The CSB issues safety recommendations to prevent the recurrence or reduce the likelihood or consequences of similar incidents or hazards in the future. Recommendations are issued to a variety of parties, including government entities, safety organizations, trade unions, trade associations, corporations, emergency response organizations, educational institutions, and public interest groups. Recommendations are published in CSB reports and are closed only by vote of the Board. The CSB tracks all recommendations and communicates regularly with recommendations recipients to ensure that the recommended corrective actions are implemented. For more information, see Frequently Asked Questions about CSB recommendations.
2003-06-I-TX-16
Revise API RP-2219, Safe Operation of Vacuum Trucks in Petroleum Service, and API Order No. G00004, Guidelines for Commercial Exploration and Production Waste Management Facilities, to discuss the hazards of unloading potentially flammable or flammable liquids onto an open unloading area, such as a concrete pad. Recommend other alternatives for minimizing vapor generation, such as unloading of flammable liquids into a closed piping system. Status: Closed - Acceptable Action
Revise API RP-2219, Safe Operation of Vacuum Trucks in Petroleum Service, and API Order No. G00004, Guidelines for Commercial Exploration and Production Waste Management Facilities, to discuss the hazards of unloading potentially flammable or flammable liquids onto an open unloading area, such as a concrete pad. Recommend other alternatives for minimizing vapor generation, such as unloading of flammable liquids into a closed piping system.
2003-06-I-TX-17
Communicate the findings and recommendations of this report to your membership. Emphasize that basic sediment and water (BS&W) removed from crude oil and condensate storage tanks requires special handling, in addition to compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, if it contains sufficient hydrocarbons (either residual or mixed in during the removal process) to be classified a flammable liquid as defined by each regulation. Status: Closed - Acceptable Action
Communicate the findings and recommendations of this report to your membership. Emphasize that basic sediment and water (BS&W) removed from crude oil and condensate storage tanks requires special handling, in addition to compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, if it contains sufficient hydrocarbons (either residual or mixed in during the removal process) to be classified a flammable liquid as defined by each regulation.
2003-06-I-TX-8
Develop a written Waste Acceptance Plan as recommended by API Order No. G00004, Guidelines for Commercial Exploration and Production Waste Management Facilities. Require the shipper or carrier to properly classify the flammability hazard of exploration and production (E&P) waste liquids. Require the hauler to provide information that identifies the flammability hazard of the material before accepting the load, such as a material safety data sheet (MSDS). Status: Closed - Acceptable Action
Develop a written Waste Acceptance Plan as recommended by API Order No. G00004, Guidelines for Commercial Exploration and Production Waste Management Facilities. Require the shipper or carrier to properly classify the flammability hazard of exploration and production (E&P) waste liquids. Require the hauler to provide information that identifies the flammability hazard of the material before accepting the load, such as a material safety data sheet (MSDS).
2003-06-I-TX-9
Develop and implement written procedures and provide training to employees on the safe handling of all waste liquids delivered to the facility in accordance with API Order No. G00004, Guidelines for Commercial Exploration and Production Waste Management Facilities; and API RP-2219, Safe Operation of Vacuum Trucks in Petroleum Service. Include requirements for proper grounding of trucks and eliminating other sources of ignition (e.g., facility electrical equipment and smoking in unloading areas). Ensure that the material is presented in languages or formats that are clearly understood by all affected personnel. Status: Closed - Acceptable Action
Develop and implement written procedures and provide training to employees on the safe handling of all waste liquids delivered to the facility in accordance with API Order No. G00004, Guidelines for Commercial Exploration and Production Waste Management Facilities; and API RP-2219, Safe Operation of Vacuum Trucks in Petroleum Service. Include requirements for proper grounding of trucks and eliminating other sources of ignition (e.g., facility electrical equipment and smoking in unloading areas). Ensure that the material is presented in languages or formats that are clearly understood by all affected personnel.
2003-06-I-TX-10
Develop written procedures and provide training to employees on unloading all flammable or potentially flammable E&P waste liquids. Avoid unloading flammable liquids onto an open work area, such as the mud disposal and washout pad. Include alternative unloading method(s), such as using a closed piping system to minimize vapor generation. Ensure that the material is presented in languages or formats that are clearly understood by all affected personnel. Status: Closed - Acceptable Action
Develop written procedures and provide training to employees on unloading all flammable or potentially flammable E&P waste liquids. Avoid unloading flammable liquids onto an open work area, such as the mud disposal and washout pad. Include alternative unloading method(s), such as using a closed piping system to minimize vapor generation. Ensure that the material is presented in languages or formats that are clearly understood by all affected personnel.
