Chemical Industry Urged to Reduce Processing Hazards

May 14, 2012Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetArticle1 Comments

The chemical industry needs guidance in choosing alternative processing methods to reduce or eliminate hazards, a national panel said in a report.

U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations require chemical companies to follow certain procedures to ensure manufacturing processes are safe. But the report by the National Research Council said the industry lacks common practice protocols and understanding to identify safer processes.

It recommends that the U.S. Chemical Safety Board or other entity develop a plan to help chemical plant managers choose alternative processes to reduce or eliminate hazards.

One method, known as an “inherently safer process” assessment, aims to minimize or eliminate a hazard. But the assessment does not always provide clear guidance. The report said switching to a non-flammable solvent in a process would remove a fire hazard. But if the solvent is toxic, a new hazard is created.

Use of inherently safer process strategies would reduce the number of vulnerable areas around a company’s facilities, which would decrease the scope of emergency preparedness programs. But it potentially could narrow the focus too much and overlook certain outcomes, the report said.

Congress ordered the study following a 2008 explosion at BayerCropscience’s plant in Institute that killed two workers. The explosion occurred near a storage tank containing methyl isocyanate, a highly toxic chemical also known as MIC. The tank was not damaged and the chemical wasn’t released.

Bayer took measures to reduce risks associated with MIC manufacturing and storage at the Institute plant. But the company did not incorporate all possible methods to control hazards, the report said.

 

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Regulators Propose $105K Fine for Hazards at Texas Facility

May 9, 2012Email ThisPrintNewslettersTweetArticleComments

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Houston-based AWC Frac Valves Inc. with one willful, six serious and four other-than-serious violations for exposing workers at the company’s Conroe, Texas, facility to multiple safety hazards, including amputation dangers. Proposed penalties total $105,000.

The willful violation is failing to provide the required machine guarding to prevent employees from coming in contact with moving machinery parts such as vertical and manual lathes.

A willful violation is one committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law’s requirements, or with plain indifference to employee safety and health.

The serious violations include failing to ensure that working surfaces are clear of trash and debris; provide a lockout/tagout program for machines’ energy sources when they are being set up for production; and properly guard pulleys, belts and live electrical circuits.

A serious violation occurs when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

The other-than-serious violations include failing to properly maintain the required injury and illness logs, and adequately close openings on electrical equipment.

An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.

AWC Frac Valves employs about 100 workers in Conroe who fabricate high-pressure hydraulic fracturing valves for the oil and gas industry.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA’s Houston North area director, or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Source: OSHA

 

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Science of Risk 2012 to focus on climate and hazards

As Climate Week places the spotlight on key environmental issues, Lloyd’s new-look Science of Risk prize is also turning its attention to climate change and natural catastrophes.

From March 12, Climate Week will see thousands of events take place across the UK as businesses and organisations look to raise awareness of ways to combat climate change.

Tackling climate change

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