Fifteen non-operating (non-essential?) personnel were killed in the 23 March 2005 Texas City explosion. In the opinion of OSHA investigators, it was not necessary for any these individuals to be present during start-up of the unit.

Indeed, OSHA sent industry a strong message on this matter by way of the large number of egregiously willful citations it issued relating to the location of the “temporary” trailers.

The presenter, who was a technical advisor to OSHA for the Texas City incident, will discuss, in light of the incident: Occupancy loading standards, Potential definitions of “essential” vs. “non-essential” personnel, Trailer park syndrome, Gaps in API Recommended Practice 752, “Management of Hazards Associated with Process Plant Buildings”, Potential impact on industry.