Accident: CSB Safety Study: Remote Isolation of Process Equipment
Location: Location: ,
Accident Occurred On: 11/27/2019 | Final Report Released On: 07/25/2024
Accident Type: Chemical Manufacturing - Fire and Explosion
Investigation Status: The CSB's Safety Study was released in a public business meeting on July 25, 2024.
Over the last several years, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) has reviewed and investigated numerous incidents where the consequences escalated following a loss of containment due to the lack of effective remote isolation equipment. These incidents resulted in serious injuries, fatalities, environmental contamination, and severe damage to facilities.
Develop a new publication or revise an existing publication or publications that should be applicable to various facility types such as refineries, chemical and petrochemical facilities, terminals, etc. with major process equipment and atmospheric storage tanks, that details conditions that necessitate the installation of remote isolation devices [use “shall” instead of “should” language] that may be automatically activated or remotely activated from a safe location, particularly during an emergency. When establishing these conditions refer to the guidance published by CCPS entitled Guidelines for Fire Protection in Chemical, Petrochemical, and Hydrocarbon Processing Facilities, Sections 8.1.10 and 8.1.11. At a minimum, the conditions should address major process equipment and atmospheric storage tanks, material volumes/weight as well as flammability, corrosivity, and toxicity
Update the Risk Management Program (RMP) rule by expanding the requirements of 40 CFR Part 68 to include an evaluation of the need for remote isolation devices for major process equipment that can be remotely activated from a safe location or automatically activated during a release. The evaluation should be included in hazard assessments, hazard reviews, and process hazard analyses.
Update the Process Safety Management (PSM) standard by expanding the Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) requirements under 29 CFR 1910.119(e)(3) to include an evaluation of the need for remote isolation devices for major process equipment that can be remotely activated from a safe location or automatically activated during a release.