Hosted By: American Petroleum Institute (API)
Dates: May 6, 2024 - May 8, 2024
Process Safety Management (PSM) is a regulation issued by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The regulation is designated as OSHA 1910.119, Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals. Its purpose is to prevent or minimize the consequences of releasing hazardous chemicals in a facility or the environment surrounding a facility. Hazardous chemicals are those that may be toxic, reactive, flammable, explosive, or a combination of these properties. Industries handling hazardous chemicals are required to develop an effective PSM program that protects employees, contractors, and visitors of the facility. These industries include: petrochemical, pharmaceutical, paints, adhesives and sealants, food processing, industrial organics and inorganics, and paper mills.
How do companies know they are complying with the OSHA regulation when implementing a PSM program? To answer this question, companies should be familiar with the following 14 elements that are required for PSM program compliance. These elements are the minimum requirements extracted from OSHA 1910.119 [1]. All information (date, equipment, personnel, process safety information, and process hazard analyses) should be recorded and stored in the event that future audits need to refer back to historical information about the facility and equipment.
All employees that play a role in facility operations should be involved in a PSM program. Each of the following elements requires a competent and experienced team of individuals. Ideally, a team should include at least one person who specializes in the specific process being used.
The PSI element requires that employers collect and document highly hazardous chemical (HHC) information before conducting a process hazard analysis. This information pertains to the chemicals, technology, and equipment used in the process. Furthermore, the information should be accessible to all employees in order to understand the HHC related risks they may face during the job.
A PHA is performed by a team of engineering and maintenance experts that are able to identify, evaluate, and control hazards. PHAs can be conducted using a number of techniques, including:
Additionally, it’s important to make sure PHAs are performed in a timely manner as teams are expected to complete a certain amount of the analysis by specific deadlines. PHAs should be performed at least every 5 years [1].
Companies should document all operational procedures involving initial startup, normal operations, temporary operations, and emergency shutdowns. Operators should be aware of the operating limits of the process, the consequences if the process deviates from normal conditions, and be prepared to correct deviations when necessary.
Employees should be trained on procedures, safety factors, and health hazards specific to the job task. Certification programs may help ensure that individuals are competent in specialized areas relative to their practices. Additionally, some practices require on-going training as methods and best practices continue to develop.
Companies should evaluate a contractor’s safety performance prior to starting a project (e.g. repair, turnaround, or renovation). Once a contractor passes clearance requirements, it is the responsibility of the company to inform the contractor of potential risks and health hazards related to the contractor’s project. The contractor’s responsibility is to inform the incoming contracted team of risks and health hazards and to ensure contracted employees have received and understood necessary training.
Companies are required to perform a safety review before new or modified facilities begin production. The pre-start up safety review confirms that an initial PHA has been performed and that all safety, operating, maintenance, and emergency procedures meet the requirements of codes, standards, and specifications [1].
Routine inspections are required for major process units and equipment, such as pressure vessels, storage tanks, piping systems, relief and vent systems, emergency shutdown systems, control systems (e.g. monitoring devices and sensors), and pumps to ensure the mechanical integrity of the component meets requirements. All inspections and tests need to be well-documented and must follow recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices (RAGAGEP).
This mandate requires that employers issue hot work permits for personnel performing high-temperature operations on equipment (e.g. welding).
A company needs to have an organized and efficient process for managing procedural changes regarding process chemicals, technology, and/or equipment. Under the OSHA 1910.119 standard, each change requires that the following considerations be addressed:
Investigations should be performed on incidents that resulted in (or could have resulted in) catastrophic HHC release. Incident investigations should report:
Companies are required to develop and implement emergency action plans for the entire facility. Emergency plans include procedures for mitigating large and small releases of HHCs.
Individuals should recertify their credentials at least every three years to keep up-to-date with evolving practices and technology. This element also states that companies should retain the 2 most recent compliance audit reports.
This mandate ensures that employees involved in elements 2-13 have access to the information about the process and health risks they may encounter during the job.
We welcome updates to this Integripedia definition from the Inspectioneering community. Click the link below to submit any recommended changes for Inspectioneering's team of editors to review.
Contribute to DefinitionA review of the plan one site put in place to upgrade their performance from the fourth quartile to the first quartile and keep it there.
Do you know how a Good Engineering Practice (GEP) becomes a RAGAGEP? RAGAGEP clearly applies to all kinds of equipment, but this article will address RAGAGEP for FEMI used in the hydrocarbon and chemical process industries.
What happens when there are programs no one wants to own and people avoid taking responsibility for them? It is important that people have an understanding of their responsibilities and the accountabilities of the program.
There are still lessons to be learned 48 years after the failure of the cyclohexane plant that led to the explosion that occurred on Saturday, June 1, 1974.
This follow-up article discusses the important topic of establishing Heat Exposure Zones and Level 1, 2, and 3 fitness-for-service assessments following a plant fire.
Equity Engineering Practices® (EEPs) are a collection of design and maintenance focused corporate standards that include >850 engineering standards, and >300 piping classes. Enhance your mechanical integrity programs, improve equipment...
Part 1 presents a brief overview of the process of assessing equipment in a post-fire "return-to-service" effort and discusses some common issues that may arise during that process.
The article discusses how allowing ‘normalization of deviance’ to occur in the workplace raises our organizations’ risk threshold in an uncontrolled and unmanaged way.
This article discussed the growing list of API FEMI standards, how some of them came to be, and why they keep getting improved upon with new lessons learned.
We live in a world of metrics and key performance indicators. This isn’t a bad thing; in fact, it is vitally important. Good PSM requires accurate and complete metrics in order to ensure the systems are working the way they should.
This is the first article in a new column. In each article, the author will explore how different parts of organizations can partner to discover new efficiencies, improved equipment integrity, and opportunities to capture additional margin.
TEAM provides full inline, onsite and, shop valve repair services and maintenance programs for virtually all valve types, brands, sizes, materials, pressures, and operating conditions, including actuators and operators. Our valve repair solution...
Have you ever wondered why, even though inspection reports are one of the primary keys to a good MI program, they are so rarely reviewed? One of the things I always find when reviewing a program is the lack of concise inspection history.
IOWs are an important component of a world-class mechanical integrity program. In order to have a robust IOW program, the integration of IOWs into other areas of PSM is critical. This article provides four concrete examples of integration.
I once worked with a chief inspector who refused to hire anyone who had any National Board inspection certifications. “Why?”, you might ask. I had the same question, and his response was “Because anyone with National Board is gunning for my...
Critical things often get missed in facilities but are these things being owned and fixed? We get good at reactively solving problems as they appear, but are we proactively working towards examining and fixing the potential larger issues?
Just because you have a technical expert does not mean they will be an expert at managing people. Like any skill set, it takes training, time, and mentoring to become a good personnel manager.
Statistical techniques are meant to complement the work of SMEs and can provide deeper insights into the inspection data collected as part of a reliability program. Pinnacle has combined traditional methods, expertise, and Machine Learning to...
This is the first article in a new column. In each article, the author will share technical, thought-provoking, and sometimes humorous or emotional experiences garnered in a career that spans over 20 years inside the gates of facilities.
Creating a proper work scope and developing and executing an effective work plan are essential for a successful turnaround. However, behind the scenes exists the glue that pulls the entire effort together: logistics.
This article provides a summary of the 2019 API Inspection & MI Summit keynote address, which offers a past, present, and future outlook on fixed equipment mechanical integrity from an industry professional with 50+ years of experience.
The U.S. Department of Labor provides a vast amount of raw data related to OSHA activities (inspections, violations, etc.) through their website. What follows is a quick summary of 2016-2017 OSHA violation data pulled directly from the DOL.
This article describes how an international oil and gas company built an inspection data management program for its U.S. operations yielding improved confidence in decision-making information, cost savings through increased efficiency, and an...
Pinnacle's data-driven reliability framework ensures the right data is fueling the right intelligence, helping you make confident, strategic decisions.
