OSHA examines Pipe Safety Recommendations
Posted on Tue, Aug 03, 2010
The U.S Chemical Safety Board (CSB) is an independent federal agency that investigates the cause of chemical accidents. These investigations are crucial to identifying the cause(s) of the incidents. The agency does not assess fines, but creates “lessons learned” stemming from root causes. At times, the evidence of these investigations is used to modify regulations and positively affect the future safety of employees, the public and the environment.
The agency states that most accidents stem from flawed safety management systems. And, in most cases, accidents are a result of preventative factors.
Throughout accident investigations, CSB has the authority to re-open prior investigations before drafting key findings of the main cause of the accident. CSB utilizes this to seek regulatory revisions in order to address safety and security issues.
On June 29th, the CSB approved urgent recommendations to regulatory agencies such as OSHA and NFPA relating to pipe cleaning and purging operations. According to the CSB, the recommendation resulted from the extensive investigations into the February 7, 2010, explosion at the Kleen Energy power plant in Middletown that caused six deaths and multiple injuries, and the June 9, 2009, explosion at the ConAgra Foods Slim Jim plant in Garner, North Carolina, that killed four workers and injured 67. An investigation revealed that both explosions resulted from releases of natural gas during the installation and commissioning of new piping for gas-fired appliances.
The CSB urged OSHA to pass regulations that would prohibit the use of natural gas for pipe cleaning, the cause of the explosion at Kleen Energy, and would prohibit the venting or purging of fuel gas indoors, the cause of the explosion at the ConAgra Slim Jim plant. Both explosions resulted from releases of natural gas during the installation and commissioning of new piping for gas-fired appliances. OSHA was also urged to require that companies involve their workers and contractors in developing safe procedures and training for handling fuel gas.”
Many CSB recommendations have been adopted by industry, leading to safer plants, workers, and communities. Investigations may lead to adjustments in corporate regulatory compliance. Facilities must be aware of the constant changes in regulations, and adapt procedures and processes to comply with new regulations. Regulatory tracking results in safer work-sites and limits the potential site fines assesed by regulatory agencies.
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