Investigation Report
INDSPEC Chemical Corporation Oleum Release — INDSPEC Case Study
INDSPEC Chemical Corporation Oleum Release — INDSPEC Case Study
- CSB
- Investigation Report
- Functional safetyHazardous substancesHuman factorsLoss of containmentProcess safety
- Fluid transfer
- Operator displays and control interfacesPressure vesselPumpsStorage tanks
- Alarm managementManagement of changeOperating and work proceduresRisk assessment
- Downstream and process industries
- Onshore facility
Summary
This case study analyses an oleum tank overflow at INDSPEC’s Petrolia facility, producing sulfuric acid mist and prompting community evacuation or shelter-in-place. It examines an alternative pump power supply that bypassed automatic shutdown, undocumented weekend practices and shortcomings in hazard analysis, change management, operating procedures and safeguard evaluation.
Classifications: Functional safety; safety instrumented systems; SIS.
Classifications: Hazardous substances; hazardous chemicals; chemical exposure.
Classifications: Human factors; human performance; ergonomics.
Classifications: Loss of containment; containment loss.
Classifications: Process safety; major accident hazards.
Classifications: Fluid transfer; fluid loading; fluid offloading.
Classifications: Operator displays and control interfaces.
Classifications: Pressure vessel; pressure vessels.
Classifications: Pumps.
Classifications: Storage tanks; atmospheric tanks.
Classifications: Alarm management.
Classifications: Management of change; MOC; change management.
Classifications: Operating and work procedures.
Classifications: Risk assessment; hazard assessment.
Classifications: Downstream and process industries; refining; petrochemicals.
Classifications: Onshore facility; onshore plant.