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October 29, 2014

Could Bhopal Happen in America?


 Read the Al Jazeera article in this link

Contribute to the surviving victims of Bhopal by buying my book "Practical Process Safety Management"

October 28, 2014

Technology in Aviation

Process safety and aviation are commonly linked through automation and not to mention, the human!.  A plane is a very interesting pressure vessel which is subject to cyclical pressures and rarefied atmospheres.Read an article on how cabins in planes are pressurised and provided oxygen so that we don't pass out at high altitudes in this link.


 Contribute to the surviving victims of Bhopal by buying my book "Practical Process Safety Management"

October 27, 2014

Symposium on process safety

IIT Gandhinagar is conducting an International conference on Safety and Symposium on Process Safety on December 5th and 6th. More information can be obtained in this link.

Contribute to the surviving victims of Bhopal by buying my book "Practical Process Safety Management"

October 24, 2014

Improve Safety Despite Limited Resources

Improve Safety Despite Limited Resources

 Contribute to the surviving victims of Bhopal by buying my book "Practical Process Safety Management"

October 19, 2014

The importance of asset integrity

The importance of asset integrity is highlighted in this accident when an employee was opening a bypass of a control valve which was malfunctioning. Read about the incident in this link.

 Contribute to the surviving victims of Bhopal by buying my book "Practical Process Safety Management"

October 16, 2014

Expansion joint failure causes fatality

OSHA has cited a chemical plant in the USA for an expansion joint failure that caused a fatality. Read about the incident in this link. 


Contribute to the surviving victims of Bhopal by buying my book "Practical Process Safety Management"

October 13, 2014

Cyclones and emergency preparedness

The ferocity of cyclone Hudhud makes me shiver. Wind speeds were reported to be 195 kmph. My thoughts go back to 1984 when a 120 kph wind speed cyclone hit the ammonia plant where I was shift in charge. The ammonia tank flare toppled and the safety valves of the tank were maintaining tank pressure as emergency power to the tank compressors was lost. Luckily for us, the area around the plant was sparsely populated and a disaster was averted.
A parallel ammonia tank flare was erected in record time and we managed to connect it to the existing line from the tank and control the situation.
Visak has many chemical industries and refineries and the cyclone would have badly hit them. I hope the situation is brought back under control quickly.

Contribute to the surviving victims of Bhopal by buying my book Practical Process Safety Management" 

October 12, 2014

Ex manager of chemical plant sentenced to 25 years for causing 7 fatalities

A Chinese ex Manager of a chemical plant was sentenced to 25 years in prison after he was found guilty of altering the thickness and height of a sulphuric acid tank that later ruptured killing 7 people. Read the news article in this link.

   
Contribute to the surviving victims of Bhopal by buying my book "Practical Process Safety Management"

October 9, 2014

The challenge of change in Engineering by Phil Hopkins

 Phil Hopkins of Penspen Integrity, UK, has written an incisive and humorous article on  "The challenge of change in Engineering". It is worth reading by all chemical engineers.

Read the full article in this link

Contribute to the surviving victims of Bhopal by buying my book "Practical Process Safety Management"

October 6, 2014

Emergency response for sulphuric acid

Please find a good presentation for emergency response by NorFalco, for sulphuric acid leak in this link.

Contribute to the surviving victims of Bhopal by buying my book "Practical Process Safety Management"

October 2, 2014

Duty of care: Indian Express

Duty of care : Indian Express

Contribute to the surviving victims of Bhopal by buying my book "Practical Process Safety Management"

October 1, 2014

Oversight in inspection causes a pressure vessel lid to blow off

A pressure vessel exploded, sending the vessel’s 250 Kg lid six metres into the air. No one was injured in the incident.
The explosion was found to have been caused by a failure of the vessel’s regulator and pressure relief valve. The investigation determined that sufficient maintenance of the safety devices was not being carried out. Also, statutory inspections were not completed for three years.Read about the incident in this link.

 
Contribute to the surviving victims of Bhopal by buying my book "Practical Process Safety Management"