Amplify Your Process Safety

In this special episode, Rob and Magi present 2024 (Process Safety) Wrapped. They cover regulatory changes that took place this year, major incidents the CSB has deployed to, metrics on other minor process safety incidents they've tracked this year, CSB reports issued this year, and their hopes for a renewed focus on process safety in 2025. Do you have a process safety related resolution for 2025? Or a topic you'd like us to delve deeper into in an episode next year? Reach out to us at podcast@amplifyconsultants.com. For full length episodes on topics mentioned in today's episode, please check out the links below: Episode 108 - 2024 EPA RMP Updates Episode 105 - Incident Breakdown: 2022 Fatal Naphtha Release and Fire at BP-Husky Toledo Refinery in Ohio

In this episode, Rob welcomes back Mathew Todaro, a partner at Verrill Law who defends and negotiates on behalf of his clients under statutes such as the Clean Water Act, EPCRA, and FIFRA, with a particular focus on Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act. Today, Rob and Mat give listeners a crash course on the EPA's Risk Management Plan (RMP) Rule. They cover applicability, the three program levels, the components and requirements of RMP, and touch on some recent RMP rule changes. Be sure to check out Mat's previous appearances on our show at the links below: ⁠Episode 25 - After the EPA Inspector Leaves with Guest Mathew Todaro⁠ ⁠Episode 35 - Environmental Compliance Audits with Guest Mathew Todaro⁠ ⁠Episode 52 - EPA's General Duty Clause with Guest Mathew Todaro⁠ ⁠Episode 56 - Implementing EPA's General Duty Clause (GDC)⁠ (Does not feature Mat, but is a companion episode to #52) ⁠Episode 106 - EPA's National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives with Guest Mathew Todaro⁠ Connect with Mat on LinkedIn ⁠here⁠.

In this episode, Rob welcomes back guest Neil Beekie, CEO and Co-Founder of OperAid. Listeners may remember him from Episode 79 (listen here) back in the summer of 2023, where he introduced us to OperAid, a software tool that assists operators with real-time verification of manual tasks. Today, Rob gets an update on present-day OperAid, including successes, the type of feedback that's been received since deployment, recent updates/improvements, how AI is and could be incorporated, and more. To learn more about OperAid, visit https://operaid.ai. To connect with Neil, find him on LinkedIn or send an email to neil@operaid.ai.

In this episode, inspired by the CSB investigation update into the 2023 explosion and toxic chemical release at the Honeywell facility in Geismer, LA, Rob and Molly discuss the challenges of aging equipment and infrastructure at chemical plants and refineries. They discuss the aforementioned Honeywell incident, as well as three others where poorly maintained equipment was a key factor that ultimately led to an incident. Then they move on to discuss managing the asset life cycle, warning signs related to aging equipment, equipment deficiency management, and some considerations for aging support equipment and infrastructure. Find the U.S. Chemical Safety Board Releases Investigation Update into 2023 Explosion and Toxic Chemical Release at Honeywell Facility in Geismer, LA here. Here are the CCPS books we mentioned that are great resources to look into: Dealing with Aging Process Facilities and Infrastructures Recognizing Catastrophic Incident Warning Signs in the Process Industries Guidelines for Asset Integrity Management And finally, here are a few related podcast episodes we recommend: Episode 1 - Intro to Mechanical Integrity (MI) & RAGAGEP Episode 7 - API 510 with Guest William McBride Episode 75 - Mechanical Integrity (MI) Inspection Requirements with Guest William McBride PSM: Back to Basics, Part 6 - Mechanical Integrity (MI)

In this episode, Rob and Magi discuss the CSB's new safety study titled "Remote Isolation of Process Equipment" that includes recommendations to regulators and emphasizes the need for greater adoption of remote isolation equipment at chemical facilities across the country. Rob and Magi run through the list of recent CSB investigations that are specifically highlighted in the safety study, where the CSB determined that lack of effective remote isolation equipment significantly contributed to incident consequences, discuss the recommendations the CSB made in their study to API, EPA, and OSHA, and talk about actionable next steps for listeners at applicable facilities. Find the CSB's "Remote Isolation of Process Equipment" safety study here. Check out our full episodes of some of the CSB investigations relating to lack of remote isolation equipment below. Episode 68 - Incident Breakdown: 2019 Refinery Fire and Explosions at Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) with Guest Tim Murphy Episode 73 - Incident Breakdown: 2019 Explosions and Fires at TPC Group (TPC) Port Neches Operations (PNO) Facility Episode 83 - Incident Breakdown: 2019 Tank Farm Fire at Intercontinental Terminals Company, LLC (ITC) in Deer Park, TX Episode 95 - Incident Breakdown: 2019 Fatal Explosion and Fire at KMCO in Crosby, TX

