Episode 112 - Why the CSB is Calling for More Remote Isolation Equipment

In this episode, Rob is joined by Jackson Colley, the newest member of the Amplify Process Safety team. Rob sits down with Jackson to talk about his background and what ultimately led him to joining Amplify. Welcome to the team, Jackson! To connect with Jackson, find him on LinkedIn here or email him at [email protected]. To learn more about the rest of our team, visit www.amplifyconsultants.com/about or check out our other intro episodes below: Episode 0 - Amplify Your Process Safety Introduction Episode 30 - The A-Team Episode 98 - Introducing Magi

In this special episode, Rob and Magi present 2024 (Process Safety) Wrapped. They cover regulatory changes that took place this year, major incidents the CSB has deployed to, metrics on other minor process safety incidents they've tracked this year, CSB reports issued this year, and their hopes for a renewed focus on process safety in 2025. Do you have a process safety related resolution for 2025? Or a topic you'd like us to delve deeper into in an episode next year? Reach out to us at [email protected]. For full length episodes on topics mentioned in today's episode, please check out the links below: Episode 108 - 2024 EPA RMP Updates Episode 105 - Incident Breakdown: 2022 Fatal Naphtha Release and Fire at BP-Husky Toledo Refinery in Ohio

In this episode, Rob welcomes back Mathew Todaro, a partner at Verrill Law who defends and negotiates on behalf of his clients under statutes such as the Clean Water Act, EPCRA, and FIFRA, with a particular focus on Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act. Today, Rob and Mat give listeners a crash course on the EPA's Risk Management Plan (RMP) Rule. They cover applicability, the three program levels, the components and requirements of RMP, and touch on some recent RMP rule changes. Be sure to check out Mat's previous appearances on our show at the links below: ⁠Episode 25 - After the EPA Inspector Leaves with Guest Mathew Todaro⁠ ⁠Episode 35 - Environmental Compliance Audits with Guest Mathew Todaro⁠ ⁠Episode 52 - EPA's General Duty Clause with Guest Mathew Todaro⁠ ⁠Episode 56 - Implementing EPA's General Duty Clause (GDC)⁠ (Does not feature Mat, but is a companion episode to #52) ⁠Episode 106 - EPA's National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives with Guest Mathew Todaro⁠ Connect with Mat on LinkedIn ⁠here⁠.

In this episode, Rob welcomes back guest Neil Beekie, CEO and Co-Founder of OperAid. Listeners may remember him from Episode 79 (listen here) back in the summer of 2023, where he introduced us to OperAid, a software tool that assists operators with real-time verification of manual tasks. Today, Rob gets an update on present-day OperAid, including successes, the type of feedback that's been received since deployment, recent updates/improvements, how AI is and could be incorporated, and more. To learn more about OperAid, visit https://operaid.ai. To connect with Neil, find him on LinkedIn or send an email to [email protected].

In this episode, inspired by the CSB investigation update into the 2023 explosion and toxic chemical release at the Honeywell facility in Geismer, LA, Rob and Molly discuss the challenges of aging equipment and infrastructure at chemical plants and refineries. They discuss the aforementioned Honeywell incident, as well as three others where poorly maintained equipment was a key factor that ultimately led to an incident. Then they move on to discuss managing the asset life cycle, warning signs related to aging equipment, equipment deficiency management, and some considerations for aging support equipment and infrastructure. Find the U.S. Chemical Safety Board Releases Investigation Update into 2023 Explosion and Toxic Chemical Release at Honeywell Facility in Geismer, LA here. Here are the CCPS books we mentioned that are great resources to look into: Dealing with Aging Process Facilities and Infrastructures Recognizing Catastrophic Incident Warning Signs in the Process Industries Guidelines for Asset Integrity Management And finally, here are a few related podcast episodes we recommend: Episode 1 - Intro to Mechanical Integrity (MI) & RAGAGEP Episode 7 - API 510 with Guest William McBride Episode 75 - Mechanical Integrity (MI) Inspection Requirements with Guest William McBride PSM: Back to Basics, Part 6 - Mechanical Integrity (MI)

