process safety management | The Pump Handle

California Labor-Enviro-Community coalition wins stronger California oil refinery regulations and showcases a winning strategy for worker and community health

March 3, 2017 Garrett Brown

Last month, California’s Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) proposed revised and stronger regulations for oil refineries in the state after a 4½-year joint campaign by labor unions, environmental and community organizations. The successful strategic coalition is a powerful example of how health and safety regulations can be improved despite an industry’s wealth, power and political influence.

Cal/OSHA In wake of Chevron Richmond fire, California aims to improve refinery safety

October 12, 2016 Elizabeth Grossman

Safety advocates say, if done right, this has potential to improve process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals nationwide.

Environmental Health Explosion, chemical hazards persist at Pilgrim’s Pride poultry plants

July 30, 2013 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH

Pilgrim’s Pride is the world’s second largest poultry producer. The firm’s repeat violations of chemical process safety management should earn them OSHA’s severe violator label.

Environmental Health Five years and $10 billion later, but process safety problem halts production at brand new U.S. oil refinery

July 11, 2012 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH 2Comment

Royal Dutch Shell’s and Sauid Aramco’s Motiva refinery in Port Arthur Texas open last month with fanfare. The celebration was quickly overshadowed by a ruinous leak of corrosive into the heart of the refinery. The incident could have resulted in catastrophic loss of life

Environmental Health 50 serious safety violations and $917,000 penalty don’t jive with corporate PR about integrity, safety, responsibility

September 29, 2011 Celeste Monforton, DrPH, MPH

One Middleton, Massachusetts resident thought it was an earthquake. Others said it sounded like a sonic boom. When Mr. Charlie Veradt heard the explosion, he said “I knew right off the bat that it was down the street,” referring to the Bostik Inc. chemical plant owned by the global giant, petrochemical firm TOTAL. Just before […]