Amplify Your Process Safety

In part four of our Back to Basics miniseries, we're talking MOC basics. You'll learn what MOC, or management of change, is, what the process is like, and who is typically involved in each step. We'll also cover two incidents that highlight the importance of MOC.  Find the two incidents we discussed and many others in Incidents that Define Process Safety . Learn more about MOC in Episode 5 -...

Wesley and Jo are back with part 3 of PSM: Back to Basics, with more content for those newest to PSM. In this episode, you'll learn what a Process Hazard Analysis, or PHA, is and what methodologies exist for conducting a PHA study. You'll also learn the basics of nodes and HAZOP studies, and then we'll discuss a gas plant incident at a facility where no HAZOP study was found to have been conducted...

New to process safety and not sure where to start? In part 2 of our new miniseries, PSM: Back to Basics, Wesley and Jo cover a plethora of process safety resources, including websites, books, conferences, apps, and more.  OSHA Letters of Interpretation OSHA Compliance Directive AIChE Academy e-Learning   SAChE Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center at Texas A&M Process Safety Intern...

The world of process safety is chock-full of acronyms. In part 1 of our new miniseries, PSM: Back to Basics, Wesley and Jo tackle the essential acronyms that PSM newbies need to know, providing an explanation and context for each term. In this episode, you'll learn about AIChE, API, ASME, CCPS, CCPSC, C&Es, CFR, CSB, CSP, EPA, ERP, II, MI, (e)MOC, NURF, PFDs, PHA, P&IDs, PSI, PSM, PSSR, RA...

What do toothpaste, coffee, Superbowl Sunday, and Spock have to do with alarms? You'll find out in this episode, where we welcome back guest Curt Snyder, a certified functional safety expert, as we discuss building an alarm management program in your facility. We'll cover what goes into creating your alarm management program, why these programs matter, and more, along with plenty of anecdotes that...

In this episode, we welcome guest Curt Snyder, a certified functional safety expert. Wesley and Curt discuss ISA 84,  RAGAGEP prescribed by CCPS for the mechanical integrity element of SIS, while also referring to IEC 61511-1, which is a nearly identical standard. In this jam-packed, highly technical episode, you'll learn why these standards exist, their objectives, and then we'll provide a h...

Operators, maintenance technicians, and I&E technicians - those we deem "boots on the ground" - are vital to the success of your process safety program. In this episode, Wesley and Rob discuss the key roles these individuals play when it comes to Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs), operating procedures, operator training, incident investigation, near miss reporting, compliance audits, Management o...

Construction projects big and small are bound to happen at your facility. What if you have a long construction phase after your initial PHA? What if you don't have your arms around all the modifications that have been made during the project? How can you and your PHA team prep before a big project starts? What can go wrong if you wait until the end of a project to do a PHA? In this episode, Wesley...

In this episode, Wesley and Rob talk about PSM management systems. They'll compare paper and electronic systems, and cover what factors you should consider when choosing a management system for your MOCs, action item tracking, and more. If you're starting a PSM program from scratch or you're looking to overhaul your current program, this is the episode for you. 

In this episode, Wesley and Rob present some guidelines for a successful Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) based on their years of experience as PHA participants and facilitators. They'll cover tips related to prep, study sessions, and more, ensuring you're ready for your next PHA. 

In this episode, Wesley and Rob talk combustible dusts - what they are, why they're hazardous, and which NFPA standards apply to them. They'll also talk about a major event related to combustible dusts, and about upcoming requirements involving Dust Hazard Analyses (DHAs). To view the CSB video mentioned in today's episode, please visit https://www.csb.gov/imperial-sugar-company-dust-explosion-and...

In this episode, Wesley and Rob cover a few major events that happened in industry in 2019, and update you on the latest ruling regarding RMP regulation changes.  To learn more about these major events and others currently under investigation, visit the U.S. Chemical Safety Board's website at csb.gov.

In this episode, Wesley and Rob talk about how the people who know the process best, such as operators, maintenance technicians, and I&E technicians, can use weak signals, or leading indicators, to help prevent process safety events. They'll define what weak signals are, share some personal experiences, and shed light on what you can do when you discover something that doesn't seem right at yo...

In this episode, Wesley and Rob discuss the basic elements of an incident investigation, while also addressing how blame and investigation findings should be handled. 

In this episode, Wesley and Rob present a crash course on risk matrices. They'll cover what a risk matrix is, its role in Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs), limitations to consider regarding matrix size, and more. If you're new to PSM, this is the episode for you. 

In this very special episode, Wesley returns to his alma mater to sit down with Dr. Jim Holste, interim director of the Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, during this year's International Symposium. Dr. Holste talks about the center's formation and mission, its satellite campuses and ties to industry, and the various degrees and certifica...

In part 1 we covered some background and consensus standards regarding facility siting. In this episode, part 2, Wesley and Rob will break down the whole facility siting process from start to finish. First, they'll cover two different approaches to a facility siting study and they'll compare a consequence based approach with a quantitative risk assessment (QRA) approach. Then they'll discuss what...

Facility siting. These two words appear in OSHA's PSM standard in the midst of other requirements that your PHA study must address, but no other details are provided. In part 1 of this facility siting episode, Wesley and Rob dive into a catastrophic event that highlighted the importance of facility siting, and then give a brief overview of what a facility siting study focuses on and how the it can...

In this episode, Wesley and Rob discuss the newest changes and revisions to the EPA's Risk Management Plan rule. You'll learn about new requirements involving emergency response plans, hazard reviews, training, compliance audits, incident investigations, and more. Wesley and Rob will also cover which changes have a future compliance obligation of March 15, 2021 and which changes your facility must...

In this special episode, Wesley welcomes our very first guest, William McBride, from CrossBridge Compliance. Will and Wesley discuss API 510, the recommended practice or inspection guideline for pressure vessels and talk about the importance of a vessel's U-1A. Will also explores the five important variables that go into calculating a vessel's remaining life from a mechanical integrity inspection...

In this episode, Wesley and Rob get back to basics. How do you know if the PSM and RMP regulations apply to your facility? What is a process? What exemptions exist? Where can you find information about the threshold quantities that qualify you for certain programs? After listening, check out additional guidance from the EPA regarding RMP requirements here: https://www.epa.gov/rmp/guidance-faciliti...

In this episode, Wesley and Rob talk about Management of Change (MOC), including which types of changes require MOCs, the steps that should be included as part of the MOC workflow, and how operators can take ownership and become champions of the MOC process. You'll also learn about the Pre-Startup Safety Review element of MOCs, and why this is a vital step of the MOC process. Interested in learnin...

In this episode, Wesley and Rob talk about government inspections. What can you expect when an inspector shows up at your door? What are you allowed to ask for? What's the ideal "audit attitude" to have? Hear the answers to these questions and more in today's episode, and feel more confident during your next inspection. This podcast is powered by Pinecast .

In this episode, Wesley and Rob talk about several major industrial incidents that not only highlighted the need for better regulation of highly hazardous materials, but eventually led to the creation of both OSHA's Process Safety Management (PSM) standard and EPA's Risk Management Plan (RMP) rule. But these regulations are over 25 years old - do we still need them? Are they going away anytime soo...

In this episode, Wesley and Rob talk through the PHA, or Process Hazard Analysis, element of OSHA's Process Safety Management (PSM) standard, especially as it applies to "boots on the ground" - the operators, maintenance personnel, I&E technicians, and other individuals who perform the physical work around a process. You'll learn about choosing a methodology, PHA team composition requirements,...