This article discussed the importance of an asset management philosophy that integrates software, maintenance tools (RCM, FMECA, RBI, PM, and PdM), data collection, and analytics to improve and optimize asset management through emerging technologies...
This article provides an overview of the key components in establishing IOWs, the levels of IOW limits, and the basic principles and application of API Recommended Practice 584 to achieve reliable fired heater performance.
The most valuable unit of measure within a turnaround is not money, but time. Successful turnaround planners are now integrating the Detailed Inspection Planner (DIP) within their teams to increase the accuracy of planning and reduce the time...
Advancements in technology offer organizations huge opportunities for improvement. However, adoption of new tools can change the way an organization functions. If not properly managed, these changes can lead to wasted time and money and ultimately,...
According to API 570, facilities must have a mechanical integrity program in place for critical check valves. But what criteria determines whether or not a check valve is critical in your process? How should check valves be inspected and by whom?
Download Pinnacle's Economics of Reliability Report - Refining to see how reliability is affecting profitability.
As assets age and production demands grow, it becomes increasingly critical to implement sustainable long-term AIM strategies and programs. This article dives into the elements that will help ensure the successful management of assets throughout...
This article intends to use a top-down approach of describing RBI methodology and how it fits in a facility management system. The main idea of this article is to provide a comprehensive picture of RBI methodology in terms of basics, technology...
This article, the first of a multi-part series, discusses the methodology and need for establishing an integrated and holistic framework for managing asset integrity on a day-to-day basis.
Last October, we saw the State of California implement its “PSM for Refineries” standard and now the State of Washington’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) appears to be following suit, releasing draft language to adopt a...
Although value-drivers often differ between facilities, all can agree that effective asset management strategies should lead to better decision making. In this case study, the authors detail how process-based risk management strategies can make for...
Ethos has assembled a team of experts who apply what they learned through years of process safety experience in the industry and dealing with OSHA and EPA. Click here to learn more about our services.
Ensuring the integrity of oil and gas assets is a challenge for oil and gas operators. This article discusses several “pillars” of asset integrity management on which successful O&G operations rely, including Material Selection, Process...
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently released a new guide to help petroleum refiners comply with its Process Safety Management (PSM) standard (1910.119). The guide presents lessons learned from the petroleum...
In deflagration incidents, electrical arcs and electrostatic sparks are often considered to be primary ignition sources. However, there are a variety of other ignition sources. Do you consider mechanical equipment and the significant non-electrical...
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued two reports on the safe management of hazards by small businesses and storage facilities that use highly hazardous chemicals in business processes.
Myths, challenges, and good practices related to process piping integrity management activities that help inspection and maintenance managers make the right decisions to develop cost-effective piping inspection plans without compromising the...
Traditional inspection methods used to detect internal corrosion and corrosion under insulation (CUI) in piping and pipeline assets can be time-consuming and costly. With ART, you’ll discover CUI detection best practices that can help save you up...
Some facilities lead the industry with streamlined RBI/IOW programs, and some facilities are just implementing standard calendar-based programs. Both are still susceptible to inspection interval gaps.
As the industry strives to maintain PSM/OSHA compliance through owner/user mechanical integrity programs, inspection professionals should fully understand technical standards to generate an adequate repair recommendation or request further...
This paper identifies the attributes and benefits of a data and metrics-driven management system focused on process safety design integrity and reliability relative to loss of primary containment (LOC). This management system process focuses on the...
To ensure the mechanical integrity and fitness-for-service (FFS) of equipment, facility managers, reliability engineers, and inspection technicians must understand the HTHA damage mechanism.
If we could measure, understand, mitigate, and most importantly, control corrosion, we can do a better job of keeping the product in the pipes. To accomplish this task, we needed to know what is causing the corrosion and how to control it.
With class-leading thermal performance, superior CUI defense, and complimentary engineering support, our aerogel insulation solutions are a top choice in helping facilities drive energy efficiency, improve safety, increase yields, and reduce downtime
OSHA has recently issued three memoranda updating guidance on its Process Safety Management (“PSM”) standard.
In the oil & gas, chemical and petrochemical industries, identifying, understanding, and controlling process hazards in order to prevent process-related injuries and incidents is of the utmost importance. EPA and OSHA have released numerous...
A memorandum released by OSHA provides a list of 16 enforcement considerations when evaluating whether an employer is meeting the RAGAGEP requirements under the PSM standard. Here are 8 tips for addressing OSHA's new enforcement guidance.
Now more than ever, processing plants are in need to ensure their facilities are equipped with the tools and methodologies necessary to ensure safe and efficient operations. The development of regulations and industry standards are prompting plants...
Michael Heard, Risk Engineering Advisor, Process Safety / Technical Safety / Environmental at Hess Corporation recently spoke with marcus evans about key topics to be discussed at their upcoming Facility Siting and Risk Mitigation for Processing...
Contact us at buddy@dimate.de to learn how DIMATE PACS digitizes NDT methods (RT, UT, VT, ...) and how it leads to paperless inspections.
Today, many managers are finding that they can address the reliability of all types of assets by combining RBI and Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) processes together into one comprehensive reliability management process.
Key Performance Indicators or KPIs are important for businesses to track measurable progress, or a lack thereof, as compared to pre-defined goals or benchmarks. For those of us in the inspection, fixed equipment reliability world, the same holds...
One of the reasons we continue to have too many fixed equipment mechanical integrity (FEMI) events in the refining and process industries is the lack of understanding and appreciation by site management for the hazards posed by the 101 FEMI issues.
For over 20 years OSHA's process safety management (PSM) standard worked to guarantee safe and healthy workplaces in industries that use hazardous chemicals. For most of that time the standard had remained largely unmodified. This all changed last...
The Province of Alberta has a long history of pressure equipment safety dating back to 1897 when the first boiler laws were introduced to regulate the new technology of steam boilers. Boiler inspectors were hired, and soon thereafter the Alberta...
With the IMS Suite, you can calculate optimal intervention periods and lay out efficient maintenance strategies. Click here to learn more.
Piper Alpha is an offshore oil and gas platform that suffered an explosion in July 1988, still regarded as the worst offshore oil disaster in the history of the United Kingdom. The 25th anniversary of the disaster was commemorated across the...
Fixed equipment mechanical integrity (FEMI) failures are not caused by damage mechanisms; rather, they're caused due to failure to create, implement, & maintain adequate management systems to avoid failures. Nearly all failures that have occurred...
It is with sadness that I learned of the passing of one of the world’s greatest authorities on chemical process safety, Dr. Trevor Kletz; a man I deeply respected and admired for his commitment to improving safety, preventing accidents, and...
Earlier this year, our friends at Pinnacle Asset Integrity Services hosted a webinar entitled Mechanical Integrity Assessment: Why Bother? The broadcast included discussions on the history and value of asset integrity programs, as well as the...
Though new regulations have changed the way offshore companies operate, the need to make safety part of an enterprise sustainability management strategy has never been more important. As accountability moves higher up the chain of command, operators...
Increase the efficiency of your mechanical integrity programs through the design, implementation and optimization of inspection databases.
Though new regulations have changed the way offshore companies operate, the need to make safety part of an enterprise sustainability management strategy has never been more important.
IÂ have written numerous technical articles addressing how to improve your fixed equipment mechanical integrity (FEMI) program. This time I will deviate from the FEMI technologies and methodologies to address a topic that may be equally...
The Process Safety Management Rule (29 CFR 1910.119 - PSM) has long been recognized as a collection of interdependent requirements. In recent reviews of PSM programs by OSHA, it has been shown that two of the most cited elements in agency audits...
Each year about 14,000 oil spills are reported, according to the EPA. It is estimated that there are 618,000 facilities that are regulated under EPA SPCC in the United States.
This is my third of three posts on Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) based on requests and discussions on the issue.
A pattern of requests for key performance indicators (KPIs) related to equipment integrity management (IM) programs has appeared on Inspectioneering’s LinkedIn group discussion as well as other industry forums. Furthermore, the topic came up...
The Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center is currently seeking nominations for the annual Merit Award and Harry West Memorial Service Award, to be presented at the 2012 Annual Symposium.
Maintenance has been around since prehistoric man fixed a broken, trusted spear instead of fashioning a new one. One concept of maintenance is any activity that extends the useful life or enhances the performance of an item of interest. A broad...
Putting off the initial inspection (i.e. baseline) of piping and vessels in a new process unit is both common and problematic. The tendency of owners is to rely on the nominal thickness because the actual original thickness was either not measured...
We are happy to announce the 10-year anniversary of the inaugural issue of the Inspectioneering Journal!
One of the more important uses of the 99 Diseases of Hydrocarbon Process Equipment is to determine how to safely operate process pressure equipment. Such a work process thereby minimizes the impact of any potential degradation mechanisms (the 99...
Regulatory, civic and competitive pressures require we change to a proactive, rather than a reactive culture or environment with a supportive infrastructure. The concurrent evolution of cultural and infrastructural change relies upon effective...
Since OSHA began issuing citations under the Process Safety Management (PSM) standard (29 CFR 1910.119) the relative frequency of citations related to some subsections of the regulation has increased dramatically, while the frequency of others has...
The United States Department of Labor (USDOL) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard 29 CFR 1910.119, "Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals," has been in effect since may of 1992. To enforce this...
PK Technology is a full-service inspection contractor, as well as, an in-house software development company specializing in the Oil and Gas industry. PK Technology is the creator of intelliSPEC, the worlds first Digital Data Management System (DDMS) which is a robust and intelligent solution designed to digitize, analyze and realize all vital data.
PK Technology is a full-service inspection contractor, as well as, an in-house software development company specializing in the Oil and Gas industry. PK Technology is the creator of intelliSPEC, the worlds first Digital Data Management System (DDMS) which is a robust and intelligent solution designed to digitize, analyze and realize all vital data.
Antea delivers risk based inspection, asset integrity management and inspection data management software solutions with 3D digital twin and mobility. Globally trusted in process industries for over 34 years. Scalable from single to multi-site. Configurable. Backed by unparalleled data management services for saved time and resources. API compliant.
Antea delivers risk based inspection, asset integrity management and inspection data management software solutions with 3D digital twin and mobility. Globally trusted in process industries for over 34 years. Scalable from single to multi-site. Configurable. Backed by unparalleled data management services for saved time and resources. API compliant.
Asset Intelligence (AsInt) is at the forefront of driving digital transformation in asset management across various industries. We provide a comprehensive suite of services beyond traditional software development and encompass software consulting expertise in Asset Performance Management (APM) and Enterprise Asset Management (EAM).
Asset Intelligence (AsInt) is at the forefront of driving digital transformation in asset management across various industries. We provide a comprehensive suite of services beyond traditional software development and encompass software consulting expertise in Asset Performance Management (APM) and Enterprise Asset Management (EAM).
Becht provides comprehensive and technically excellent engineering consulting, and project and turnaround management services to the energy, industrial gas & chemicals sectors, worldwide.
Becht provides comprehensive and technically excellent engineering consulting, and project and turnaround management services to the energy, industrial gas & chemicals sectors, worldwide.
DIMATE GmbH is an innovative IT company dedicated to driving business transformation through the digitization and improvement of NDT and NDE processes. From test data acquisition to evaluation, management and archiving – we cover the entire process. Our solutions help to achieve faster turnarounds and maximizes the plant potential.
DIMATE GmbH is an innovative IT company dedicated to driving business transformation through the digitization and improvement of NDT and NDE processes. From test data acquisition to evaluation, management and archiving – we cover the entire process. Our solutions help to achieve faster turnarounds and maximizes the plant potential.
Ethos has assembled a team of experts who apply what they learned through years of process safety experience in the industry and dealing with OSHA and EPA. We have "been there, done that," and provide practical expertise that most other consulting firms cannot.
Ethos has assembled a team of experts who apply what they learned through years of process safety experience in the industry and dealing with OSHA and EPA. We have "been there, done that," and provide practical expertise that most other consulting firms cannot.
Understand how turnaround departments should benefit from utilizing certified inspection personnel instead of conventional planners for turnaround planning.
This webinar covers developing corrosion control documents (CCDs), setting integrity operating windows (IOWs), implementing risk-based inspection (RBI), and more.
Greg Alvarado shares experiences and initiatives that were seminal in getting us to where we are and insights on where we would do well to focus in the future.
Through the use of industry-developed protocols, the process safety site assessments evaluate the quality of the written programs and the effectiveness of field implementation.
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) has released a new safety video on its investigation into the serious November 2019 incident at the TPC Group Chemical Plant in Port Neches, Texas.
The CSB has released a new safety video about the 2018 explosion and fire at the Husky Superior Refinery in Superior, Wisconsin.
The CSB has released a new safety video detailing the events that led up to the 2018 ethylene release and fire that injured 23 workers at the Kuraray America, Inc. EVAL plant in Pasadena, Texas.
The CSB released a new safety video about the fatal explosion that occurred on April 3, 2017, at the Loy-Lange Box Company in St Louis, Missouri.
The CSB has released a new safety video detailing the events leading to the fire, explosions, and toxic hydrofluoric acid (HF) release at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) refinery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 21, 2019.
The CSB has released a new safety video on the explosion and fire that occurred on May 3, 2019 at the AB Specialty Silicones facility in Waukegan, IL. The incident killed 4 workers and caused extensive damage to nearby businesses.
CSB released a safety video about a fatal incident at the Evergreen Packaging paper mill in North Carolina. On September 21, 2020, a fire erupted in a confined space when a heat gun fell into a bucket of flammable resin killing two contract workers.
Inspectioneering has teamed up with The Equity Engineering Group to bring you "Pressure Relief for Non-Process Engineers: 10 Things All Plant Personnel Should Know," a one hour webinar presented by Phil Henry, Principal Engineer II at E²G.
This brief video addresses the most common relief valve MI program finding when we do audits and assessments. We share the specific references in API RP 576, which is the key RAGAGEP used for PRV inspection, testing, and maintenance.
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has released an animation detailing the events leading up to the October 26, 2019, hydrogen sulfide release at the Aghorn Operating waterflood station in Odessa, Texas.
In this video, we analyze an interpretation letter issued by OSHA in May 2016 describing the administration's view on recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices (RAGAGEPs).
As the United States faces this year's hurricane season, it is critical that the chemical industry understands and prepares for the potential safety hazards posed by extreme weather events.
PinnacleART Principal of Asset Management Solutions, Sean Rosier, and Vice President of Business Development, Nathanael Ince discuss through steps to tackle the challenges your facility may be currently facing around PSM MI.
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has released an updated safety video detailing the events from the explosion at the BP refinery in Texas City, Texas, which killed 15 workers, injured 180 others, and caused billions of dollars in economic losses.
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has released a preliminary animation detailing the events leading to the June 21, 2019, explosion and fire at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) Refinery in Philadelphia, PA.
This CSB video details the events leading up to the August 31, 2017 fire at the Arkema chemical plant in Crosby, Texas. The incident led to all employees and more than 200 nearby residents being evacuated for a week.
The CSB has released an animation detailing the events leading up to the February 8, 2017 explosion at the Packaging Corporation of America's DeRidder, Louisiana, pulp and paper mill. The incident killed three contract workers and injured seven.
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has released a new 11-minute safety video describing the events leading up to the October 21, 2016 toxic chemical release at the MGPI Processing plant in Atchison, Kansas. The video, titled "Mixed Connection,...
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board released a preliminary animation detailing the events of the chemical fires at the Arkema chemical plant in Crosby, Texas after it suffered power loss due to Hurricane Harvey's historic rainfall.
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has released a new 8-minute safety video describing the events leading to the November 22, 2016 fire at ExxonMobil's Baton Rouge refinery, which severely burned four workers. The video, entitled "Fire in Baton...