In this episode, Rob and Magi discuss the CSB's new safety study titled "Remote Isolation of Process Equipment" that includes recommendations to regulators and emphasizes the need for greater adoption of remote isolation equipment at chemical facilities across the country. Rob and Magi run through the list of recent CSB investigations that are specifically highlighted in the safety study, where the CSB determined that lack of effective remote isolation equipment significantly contributed to incident consequences, discuss the recommendations the CSB made in their study to API, EPA, and OSHA, and talk about actionable next steps for listeners at applicable facilities. Find the CSB's "Remote Isolation of Process Equipment" safety study here. Check out our full episodes of some of the CSB investigations relating to lack of remote isolation equipment below. Episode 68 - Incident Breakdown: 2019 Refinery Fire and Explosions at Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) with Guest Tim Murphy Episode 73 - Incident Breakdown: 2019 Explosions and Fires at TPC Group (TPC) Port Neches Operations (PNO) Facility Episode 83 - Incident Breakdown: 2019 Tank Farm Fire at Intercontinental Terminals Company, LLC (ITC) in Deer Park, TX Episode 95 - Incident Breakdown: 2019 Fatal Explosion and Fire at KMCO in Crosby, TX

The final part of our mini deep dive into different aspects of Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs) is finally here. In today's episode, Molly and Magi talk PHA safeguards, including hierarchy of controls, common types of safeguards (including how and when operator response can be credited in a PHA), quantitative vs. qualitative risk assessment for safeguard effectiveness, independent protection layer (IPL) requirements, and their best tips for safeguard considerations based on their own PHA facilitation experience. If you haven't already, be sure to check out our other PHA-related episodes mentioned in today's show: Episode 55 - Movie Breakdown: Control Room Concerns in The China Syndrome Episode 109 - PHA Principles Part 1 - Causes Episode 110 - PHA Principles Part 2 - Consequences Thanks for listening, and please let us know what you think at ⁠[email protected]⁠.

This episode is the second of a three part series in which Molly and Magi take a deep dive into different aspects of Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs). In today's episode, they talk PHA consequences, including some common pitfalls to avoid when it comes to considering consequences in a PHA, general types of impacts used for PHA consequences, tools to use for defining impacts, and some consequence-related PHA best practices. If you haven't already, be sure to check out our other PHA-related episodes mentioned in today's show: Episode 109 - PHA Principles Part 1 - Causes Episode 59 - Incident Breakdown: 2017 Pressure Vessel Explosion at Loy-Lange Box Company Episode 72 - Incident Breakdown: 2018 Ethylene Release and Fire at Kuraray America, Inc. with Guest Chris Paskach And please follow our show so you can tune in to the final, third part of this mini-series when it becomes available in two weeks. Thanks for listening, and please let us know what you think at [email protected].

This episode is the first of a three part series in which Molly and Magi take a deep dive into different aspects of Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs). In today's episode, they talk PHA causes, including identifying causes of deviation in HAZOP, What-If, and Checklist methodologies, some common pitfalls they've observed regarding causes in PHAs, and what makes a cause not credible. If you haven't already, be sure to check out our other PHA-related episodes: Episode 2 - Intro to PHAs Episode 17 - Tips for a Successful PHA Episode 19 - PHAs During the Project Life Cycle Episode 36 - Best Practices for Remote PHAs Episode 85 - Participating in Your First PHA PSM: Back to Basics, Part 3 - Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) Top 10 Talk: Amplify Your PHAs, Recording of live event (12/7/2021) And please follow our show so you can tune in to the next two parts as they become available. Thanks for listening, and please let us know what you think at [email protected].

In this episode, Rob and Magi cover the recent changes made to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Risk Management Program (RMP) Final Rule. The changes fall into four categories: the prevention program, emergency response, availability of information, and other areas of technical clarification. In this episode, they discuss each change, what each could mean for your facility going forward, and when each requirement must go into effect at your facility. If your site is subject to the RMP rule, you won't want to miss this episode. Have a question about this week's episode, an idea for a future episode, or any process safety related question? Please drop us a line at [email protected].