CRAIM

Money .. It's the world uniform language, Business leaders make many decisions to improve financial performance of their business. Many of these decisions have an impact, positive or negative, on process safety performance. Adverse process safety performance, over-time, can impact a company’s ability to achieve its business goals, live up to its environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principals, and, ultimately, to survive. Financial decisions tend to look at a calculated return on investment over a shorter time horizon. It is challenging to integrate process safety impact, in terms of probability of loss avoided over the longer term, into these decisions. Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS) Presents this monograph regarding this vital subject to assist leaders, especially those with operational responsibility, and the process safety professionals that advise them, in considering the potential process safety impact of their financial decisions. #CCPS #PSM #BOWTIE #Risk_Matrix #ALARP #Asset_Integrity

🌟 The Art of Risk Assessment: A Key to Safer Workplaces 🌟 🚧 Risk assessment is the foundation of proactive safety management. By identifying hazards, evaluating risks, and implementing control measures, we create safer environments for everyone. 🔍 Why is Risk Assessment Important? ✔️ Prevents accidents and injuries ✔️ Enhances workplace efficiency ✔️ Ensures compliance with safety regulations ✔️ Builds a culture of trust and responsibility 🛠️ The 5 Steps of Risk Assessment (HSE UK): 1️⃣ Identify Hazards 🧐 Ask: What could cause harm? Look at processes, equipment, environment, and behaviors to spot hazards like slips, trips, machinery risks, or hazardous substances. 2️⃣ Determine Who Might Be Harmed and How 👩🔧👨💻 Think beyond employees—consider contractors, visitors, and the public. Identify vulnerable groups (e.g., pregnant workers, young staff, or those with disabilities). 3️⃣ Evaluate the Risks and Decide on Precautions 📊 Assess the likelihood and severity of harm. Apply the hierarchy of controls to decide on measures: Eliminate the hazard if possible. Substitute with something safer. Implement engineering controls (e.g., barriers, guards). Use administrative controls (e.g., training, procedures). Provide personal protective equipment (PPE) as a last resort. 4️⃣ Record Your Findings 📝 Keep it simple but comprehensive: Document hazards, risks, and control measures. Show that risk assessment is thorough and appropriate. 5️⃣ Review and Update Regularly 🔄 Risk assessments are living documents! Revisit when there are significant changes (e.g., new equipment, processes, or incidents). ⚠️ Remember: Safety is everyone’s responsibility! A well-executed risk assessment not only saves lives but also strengthens business resilience and reputation. 💡 What’s your approach to managing risks in your organization? Let’s share insights and best practices to keep our workplaces safe! 💬 #SafetyFirst #RiskAssessment #WorkplaceSafety #HealthAndSafety #Leadership

● I drafted the attached '2025 Calendar of Process Safety Incident Case Studies' as an educational resource for my science and chemical engineering students. Feel free to use it and to share with whomever you wish. ● Also, if interested in process safety, consider registering (free of charge) for next week’s inaugural International Process Safety Week, a week-long online event of webinars, panel discussions and case studies: https://lnkd.in/enbRf-hS #process #safety #chemistry #engineering #science #industry

In 2000, in the Netherlands, a catastrophic fireworks explosion killed 23 people, injured 950, and destroyed 400 homes. Read the BARPI incident report for important lessons learned on hazard analysis. https://bit.ly/3ZflJJd #HazardAnalysis #DustHazards #LessonsLearned

Today, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released an investigation update into the chemical reaction and toxic gas release on September 29, 2024, at the Bio-Lab, Inc. facility in Conyers, Georgia, that resulted in a massive fire and plume of toxic smoke that threatened the surrounding community and the metropolitan Atlanta area.

