CSB issues extreme weather event safety message, alert for hazardous chemical facilities
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) has issued a video safety message and safety alert intended to help hazardous chemical facilities better prepare for extreme weather events such as hurricanes and flooding. They highlight recent actions by the Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS) to produce industry guidance following a 2017 chemical incident in Texas.
The CSB’s investigation into the 2017 incident found a significant lack of industry guidance on planning for flooding or other severe weather events and called on CCPS to produce such guidance. Recently, CCPS released “Assessment of and Planning for Natural Hazards,” which provides an updated approach for assessing natural hazards, means to address the hazards, and emergency planning.
The CSB’s safety alert outlines specific procedures to assure safe restarts following a severe weather event. For example, facilities are urged to follow established startup procedures and checklists, and to recognize that “human performance may be compromised due to crisis conditions.”
Additional safety protocols include checking bulk storage tanks for evidence of floating displacement or damage, and examining insulation systems, sewers, drains, furnace systems, electric motors and other equipment, including warning systems, to make sure they are fully functional.