparison of the life-cycle testing costs. Intuitively, longer intervals between maintenance and proof testing should...

This paper will discuss some of the key factors that FM Global insurance engineering representatives use in evaluating combustible dust hazards at insured locations. The information is used to develop underwriting information but more importantly, it is the basis for guidance provided for the...

Development of an effective process safety culture requires employees to look beyond intended performance, to their own nonconscious assumptions about process safety. When firmly in place, effective process safety culture instills an environment where employees differentiate between events which,...

The first edition of the CCPS book Guidelines to Evaluating Vapor Cloud Explosions, Flash Fired and BLEVEs was published in 1994. Since that time there have been considerable advances in research for these types of explosions and fires, and hazard prediction methods have improved. The second...

Effective mechanical integrity programs are essential to assure safe operation of plant facilities. The current economic downturn is difficult and most manufacturing companies have experienced headcount reductions, early retirement programs and budget reductions. Companies are concerned with short...

Dutch legislation on safety and land use planning: Being a densely populated country, the Netherlands has extensive experience using safety regulations in land-use planning. Risk criteria have to be verified in urban development planning. Individual (Locational) Risk (IR) is easy to illustrate...