Process Safety Information

Process Safety Information  1910.119 (d)  

What the regulation says: (d) Process safety information. In accordance with the schedule set forth in paragraph (e)(1) of this section, the employer shall complete a compilation of written process safety information before conducting any process hazard analysis required by the standard. The compilation of written process safety information is to enable the employer and the employees involved in operating the process to identify and understand the hazards posed by those processes involving highly hazardous chemicals. This process safety information shall include information pertaining to the hazards of the highly hazardous chemicals used or produced by the process, information pertaining to the technology of the process, and information pertaining to the equipment in the process. (d)(1) Information pertaining to the hazards of the highly hazardous chemicals in the process. This information shall consist of at least the following: (d)(1)(i) Toxicity information; (d)(1)(ii) Permissible exposure limits; (d)(1)(iii) Physical data; (d)(1)(iv) Reactivity data: (d)(1)(v) Corrosivity data; (d)(1)(vi) Thermal and chemical stability data; and (d)(1)(vii) Hazardous effects of inadvertent mixing of different materials that could foreseeably occur. Note: Material Safety Data Sheets meeting the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.1200(g) may be used to comply with this requirement to the extent they contain the information required by this subparagraph. (d)(2) Information pertaining to the technology of the process. (d)(2)(i) Information concerning the technology of the process shall include at least the following: (d)(2)(i)(A) A block flow diagram or simplified process flow diagram (see Appendix B to this section); (d)(2)(i)(B) Process chemistry; (d)(2)(i)(C) Maximum intended inventory; (d)(2)(i)(D) Safe upper and lower limits for such items as temperatures, pressures, flows or compositions (d)(2)(i)(E) An evaluation of the consequences of deviations, including those affecting the safety and health of employees. (d)(2)(ii) Where the original technical information no longer exists, such information may be developed in conjunction with the process hazard analysis in sufficient detail to support the analysis. (d)(3) Information pertaining to the equipment in the process. (d)(3)(i) Information pertaining to the equipment in the process shall include: (d)(3)(i)(A) Materials of construction; (d)(3)(i)(B) Piping and instrument diagrams (P&ID's);  (d)(3)(i)(C) Electrical classification; (d)(3)(i)(D) Relief system design and design basis; (d)(3)(i)(E) Ventilation system design; (d)(3)(i)(F) Design codes and standards employed; (d)(3)(i)(G) Material and energy balances for processes built after May 26, 1992 (d)(3)(i)(H) Safety systems (e.g. interlocks, detection or suppression systems). (d)(3)(ii) The employer shall document that equipment complies with recognized and generally accepted good engineering practices. (d)(3)(iii) For existing equipment designed and constructed in accordance with codes, standards, or practices that are no longer in general use, the employer shall determine and document that the equipment is designed, maintained, inspected, tested, and operating in a safe manner.