Primatech

CSB Issues Final Report on 2021 Fatal Acid Release at LyondellBasell La Porte, TX Facility

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) has released its final report on the acetic acid release that occurred at the LyondellBasell facility in La Porte, Texas on July 27, 2021. The CSB found that the removal of pressure retaining components of a valve caused the release of 164,000 pounds of an extremely hot acetic acid mixture, resulting in the deaths of two contract workers and serious injuries to two other people. Also, 29 employees working in an adjacent unit were transported to medical facilities for further evaluation and treatment. The incident caused an estimated $40 million in loss of use and property damage.

The report describes how contractors, who intended to remove a valve actuator from a plug valve, removed bolts from the valve not being aware that they were securing a pressure-retaining valve cover. The plug was ejected from the valve resulting in the catastrophic release. The CSB noted that there have been similar incidents around the country involving plug valves being inadvertently taken apart when removing connected equipment.

The CSB made recommendations to LyondellBasell, its contractor, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Petroleum Institute, and the Valve Manufacturers Association of America to address gaps in equipment design and labeling, procedures, communication of past incidents, and worker training.

Final Report Released by CSB on the toxic gas release and chemical fire at the Bio-Lab facility in Westlake, LA

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) has released its final report on the chemical fire and toxic gas release at Bio-Lab in Westlake, Louisiana, which occurred during Hurricane Laura in August 2020. The Bio-Lab facility experienced significant wind damage that led to rainwater from the storm making contact with over 1 million pounds of trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA), causing a chemical reaction, fire, and the release of a large plume of hazardous gases, including toxic chlorine. The incident resulted in the closure of a portion of nearby Interstate 10 and a shelter-in-place order for the surrounding community.

The report suggests measures for the company and Louisiana officials to take to prevent similar incidents in the future during hurricanes. Furthermore, the CSB is also reiterating two recommendations related to reactive chemicals that it previously has made to OSHA and EPA. The CSB is calling on OSHA to amend its PSM regulation to achieve more comprehensive control of reactive hazards, such as TCCA, that could have catastrophic consequences, and is calling on EPA to revise its Accidental Release Prevention Requirements to cover additional reactive hazards that have the potential to seriously impact the public.

4 New training courses and technical briefings

We are excited to announce new training courses and technical briefings on process safety aimed at enhancing your skills and knowledge in this critical field. Our comprehensive programs are designed to help you and your organization build a safer and more efficient workplace.

Facilitating Brainstorming and Creative Thinking in PHA Studies
Using Risk Matrices Correctly in Process Safety
Use of Data Analytics in PHA
Preparing and Submitting an EPA Risk Management Plan

Primatech Exhibiting at 2023 AIChE Spring Meeting and 19th Global Congress on Process Safety

Primatech is exhibiting at this year’s GCPS, March 12-16, 2023. Be sure to visit us at booth 100 and talk with our staff members Steven Baybutt, Shawn Metzler, and Kim Carnahan to discuss how Primatech's consulting, software, training, and certifications can assist in meeting your organization's process safety needs.

The Primatech booth will feature live demos of our leading software, PHAWorks RA Edition (with Bow Tie and Data Analytics features) and our entry-level software, PHAWorks Lite.

Information about our comprehensive training courses, consulting services, and technical certifications will be available. Primatech team members will be on hand to discuss the details of our courses, services, and certifications and answer any questions you may have.

Finally, don’t forget to stop by the booth to see what exciting give-away we will be handing out to a lucky winner this year!

For more details on Primatech at GCPS, click here.

CSB Releases Update into 2021 Fatal Explosion and Fire at Yenkin-Majestic

The Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB released an update into its ongoing investigation of the April 8, 2021, incident at the Yenkin-Majestic OPC Polymers resin plant in Columbus, OH. The update provides a detailed incident description, background information on the facility and production as well as a history of the equipment. The large explosion and fire led to one fatality and injured eight additional employees.

You can read the full investigation here.

Free PHAWorks Webinar for New Users Upgrading from PHAWorks 5

Upgrade from PHAWorks 5 to either new version of PHAWorks by December 31, 2022 and attend a new users webinar for free to help you get started. There will one webinar for PHAWorks Lite and one for PHAWorks RA Edition, both to be scheduled for mid-January 2023. Contact Shawn Metzler at srm@primatech.com.

"Ignore Warnings: Explosions in St Louis" New Video from CSB

On December 7, 2022, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) released a new safety video regarding the fatal explosion in St Louis, Missouri at the Loy-Lange Box Company back in April of 2017. The explosion launched a pressure vessel into the nearby building causing the fatal injury of one worker and three members of the public.

The safety video can be viewed on CSB’s website.

Action Plan for Chemical Cybersecurity

On October 26, 2022, the White House launched a 100-day sprint to assess cybersecurity in the chemical sector under an ongoing initiative to secure Industrial Control Systems (ICSs) across key sectors of US critical infrastructure. The effort will be led by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) in cooperation with the American Chemistry Council (ACC) and the National Security Council (NSC).

The effort is an expansion to the chemical sector of the existing ICS cybersecurity initiative that has addressed ICS security for the pipeline, electric, and water sectors. The Chemical Action Plan will serve as a roadmap to guide the sector’s assessment of their current cybersecurity practices building on lessons learned and best practices from the previously launched action plans for the pipeline, electric, and water sectors.

CSB Releases Video of Fire, Explosions, and Hydrofluoric Acid Release at Philadelphia Energy Solutions

On October 27, 2022, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board released a safety video addressing the fire, explosions, and toxic hydrofluoric acid (HF) release that occurred at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on June 21, 2019.

CSB Releases Final Report into 2019 Fire and Explosion at Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refinery

On October 11, 2022, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released its final investigative report into an accident at the Philadelphia Energy Solutions Refinery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that occurred in June 2019.

As a result, the CSB is making recommendations for:

The American Petroleum Institute (API) to update its standard on Safe Operation of Hydrofluoric Acid Alkylation Units to require installation of remotely operated emergency isolation valves on the inlets and outlets of all hydrofluoric acid containing vessels, and any hydrocarbon containing vessels meeting defined threshold quantities.

API to update its standard on Safe Operation of Hydrofluoric Acid Alkylation Units to require that critical safeguards and associated control system components be protected from fire and explosion hazards, including radiant heat and flying projectiles.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to require petroleum refineries to conduct a safer technology and alternatives analysis (STAA) as part of their Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) under EPA's RMP rule, and evaluate the practicability of any inherently safer technology.

EPA to initiate prioritization under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) to evaluate whether hydrofluoric acid is a high priority substance for risk evaluation, and if it is, conduct a TSCA risk evaluation of HF and implement any identified risk mitigation requirements.

For more information, click here.