Working in a Texas refinery means facing potential exposure to hazardous chemicals every day. A leak, spill, or other accident could lead to severe injuries or long-term health effects. That's why the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires refineries to implement Process Safety Management (PSM) — to minimize chemical risks and keep workers safe.
It's crucial for workers to understand their rights and protections under these important federal safety regulations, and it’s equally as important to know what to do if you’ve suffered a chemical injury in a Texas refinery. If you’ve been hurt, we encourage you to contact a chemical accident lawyer at SJ Injury Attorneys to discuss your rights and possible recovery.
What Is Process Safety Management?
Process Safety Management is a comprehensive set of procedures and practices designed to prevent or mitigate catastrophic releases of toxic, flammable, or explosive chemicals in facilities like refineries. OSHA's PSM standard (29 CFR 1910.119) mandates that refineries:
- Compile process safety information on chemical hazards, equipment, and technology
- Perform a process hazard analysis to identify, evaluate, and control potential risks
- Develop and implement written operating procedures for safely conducting activities
- Train employees on process hazards and safe work practices
- Establish a mechanical integrity program to ensure equipment is properly designed, installed, and maintained
- Manage changes to chemicals, equipment, procedures, and facilities
- Investigate incidents and near misses to determine root causes
- Perform compliance audits at least every three years
PSM aims to proactively identify and address chemical dangers through rigorous safety processes and active worker involvement. When properly implemented, PSM helps refineries operate more safely and protects workers from potential harm.
Why Is Process Safety Management Important?
According to OSHA, the petroleum refining sector has experienced the highest number of deadly and catastrophic highly hazardous chemical (HHC) releases since OSHA implemented the PSM in 1992. This troubling safety record prompted OSHA to launch the Petroleum Refinery Process Safety Management National Emphasis Program (NEP) in June 2007. Through this initiative, which assessed refineries' adherence to PSM requirements, OSHA identified recurring compliance issues throughout the industry.
How Can Project Safety Management Help Refinery Workers?
Process Safety Management is critical for preventing catastrophic accidents in Texas refineries that could injure or kill workers, damage property, and harm the environment because it:
- Minimizes risk of major chemical releases. Implementing PSM requirements helps refineries identify and control process hazards before they lead to disastrous leaks, spills, or explosions.
- Protects worker health and safety. By proactively managing chemical dangers, PSM safeguards refinery employees from exposure incidents that could cause severe injuries, illnesses, or fatalities.
- Reduces potential for community harm. Preventing major chemical accidents protects the public and the environment from off-site consequences like fires, toxic clouds, or contamination.
- Maintains refinery production and compliance. Effective PSM helps avoid unplanned shutdowns, equipment damage, and regulatory violations that can significantly impact refinery operations.
Simply put, Process Safety Management is essential because it saves lives, prevents injuries, and keeps Texas communities safe from devastating refinery accidents. It's a critical investment in worker protection.
When Is a Process Safety Management Program Required?
Under OSHA rules, a Process Safety Management program must be implemented and maintained by Texas refineries that have:
- A process involving a chemical at or above the specified threshold quantities listed in Appendix A of the PSM standard.
- A process involving 10,000 pounds or more of a flammable liquid or gas on site in one location.
Most Texas refineries fall under the scope of OSHA's PSM standard due to the large quantities of hazardous chemicals used in petroleum processing. Refineries that do not have an effective PSM program face an increased risk of serious accidents and OSHA citations.
What Are the Key Elements of an Effective PSM Program?
For PSM to successfully prevent chemical accidents in Texas refineries, management must be fully committed to the program. Effective PSM requires:
- Clear accountability. Responsibilities for implementing and maintaining PSM should be clearly defined and assigned to qualified personnel.
- Worker participation. Refinery employees have valuable firsthand knowledge of potential hazards. They must be actively involved in all phases of PSM, from hazard analysis to incident investigations.
- Robust procedures. Operating, maintenance, and emergency procedures need to be comprehensive, up-to-date, and accessible to all employees. Regular refresher training is essential.
- Thorough evaluations. Process hazards must be systematically assessed using techniques like What-If, Checklist, and Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) studies. All findings should be promptly addressed.
- Diligent inspections. Equipment mechanical integrity depends on detailed, timely inspections and tests. Any deficiencies must be corrected before startup.
- Continuous improvement. Refineries should establish key performance indicators to monitor PSM performance and identify areas for enhancement. Learnings from incidents and near misses should drive program upgrades.
When Texas refineries cut corners on these critical PSM elements, accidents are more likely to occur, putting workers at greater risk. Failure to comply with OSHA's PSM standard can also result in substantial fines for the refinery.
What Should a Refinery Worker Do if Injured in a Chemical Accident?
If a Texas refinery worker suffers a chemical injury or illness due to a chemical release or other PSM-related incident, they should:
- Report the chemical injury to their employer and get medical care immediately. Be sure to fully disclose all symptoms to the doctor, no matter how minor.
- Follow the treatment plan. Keep detailed records of medical appointments, prescriptions, and time missed from work.
- Avoid giving a recorded statement to the refinery's insurance company without consulting an attorney first. What is said could be used to deny or undervalue the claim.
- Contact an experienced Houston chemical accident lawyer to discuss the case. Refinery workers may be entitled to compensation.
The Houston and Pasadena chemical accident lawyers at SJ Injury Attorneys have in-depth knowledge of OSHA regulations and how to hold negligent refineries accountable for worker injuries. We fight tirelessly for the compensation our clients deserve after life-altering refinery accidents.