The final part of our mini deep dive into different aspects of Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs) is finally here. In today's episode, Molly and Magi talk PHA safeguards, including hierarchy of controls, common types of safeguards (including how and when operator response can be credited in a PHA), quantitative vs. qualitative risk assessment for safeguard effectiveness, independent protection layer (IPL) requirements, and their best tips for safeguard considerations based on their own PHA facilitation experience. If you haven't already, be sure to check out our other PHA-related episodes mentioned in today's show: Episode 55 - Movie Breakdown: Control Room Concerns in The China Syndrome Episode 109 - PHA Principles Part 1 - Causes Episode 110 - PHA Principles Part 2 - Consequences Thanks for listening, and please let us know what you think at ⁠podcast@amplifyconsultants.com⁠.

This episode is the second of a three part series in which Molly and Magi take a deep dive into different aspects of Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs). In today's episode, they talk PHA consequences, including some common pitfalls to avoid when it comes to considering consequences in a PHA, general types of impacts used for PHA consequences, tools to use for defining impacts, and some consequence-related PHA best practices. If you haven't already, be sure to check out our other PHA-related episodes mentioned in today's show: Episode 109 - PHA Principles Part 1 - Causes Episode 59 - Incident Breakdown: 2017 Pressure Vessel Explosion at Loy-Lange Box Company Episode 72 - Incident Breakdown: 2018 Ethylene Release and Fire at Kuraray America, Inc. with Guest Chris Paskach And please follow our show so you can tune in to the final, third part of this mini-series when it becomes available in two weeks. Thanks for listening, and please let us know what you think at podcast@amplifyconsultants.com.

This episode is the first of a three part series in which Molly and Magi take a deep dive into different aspects of Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs). In today's episode, they talk PHA causes, including identifying causes of deviation in HAZOP, What-If, and Checklist methodologies, some common pitfalls they've observed regarding causes in PHAs, and what makes a cause not credible. If you haven't already, be sure to check out our other PHA-related episodes: Episode 2 - Intro to PHAs Episode 17 - Tips for a Successful PHA Episode 19 - PHAs During the Project Life Cycle Episode 36 - Best Practices for Remote PHAs Episode 85 - Participating in Your First PHA PSM: Back to Basics, Part 3 - Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) Top 10 Talk: Amplify Your PHAs, Recording of live event (12/7/2021) And please follow our show so you can tune in to the next two parts as they become available. Thanks for listening, and please let us know what you think at podcast@amplifyconsultants.com.

In this episode, Rob and Magi cover the recent changes made to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Risk Management Program (RMP) Final Rule. The changes fall into four categories: the prevention program, emergency response, availability of information, and other areas of technical clarification. In this episode, they discuss each change, what each could mean for your facility going forward, and when each requirement must go into effect at your facility. If your site is subject to the RMP rule, you won't want to miss this episode. Have a question about this week's episode, an idea for a future episode, or any process safety related question? Please drop us a line at podcast@amplifyconsultants.com.

In today's episode, Rob is joined by guest Shawn Marsh, Vice President of ESHQ Services North America at Evonik, a specialty chemicals manufacturer based in Germany, with production plants in 27 countries on six continents. Shawn explains how Evonik manages process safety and how he fits into that process, key metrics he uses to manage and measure process safety, the challenges of communicating process safety issues to individuals at different levels within his organization, his role in addressing process safety challenges at Evonik's North American sites, his advice for people in similar roles at other companies, and more. For more on managing PSM from a corporate perspective, be sure to listen to Episode 41 - Managing Process Safety from Afar with Guest Tim Murphy.

