Chemical Safety Board launches interactive PSM training based on Texas City disaster

Washington — Recently released interactive training from the Chemical Safety Board incorporates agency findings from a deadly refinery explosion to form guidelines for managing hazardous chemicals and complying with OSHA’s standard on process safety management.

The explosion, which occurred in March 2005 at a BP refinery in Texas City, TX, killed 15 people and injured 180 others.

Since releasing its final report on the incident in 2007, CSB has produced several safety videos on the subject. In March 2020, the agency announced its intent to develop training that used the explosion as an example and included the 14 elements of the standard on process safety management of highly hazardous chemicals (1910.119).

Viewers can follow interactive training modules based on each element of PSM as it pertains to the incident. Each module ends with a quiz.

In a press release, CSB member and interim executive Stephen Owens, who was nominated in July to serve as agency chair and CEO, called the resource “a new and innovative way for the CSB to present safety information to industry.”

Questions or feedback may be emailed to [email protected].