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 AcuSafe News™




        
AcuSafe News™ is a monthly newsletter with news and information of interest to process industries. Focusing on safety issues, it discusses recent incidents, regulatory updates, and more. Issues are available online and by signing up to receive copies.
 

September 1999

  • RMP Regulatory Update:  S.880 – What Do I Do Now?
  • Hot Topics:  Human Factors – The Next Frontier?
  • Resources:  New Web Site With Free Stuff!
  • OSHA Insider:  Why Would I Invite an OSHA Inspector into My Facility?
  • Chemical Safety Board Update:  Board of Inquiry to Meet in California
  • Incident News:  Beta Site Available from the CSB
  • Events Update:  Process Risk Management Calendar Available

 
October 1999

  • RMP Regulatory Update: EPA and FBI Issue Joint Document on PL 106-40 Compliance
  • Hot Topics: EPA Describes RMP Submission Data
  • Human Factors Focus: Equilon Saves Operating Costs Through Human Factors Engineering
  • Resources: Meet the Editor - He'll Tell You What's New at AcuSafeTM
  • Chemical Safety Board Update: The New, Improved Look for the CSB Web Page
  • Incident News: Avoiding Incidents - Some Chemical Plants to Shut Down on New Year's Eve
  • Events Update: Don't Miss the Mary Kay O'Connor Conference

 
November 1999

  • RMP Regulatory Update: EPA Moves to Implement RMP Changes
  • EPA Insider: Carole Macko Shares The Unexpected Benefits of a Public Meeting
  • Hot Topics: Changes to NFPA Standard for LPG Handling and Storage
  • Human Factors Focus: California Ordinance Mandates Written Program for Human Factors
  • Resources: Take the OSHA Exam For Process Safety Management Training
  • Chemical Safety Board Update: Y2K - What more is left?
  • Incident News: The Process Safety Incident Database Is Ready For A Test Drive
  • Events Update: The March AIChE Meeting Is Right Around The Corner

 
December 1999

  • Regulatory Update: Good Process Safety Without Regulation
  • OSHA Insider: Does Your Catastrophe Plan Include Preparations for an OSHA Inspection?
  • Hot Topics: OSHA Changes PSM Interpretation After Seven Years
  • Human Factors Focus: OSHA Proposes Ergonomics Standard
    Resources: Useful and Free Software
  • Chemical Safety Board Update: CSB Stumbles as it Grows
  • Events Update: HAZMAT 2000 Conference in St Louis April 4, 2000

 
January 2000

  • Regulatory Update: Flammable Fuels Alert - Propane Stay Lifted
  • OSHA Insider: Update to OSHA Changes to PSM Interpretation
  • Hot Topics: How Plant Personnel Perceive Risk
  • Human Factors Focus: The Role of Human Factors in Incident Investigation
  • Resources: Try the AcuSafe Web Links to Other Sites
  • Chemical Safety Board Update: Paul Hill Resigns as Chair of CSB
  • Incident News: News of Bomb Plot at Propane Storage Site
  • Events Update: A Reminder To Sign Up Now For The AIChE Spring Meeting In Atlanta


February 2000

  • RMP Update: Do You Know Your Risk Management Plan's Executive Summary is Published?
  • Hot Topics: Trade-Offs Keep Air Travel From Being Fail-Proof
  • Human Factors Focus: California Ordinance Mandates Written Program for Human Factors
  • Resources: Some Continuous Releases May Be Reportable to the NRC
  • Chemical Safety Board Update: Chemical Safety Board Gets Back on Track
  • Incident News: Wharton's Risk Management Center Issues Analysis from RMP Data
  • Events Update: ASSE Professional Development Conference and Exposition


March 2000

  • RMP Update: Less filling? - Try a lighter version of PSM for complying with regulations.
  • Industry Insider: Looking Back -Where have we been in Safety?
  • Hot Topics: Department of Energy - Chemical Safety at a Crossroads
  • Resources: Risk Decision-Making in the 21st Century
  • Incident News: Update on Equilon's Anacortes Coker Fire
  • Events Update: Soaring Beyond the Star - 16th Annual National VPPPA Conference


