March 31, 2010

Process Safety - Storage tanks

An EPA study covering a ten-year period (1990 - 2000)reveals that of the 312 accidents at tank farms examined in this period it was found that operator error accounted for 22%. Additionally, 55% were attributable to tank failure, 10% to valve failure, 4% to pump failure and 3% to bolted fitting failure. Human error also accounted for 100% of accidents that resulted in fatalities, 88% involving stock loss and 87% of property damage, with the root cause attributed to overfilling/over-pressurisation.
Storage tanks fail due to a number of reasons including collapse due to vacuum,human error, poor maintenance, vapour ignition, settlement, earthquake,lightening and over-pressurisation.
Make sure your operators are trained in the safe operation of storage tanks.

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