Refineries

Washington — Alarmed by a recent surge of events involving the incidental release of chemicals during cold weather, the Chemical Safety Board is reminding facility operators of process safety management best practices for wintertime operations.

Tumwater, WA — Refinery workers in high-hazard facilities in Washington state will have to undergo 20 hours of approved advanced safety training under a new rule from the state’s Department of Labor & Industries.

Washington — OSHA on Oct. 12 will host an informal stakeholder meeting regarding potential changes to its standard on process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals (1910.119).

Washington — Concerned about what it views as an agency oversight related to petroleum refining, the American Petroleum Institute is calling on the Environmental Protection Agency to reassess a draft revised final risk evaluation that states perchloroethylene – as a whole chemical substance – poses “unreasonable risk” to workers under certain conditions.

Washington — The Chemical Safety Board is developing interactive training based on OSHA’s Process Safety Management Standard (1910.119).

Washington — The Chemical Safety Board is urging the Environmental Protection Agency to initiate a review and update a 1993 study on the toxic chemical hydrofluoric acid.

Washington — The Chemical Safety Board is emphasizing the importance of preparing for the “unique safety challenges” posed by cold weather at refineries, chemical plants and other facilities that handle hazardous materials in a new Safety Digest and corresponding video.

Washington — The Chemical Safety Board has released an update of its investigation into an April 26 explosion and fire at the Husky Energy refinery in Superior, WI, as well as an animated video that explores the cause of the incident.

Washington – The Chemical Safety Board has released an animated video that examines the cause of last year’s ExxonMobil refinery fire, which severely burned four workers in Baton Rouge, LA.

Washington – Although several stakeholders have voiced support for OSHA’s efforts to improve its Process Safety Management Standard, some industry associations are urging the agency to maintain current, specific exemptions.