Washington — Many chemical plants “have not fully recognized that effective remote isolation of equipment is critical to quickly stop the release of hazardous substances” and protect workers, according to a statement from the Chemical Safety Board.
That’s a key finding of a recent CSB report calling for improved remote isolation that allows process equipment to be shut down from a safe distance. The study is based on a CSB analysis of incidents that lacked such equipment, including a fatal explosion and fire in April 2019 at KMCO’s manufacturing plant in Crosby, Texas, and a fire and explosion in November 2019 at TPC Group’s chemical plant in Port Neches, Texas.
“It is critical that facilities in the United States that use or store large quantities of hazardous chemicals evaluate and improve their remote isolation capabilities,” says a report detailing the study’s findings. “One important opportunity to assess remote isolation needs is provided by the process hazard analysis – a systematic review required by U.S. regulations for evaluating process hazards and their protection measures.”
CSB points out that devices such as valves can contain or divert the release of hazardous substances, thus helping to reduce chemical spills and resulting workplace accidents.
CSB member Catherine JK Sandoval said during a public meeting on July 25 that the problem is not a lack of technology, but one of poor implementation.
“There are many ways to use remote isolation technology and integrate it into existing systems. So when an alarm goes off, you can know at the push of a button that a vessel can be shut off and there won’t be overpressure or you need to send someone to close a valve,” she said.
CSB recommends that OSHA update its process safety management standard to “include an assessment of the need for remote isolation devices.” It also calls on the Environmental Protection Agency to revise its risk management program rule to require a similar assessment.
In addition, CSB is calling on the American Petroleum Institute to expand industry guidance on remote isolation equipment to include facilities outside of refineries.
