Process Safety Incidents-Discussion of Hub Oil 1999 Accident

Jack Fraser, P.Eng.Health & Safety GroupCenovus Energy Inc.

Process Safety Management (PSM)

US OSHA: Purpose of the OSHA Standard enacted in 1992:

This section contains requirements for preventing or minimizing the consequences of catastrophic releases of toxic, reactive, flammable, or explosive chemicals. These releases may result in toxic, fire or explosion hazards.1910.119(a)

Process Safety Management (PSM)

What are the “drivers” for PSM?

• History of Fires, Explosions, and Toxic Releases in the chemical, petrochemical and oil and gas industries, particularly Refineries.

• US OSHA “PSM Rule” or PSM Standard, legislated in 1992

• No specific Canadian Regulations, but increasingly regulations are aligned with PSM. Examples: ABSA urged Alberta companies to review their PSM programs after Tx City refinery explosion in 2005; alignment of some parts of AB OHS 2009 Code with PSM.

• Associations promulgating PSM guidelines: API (Process Hazards Management), CCPS, Canadian Society of Chemical Engineers.

• US Chemical Safety Board (CSB) investigations of PSM (outstanding knowledge and training resource).

• Many companies adopt PSM or some elements of PSM as good operating practice.

• Recent events have resulted in damage to residential and commercial properties.

• Emergency Response is an element of all process safety management programs.

• Process Safety Management = Reduced risk to emergency responders who protect the public, workers, environment and property.

What is a Process Safety Incident?

Process Safety Incidents (PSIs) are incidents caused by the release of a chemical or a problem with a chemical process. PSIs are significant events, as they may include injury, overpressure, fire, explosion or a large release/spill.

Process Safety Management (PSM)

Notable PSM Events Worldwide (partial list)

•Bhopal, India-1984-thousands of fatalities due to MIC release.

•Piper Alpha, UK North Sea-1988-platform explosions and fire-167 fatalities.

Process Safety Management (PSM)

Notable PSM Events Worldwide (partial list)

•BP Texas City Refinery-2005-Isom. Unit Explosion- 15 fatalities

•Deepwater Horizon Gulf of Mexico – 2010- Rig explosion and fire – 11 fatalities

Process Safety Management (PSM)

Notable PSM Events - Local

Hub Oil, Calgary-1999-Explosion in used process vessel-2 fatalities

Sunrise Propane, Toronto – 2008 – Explosion and fire while transferring propane between tanks – 2 fatalities

Process Safety Incident – Hub Oil

HubOilAccident.pdf

Process Safety Incident – Veolia

Veolia_Case_Study.pdf

Process Safety Management

Hub Oil is an example of the failure of many elements of Process Safety Management, including:

•Management of Change

•Equipment Design

•Relief Valve Protection

•Hazard Assessment

•Safety in Maintenance

•Incident Analysis/Lessons Learned

Process Safety Management

•Hub Oil and other major US and Canadian events (BP Texas City, Veoila) inevitably prompt a review of regulations and regulatory regimes.

•There is an emerging trend of damage to neighbouring properties and injuries/exposure to the public in major PSM events. This in turn puts higher demands on emergency responders.

Process Safety Management

Thank you for your attention!

QUESTIONS?