This month marks the 40th anniversary of the Bhopal disaster where highly toxic methyl isocyanate (MIC) was released from a storage tank. This event caused thousands of fatalities. None of the safeguards…

Process Safety communities around the world are working together to present the 1st International Process Safety Week [IPSW] on 2-6 December 2024. Process Safety needs relentless vigilance. The IPSW is intended to…

Thirty-five years ago, 85,000 pounds (39 metric tons) of process gas, mostly ethylene, were released from a plastics plant in Pasadena, Texas. The cloud ignited two minutes later. Debris flew as far…

We have seen movies of 1500’s era warriors preparing for battle. They sharpen swords, test their shields and don their armor and helmets. Leaders explain the plans for the ensuing conflict, and…

In Figure 1., an older section of piping had corroded, but a decision was made to continue operation until the next inspection. The piping failed, released hot, flammable liquid, that formed a…

In 2019, an explosion followed a 10,000 lbs. (4500kg) release of flammable isobutylene from a failed Ystrainer. It fatally injured one worker and seriously injured two others. The incident also injured 28…

On January 2, 2024, Japan Airlines (JAL) Flight 516 carrying 367 passengers and 12 crew members was landing at Haneda Airport in Tokyo Japan. It collided with a smaller Coast Guard plane…

A vapor cloud explosion and fire led to one fatality and two serious injuries. At least 28 other workers were injured. About 10,000 lb. (4500 kg.) of flammable isobutylene was released when…

What happened – a process suddenly starts operating erratically and shuts down. It could be an instrument failure, but what really caused the upset? During an unplanned shutdown, the focus may be…