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has released a 3-minute animation describing the events leading to the November 22, 2016 fire at ExxonMobil's Baton Rouge refinery, which severely burned four workers. The fire erupted during maintenance...
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has released an animation depicting the February 18, 2015 explosion and fire at the ExxonMobil (now PBF Energy) refinery in Torrance, CA.
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has released a video demonstrating the agency's positive safety impact in 2016. The video was posted just days after President Trump proposed his "America First" budget plan, which calls for the elimination of...
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has released a safety video detailing its investigation of the June 13, 2013 explosion and fire at the Williams Olefins Plant in Geismar, Louisiana, which killed two workers and injured an additional 167.
Those involved in the implementation or management of mechanical integrity (MI) programs understand the value of good feedback. An effective feedback loop is critical to ensuring your MI program is achieving the desired results.
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has released a safety video into the fatal April 17, 2013, fire and explosion at the West Fertilizer Company in West, Texas, which resulted in 15 fatalities, more than 260 injuries, and widespread community...
U.S. Chemical Safety Board safety video discussing the massive 2009 explosion at the Caribbean Petroleum, or CAPECO, terminal facility near San Juan, Puerto Rico. The incident occurred when gasoline overflowed and sprayed out from a large...
U.S. Chemical Safety Board safety video depicting the accident at DuPont’s La Porte facility, located east of Houston, which killed four workers and injured a fifth when methyl mercaptan, a toxic chemical used in the company’s insecticide and...
U.S. Chemical Safety Board safety video discussing the fatal April 2, 2010, explosion and fire at the Tesoro refinery in Anacortes, Washington. A nearly 40-year-old heat exchanger violently ruptured, causing an explosion and fire that fatally...
U.S. Chemical Safety Board safety video discussing the 2010 Macondo tragedy where a failed blowout preventer caused a sudden explosion and fire on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig, resulting in the deaths of 11 workers and causing a massive oil spill...
U.S. Chemical Safety Board safety video covering the 2009 explosion at NDK Crystal in Belvidere, Illinois, which fatally injured a truck driver at a nearby gas station. The CSB found that the catastrophic pressure vessel explosion resulted from...
CSB video excerpts from Dr. Trevor Kletz, a world renowned expert in chemical process safety, who died October 31, 2013.
U.S. Chemical Safety Board safety video: “Inherently Safer: The Future of Risk Reduction”
U.S. Chemical Safety Board safety video detailing a 2010 hot work accident at DuPont Buffalo.
U.S. Chemical Safety Board safety video covering three accidents that occurred over a 33-hour period in 2010 at the Dupont plant in Belle, WV.
As temperatures continue to drop, it's important for process plants to be prepared for the unique safety challenges of subfreezing weather, according to U.S. Chemical Safety Board Chairman John Bresland.
Refineries and chemical plants are facing serious economic difficulties but still need to maintain their focus on process safety, according to U.S. Chemical Safety Board Chairman John Bresland.
U.S. Chemical Safety Board safety video depicts the massive explosion that killed 15 and injured 180 at the BP Texas City refinery in 2005.
This course addresses the breadth and depth of an asset (mechanical) integrity program. Whether you are developing a new program or are responsible for updating/auditing an existing program, this course is packed full of practical, proven techniques.
Learn how to effectively identify the equipment that should be included in a facility's process safety management program, specifically the facility’s mechanical integrity program.
The Mechanical Integrity Audit Checklist serves as a companion piece to the Inspectioneering webinar, Auditing My Mechanical Integrity Program, presented by Mr. Reuben Laurel.
Two people were killed and four injured in an explosion at a chemical plant in northwest China's Ningxia region.
The refiner said that Pemex's Deer Park facility reported an oil spill, adding it had isolated the site and deployed booms to contain the leak.
Equinor on Thursday said the fire that shut its Mongstad oil refinery in western Norway had been extinguished.
Phillips 66 said that first responders had put out a fire on equipment that was out of service for repair at its Bayway Refinery in New Jersey.
Health authorities in California's Contra Costa County said they had launched an unannounced inspection at PBF Energy's 156,400 bpd refinery in Martinez.
Our proprietary furnace tube inspection system, FTIS is an ultrasonic inspection technology capable of rapid, automated fired heater coil inspection in refinery fired heaters. The data captured by our furnace tube inspection system is...
One worker was killed and another injured in a fire incident at an Indian Oil Corp (IOC) plant in the southern Indian city of Chennai.
A fire at a refinery in the central Iranian city of Isfahan broke on Saturday, injuring four people.
An explosion at an oil terminal in the West African country of Guinea killed at least 13 people and injured 178 on Monday, the government said.
Firefighters on Wednesday were battling a fire at Marathon Petroleum's 593,000 bpd Galveston Bay Refinery in Texas City, Texas.
One person was injured and 20 facility workers were evacuated due to a fire on Sunday at Marathon and Neste's jointly owned Martinez, California biorefinery.
The problem is, you don’t. With the out of date procedures that traditional inspection contractors use, data is usually invalid by the time it reaches your system. You rely on this data to make critical decisions regarding integrity concerns, and...
One person has died and four others were injured in an incident at Iran's southern refinery of Bandar Abbas last week.
A fire broke out at a refinery's pyrolysis gasoline unit at about 10:45 AM followed by the collapse of the extractive dissolution tower.
The CSB released a new safety video on its investigation into the serious November 2019 incident at the TPC Group Chemical Plant in Port Neches, Texas.
A fire broke out at Dow's Plaquemine chemical facility in Louisiana, the U.S. chemical maker said in a statement late on Friday.
The CSB has released its final investigation report on the massive 2019 tank farm fire at the ITC bulk liquid storage terminal in Deer Park, TX.
Equity Engineering Practices® (EEPs) are a collection of design and maintenance focused corporate standards that include >850 engineering standards, and >300 piping classes. Enhance your mechanical integrity programs, improve equipment...
The CSB has released its final investigation report into a 2020 incident at the Optima Belle facility in Belle, WV that killed one employee and caused significant property damage and a shelter-in-place order for the neighboring community.
The CSB released its final investigation report on the 2020 propylene release and explosion at the Watson Grinding facility in Houston, Texas.
A fire broke out at Romania's largest oil refinery on Wednesday. No victims from the blaze were reported, and the emergency response unit said no dangerous substances were detected in the air.
The U.S. CSB released its final report into the November 2020 hydrogen chloride (HCl) release that occurred during maintenance activities at the Wacker Polysilicon North American facility in Charleston, Tennessee.
BP's Toledo, Ohio, oil refinery experienced multiple problems and a naphtha spill before a fire that killed two workers last year, according to a report by the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB).
In today's chemical and refining industries, sustained long term reliability of facilities is critical to profitability and competitiveness. In fact, history shows that differences in operating expenses between best-in-class refineries, and poor...
A fire at an oil refinery in Russia’s Krasnodar region on Tuesday has been extinguished, a local emergency task force said.
The U.S. CSB released an update into its ongoing investigation of the chemical release and fire at the BP-Husky Refinery located in Oregon, Ohio that resulted in two fatalities and substantial property damage to the facility.
The CSB has released a new safety video detailing the events leading to the 2018 explosion and fire at the Husky Superior Refinery in Superior, Wisconsin.
A fire that broke out at the 60,000 bpd Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) in Assam state, India, on Monday has been brought under control, the refinery said.
The CSB released its final report into the July 27, 2021, fatal acetic acid release at the LyondellBasell La Porte Complex in La Porte, Texas.
Are you truly prepared for your next Turnaround? Effective work processes are required to successfully plan, manage, review and supervise plant turnarounds. Inspection planning and work scope selection are critical aspects of any turnaround...
A fire at a refinery controlled by Mexican state-run oil firm Pemex and an explosion caused by an illegal pipeline tap injured a total of 13 people.
Valero Energy Corp said crews are responding to a fire on Wednesday within its 290,000 barrel-per-day Corpus Christi West refinery in Texas.
