Nitrogen-methanol atmospheres and the application of process safety management OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1119

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:389744

MacKenzie, D S; Kick, T J ^[1]

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1. McDonnell Douglas Corp., St. Louis, MO (United States)

Process Safety Management (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.119) is a mandated standard that was originally intended to cover large chemical plants and refineries to prevent the consequences of catastrophic releases of toxic, reactive flammable or explosive chemicals. However, with a broad brush, this standard also applies to steel heat treat operations whose threshold quantities of methanol exceed 10,000 pounds (1,500 gallons). Non-compliance may result in OSHA citations and hefty fines. But what is more important, conditions could occur which could lead to the catastrophic release of methanol or explosion, with the associated loss of facility and personnel. This paper describes Process Safety Management as it applies to the use of nitrogen-methanol atmospheres used for the heat treatment of steel and the storage of liquid methanol. The paper shows what steps were taken by McDonnell Douglas Aerospace-St. Louis to reach compliance with this extensive standard.

• OSTI ID: 389744
• Report Number(s): CONF-951222--; ISBN 0-87170-561-3
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
ACCIDENTS
CARBURIZATION
EXPLOSIONS
FIRES
FLAMMABILITY
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
INFORMATION
INVESTIGATIONS
PERSONNEL
SAFETY ANALYSIS
SAFETY STANDARDS
STEELS
TRAINING