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The Role of Chemical Reactivity Data in Process Safety Management

Chemical reactivity is addressed throughout the requirements of OSHA’s PSM Standard. It is specifically required in the process safety information element. In addition, it is necessary input to process hazard analysis, operating procedure development, emergency relief system design, and mechanical integrity. As the understanding of the impact of chemical reactivity hazards on the operation of a chemical process continues to develop, it is important to have a method for developing this data. Equally important is a method for extracting meaningful reactivity information from the data and incorporating it into process safety. This paper will present a process for evaluating chemical reactivity hazards using an Accelerating Rate Calorimeter (ARC®). It will then explain how to extract information from this data to help define process safety elements such as safe upper and lower limits, emergency relief system design, etc. Read more

Thermal Stability Indicators

Chemical process hazards cannot be effectively managed if they first cannot be properly identified. This is especially true for reactive chemicals storage, processing, and management. Reaction rates can be significantly influenced by the presence of contaminants, inhibitors, incompatible chemicals, etc. Read more

Understanding NJ TCPA for Effective Reactivity Management

The New Jersey Toxic Catastrophe Prevention Act (TCPA) has recently been amended to cover reactive chemicals and is the only regulation that requires as assessment of reactivity hazards and mitigation of associated risks. Read more

Update Your HAZCOM Program for Combustible Dusts

According to the “Status Report on Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program,” published by OSHA in October 2009, the Hazard Communication (HazCom) standard is the most frequently-cited standard with respect to combustible dust-related hazards. This paper can help you determine what type of information you need to develop and include on your Safety Data Sheets (SDSs). Note that the recent update to the HazCom standard refers to material safety data sheets (MSDSs) as safety data sheets (SDSs). A link to this update is included at the end of this paper. OSHA’s Hazardous Communication Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1200, requires manufacturers and importers of chemicals to conduct a hazard evaluation of chemicals they produce or import. The results of this evaluation are to be included on a SDS and any container labels. Employers must then maintain these SDSs in the workplace and develop a written program to communicate to workers this hazardous chemical information. Although always intended to be included in HazCom programs, the most recent update to this standard, on March 26, 2012, added “combustible dust” to the definition for a hazardous chemical. Read more

Using a Burning Rate Model for Deflagration Vent Sizing

Being able to accurately size deflagration vents is critical to safe, efficient operation of combustible dust handling equipment. NFPA 68 provides simple calculation methods for sizing deflagration vents for combustible dust deflagrations. Read more