April 2000

  • Incident Update: Tosco Incident - Calendar of Events
  • Insider: AcuSafe forms Alliance with VerticalNet.com
  • Hot Topics: ASSE Testifies on Ergonomics Standard
  • Human Factors Focus: Ergonomics and Process Safety - Where's the link?
  • Resources: Interpretation Letters Easy to Search
  • Incident News: Breathing Air Tragedy in Texas
  • Events Update: AIChE Safety in Ammonia Plants - Tucson, Arizona


May 2000

  • RMP Update: EPA Proposes Data Availability in Reading Rooms
  • Industry Insider: Recent Mechanical Integrity Initiatives - Fitness for Service
  • Hot Topic Editorial: Is The State Of Process Safety Getting Any Better After 10 Years?
  • Human Factors Focus: Lack Of Regulations Addressing Expectations Of Government?
  • Resources: Questionnaire on Human Factors Practices
  • Chemical Safety Board Update: The Scuffle Continues
  • Incident News: Update On Phillips 66 K-Resin Plant Incident
  • Events Update: National Safety Council Expo


June 2000

  • RMP Update: Companies Volunteering to Disclose their Offsite Consequence Analysis Data Online
  • OSHA Insider: An Interview with Cal/OSHA and a Summary About their Recent OSHA PSM Enforcement Initiative
  • Chemical Safety Board Update: Root Causes of Propane Tank Explosion Near Albert City, Iowa
  • Hot Topic Editorial: Is Process Safety Getting Better? A Follow Up
  • Technical Topics: Determining Contractor Safety Responsibilities Under the PSM Standard
  • Resources: Meet the new Editor of AcuSafe News - David Garcia - and an announcement on the Opening of AcuSafe's Safety and Risk Management Discussion Forums
  • Incident News: Just When you Thought the Backyard Barbeque Was Safe!
    Events Update: 2000 API Safety and Fire Protection Conference and Environmental Risk Assessment Training Course Sydney, Australia


July 2000

  • RMP Update: Survey Results: Voluntary Disclosure of RMP Offsite Consequence Analysis Data
  • OSHA Insider: Online Poll: PSM Practice
  • Chemical Safety Board Update: Accident Investigation Results of Rohm & Haas Paterson, NJ Plant
  • Hot Topics: OSHA Endorsement of ANSI/ISA S84.01 RE: Application of Safety Instrumented Systems for the Process Industries
  • Industry Focus: The Votes are in on the Human Factors Survey
  • Technical Topics: What Belongs on an Ammonia Refrigeration P&ID?
  • Resources: US DOT "Flashpoints" Training Newsletter and AcuSafe Updates
  • Incident News: Just When you Thought the Backyard Barbeque Was Safe!
  • Events Update: 2000 API Safety and Fire Protection Conference and Environmental Risk Assessment Training Course Sydney, Australia
  • AcuTech News: Consulting Positions with AcuTech Available Now


August 2000

RMP Update: EPA Releases Final Rule on Public Disclosure of OCA RMP Data

OSHA News:
 
     1. Reduced OSHA Inspection Scrutiny for Voluntary Self-Audits 
     2. OSHA Raises the Bar for VPP Participation  

Chemical Safety Board Update:
Investigation Report RE: Nitrogen Asphyxiation at a Union Carbide Plant in Hahnville, Louisiana

Hot Topics:
Editorial: The Debate About Chemical Accidents; Where Do We Stand?

Industry Focus:
Warning - Hot Work Can Ignite Titanium Tube Bundles

Technical Topics:
Key Factors for Successful PHA Studies

Resources:
Announcement of the revised EPA Accidental Release Information Program and AcuSafe Updates

Incident News:
Monthly Summary of Incidents, July 18 - August 18, 2000

Software:
     
1. Announcing AcuTrack - Simple, proven and effective Recommendation          Follow up Tracking
     2. A Preview of TranSafe, an Internet Service for Critical Situation         Management Online
Events Update:  
     1. 18th International System Safety Conference in Unionville, VA 
     2. AIChE CCPS International Conference & Workshops in Orlando, FL


September 2000

OSHA News: OSHA Issues Compliance Directive for Powered Industrial Truck Operator Training Standard

RMP Update:
Availability of EPA Guidance for Implementation of the § 112(r) General Duty Clause

Hot Topics:
PSM Effectiveness/Practices Poll Results Show Room for Improvement

Industry Focus:
Trauma Emergency Rooms May Not Be Able to Handle Hazardous Materials Accidents

Resources:
 
