Category: Refinery Accidents & Explosions

CSB Releases Final Report into 2015 Explosion at Exxon-Mobil Refinery in Torrance, California

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May 3, 2017, Torrance, CA, -- Today, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) released its final report into the February 18, 2015, explosion at the ExxonMobil refinery in Torrance, California. The blast caused serious property damage to the refinery and scattered catalyst dust up to a mile away from the facility into the nearby community. … Continue reading CSB Releases Final Report into 2015 Explosion at Exxon-Mobil Refinery in Torrance, California

“CSB Board Votes on Status of Sixteen Safety Recommendations”

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Washington, DC, April 20, 2015—The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) has recently voted to update the status of sixteen recommendations resulting from twelve accident investigations including key safety improvements resulting from the 2006 CAI/Arnel fire and explosion in Danvers, MA and the 2005 BP Texas City refinery fire and explosion.  All recently voted on recommendations … Continue reading “CSB Board Votes on Status of Sixteen Safety Recommendations”

CSB Releases Safety Message Featuring Sister of Worker Fatally Burned in 2010 Tesoro Refinery Explosion in Washington State

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  Washington, D.C., March 12, 2014 - Today the CSB released its second safety message in an occasional series focusing on the impacts  of chemical accidents  on people’s lives. The short video features Amy Gumbel, sister of Matt Gumbel - one of the workers fatally injured in the 2010 explosion and fire at the Tesoro … Continue reading CSB Releases Safety Message Featuring Sister of Worker Fatally Burned in 2010 Tesoro Refinery Explosion in Washington State

Deaths In Oil Drilling, And No Oversight In Texas

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Photo By James Nielsen / Associated Press The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration keeps a list of “the worst of the worst” employers in the nation, and drilling companies with multiple fatalities should be on it, safety experts say. SAN ANTONIO — The oil boom has brought Texas much prosperity, but also the stain … Continue reading Deaths In Oil Drilling, And No Oversight In Texas

Major Changes Proposed for the PSM Standard: OSHA Issues Request for Comments on 14 Potential Revisions That Could Alter Industry Practices

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OSHA is seeking public comment on fourteen significant changes it is considering making to its Process Safety Management (PSM) standard, plus potential updates to its Explosives and Blasting Agents, Flammable Liquids, and Spray Finishing standards. The request is in response to Executive Order 13650, which directed OSHA and several other federal agencies to improve chemical … Continue reading Major Changes Proposed for the PSM Standard: OSHA Issues Request for Comments on 14 Potential Revisions That Could Alter Industry Practices

What Is PSM (Process Safety Management)?

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20-z4d_vrTE PSM Covered Chemical Facilities National Emphasis Program. OSHA Directive CPL 03-00-014, (2011, November 29). Petroleum Refinery Process Safety Management National Emphasis Program. OSHA Directive CPL 03-00-010, (2009, August 18). Refinery NEP First Year Inspection Results [69 KB PDF*, 2 pages]. OSHA. Letter to Refinery Manager Attachment A Attachment B Process Safety Management Depends on … Continue reading What Is PSM (Process Safety Management)?

90 Minutes About OSHA Most People Have Never Seen

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We’ve always known OSHA as the official authority of safety and health in the U.S. But very few are aware of the fact that it produced and distributed three films in 1980. While these films are nothing like the Hollywood blockbusters you queue for in movie houses, they were real pro productions. In fact, two … Continue reading 90 Minutes About OSHA Most People Have Never Seen

Large Fire at Chevron Refinery in Richmond, California – August 6, 2012

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RICHMOND, Calif. -- Officials have told residents of two Northern California cities to shelter-in-place as a fire at a Chevron refinery in Richmond releases plumes of black smoke. The fire, first reported at 6:40 p.m. Monday, is burning in a process unit at the refinery, officials said. It is sending smoke over the cities of … Continue reading Large Fire at Chevron Refinery in Richmond, California – August 6, 2012

Cause of Texas Oil Refinery Explosion Under Investigation

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A refinery in Pasadena, Texas recently experienced an explosion "with thick black smoke that could be seen for miles," according to ABC News. Such oil refinery accidents can be tragic and are often avoidable. Despite strict OSHA standards, oil refinery accidents continue to injure workers across the country as illustrated by an oil refinery accident … Continue reading Cause of Texas Oil Refinery Explosion Under Investigation