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  • Safety/Security

    • Fire/Explosion Protection

    Major accidents with multiple fatalities continue to occur worldwide in the process industries, causing distress to those involved and massive costs to companies. Almost daily, facilities in the process industries face a number of specific major accident hazard scenarios depending upon the nature of the substances they handle and their processing activities. Implementing best practices for fire and explosion protection is paramount.

    Articles

    Shutterstock
    Lessons Learned from Formosa Plastics Explosion

    Podcast: Lessons Learned From the Deadly Formosa Explosion

    Traci Purdum
    The incident at Formosa Plastics in 2004 highlighted critical lessons in process safety. Human factors, communication gaps and inadequate equipment played significant roles in...
    Shutterstock
    10 Rules to Succeed at Process Safety Management

    Podcast: How To Succeed at Process Safety Management — 10 Rules

    Traci Purdum
    Based on his many years in the chemical industry and his years at the CSB, John Bresland developed a “top 10” list of rules for process safety success.
    Shutterstock
    Pause, Reflect, Act

    The Difference Between Experiences and Learning in Process Safety

    Trish Kerin, Stay Safe columnist
    Daily experiences vary, but key events hold lessons. Reflection is vital for learning and shaping success.
    Shutterstock
    Accident Anniversaries

    Accident Anniversaries: Honoring Lives and Learning Lessons

    Traci Purdum
    From the LNG explosion in Algeria and the Boston molasses spill to Flixborough and the Valdez oil spill, the discussion underscores the ongoing relevance of these incidents and...

    News

    Frederica-Ovidi-

    EFCE Presents Process Safety Awards

    June 1, 2022
    Group honors author of thesis and lifetime contribution
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    Fire, Frigid Temps Prove Challenging At Chemical Complex

    Jan. 17, 2022
    A fire at a chemical complex in Passaic, New Jersey, causes a roof collapse but no injuries.
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    Polymer Additive Minimizes Fuel Explosions

    April 9, 2019
    Lengthy but microscopic chains of polymers can be added to fuel to significantly reduce the damage from fire accidents without impacting performance.
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    Aerodyne Environmental Introduces Dust Efficiency Clinic

    Feb. 5, 2019
    Dust collection system evaluations help operators cut costs.

    White Papers: In Depth Research

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    Powder eHandbook: Preclude Powder Problems

    Nov. 11, 2014
    Process design and process safety are critical considerations in chemical production and processing. With design and safety paramount at the outset of any new development or equipment...

    CSB Investigation: Lack Of Process Knowledge, Runaway Reaction Caused Worker Death

    July 7, 2023
    A better understanding of safety management system elements must be in place to prevent incidents from reactive hazards, according to the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation...

    Washington Seeks To Stem Catastrophic Incidents At Refineries

    June 27, 2023
    Proposed new requirements will update 30-year-old standards on process safety management.
    Process Safety With Trish & Traci Episode 46

    Podcast: Lessons Learned From The 2013 Williams Olefins Explosion

    Traci Purdum
    June 16, 2023
    The cause of the explosion was traced back to a heat exchanger at the plant. Written procedures, checklists, redundancy and assessing risks for transient and unusual operations...

    CSB: Naphtha Vapor Cloud Ignited, Causing Fatal BP-Husky Fatal Fire

    Jonathan Katz
    June 13, 2023
    Ongoing investigation will examine plant’s hierarchy of controls and ability to manage abnormal situations.