Process Safety Alliance - Alliance Close-out Report - January 22, 2010

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
and the Process Safety Alliance
Close-Out Report

On January 22, 2008, OSHA and the Process Safety Alliance, OSHA, the American Chemical Society (ACS), American Chemistry Council (ACC), API, Center for Chemical Process Safety (CCPS, a technical alliance of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers), Chlorine Institute (CI), National Petrochemical and Refiners Association (NPRA), Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturers Association (SOCMA), United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) formed an Alliance to provide the organizations’ members and the general public, including small businesses, with information, guidance, and access to training resources in the field of process safety including the management of chemical reactivity hazards. In particular, the organizations worked together to assist in preventing catastrophic explosions, fires, and the toxic releases, thereby protecting the employees, the manufacturing facilities, the environment, and the public.

Based on discussions regarding the future of the Alliance, OSHA and the Organization in the Process Safety Alliance agreed to retroactively conclude the agreement as of January 22, 2010. A number of successes resulted from OSHA and Process Safety Alliance working together to meet the Alliance’s goals. For example:

  • Through the OSHA and Process Safety Alliance, the group revised "Preventing Process incidents Caused by Vehicular Impact." The document discusses means to achieve impact protection within chemical processes in order to prevent chemical releases and/or explosions.

  • Through the OSHA and Process Safety Alliance, the group revised "Remote Isolation of Process Equipment." The document discusses best practices associated with isolating hazardous material in the event of an emergency.

  • Through the Alliance, the Process Safety Alliance participants also contributed to the development of the Process Safety Management and Chemical Reactive Hazards Safety and Health Topics pages on the OSHA Web site.

  • The Process Safety Alliance participants organized and sponsored several Webinars on “Combustible Dust.”

Report Prepared by: Morgan Seuberling, Safety and Occupational Health Specialist, Office of Outreach Services and Alliances, April 24, 2012.