In this episode, Rob sits down with Mat Todaro of Verrill Law, who listeners may remember from his previous guest appearances on the show related to EPA's Risk Management Program and General Duty Clause. Today Rob and Mat discuss EPA's National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives (NECI) for 2024, including what they are and which initiatives are new, modified, and continued, what is different about how NECI will be managed this time around, what this means for RMP facilities who have ammonia, HF, or are near an overburdened community, and Mat's thoughts on the Supreme Court's recent overturning of the Chevron doctrine. If you haven't listened to our previous episodes featuring Mat, be sure to check them out at the links below: Episode 25 - After the EPA Inspector Leaves with Guest Mathew Todaro Episode 35 - Environmental Compliance Audits with Guest Mathew Todaro Episode 52 - EPA's General Duty Clause with Guest Mathew Todaro Episode 56 - Implementing EPA's General Duty Clause (GDC) (Does not feature Mat, but is a companion episode to #52) Connect with Mat on LinkedIn here.

In this episode Magi and Jo team up to cover a recent CSB final report. In this incident breakdown, they cover the 2022 accidental release of naphtha that resulted in a fire, two worker fatalities, and significant property damage at the BP-Husky refinery in Oregon, Ohio, including what happened leading up to the event, contributing factors, recommendations the CSB made in their final report, and what companies can learn from this incident. Find the CSB's final report for this incident here. If you haven't listened to our episodes where we interviewed the CSB, please check out Episode 101 and Episode 102.

In today's episode, Molly sits down with Stephen J. Wallace, the author of a newly released process safety thriller titled "Hazardous Lies". Although his book is a work of fiction, Stephen discusses how his book relates to real aspects of process safety and how it was informed by his real career experience in the process safety field, how he came up with the idea for the novel, his leap from technical writing in his career to creative writing, and how he made technical topics in the book accessible to non-technical readers. Stephen also shares his advice for those branching out from a technical field into a more creative role, and his advice for those who wish to steer their careers toward process safety. You can purchase "Hazardous Lies" on Amazon here, or you can visit https://stephenjwallace.com/ to purchase the book or to learn more about Stephen.

In this episode, Rob is joined again by guest Mike Washington, who is the Director of Industrial Safety at Arkema Inc., The Americas. Mike recently gave a talk at the AIChE Global Congress on Process Safety in New Orleans in March 2023 titled, “Quantitative Natural Disaster Assessment and Scorecard for Chemical Plants," and today discusses some of what he covered in that talk. Rob and Mike cover his motivation for presenting at the AIChE Global Congress on Process Safety, the basic approach of the assessment and scorecard, how Arkema is using the tool and how the plants have reacted to it, and advice he has for other companies struggling with planning for and reducing the risks of natural hazards. If you haven't caught our previous episode with Mike, be sure to listen to Episode 96 - Educating the Next Generation of Process Safety Experts with Guest Mike Washington. Mike invites you to connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-washington-m-b-a-067b2520/ To hear more about this topic, be sure to listen to these episodes: Episode 26 - Natural Hazard Assessment and Planning Episode 66 - Tornadoes, Natural Hazards, and Emergency Planning

In this episode, we sit down for another conversation with the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB). This time, Molly and Jo talk with Supervisory Chemical Incident Investigator Lauren Johnson, Chemical Incident Investigator Melike Yersiz, P.E., and Video Producer and Public Affairs Specialist Shauna Lawhorne. We discuss how each CSB employee ended up at the agency, what a company can expect when the CSB comes to investigate an incident, some examples of how and when subject matter experts are used to assist with investigations, what has most surprised each of them during the course of their investigations, and how recommendations are tracked and managed. Then we get to ask everything we've been wondering about the CSB videos; how the CSB decides which investigations get a video, how they condense the investigation's material down, some details about the iconic narrator, and more. A heartfelt thank you to all three CSB guests for their appearances on this episode, and to CSB Communications Manager, Hillary Cohen. To learn more about the CSB, please visit csb.gov, and if you haven't already be sure to check out our previous episode with the CSB: "Episode 101 - Conversations with the CSB - Part 1". To learn more about the CSB's accidental release reporting rule, and to access the published data, visit https://www.csb.gov/news/incident-report-rule-form-/.

In this episode, Molly and Magi sit down with two U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) chemical incident investigators, Lauren Grim, P.E., CFEI and Drew Sahli. Lauren and Drew detail how each of their career paths led them to their current roles, what their jobs as chemical incident investigators are like, and, for those interested in also working at the CSB, the type of background and experience best suited for the job. Next, Molly and Magi ask about the size of the CSB agency, the challenges, surprises, and takeaways they've had during investigations, and their thoughts on how the CSB final investigation reports and videos should be utilized. Finally, Molly and Magi get to ask what all of us have been dying to know; now that the CSB has cleared their backlog of reports, what are they up to next? Be sure to tune in to this episode to find out, and subscribe to the show so you'll be the first to hear "Conversations with the CSB - Part 2" when it becomes available. A huge thank you to Lauren Grim and Drew Sahil for their guest appearances on this episode, and to CSB Communications Manager, Hillary Cohen. To learn more about the CSB, please visit csb.gov.

We've made it to episode 100, can you believe it? We invite you to celebrate this milestone with us in today's very special episode. Join the current Amplify team members as well as two former team members in reminiscing about the early days of the podcast, hear some fun facts about our audience, episodes, and past guests, learn which of our episodes made the top 10 most popular list, our goals for the future of the show, and more. Be sure to stick around to the end for some funny clips that have never before been aired. A special thank you to Wesley Carter and John Doan for joining us for the beginning of this episode. And thank you to you, our listeners, as we wouldn't be doing this without you. Thank you for sticking around for 100 episodes, and cheers to 100 more. Time stamps: Introduction: 00:00:36 Kick Off to Who is Who (Rob Bartlett, Molly Myers, Magi Riech, Jo Pastor, John Doan, Wesley Carter): 00:02:11 Fun Facts about Our Show (Listens, Guests, Listener Locations/Ages, Episodes): 00:33:17 Our Top 10 Episodes: 00:45:54 Feedback on the Show: 00:56:24 Closing & Where We're Headed: 00:57:12 Funny Clips: 1:03:10 We'd love to hear what you thought about this episode, which episode so far has been your favorite, or what you want to hear about next. Send the show an email at podcast@amplifyconsultants.com.

In today's episode, Rob sits down with Blaine J. Hoffmann, from The SafetyPro Podcast, to discuss his new book, titled "Rethinking SAFETY Culture". Blaine details why he was motivated to write the book, how he defines safety culture, and discusses ways to implement the ideas he presents in "Rethinking SAFETY Culture". He also talks about his recommendations for digital safety management systems, how KPIs can be used to improve safety cultures, and more. Find Blaine on LinkedIn here, find "Rethinking SAFETY Culture" on Amazon here, and be sure to check out Blaine's library of over 175 episodes at ⁠thesafetypropodcast.com⁠ or wherever you find your podcasts. We also invite you to check out our previous episodes with Blaine, where we teamed up to discuss a variety of topics from both a process safety lens and an occupational safety lens. Episode 23 - Incident Investigation with The SafetyPro Podcast Episode 24 - Emergency Planning & Response with The SafetyPro Podcast Episode 27 - Contractor Management with The SafetyPro Podcast Episode 28 - Hot Work with The SafetyPro Podcast

In this episode, Rob is joined by the newest member of the Amplify Process Safety team, Magi Riech. Rob sits down with Magi to talk about her background and her journey into process safety throughout her career, and what fuels her passion for PSM/RMP. Welcome to the A Team, Magi! To connect with Magi, find her on LinkedIn here or email her at magali.riech@amplifyconsultants.com. To learn more about the rest of our team, visit www.amplifyconsultants.com/about or check out our other intro episodes below: Episode 0 - Amplify Your Process Safety Introduction Episode 30 - The A-Team Episode 43 - Introducing Molly

In this episode, Molly is joined by the newest member of the A Team, Magi Riech, to discuss the CSB's final investigation report on the 2020 fatal oil and gas well blowout in Burleson County, Texas. The incident occurred on January 29, 2020, and the CSB released their final investigation report on this incident on December 26, 2023. On the day of the incident, oil and gas escaped the well during workover operations, and found an ignition source, ultimately leading to a flash fire that burned and killed three contract workers. Today, Molly and Magi discuss what exactly happened, delve into the contributing factors, cover the CSB's recommendations, and highlight the takeaways that any company could learn from this incident. Find the CSB's final report for the incident we discussed today ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠. Find the CSB's final report on the Pryor Trust Fatal Gas Well Blowout and Fire that we mentioned in this episode here. Stay tuned for Episode 98, in which we give Magi a proper introduction to our listeners.