Un nouveau #guide très complet et facilitant de la Direction générale de la Sécurité civile et de la gestion des crises, principalement sous forme de #fiches, pour renforcer la bonne pratique de planification en « #réseau » de la #sauvegarde de nos #territoires face aux #catastrophes. À noter, à ce titre, l’intérêt d’impliquer les #citoyens et les #associations non spécialisées aux côtés des acteurs publics, des #AASC et du secteur privé, pour mieux se #préparer #ensemble🤝 Tous les documents sur le site de la #DGSCGC: https://lnkd.in/du_uiEvA

The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released an update on the agency’s investigation of a fatal release of toxic hydrogen sulfide gas at the PEMEX Deer Park Refinery in Texas on October 10, 2024, which killed two workers and injured 13 others.

Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS) guidelines element 9 (Safe work practice) in the pillar of #Managing_Risk emphasize the importance of element-safe work practices to ensure the safety and well-being of workers involved in hazardous processes. A Permit to Work (PTW) system is a formal, written procedure used in industries, particularly those dealing with hazardous materials or processes, to ensure that work is carried out safely. It provides a structured approach to managing high-risk tasks by outlining safety precautions, necessary training, and the equipment needed before the work begins.  #CCPS #PSM #PTW

𝗨𝗻𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗩𝗮𝗽𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗨𝗩𝗖𝗘): 🏭💥 Have you ever wondered how a simple gas leak in an open space could lead to a catastrophic explosion? A UVCE begins when flammable vapor escapes, 💨 forming a cloud in an open area. If this cloud finds an ignition source,⚡ 𝗶𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗲—𝗶𝘁 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗱𝗲𝘀. Here’s how it unfolds: 📂 1️⃣ A fireball forms from the initial combustion. 2️⃣ This fireball pushes unburnt vapor outward, creating turbulence. 3️⃣ When the vapor encounters obstacles—pipes, walls, or machinery—turbulence increases, speeding up the flame front. 4️⃣ This accelerates combustion, and the explosion intensifies, potentially reaching supersonic 🎥 This simulation video, created using #FLACS, visually demonstrates how a UVCE can devastate a gas industrial facility, illustrating the explosion's power of a UVCE. ... #ProcessSafety #IndustrialSafety #UVCE #NFPA #API #FLACS #SafetyEngineering #OilAndGas #ChemicalSafety

U.S. Chemical Safety Board Releases Investigation Update into July 2024 Hazardous Ammonia Release at Cuisine Solutions Facility in Virginia Thank you CSB and the investigation team for updating the status of this investigation to assist us in our related operations and/or potential similar situations. Looking forward to the final report which has still to finalize:  o Potential causes of the ammonia emergency pressure relief valve opening o The total quantity of ammonia released o Company's emergency action plan for an ammonia release o Company's process safety management and risk management programs and policies o Codes and standards for ammonia refrigeration systems Personally, I can relate to this situation and its challenges as a supervisor back in the 1970s of a Kellogg Anhydrous Ammonia Plant. Suggestion: Internalize this event to determine if we might be facing the same situation/conditions in our plants and the address them properly.   Washington D.C. November 15, 2024 - Today, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released an update on the agency’s investigation into the July 31, 2024, hazardous ammonia release at the Cuisine Solutions, Inc. food processing facility in Sterling, Virginia. The incident involved the accidental release of anhydrous ammonia, a hazardous chemical commonly used in refrigeration systems. Dozens of employees were injured by the release, some seriously. The update highlights the key facts surrounding the event. The incident occurred due to the discharge of an emergency pressure relief valve, which resulted in the release of approximately 170 pounds of anhydrous ammonia, according to company officials. As the toxic cloud spread through the facility, personnel were evacuated through several exits, some of which were in close proximity to the ammonia release. During the evacuation a number of workers were exposed to the hazardous ammonia which led to exposure symptoms such as difficulty breathing. CSB Chairperson Steve Owens said, “Anhydrous ammonia is a toxic substance, and exposure to even small amounts can have significant adverse health impacts. The formation of a toxic ammonia cloud like the one in this incident can pose serious potential risks not just to those in the immediate vicinity, but to the surrounding community as well.” The CSB’s update also highlights the health risks associated with  anhydrous ammonia, given its toxicity. The incident underscores the importance of having effective emergency response and evacuation procedures in place for workers, as well as the need for regular equipment maintenance.