Performing Risk Assessments: Dust and Process Safety

Publications

Background of Safety Risk Assessments In 1992, OSHA launched Process Safety Management (PSM) to address industries that handle highly hazardous chemicals, under OSHA Standard 29CFR 1910.119. This standard seems straightforward but was revolutionary in its impact on process safety improvements across multiple industries where flammable, combustible and toxic chemicals are used in sufficient quantities to pose a hazard to personnel or public safety. One of the fourteen elements of PSM that has been an indispensable tool in managing chemical hazards is the Process Hazard Analysis (PHA). A PHA is a systematic way to identify the hazards and quantify the risks…

One of the Biggest Mistakes I See During Construction

Thirty years as a consultant engineer has taught me that typical projects are broken into four major phases: feasibility, preliminary engineering, detailed design, construction and start-up. While the engineering phase is the most critical for your project’s development, the construction phase is the most complex. It’s when the rubber hits the road, when most of your budget is being spent, and when things could go wrong with even the best relationships sometimes ending in dispute and litigation. During the construction phase, there is a lot of complexity dealing with multiple contractors, subcontractors, vendors, equipment suppliers, government oversight, safety,…

Pharmaceutical Manufacturer Facility Expansion

The client was operating at maximum capacity and contacted ADF Engineering to help expand their facility to provide additional capability. The finished product resulted in a high warehouse storage capacity and ancillary support facilities. Project Summary This project…