Chemical Plant Safety Resources

A plant accident video that was released by U.S Chemical Safety Board shows how static spark could cause fire explosion involving non-conductive flammable liquid. This video shows you that it is very important to understand property of handled flammable liquid, install inert gas purging system and prevent appearance of static electric spark in the flammable liquid tank. This accident occurred at Barton Solvents facilities in Valley Center, Kansas, on July 17, 2007. (more…)

Electricity is one of the hazard sources in industrial chemical plant. Electrical hazards have to be identified, assessed their risks and controlled with the most appropriate hazard control method.

In fact, electric is the main source of power to drive machines, tools and rotary equipments in plant operations. Extra care should be given when we try to do preventive maintenance or overhaul on motors, rotary equipment, or machines, because the possibility of threatened by electric is increased. (more…)

Pressure vessels are typical hazard sources in chemical plants. Due to their high operating pressure, pressure vessels can present more complex hazards such as explosion, fire and hazardous chemicals, than atmospheric vessels.

Good pressure vessels design and proper preventive maintenance program are exactly required to prevent chemical plant accident. According to Chemical Safety Board (CSB) of America, improperly installed or modified pressure vessels have led to a number of serious chemical accidents. One of the serious accidents was the explosion at Sonat Exploration Co, Pitkin, Louisiana, US, in 1998. (more…)

You may have read about my previous post about Safety Tips on Compressed Gas Cylinders, now you will get more information about compressed air cylinder training. This training video talks about compressed oxygen and liquefied natural gas.

You will be informed at least about safety in storage, fire prevention, and so on. (more…)

Sometimes we do stupid actions while we try to control hazards in the workplace. The video below shows you top 10 funniest safety pictures. Most of these pictures show how people try to protect their safety while working, although through dull ones. Enjoy this video! (more…)

In the previous post, I have posted about Chemical Safety Board report on explosion at Imperial Sugar Company, USA. Combustible dust sugar was related to that accident. Then, what does a dust explosion mean actually? According to wikipedia, a dust explosion is the combustion of a particle(s) of dust suspended in the air in an enclosed location, resulting in overpressure, thermal radiation, and ensuing projectiles.

From the basic point of view, a fire can only exist whenever an oxidant (oxygen), a combustible material and a source of ignition come together. The three components are famously called by the fire triangle. Meanwhile, in the case of dust explosion, it requires not only the fire triangle components but also combustible dust material must be in an enclosed space or confined space and suspended in the air at the certain concentration.  (more…)

Grinding, Brazing and welding are sources of ignition and spark. Adequate fire safety precautions have to be given when a work that involves them will be conducted.

The video below will show you what will happen when inadequate fire precautions are not given to a hot work. Take notes from this video, and then improve your current work permit system to avoid similar accident. (more…)