One worker has died and two others were hospitalized after a fire broke out Monday morning at the Marathon Petroleum's Galveston Bay Refinery in Texas City, Texas.
A fire that broke out at Delek's 83,000-bpd El Dorado, Arkansas refinery has been extinguished with no injuries reported.
A fire burned for a third day on Sunday at Shell Plc's chemical plant in the Houston suburb of Deer Park, Texas, a company spokesperson said.
TEAM provides full inline, onsite and, shop valve repair services and maintenance programs for virtually all valve types, brands, sizes, materials, pressures, and operating conditions, including actuators and operators. Our valve repair solution...
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) today announced it is proposing a new rule to significantly improve the detection and repair of leaks from gas pipelines.
Five people were killed, one was missing and another injured after an explosion at a Sinochem chemical plant in eastern China, local government said on Monday.
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released its final investigation report into a chemical fire and toxic gas release at the Bio-Lab facility in Westlake, Louisiana.
Valero agreed to pay a $1.2 million fine over violations of chemical safety regulations at its Benicia, California refinery.
An explosion at a refinery owned by a Pertamina PT unit in western Indonesia injured nine people.
Statistical techniques are meant to complement the work of SMEs and can provide deeper insights into the inspection data collected as part of a reliability program. Pinnacle has combined traditional methods, expertise, and Machine Learning to...
A fire that broke out on Wednesday at an INEOS phenol plant in Pasadena, Texas, injured one person, but has since been extinguished, a city official said.
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board issued a new Safety Alert titled “Hazards Posed by Discharges from Emergency Pressure-Relief Systems.”
The diesel hydrotreater at PBF Energy’s 190,000 bpd Chalmette, Louisiana, refinery is expected to be shut for at least a month of repairs following a fire in the unit on Saturday, people familiar with plant operations said.
Crews extinguished a fire on Tuesday at Phillips 66's 149,000-barrel-per-day joint-venture refinery in Borger, Texas, and six people were treated for injuries, the company said.
China's Panjin Haoye Chemical Co Ltd has shut down its entire oil refinery and petrochemical complex after an explosion on Sunday killed five people and left eight missing, according to trade sources and a local consultancy.
Pinnacle's data-driven reliability framework ensures the right data is fueling the right intelligence, helping you make confident, strategic decisions.
According to LaSalle police, around 9:00 AM Wednesday, an "explosion" occurred in a shipping container at the Carus Chemical Plant, located about 80 miles southwest of Chicago.
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) has released its final report on the 2018 refinery explosion and fire at the Husky Superior Refinery in Superior, Wisconsin.
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) has released its final investigative report on the November 2019 explosions and fires at the TPC Group Port Neches Operations facility Chemical Plant in Port Neches, Texas.
The CSB has released information related to its ongoing investigation of the April 8, 2021 explosion and fire at the Yenkin-Majestic OPC Polymers resin plant in Columbus, OH.
A fire on Thursday that killed two people at Russia's Angarsk refinery, the biggest by output in east Siberia, has been extinguished.
Download Pinnacle's Economics of Reliability Report - Refining to see how reliability is affecting profitability.
One contract employee died and another was injured after a crane overturned on Tuesday at Phillips 66's 356,000 bpd Wood River, Illinois, refinery.
A fire at a factory in China that killed 38 people, many of them women, was caused by electric welding that flouted regulations, media said on Tuesday.
Chevron said fire crews responded to an isolated fire inside its 269,000-barrel-per-day El Segundo refinery in California on Tuesday, with no injuries due to the incident.
CSB provides an update on its current investigation of the chemical release and fire at the BP-Husky Refining LLC Toledo refinery in Oregon, Ohio.
The American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) recently released a new video highlighting the safety approach and measures used by U.S. refineries with hydrofluoric acid (HF) alkylation units.
Traditional pressure vessel inspections often require taking assets out of service. However, MISTRAS’ Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) programs provide data as good or better than internal inspections, while assets remain in service. NII is...
The CSB has released a new safety video detailing the events leading to the fire, explosions, and toxic hydrofluoric acid (HF) release at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) refinery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 21, 2019.
Equipment corrosion at an oil refinery in the U.S. Virgin Islands presents a risk of fire, explosion or other "catastrophic" releases of hazardous substances, U.S. environmental regulators said on Tuesday, after performing an inspection last month.
The CSB has released its final investigation report into the 2019 fire and explosions at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) releases updates on four of the Agency’s current chemical incident investigations.
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) has released its final investigation report on the 2016 flash fire and explosion at the Sunoco Nederland, Texas crude oil terminal, which resulted in burn injuries to seven workers.
Traditional, paper-based inspection processes can prevent plants from being as effective as they can be. By digitalizing your mechanical integrity process and data with MISTRAS Digital®, plants have realized up to 75% gains in IDMS data entry and...
A fire broke out around 7 a.m. (1100 GMT) on Sunday at Port Hamilton Refining and Transportation's shuttered refinery in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, leaving one firefighter with a minor burn, local media reported.
The CSB has released its final investigation report into the deadly 2017 explosion at the Loy-Lange box company in St. Louis, Missouri, which resulted in the death of four people.
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) released key data reported to the agency under its “Accidental Release Reporting Rule.”
Oklahoma authorities on Sunday narrowed the scope of an evacuation order near the ONEOK natural gas plant following a fire on Saturday.
A fire that broke out at Equinor's Mongstad oil refinery on Norway's west coast early on Sunday was now extinguished, the company said, affecting the unit producing gasoline.
Antea delivers highly flexible risk-based asset integrity software with 3D Digital Twin integration to optimize maintenance, reduce risk, and improve mechanical integrity for oil and gas, power generation, and chemical plants and facilities....
Freeport LNG, operator of one of the largest LNG export plants in the U.S., will shut for at least three weeks following an explosion at its 15-million tonne/year liquefaction plant on the Texas Gulf Coast
South Korea's third-largest refiner, S-Oil Corp, has suspended production of several processing units after a blast at its Onsan refinery, it said on Friday, a step that could tighten gasoline supplies and boost refiners' margins in Asia.
API and the Association of Oil Pipe Lines have released their annual 2021 Pipeline Safety Excellence Performance Report, which found that the safety of liquids pipelines increased across several key indicators.
The CSB has released a new safety video on the explosion and fire that occurred on May 3, 2019 at the AB Specialty Silicones facility in Waukegan, IL. The incident killed 4 workers and caused extensive damage to nearby businesses.
Over 100 people were killed on Sunday after an illegal oil refinery in Nigeria exploded.
The OmniScan™ X3 64 phased array and TFM flaw detector is equipped with enhanced phased capabilities and even faster TFM. The rugged and portable instrument features powerful 64-element probes with a 128-aperture TFM.
A fire at a chemical factory in southern India killed at least six people and injured 12, a government official said on Thursday, with more casualties feared in the second such accident this week.
PHMSA has announced a new rule requiring the installation of remotely controlled or automatic shut-off valves, or alternative equivalent technologies, on new and replaced onshore natural gas, carbon dioxide, and other hazardous liquid pipelines.
Suncor Energy said on Wednesday it had extinguished a fire at its 146,000-barrel-per-day Edmonton refinery that broke out in the morning and caused one injury.
The crude distillation unit (CDU) at Exxon Mobil Corp's 61,500 barrel-per-day (bpd) Billings, Montana, refinery was shut on Sunday by a fire on the unit, said sources familiar with plant operations.
A heather fire near Equinor's Mongstad refinery in western Norway was extinguished on Monday without affecting production, Equinor said.
Ethos has assembled a team of experts who apply what they learned through years of process safety experience in the industry and dealing with OSHA and EPA. Click here to learn more about our services.
An explosion and fire rocked Marathon Petroleum's 578,o00 bpd Garyville Refinery on Monday.
South Korean authorities have ordered a production halt at one of petrochemical company Yeochun NCC's (YNCC) three naphtha crackers after a blast killed four people and injured four.
