Pressure Relief Analysis – It’s about More Than Just Compliance

Pressure relief valves and disposal systems are the last layer of defense in petrochemical plants and refineries. Therefore, there are many codes and standards that must be followed to design those systems. Failure to ensure safe plant operations can result in fatalities, injuries, and environmental releases which can result in significant cost and poor public relations.

OSHA’s CFR 1910.119 – Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals is designed to manage the hazards associated with facilities which handle highly hazardous chemicals. Many of the requirements in PSM are also valuable for facilities which are not governed by the requirement and application of these principals may improve safety for all facilities.

This paper will present the proposal that Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) be the heart of process for ensuring safe operations to prevent negative impact on companies’ image and goodwill with the community.