Prepare now for cold weather, Chemical Safety Board warns facilities

Washington — Citing an uptick of incidents at chemical facilities over the past few winters, the Chemical Safety Board is urging refineries, chemical plants and other facilities that contain hazardous materials to prepare for freezing temperatures.

CSB calls on employers to follow the American Petroleum Institute’s guidance on creating an effective winterization program. Steps include:

• Identify and document equipment vulnerable to freezing temperatures.
• Evaluate and select freeze-protection options.
• Establish a formal, written freeze-protection program.
• Craft equipment-specific written plans.
• Assign a responsible party to implement plans.
• Periodically audit program implementation.
• Train technical, operations and maintenance workers to help them understand and recognize potential freeze hazards.

In a press release, the agency calls attention to its safety digest, Preparing Equipment and Instrumentation for Cold Weather Operations.

“Chemical facilities are especially susceptible to incidents during the winter months when they can be affected by extreme cold weather,” CSB Chair Steve Owens said. “Every chemical facility must take steps now to winterize its processes in order prevent a major chemical incident from occurring and putting communities, workers and the environment in serious risk.”