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The present paper focuses on the results from several PSM audits performed between 2010 and 2016, at several different Chemical Process Industry (CPI) facilities. On the one hand, we have evaluated how well these facilities complied with the requirements of the OSHA PSM Standard. On the other hand, the data from the audit findings has been compiled and statistically processed in order to compare the main common findings with the results of those analyzed by OSHA’s Refinery and Chemical National Emphasis Programs (NEP) in 2012.

The main purpose of a a Fire and Gas (FGS) mapping study is to identify and assess the placement and performance of gas flammable, toxic, and fire detectors.

When not properly evaluated and controlled, changes to physical equipment in a facility can lead to serious incidents with potentially severe consequences. Management of Change (MOC) systems, replete with a variety of electronic systems, flow charts, and checklists, have been developed by a number of reliable organizations throughout the world to manage these physical changes.

Since its inception in 2001, ioMosaic Corporation has conducted several hundred Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) studies.

Inhibitors are chemical substances that are used in small amounts to suppress the polymerization reaction of a monomer. An inhibitor has to be completely consumed before a polymerization reaction can proceed at normal rates. The time required to completely consume the inhibitor is often referred to as an ”induction” time.

There is a need to establish a systematic methodology for (a) identifying the buildings at risk, (b) assessing if the risk is tolerable, (c) and cost effective risk reduction where applicable to as low as reasonably practicable (ALARP).

How often has a project in your facility been delayed or endured budget overruns due to a lack of readily available and accurate engineering and safety information? How many times have you updated the same information in a piping and instrumentation diagram (P&ID) and other process safety information (PSI) in successive process hazard analyses (PHAs)?

Although non-equilibriumflow and rapid phase transitions (RPT) are well researched, the literature published so far does not explicitly quantify the RPT phenomenon or provide reliable methods for the calculation of non-equilibrium flow for mixtures.

Safe design has long been a priority in the process industries. It is a design that effectively minimizes the likelihood of process hazards and mitigates their potential consequences to achieve tolerable risk.

Risk-ranking is a common methodology for making risk-based decisions without conducting quantitative risk analysis. The basis for risk ranking is the risk matrix that has both a consequence and frequency axis. The product of consequence and frequency provides a measure of risk.

The main purpose of the Consequence Analysis phase to be developed during the execution of a risk-based quantitative assessment is to answer the following question: “Which are the impacts of identified hazardous scenarios?” This step is critical for estimating reliable and accurate effects / consequences from Loss of Containment scenarios (LOCs), avoiding unrealistic results that would directly impact on the decision-making process. Additionally, it is essential that Consequence Analysis includes the identification and quantification of ALL potential outcomes that a hazardous release may cause. Event Tree Analysis (ETA) methodology is a valuable tool for identifying all these potential outcomes. The present paper introduces the consequence analysis step by providing guidance on consequence modeling (i.e., source term characterization, dispersion of harmful gases/vapors, fires and explosions) and criteria for event trees development.

This paper compiles human vulnerability and structural damage criteria from well-known literature references for explosions, fires and dispersion analysis. In the first section, the manuscript addresses human vulnerability from explosions. Based on the contents described below, three parameters should be considered when evaluating human vulnerability due to overpressure: (1) overpressure, (2) impulse and (3) probit analysis.

This paper proposes a risk-based approach for identifying process equipment impacted by explosions with potential for escalation. The procedure is based on: (1) taking advantage of efforts conducted during the development of a risk-based quantitative assessment, (2) combination of exceedance curve with elasto-plastic Single Degree Of Freedom (SDOF) and pressure-impulse diagrams.

Escalation and domino effect triggered by fires is a well-known phenomenon that has caused past severe accidents in the process industry. This paper proposes a risk-based approach for domino effect analysis by combining Exceedance Curves (ECs) with Thermal Stress Dynamic Analysis (TSDA).