A California state appeals court on Monday denied Motiva Enterprises' request for insurance coverage for a settlement with workers injured in a 2017 fire at its 607,000-barrel-per-day Port Arthur, Texas refinery.
API announced the first-edition of a standard providing a framework for pipeline operators to develop a comprehensive pipeline integrity management program to strengthen efficiencies, prevent incidents and further reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
A blaze has been put out at the Antipinsky oil refinery, Russia's largest independent oil-processing plant, the Emergency Ministry in West Siberia's Tyumen region said on Tuesday.
Whether you decide for a Computed Radiography scanner with flexible imaging plates or a flat panel detector with the fastest imaging, or even combine the advantages of both technologies, DÜRR NDT's innovative systems offer high reliability and...
Exxon Mobil Corp said on Monday its Baytown, Texas, refinery continued to operate at reduced rates following a fire on Dec. 23, and the unit involved remained shut down.
A large fire broke out at Toledo Refining Company in Oregon, Ohio on Tuesday. Company officials confirmed everyone is safe and has been accounted for at the site.
A fire at Pertamina's refinery complex in Cilacap, Central Java province, has been fully extinguished without disrupting production activity, the chief executive of the Indonesian energy company said on Sunday.
weavix™ launches industry’s first Internet of Workers (IoW) platform, focusing on the needs of frontline workers who have traditionally been neglected by technological innovation.
An explosion at around 11:00 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 27th at Westlake Chemical's Lake Charles Petrochemical Complex left six people injured.
Traditional inspection methods used to detect internal corrosion and corrosion under insulation (CUI) in piping and pipeline assets can be time-consuming and costly. With ART, you’ll discover CUI detection best practices that can help save you up...
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board held a public board meeting on September 24, 2021, 1 p.m. EDT, to release two final investigation reports.
Pemex said on Monday that it has resumed 421,000 barrels-per-day in oil production and brought back online 125 wells following a deadly fire at an offshore platform on Aug. 22.
A fire broke out on Sunday at an offshore platform in the southern Gulf of Mexico run by Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex), injuring at least five people, the Mexican state oil and gas firm said.
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has released an animation detailing the events leading up to the October 26, 2019, hydrogen sulfide release at the Aghorn Operating waterflood station in Odessa, Texas. The release fatally injured...
A contractor sued LyondellBasell Industries in May, alleging lax safety measures led to a workplace accident at the same plant that leaked chemicals this week, killing two contractors and injuring 30 workers.
With class-leading thermal performance, superior CUI defense, and complimentary engineering support, our aerogel insulation solutions are a top choice in helping facilities drive energy efficiency, improve safety, increase yields, and reduce downtime
Two people were killed and several others injured following a leak of acetic acid at a LyondellBasell chemical plant in La Porte, Texas, on Tuesday night, the company said.
An explosion in a German industrial park on Tuesday killed at least one person and injured 31 others, setting off a fierce blaze that sent a pall of smoke over the western city of Leverkusen.
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has imposed a $1 million fine and new safety requirements on Energy Transfer following the 2018 explosion and fire at its Revolution natural gas pipeline in Western Pennsylvania.
A blast and fire on Friday at Romania's biggest crude oil refinery killed one person and injured five others, authorities and the company which runs the Petromidia plant on the Black Sea said.
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) is deploying two of its senior leadership members to Rockton, IL where a significant fire incident occurred at the Chemtool manufacturing facility on June 14th.
Contact us at buddy@dimate.de to learn how DIMATE PACS digitizes NDT methods (RT, UT, VT, ...) and how it leads to paperless inspections.
A fire on the small hydrocracking unit was extinguished on Thursday afternoon at Valero Energy Corp's 335,000 barrel-per-day Port Arthur, Texas, refinery.
A leak in a liquid gas pipeline sparked a fire at the Tondguyan oil refinery in Tehran on Wednesday.
The American Petroleum Institute, with support from members and other industry organizations, has published the "Oil and Natural Gas Industry Preparedness Handbook" to help those on the ground manage and mitigate disruptive events, like hurricanes.
State run Hindustan Petroleum has shut a 70,000 barrel per day (bpd) crude unit at its Vizag refinery in Southern India after a fire broke out at about 15:00 pm local time (0930 GMT) on Tuesday, the company said in a statement.
An explosion on an oxygen pipeline in a petrochemical plant in Assaluyeh on Iran's Gulf coast killed one worker, Iranian state media reported on Wednesday, adding that the ensuing fire had been extinguished.
Companies have developed detailed programs for managing wide range of assets. However, unsustainability negatively impacts effectiveness of these programs. Reach out to us on how we can address sustainability through digital transformation.
The US Chemical Safety Board has released its final investigation report into the October 26, 2019 hydrogen sulfide (H2S) release that fatally injured two people at the Aghorn Operating, Inc. waterflood station in Odessa, Texas.
Chevron Corp said a fire that broke out at its 245,271 barrel-per-day Richmond, California refinery on Friday morning has been extinguished and no injuries were reported.
The troubled Limetree Bay oil refinery in St. Croix, United States Virgin Islands, has suspended operations after a malfunction sent oil raining onto a nearby neighborhood, the company said late Wednesday.
Marathon Petroleum issues alert after confirming a hydrofluoric acid leak at its 585,000 barrel-per-day Galveston Bay Refinery in Texas City, Texas on Tuesday.
The 2021 API Spring Refining and Equipment (CRE) Standards Meeting is being presented virtually and will be open to anyone who wishes to participate. These virtual meetings will be held over a two-week period, May 10-14, 2021, and May 17-20, 2021.
Lessen downtime by enhancing your plant infrastructure, ensuring mechanical integrity, and extending equipment lifespan. Contact us for on-demand engineering expertise in assessment, problem-solving, specialized testing, and preventative solutions.
Equinor must fix a series of rule breaches exposed by a fire at its Melkoeya LNG plant in Norway last September for the plant to reopen, the country’s safety watchdog said on Thursday.
Seven people were injured after a major fire broke out Wednesday at Pemex's 285,000 bpd Lazaro Cardenas refinery in the eastern city of Minatitlan.
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) is deploying to the scene of a fatal explosion and fire at the Yenkin-Majestic Paints and OPC Polymers manufacturing site in Columbus, Ohio.
Operations at Indonesia’s state oil company PT Pertamina’s 125,000 barrel-per-day refinery in Balongan may return to normal this week, following a fire in some parts of the refinery, a company director told parliament on Monday.
Indonesia’s state oil company Pertamina said on Monday that it was trying to control a massive fire at its Balongan oil refinery in West Java and that five people had been injured and about 950 people evacuated because of the blaze.
With the IMS Suite, you can calculate optimal intervention periods and lay out efficient maintenance strategies. Click here to learn more.
A fire broke out over the weekend at Delek's 80,000 bpd refinery in El Dorado, Arkansas, injuring six employees.
At least six people were killed and 12 others hospitalized on Thursday in liquid nitrogen leak at a northeastern Georgia poultry plant, officials said on Thursday.
A fire at a secondary unit at an oil refinery owned by Rosneft in Russia’s far eastern city of Komsomolsk-on-Amur has been contained, a spokesman for the refinery said on Tuesday.
One person died and three others were injured in an explosion and a fire that occurred in a chemical plant in Belle, West Virginia, on Tuesday night, officials said.
Seven workers were injured in a fire on Saturday at the Magellan Midstream Partners petroleum storage tank farm in Corpus Christi, Texas, according to company and city officials.
Learn how you can safeguard integrity, reliability, instrumentation safety, and more.
An explosion rocked South Africa’s second-largest crude oil refinery in Durban on Friday injuring seven people, local emergency services said.
A fire at Norway’s Tjeldbergodden industrial facility on Wednesday triggered an evacuation of staff and the shutdown of Europe’s largest methanol plant and a gas processing terminal.
U.S. Gulf operators have begun evacuating personnel and shutting down facilities in preparation for Tropical Storm Delta, which is expected to strengthen into a Category 3 hurricane as it moves into warmer waters.
