Elements of Process Safety

In this session we will review several case studies that will allow you to better understand the importance of process engineering and process safety basics. These examples will show specific pitfalls to avoid but also will open your thinking to properly consider the implications of other...

[An earlier edition of this paper was first presented at the “International Conference and Workshop – Process Safety Incidents,” 2000, organized by the Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS)] The need for effective root cause analysis is finally gaining the spotlight in the chemical process...

Although the potential consequences of combustible dust explosions are becoming more widely known, the potential consequences of combustible dust fires are sometimes overlooked. The CSB investigated three incidents involving combustible iron dust at Hoeganaes Corporation. Two people died from burns...

Our laboratory contains calorimeters to characterize reactive chemical hazards and multiple different instruments to characterize both dust and gas/vapor explosion hazards. It is a challenge to ensure that each project is completed safely since a wide variety of chemicals are used. Our goal at...

The severity and number of combustible dust explosions in recent years spawned (2007) and then re-enforced (2008) OSHA's Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program. The purpose of the program is to inspect facilities that handle combustible dust which may lead to deflagration or other fire...

Recent catastrophic dust explosions, the combustible dust National Emphasis Program (NEP), and OSHA proposed rulemaking, have increased awareness of combustible dust hazards in industry. This presentation provides an overview of combustible dust. The presentation will provide a summary of recent...

Solids Processing of dry particulates of various forms and shapes within unit operations ranging from milling to mixing, crystallization to drying involving storage, handling and conveying results in the generation of electrostatic charging. This accumulation of charges on the particulates is due...

This paper will present the steps a small pharmaceutical research and development company is taking to prepare for Process Safety Management (PSM). Although not under PSM at the present time, the corporate growth plan is such that PSM will be a requirement within the next 2 to 5 years. When looking...

The purpose of Process Hazards Analysis (PHA) is to identify and understand the hazards associated with the process being reviewed, to understand the potential resultant hazardous events, and to prevent those events by identifying all the potential routes to those events and ensuring that adequate...

Major process safety incidents may occur infrequently, but when they do occur, the consequences can be severe. Corporate performance goals are such that an individual site or facility could operate for many years without a classified Process Safety Incident (PSI) and still be at risk by operating...