      1. TranSafe Internet Tool for Transportation Emergency Response Now Available! 
      2. Interim Safety Report from the Chemical Safety Assessment Project out of the           Mary K  O'Connor Process Safety Center
       3. Project Impact, Hazard Information and Awareness - a joint effort with FEMA and          ESRI
       4. Outlook for Human Factors and Impact on Inherent Safety for the Process            Industries Paper 
Incident News: Monthly Summary of Incidents, August 19 - September 18

Events Update:
AIChE Annual Meeting, November 12-17, 2000 

Politics & Legislation: 
     
1. Profile of George W. Bush's Views on Environmental Issues 
     2. Pipeline Safety Bill Passes U.S. Senate


October 2000

OSHA News: High-Profile OSHA Violations Since May 1998

RMP Update:
Accra Pac Group Ethylene Oxide Explosion Investigation Report 

CSB News:
CSB Releases Report at Sonat Exploration Company's Near Pitkin, LA

Hot Topics:
Process Safety Information – Resource Drain or Opportunity?

Industry Focus:
 NFPA Revisions to the Building Codes and API Evaluation of the Sections Affecting the Petroleum Industry 

Resources:
 
   1.  EPA's Toxic Release Data for 1998 is Now Available
   2.  EPA and CSB Releases Strategic Plan for FY2001-2005
   3.  Scorecard, a Resource for Identifying Environmental Issues in Your Area

Incident News: Monthly Summary of Incidents, September 19 - October 13

Events Update:
 
   1. API Safety & Fire Protection Conference and Exhibition, October 30
   2. AIChE Annual Meeting, November 12-17, 2000

Politics & Legislation: 

    1. Profile of Al Gore's Views on Environmental Issues
    2.  Pipeline Safety Bill is Defeated in the House
    3. Australia Developing Chemical List for Community Right-To-Know and Targeted Risk Assessments

 

November/December 2000

OSHA News:  OSHA Issues Final Ergonomics Program Rule

CSB News:
  President Clinton Nominates Lois Epstein to the Board

Hot Topics:
 
Process Safety Metrics: Taking PSM to the Next Level and AIChE's ProSmart Software

Industry Focus:
 
American Chemistry Council Releases Process Safety Code Performance Measures for its 190 Members from 1996 - 1999 

Resources:
 

  1. Process Safety and Consequence Analysis Publications Now May be Purchased at AcuSafe
  2. Risk Assessment Comparison Tool (CARAT) Now Available on the Internet
  3. Quantified safety performance data from the CAER conference
  4. Nevada Chemical Accident Prevention Program Audit Guidance
  5. Chemical Accident Investigation and Management in Korea



Incident News:  
Monthly Summary of Incidents, October 14, 2000 - November 15, 2000

Events Update:
 
The Millennium 2000 HazMat Explo, Las Vegas, NV, December 11-15, 2000
           
Politics & Legislation: 
U.S. DOT Passes Pipeline Safety Rule Following the Defeat of Comprehensive Legislation

  

January 2001

OSHA News:  OSHA Celebrates 30 Year Anniversary 
CSB News:  CSB Withdraws "600K" Study
DOT News:  New Proposed Rule for Pipeline Safety
Industry Focus: Revisions to NFPA Standard to Incorporate EPA RMP Requirements
Resources:
 
           1.  EPA Compliance Assistance Clearinghouse
           2.  API Safety Conference Papers Available
           3.  TANKS Emission Estimation Software Available 

Incident News:  
           1.  Monthly Summary of Incidents, November 16, 2000 - January 10, 2001 
           2. 
Voluntary Safety Testing of Propane
Events Update:  
           International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR) 2001 Refrigeration Conference and Exhibition
           
Announcements: 
           1.  Job Postings for the Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center
           2.  AIChE CCPS Announces Call for Papers for its October 2001 Conference



February/March 2001

OSHA News:   OSHA Revises Recordkeeping Requirements for Workplace Illnesses and Injuries

CSB News:  CSB Issues Its First Annual Report

Politics and Legislation
           
1.  U.S. Senate Passes New Pipeline Safety Bill
           2.  Meet the New EPA Administrator and Secretary of Labor

Industry Focus:  
           1.  No Buyers on the Horizon as Premcor Closes Blue Island refinery
           2.  AcuSafe Poll: Do You Think Environmental and Safety Regulations and Enforcement Are too Tough?  

