Elements of Process Safety

Chevron and Air Products have both leveraged an initiative by the Swan Associates test shop that ensures compatibility of their internal software used to manage their operations with the CCPS PERD software, designed to support value added analysis. The work process involves “as found” proof test...

As a result of several combustible dust explosions in the past decade, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) initiated a Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program in October 2007. In light of the Sugar Dust explosion in February 2008, the Combustible Dust NEP was expanded in...

In recent years, the nation has recognized that critical infrastructure protection should consider not only the prevention of disruptive events, but also the processes that infrastructure systems undergo to maintain functionality following disruptions. This more comprehensive approach has been...

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...

The expected outcome of Process Safety Management is to minimize the likelihood of a major accident hazard from occurring and ensure that the necessary mitigation and emergency preparedness mechanisms are in place in the event that an accident does happen. PSM programs objectives are to establish...

Equipment reliability is essential to the safe operation of process equipment. The health of process equipment must be analyzed by competent personnel using proper methods to identify current damage and predict anticipated life. The use of proper testing and inspection methods is basic to...

Many flammable products are usually stored in large vessels at atmospheric pressure. Ignition of an hydrocarbon-air mixture in such tanks can lead to an explosion and cause lethal casualties, as in 2006 at Partridge-Raleigh oilfield, USA, or damage the surrounding facilities and buildings. To...

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...

Combustible dust hazards are prevalent in many facilities throughout industry, including the chemical process industries. Lack of awareness and control of these hazards has led to numerous catastrophic accidents. Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP has developed a practical approach to identifying...

Combustion of biomass is becoming an increasingly important energy source. This is especially true for wood pellets, as several power companies have decided to use this fuel instead of coal. In this process the wood pellets are ground in big mills and, from there, pneumatically transported to the...