2003-06-I-TX-11
Develop written emergency procedures and provide training to employees on response to abnormal or emergency situations, including uncontrolled flammable vapor releases that can result in a fire or explosion hazard. Ensure that the material is presented in languages or formats that are clearly understood by all affected personnel. Status: Closed - Acceptable Action
Develop written emergency procedures and provide training to employees on response to abnormal or emergency situations, including uncontrolled flammable vapor releases that can result in a fire or explosion hazard. Ensure that the material is presented in languages or formats that are clearly understood by all affected personnel.
2003-06-I-TX-12
Publish an information document for exploration and production (E&P) industry employers (including producers/shippers/offerors, motor carriers, and disposal facility operators) involved in the transportation of basic sediment and water (BS&W) and other E&P waste liquids on public highways. (2003-06-I-TX-R12): -Emphasize the importance of, and responsibility for, properly classifying and identifying flammable waste liquids. -Reference the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements for obtaining material safety data sheets (MSDS) from the shipper and the required content of DOT shipping papers. -Include specific reference to this CSB Investigation Report and the American Petroleum Institute (API) recommended practices cited in this report. Status: Closed - Acceptable Action
Publish an information document for exploration and production (E&P) industry employers (including producers/shippers/offerors, motor carriers, and disposal facility operators) involved in the transportation of basic sediment and water (BS&W) and other E&P waste liquids on public highways. (2003-06-I-TX-R12): -Emphasize the importance of, and responsibility for, properly classifying and identifying flammable waste liquids. -Reference the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requirements for obtaining material safety data sheets (MSDS) from the shipper and the required content of DOT shipping papers. -Include specific reference to this CSB Investigation Report and the American Petroleum Institute (API) recommended practices cited in this report.
2003-06-I-TX-18
Communicate the findings and recommendations of this report to your membership. Emphasize emergency response to diesel engine overspeed caused by exposure to flammable vapor atmospheres. Status: Closed - Acceptable Action
Communicate the findings and recommendations of this report to your membership. Emphasize emergency response to diesel engine overspeed caused by exposure to flammable vapor atmospheres.
2003-06-I-TX-1
Provide documentation of the potential flammability hazard of exploration and production (E&P) waste liquids-such as a material safety data sheet (MSDS)- to all employees, contract personnel, and haulers handling waste liquids generated at well sites. Emphasize that mixing condensate with basic sediment and water (BS&W) during the removal process can significantly increase the flammability hazard. The mixture in the transport container should be treated as a flammable liquid absent positive identification to the contrary. Status: Closed - Acceptable Action
Provide documentation of the potential flammability hazard of exploration and production (E&P) waste liquids-such as a material safety data sheet (MSDS)- to all employees, contract personnel, and haulers handling waste liquids generated at well sites. Emphasize that mixing condensate with basic sediment and water (BS&W) during the removal process can significantly increase the flammability hazard. The mixture in the transport container should be treated as a flammable liquid absent positive identification to the contrary.
2003-06-I-TX-2
Review and revise company gauging and waste liquid removal protocols as necessary to minimize the inadvertent removal and subsequent disposal of hydrocarbon product when removing BS&W from product storage tanks. Status: Closed - Acceptable Action
Review and revise company gauging and waste liquid removal protocols as necessary to minimize the inadvertent removal and subsequent disposal of hydrocarbon product when removing BS&W from product storage tanks.
2003-06-I-TX-13
Issue a Safety and Health Information Bulletin on the potential flammability hazard associated with bulk transportation of oilfield exploration and production (E&P) waste liquids. Summarize OSHA requirements for proper hazard classification by the shipper and for the use of material safety data sheets (MSDS). Summarize U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements for proper hazard classification and manifesting of flammable liquids, approved container design, and periodic testing. Discuss safe handling to minimize the generation of flammable vapor and to control ignition sources from vehicle-mounted equipment and facility equipment. Discuss the need for the employer to provide all worker safety information in languages or formats that are clearly understood by all affected personnel. Summarize the requirements for proper labeling of storage tanks to clearly identify the hazard of the contents to all employees and contractors working at the well site. Status: Closed - Acceptable Action
Issue a Safety and Health Information Bulletin on the potential flammability hazard associated with bulk transportation of oilfield exploration and production (E&P) waste liquids. Summarize OSHA requirements for proper hazard classification by the shipper and for the use of material safety data sheets (MSDS). Summarize U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements for proper hazard classification and manifesting of flammable liquids, approved container design, and periodic testing. Discuss safe handling to minimize the generation of flammable vapor and to control ignition sources from vehicle-mounted equipment and facility equipment. Discuss the need for the employer to provide all worker safety information in languages or formats that are clearly understood by all affected personnel. Summarize the requirements for proper labeling of storage tanks to clearly identify the hazard of the contents to all employees and contractors working at the well site.