Resources:
 
           1.  RMP*Review Available - An Improved Tool for Reviewing and Analyzing Risk Management Plans
           2.  TRI Guidance for Dioxins Now Available
           3.  Update on OSHA electronic compliance assistance tools (eCAT)

Incident News:  
            1.  Monthly Summary of Incidents, January 11, 2001 - February 25, 2001 
            2.  Matson fined $3 million for bilge violations

Events Update:  
            1.  AIChE Spring 2001 National Meeting
            2.  International Oil Spill Conference

April/May 2001

EPA News:   EPA Issues Annual TRI Report for 1999

CSB News:  
         1.   CSB Investigation Concludes Flawed Management Supervision to Blame for 1999 Tosco Refinery Fire that Killed Four Workers
         2.   CSB Issues Budget Justification Report

Politics and Legislation:   Republican-led Congress, President Busy Rolling Back Clinton Energy, Safety, and Environmental Policies

Industry Focus:  Survey Results to our February 2001 poll: Are U.S. Environmental and Safety Regulations Too Tough?  

Resources:
 NFPA Offering Online Tutorials

Incident News:  
           1.   Monthly Summary of Incidents, February 26, 2001 - April 12, 2001 
           2.   Sinking of Petrobras' Offshore Oil Platform, the World's Largest
           3.   Notable Oil Spills of the Recent Past

Events Update:  
           1.  ASSE Annual Conference: Safety 2001
           2.  AcuTech Training Institute Offers HAZOP and PSM Training Seminars in Asia

June/July 2001

EPA News:    EPA Proposes More Narrowly Tailoring the Applicability of DOT Hazardous materials Regulations to Loading, Unloading and Storage

 

OSHA News Labor Secretary Chao Answers Question About Withdrawn Ergonomics Rule

CSB News:  CSB Seeking Input on Reactive Chemicals Hazards Investigation

Resources:  
           1.   EPA Risk Management Program - Audit/Inspection Curriculum
           2.   New Tier II Software Around the Corner
           3.   Two New Chemical Safety Network Examples

Incident News:   Monthly Summary of Incidents, April 13, 2001 - June 16, 2001 

Events Update:  
           1.    PSM Best Practices Seminar
           2.    17th Annual National VPPPA Conference     

 

Other 
           1.    AIChE's Contributions to Chemical Process Safety
           2.    A New Take on the Risks of Money Laundering 

 

 

 

August/September 2001

EPA News:   Updated Regulated Chemical "List of Lists"  Available

EPA Regional News:
   Seven Washington Facilities Fined for Failing to Submit Risk Management Plans


OSHA News  OSHA Targeting 1,000 Sites for Inspection

CSB News:  CSB Intensifies Investigation of Motiva Acid Tank Failure

Industry Focus:   
          
1.  Crisis in Oil Pipeline Safety?
          
2.  Review of Large Property Damage Losses in Industry

Resources:  
           1.   Responsible Care Examples of Excellence
           2.   National Response Center Data Available Online

Incident News:  
           1.   Monthly Summary of Incidents, June 17 - August 13, 2001
           2.   ExxonMobil Unit Found Guilty Arising from 1998 Gas Processing Explosion
           3.   Industrial Tragedies Highlight Safety Concerns in China

Events Update:  
           1.    Industry Workshop on PSM Best Practices is Coming Soon
           2.    AIChE CCPS Conference, October 2-5, 2001

Other AcuTech Summer and Fall 2001 Training Offerings for PHA & PSM   

September 2001

Special Feature  The Terrorist Attack on America

EPA News:
   EPA Releases Update to 1998 Ammonia Chemical Safety Alert


OSHA News  Labor Secretary Chao Supports Putting VPP into Law

CSB News:  CSB Releases Safety Bulletin Targeting Change Management


Industry Focus:   
          
1.  OSHA's Facility Inspections and Citations Summarized
          
2.  PSM Interpretations - Process Boundaries and Covered Utilities

Resources:  
           1.   PSM Best Practices Seminar Papers Available
           2.   EPA Updates Local Emergency Planning Committee Database

Incident News:  
           1.   Monthly Summary of Incidents, August 14 - September 13, 2001
         
Events Update:  
           1.    AIChE 46th Annual Safety in Ammonia Symposium, POSTPONED
           2.    AIChE CCPS Conference, October 2-5, 2001

Other AcuTech  Fall 2001 Training Offerings for PHA & PSM   

 

October 2001

EPA News:   Injunction Granted to Delay Startup of Los Angeles Area Refinery, Cites CAA


OSHA News  OSHA Delays Ergonomics Ruling

CSB News:  AZF Toulouse Explosion Investigation Continues


Industry Focus:   
          
1.  PSM Interpretations - The Meer Decision regarding Interconnected Processes
          
2.  Recent Alaskan Incidents Highlight Oil Production Hazards

Resources:  
           1.   Comparing PSM and SIS S84.01
           2.   Security and Terrorism- Senate Moves to Secure Domestic Energy Sites

Incident News:  
           1.   Monthly Summary of Incidents, September 14 - October 18, 2001
         
Events Update:  
           1.    2001 Annual Symposium of the Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center, October 30-31
           2.    2001 AIChE Annual Meeting, November 4-9, 2001

Other AcuTech  Fall 2001 Training Offerings for PHA & PSM 

 

December 2001

EPA News:   AcuSafe Feature- The Implications of S.1602, The Chemical Security Act of 2001


OSHA News  OSHA Offers Training on New Recordkeeping Rule

CEPPO News:  CEPPO Releases Updated Hazardous Material Planning Guide


Industry Focus: 
PSM Interpretations - Mechanical Integrity- Summarized
         

Resources:  
           1.   New "Layered Risk" Analysis Publication Available
           2.   CCPS Releases New Reactive Materials Hazards Safety Alert

Incident News:  
           1.   Monthly Summary of Incidents, October 19 - December 4, 2001
         
Events Update:  
           1.    AIChE Safety In Ammonia Plants & Related Facilities Symposium (Rescheduled), January 14-17, 2002
           2.    2nd International Workshop on Human Factors in Offshore Operations, April 8-10, 2002

Other AcuTech Training Institute Full 2002 Course Schedule Now Available 

 


  

January 2002

EPA News: EPA Cites Four Refineries for violations to Clean Air Act 

OSHA News: OSHA to Focus on High Hazard Jobs in 2002 

CEPPO News: Power Failure Safety Alert available from CEPPO 

Industry Focus: 
     1. PSM Interpretations - Interfacing Utility Systems 

Resources: 
     1. AcuSafe Announces New Partnership With AIChE
     2. Call for Papers: 2003 Loss Prevention Symposium from NFPA/AIChE 

Incident News: 
     1. Monthly Summary of Incidents, December 5, 2001 - January 20, 2002 

Events Update: 
     1. NFPA 36th Loss Prevention Symposium, March 10-13, 2002
     2. AIChE 2002 Spring National Meeting, March 10-14, 2002
     3. International Institute for Ammonia Refrigeration Annual Conference, March 17-20, 2002 

Other: AcuTech Training Institute Full 2002 Course Schedule Now Available 

 

February 2002

EPA News: White House Unveils Kyoto Alternative- the Clear Skies and Global Climate Change Initiatives 

OSHA News: PSM Interpretations - Process Hazard Analysis 

CEPPO News: Security, RMP Self-Auditing Discussed at CEPPO Accident Prevention Subcommittee Meeting 

Industry Focus: 
1. Managing Risk Without Precedent: Terror Attacks at Domestic Chemical Facilities 

Resources: 
1. AcuSafe Announces New Partnership With CCPS (correction)
2. Call for Papers: 2003 "Hazards XVII: Process Safety - Fulfilling our responsibilities" from IChemE
3. AcuTech Conducts Process Safety Management and Auditing Training for Kuwait Petroleum Corporation 

Security Update: 
1. Security Feature Part 2: Are You Prepared to be Prepared? 

Incident News: 
1. Monthly Summary of Incidents, January 21, 2002 - February 20, 2002 

Events Update: 
1. NFPA 36th Loss Prevention Symposium, March 10-13, 2002
2. AIChE 2002 Spring National Meeting, March 10-14, 2002
3. International Institute for Ammonia Refrigeration Annual Conference, March 17-20, 2002
4. MKOPSC Process Safety Management/Risk Management Program Critical Issues and Updates, April 16, 2002 

Other: ATI Offers Course in Crisis Management & Plant Security


AcuSafe is a presentation of AcuTech Consulting, ©2002, All Rights Reserved