Offshore platforms and one refinery along the U.S. Gulf Coast shut down on Sunday as they prepared for a second hurricane strike in less than a month.
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) said on Monday about 835 tons of a bleaching agent used in swimming pools was stored at the Louisiana plant where a chlorine chemical fire had erupted last week in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura.
Increase the efficiency of your mechanical integrity programs through the design, implementation and optimization of inspection databases.
The CSB has released a new "Safety Spotlight" highlighting the actions of Airgas, Inc. following the deadly 2016 nitrous oxide explosion at their facility in Cantonment, Florida.
Taiwan’s Formosa Petrochemical Corp has shut a residue desulphuriser (RDS) unit at its 540,000 barrels-per-day (bpd) Mailiao refinery after it was hit by a fire early on Wednesday, three sources close to the matter said.
Two people were killed on Thursday in an explosion at Astron Energy’s 100,000 barrel per day refinery in Cape Town.
As the United States faces this year's hurricane season, it is critical that the chemical industry understands and prepares for the potential safety hazards posed by extreme weather events.
TPC Group is accused of three willful violations and faces $514,692 in fines from OSHA after the agency concluded its investigation into the November 27, 2019 plant explosion in Port Neches, Texas.
FER's extensive TA experience, combined with our custom software (RAMI Scope) that tracks all aspects of TA activities, we have the ability to keep your turnaround flowing flawlessly with the methodology to maximize your value of premium time.
PK Solutions announced the release of wilma™, an innovative, compact, and user-friendly monitoring assistant designed to assist trained safety professionals, operators, and technicians as an extension of your existing confined space entry...
API has released its 2019 Pipeline Safety Excellence Performance Report showing that liquid pipeline incidents have decreased significantly over the last 5 years, while pipeline mileage and barrels delivered have increased.
The CSB has released a new guidance document focused on the importance of the role of boards of directors and executives in ensuring that there are effective safety management systems in place to properly manage process safety risks.
ABB has developed an innovative augmenting technology aimed at digitalizing the field operator experience and improving interaction between field and control room operations.
An early morning explosion rocked Valero Energy Corp’s 125,000 barrel-per-day (bpd) Meraux, Louisiana, refinery on the east side of New Orleans
The AI is seamlessly integrated into DIMATE PACS and ensures correct evaluation and measurement based on the customer's component catalog. This innovative approach improves NDT inspection data quality and further optimizes inspection processes.
Lyondell Basell Industries said maintenance operations were staffed at its Houston refinery to assure safety and reliability.
PBF Energy said a fire that occurred at one operating unit at its Delaware City, Delaware, refinery on Wednesday has been extinguished and two employees are being treated for injuries.
South Korea’s Lotte Chemical has shut its naphtha cracker after an explosion at the plant in the southwestern city of Seosan, which injured 31 people, the company said on Wednesday.
Shell has restarted a catalytic reformer at its 211,270 bpd refinery in Convent, Louisiana after repairing damage caused by a fire on February 16th.
Arkema and three executives are facing criminal charges in Texas stemming from the 2017 fires at the Arkema SA plant outside of Houston.
ExxonMobil is restarting several units at the company's 502,500 bpd Baton Rouge Refinery following a pipeline fire in early February.
A portion of Marathon Petroleum Corp’s 363,000 barrel-per-day Carson refinery in California has been shut following a fire, the company said on Wednesday.
A catalytic reformer was shut on Sunday night at Royal Dutch Shell Plc’s 211,270 barrel-per-day (bpd) refinery in Convent, Louisiana, after a brief fire, said sources familiar with plant operations.
The CSB has approved a final rule on accidental release reporting that requires prompt reports from owners-operators of facilities that accidentally release a regulated substance resulting in a death, serious injury or substantial property damage.
U.S. refineries and petrochemical plants are cutting back on insurance because several years of severe accidents have driven up the cost of coverage, industry and insurance sources said.
Fourteen U.S. states and Washington D.C. sued the Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday to fight what they called the Trump administration’s effort to gut rules meant to improve safety at chemical plants and reduce the threat of accidents.
Early this morning, a large explosion at the Watson Grinding and Manufacturing facility in northwest Houston killed two people and damaged nearby homes.
On Monday at approximately 1:15 p.m. local time, an explosion and fire rocked a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) unit at Sasol's Lake Charles Chemical Project.
The CSB released its final investigation report on two pressure vessel explosions that occurred at the MRR facility in Philippi, West Virginia. Two workers were fatally injured , and another was severely injured during the first incident.
A March fire at a petrochemical terminal that spread a blanket of black smoke across Houston began when part of a manifold, which includes a pump and motor, on one storage tank broke, according to a report by local and federal agencies.
Petrochemical maker TPC Group Inc will rebuild the Texas plant shut last week by devastating explosions that ignited fires that burned for six days, a spokeswoman said on Wednesday.
At least three employees were injured in a fire raging at TPC Group's chemical plant in Port Neches, Texas, early on Wednesday morning following a massive explosion felt 30 miles (48 kms) away from the plant.
The recent refinery fire that forced Philadelphia Energy Solutions to shutter its plant and file for bankruptcy has raised concerns about aging equipment at U.S. refineries.
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) said on Wednesday a fuel leak, possibly due to open valves and a running pump, set off the massive blaze at the ITC petrochemical storage facility along the Houston Ship Channel in March.
Marathon Petroleum reportedly experienced a small overnight fire at the company's 140,000 bpd Detroit Refinery.
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has released a factual update and preliminary animation detailing the events leading to the June 21, 2019, explosion and fire at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) Refinery in Philadelphia, PA.
Flames engulfed two ethanol holding tanks on Tuesday at a NuStar Energy petrochemical storage facility near San Francisco, prompting health authorities to urge residents of two adjacent towns to remain indoors for much of the day.
Saudi refiner SASREF, owned by state oil giant Saudi Aramco, said two contractors had died and two more were injured in “an incident” during maintenance work on Sunday, the company said in a statement on Tuesday.
Brazilian state-controlled oil company Petrobras said a fire broke out at its Revap refinery, in the city of Sao Jose dos Campos, on Sunday afternoon.
PHMSA has transmitted three significant final rules to the Federal Register that will strengthen the safety of more than 500,000 miles of onshore gas transmission and hazardous liquid pipelines throughout the U.S.
Celanese experienced a fire at its Clear Lake facility in Pasadena, TX over the weekend. There were no injuries reported in the incident.
The CSB has issued a new safety digest on the value of worker participation to prevent chemical incidents. The digest notes that lack of worker participation was a factor in several major incidents investigated by the CSB.
The CSB has released its final investigation report into the 2014 methyl mercaptan release at the DuPont Plant in La Porte, TX, that killed four workers. The report includes key lessons learned from the incident.
Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) is expected to seek to permanently shut its oil refinery in the city after a massive fire caused substantial damage to the complex, two sources familiar with the plans said on Tuesday.
Massive explosions that engulfed a Philadelphia refinery in flames on Friday have renewed concerns about the oil industry’s use of hydrofluoric acid to make high-octane gasoline at plants in densely populated areas.
Firefighters are battling a massive fire at Philadelphia Energy Solutions’ refinery in Philadelphia that has resulted in several explosions but caused no significant injuries, the company said on Friday.
In a newly released 258-page report, California regulators say they now know the cause of the massive 2015 Aliso Canyon Gas Leak.
API has released the 2nd Edition of RP 755, the only refining and petrochemical industry guideline to improve worker safety by addressing fatigue as a risk factor.
The CSB has called on the EPA to review its existing Hydrofluoric Acid study to determine the effectiveness of existing regulations, as well as the viability of utilizing inherently safer alkylation technologies in petroleum refineries.
PinnacleART and Metegrity, Inc. have formed a strategic partnership to improve the mechanical integrity program of a natural gas service provider’s operations in the southwest region of the United States.
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board has released its final report on the June 27, 2016 investigation of an explosion and fire at the Enterprise Products Pascagoula Gas Plant in Pascagoula, MS.