2003-06-I-TX-3
Ensure that the written procedures for hazard identification require that all customers requesting loading and transportation of exploration and production (E&P) waste liquids provide written notification, such as a material safety data sheet (MSDS), listing the potential flammability hazard. Status: Closed - Acceptable Action
Ensure that the written procedures for hazard identification require that all customers requesting loading and transportation of exploration and production (E&P) waste liquids provide written notification, such as a material safety data sheet (MSDS), listing the potential flammability hazard.
2003-06-I-TX-4
Ensure that the written procedures for safe operation of vacuum trucks incorporate applicable good practices, including techniques to minimize the possibility of exposing the diesel engine to flammable vapor, as provided in API RP-2219, Guidelines for Commercial Exploration and Production Waste Management Facilities. Status: Closed - Exceeds Recommended Action
Ensure that the written procedures for safe operation of vacuum trucks incorporate applicable good practices, including techniques to minimize the possibility of exposing the diesel engine to flammable vapor, as provided in API RP-2219, Guidelines for Commercial Exploration and Production Waste Management Facilities.
2003-06-I-TX-5
Develop written operating procedures that incorporate best practices for unloading storage tank waste liquids, such that drivers accurately measure the quantity of liquid removed from the storage tank and minimize removal of product, such as flammable condensate. Status: Closed - Acceptable Action
Develop written operating procedures that incorporate best practices for unloading storage tank waste liquids, such that drivers accurately measure the quantity of liquid removed from the storage tank and minimize removal of product, such as flammable condensate.
2003-06-I-TX-6
Ensure that written emergency procedures address the safe response to abnormal diesel engine operation due to a flammable vapor atmosphere. Explain that the normal engine shutoff method will not function as long as flammable vapor continues to enter the intake system. Status: Closed - Acceptable Action
Ensure that written emergency procedures address the safe response to abnormal diesel engine operation due to a flammable vapor atmosphere. Explain that the normal engine shutoff method will not function as long as flammable vapor continues to enter the intake system.
2003-06-I-TX-7
Conduct and document training for all personnel who handle waste liquids, using languages or formats that are clearly understood by all affected personnel. Address the potential flammability hazard associated with E&P waste liquids, emphasizing how the withdrawal procedure is likely to increase the flammability of the vacuum truck contents through unavoidable mixing of product and basic sediment and water (BS&W). Describe operating and emergency response to diesel engine overspeed caused by a flammable vapor atmosphere. Status: Closed - Acceptable Action
Conduct and document training for all personnel who handle waste liquids, using languages or formats that are clearly understood by all affected personnel. Address the potential flammability hazard associated with E&P waste liquids, emphasizing how the withdrawal procedure is likely to increase the flammability of the vacuum truck contents through unavoidable mixing of product and basic sediment and water (BS&W). Describe operating and emergency response to diesel engine overspeed caused by a flammable vapor atmosphere.
2003-06-I-TX-14
Require that all permitted drillers and producers identify and document (e.g., material safety data sheet [MSDS]) the potential flammability hazard of exploration and production (E&P) waste liquids. Provide the information to workers and contractors in languages clearly understood by the recipients. Status: Closed - Acceptable Action
Require that all permitted drillers and producers identify and document (e.g., material safety data sheet [MSDS]) the potential flammability hazard of exploration and production (E&P) waste liquids. Provide the information to workers and contractors in languages clearly understood by the recipients.
2003-06-I-TX-15
Provide information (e.g., safety bulletin) to industry on the potential flammability hazard associated with basic sediment and water (BS&W) and other E&P waste liquids. Waste liquids can contain sufficient hydrocarbons to be classified as flammable liquids. The waste liquid removal method can result in removing significant quantities of flammable hydrocarbon product such that the mixture in the transport container may require classification as a flammable liquid under Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. Status: Closed - Acceptable Action
Provide information (e.g., safety bulletin) to industry on the potential flammability hazard associated with basic sediment and water (BS&W) and other E&P waste liquids. Waste liquids can contain sufficient hydrocarbons to be classified as flammable liquids. The waste liquid removal method can result in removing significant quantities of flammable hydrocarbon product such that the mixture in the transport container may require classification as a flammable liquid under Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations.