Common PHA Findings (Part 9)

We have chosen to end this blog series by providing examples of findings that are commonly identified during PHAs. Use this information to address any issues prior to your PHA and thus reduce the number of recommendations that are made.

Common findings include:

  • Pipe and valves that are susceptible to physical damage from being stepped on or impacted by a vehicle.
  • Service valves in the system lacking pipe plugs or caps and therefore susceptible to being inadvertently opened.
  • Pipe or equipment that has experienced excessive corrosion.
  • High risk process equipment that is located in an area that is unrestricted and therefore accessible to all employees and visitors.
  • Machinery rooms being used for the storage of equipment and supplies that could negatively impact the system.
  • Equipment that cannot be safely accessed for regular operation and maintenance.
  • Abandoned equipment that remains connected to the system.
  • Machinery room doors that lack proper signage.
  • Machinery room doors that do not swing in the direction of egress or are not equipped with panic hardware.
  • Equipment that lacks proper identification
  • Important valves, such as King Valves, lacking identification.
  • Gas detectors that are not functional or have not been calibrated per manufacturers recommendations.
  • Ventilation systems with inadequate airflow or systems that have not been interlocked with detection.
  • Emergency controls that have not been tested.
  • Relief valves that are undersized, the incorrect set pressure, or have not been replaced within the last five years.
  • Eyewash and safety showers that are not installed, do not have adequate water flow, or are not located in close enough proximity to the system.
  • Failure to monitor the system daily.
  • Facilities that have not obtained important technical documentation such as manufacturer data reports.
  • P&IDs that contain inaccuracies.
  • SOPs that do not reflect the actual practice of the facility operators.

This is Part 9 of a series on PHAs. You can access previous blogs in this series below:

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