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) recently released a Factual Investigative Update regarding their investigation of the April 26, 2018 explosion and fire at Husky Energy's 50,000 bpd Superior Refinery. According to the CSB, evidence collected to...
Today, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB), as part of its investigation into the May 2017 Didion Mill explosion, issued “Call to Action: Combustible Dust” to gather comments on the management and control of combustible dust from companies,...
On Thursday, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board said the April 26 explosion at Husky Energy’s Superior, Wisconsin, refinery was probably triggered by air leaking around a slide valve into the gasoline-producing unit that blew up.
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has released a new 13 minute video detailing the events leading up to the August 31, 2017 fire at the Arkema chemical plant in Crosby, Texas. The incident led to all employees and more than 200 nearby residents...
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has released an animation detailing the events leading up to the February 8, 2017 explosion at the Packaging Corporation of America's DeRidder, Louisiana, pulp and paper mill. The incident killed three contract...
Last October, we saw the State of California implement its “PSM for Refineries” standard and now the State of Washington’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) appears to be following suit, releasing draft language to adopt a...
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has released a new 11-minute safety video and final report describing the events leading up to the October 21, 2016 toxic chemical release at the MGPI Processing plant in Atchison, Kansas. The video, titled...
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) released a preliminary animation of the events surrounding the 2017 fire at Arkema's chemical plant in Crosby, Texas.
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has released a new 8-minute safety video describing the events leading to the November 22, 2016 fire at ExxonMobil's Baton Rouge refinery, which severely burned four workers. The video, entitled "Fire in Baton...
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board has released a new safety bulletin covering the November 22, 2016 fire that severely burned four workers at the ExxonMobil refinery in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
OSHA recently released a new guide to help petroleum refiners comply with its Process Safety Management (PSM) standard (1910.119). The guide presents lessons learned from the petroleum refinery Process Safety Management National Emphasis Program.
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) today issued a Safety Alert urging oil and chemical facilities to take special precautions when restarting in the wake of shutdowns due to Hurricane Harvey.
California state agencies recently announced final approval of new regulations to strengthen workplace and environmental safety at oil refineries across the state.
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has released a 3-minute animation describing the events leading to the November 22, 2016 fire at ExxonMobil's Baton Rouge refinery, which severely burned four workers.
Cal/OSHA and Chevron have reached a settlement agreement for a comprehensive plan that will improve safety at the Chevron Richmond refinery and for surrounding communities. The agreement meets and exceeds California’s landmark regulation to reduce...
The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued two reports on the safe management of hazards by small businesses and storage facilities that use highly hazardous chemicals in business processes.
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has released its findings and a safety bulletin entitled "Key Lessons for Preventing Incidents when Preparing Process Equipment for Maintenance" resulting from the 2015 hydrocarbon release and fire that injured...
Today, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) released its final report into the February 18, 2015, explosion at the ExxonMobil refinery in Torrance, California. The blast caused serious property damage to the refinery and scattered catalyst dust up...
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has released its final report into the August 28, 2016, nitrous oxide explosion at the Airgas manufacturing facility in Cantonment, Florida. The blast killed the only Airgas employee working at the facility that...
Today, the CSB released a “Business Case for Safety,” summarizing four major accident investigations from the last 15 years and detailing why safety is good for business and ultimately a company’s bottom line.
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has released preliminary findings from its ongoing investigation of the toxic chemical release that occurred at the MGPI Processing plant in Atchison, Kansas, on October 21, 2016. The CSB’s investigation into...
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board’s (CSB) three-person investigation team arrived onsite at the Loy-Lange Box Company to begin its assessment on Thursday April 6th. Since arriving on site the following activities and analysis have been conducted
A three-person investigative team from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) is deploying to the scene of an incident that killed three people and injured four others on Monday, April 3 at the Loy-Lange Box Company in Saint Louis, Missouri.
Vanessa Sutherland, Chairperson of the U.S. Chemical Safety Board, released a statement on Thursday, the 12th anniversary of the BP Texas City disaster that killed 15 workers and injured 180 others.
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has released a video demonstrating the agency's positive safety impact in 2016. The video was posted just days after President Trump proposed his "America First" budget plan, which calls for the elimination of...
A three-person investigative team from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) is deploying to the scene of an incident that killed three workers and reportedly injured seven on Wednesday, February 8 at the Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) plant...
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has released a safety video detailing its investigation of the June 13, 2013 explosion and fire at the Williams Olefins Plant in Geismar, Louisiana, which killed two workers and injured an additional 167. The...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a rule amending its Risk Management Program (RMP) regulations to reduce the likelihood of accidental releases at chemical facilities and improve emergency response activities when those...
A three person investigative team from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has been deployed to the scene of an incident that injured six workers – including four critically – on Tuesday, November 22 at the ExxonMobil Refinery in Baton Rouge,...
Federal investigators found multiple safety violations at a South Dakota ethanol refinery expansion project after a pipefitter suffered fatal burns when ethanol spilled from a process pipe and was ignited by flames from nearby welding operations.
An investigative team from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has deployed to the scene of a chemical release that led to a shelter-in-place order for thousands of residents and at least 85 members of the public seeking medical attention in...
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) today released its 2017–2021 Strategic Plan, including an updated mission and vision statement, which will guide the activities and objectives of the CSB.
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has released its final report into the June 13, 2013, explosion and fire at the Williams Olefins Plant in Geismar, Louisiana, concluding that process safety management program deficiencies during the 12 years...
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has found three repeat and eight serious safety violations at Solvay Specialty Polymers' chemical facility in West Deptford, New Jersey.
U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) report finds that offshore regulatory changes made thus far do not do enough to place the onus on industry to reduce risk, nor do they sufficiently empower the regulator to proactively oversee industry’s efforts to...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to revise its Risk Management Program (RMP) regulations to improve chemical process safety, assist local emergency authorities in planning for and responding to accidents, and improve...
Today the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) released a safety video into the fatal April 17, 2013, fire and explosion at the West Fertilizer Company in West, Texas, which resulted in 15 fatalities, more than 260 injuries, and widespread community...
An ongoing investigation by the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) of the February 18, 2015 explosion at the ExxonMobil Refinery in Torrance, California, has uncovered multiple process safety management deficiencies that led to the accident and a...
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board has approved the final investigation report and video from the 2009 explosion and fire at caribbean petroleum terminal facility in Puerto Rico.
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) will convene a public meeting on Wednesday, September 30, 2015, in Houston, Texas, at The Hilton Americas – Houston Hotel from 6 to 9 p.m. CDT to hear and vote on investigators’ findings and safety...
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has recently voted unanimously to update the status of fifteen safety recommendations resulting from nine accident investigations, including...
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has recently voted to update the status of sixteen recommendations resulting from twelve accident investigations including key safety improvements resulting from the 2006 CAI/Arnel fire and explosion in Danvers,...
Today the U.S.Chemical Safety Board (CSB) released a safety message to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the accident at the BP refinery in Texas City, Texas, that killed 15 workers and injured 180 others. In the message Chairperson Rafael...
On Thursday, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) revealed the initial findings from their investigation into the deadly gas leak that took the lives of four workers at Dupont's chemical plant in LaPorte, TX
Today the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) formally announced that to “Modernize U.S. Process Safety Management Regulations” is the Board’s newest Most Wanted Safety Improvement, concluding that implementation of key federal and state CSB...
In its final Regulatory Report entitled "Regulatory Report: Chevron Richmond Refinery Pipe Rupture and Fire,” the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) proposes recommendations for substantial changes to the way refineries are regulated in...
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board today released a video safety message discussing the role that the CSB recommendations program plays in ensuring that the Board’s accident investigations have a lasting impact on industrial safety.
CSB Will Hold July 16 Public Meeting in Charleston, WV to Release Investigation into 2010 Fatal Accident in New Cumberland, WV and Update the Public on Ongoing Investigation into Chemical Leak at Freedom Industries.