Mechanical integrity covered

You might ask, What would the PSM regulation require A portable sandblast rig would normally not be included in the covered process within a refinery or chemical plant. But, a facility that had such PSM programs would probably have influences in the Mechanical Integrity area that encourages strict adherence to welding procedures and emphasizes use of original manufacturers methods and standards. 

Covers mechanical integrity programs for pumps and compressors, including vibrationmonitoring programs... 

Covers mechanical integrity programs for piping, pressure vessels, storage tanks, and process piping, including corrosion under insulation problems... 

Covers mechanical integrity programs for safety critical instruments and safety relief... 

OSFLA 1910.119 specifies that a mechanical integrity program must cover the following equipment ... 

Many of the detailed engineering aspects of mechanical integrity are covered by codes and standards generated by a wide variety of associations. Useful references not mentioned in the OSHA excerpt above include those published by organizations such as the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, the Chemical Manufacturers Association, the Chlorine Institute, the Compressed Gas Association, and publications from various property insurance associations. 

The mechanical integrity focus of this section covers stationary existing chemical processing plant equipment and piping. Equipment includes storage tanks, pressure vessels, dryers, heat exchangers, reactors, incinerators, columns, filters, knock-out pots, and so forth. As previously stated, this section assumes the equipment is designed and fabricated to... 

The Freeport, Texas, Dow Chemical Plant shared details of their pressure vessel management program several years ago. [19] The Dow Texas pressure vessel program had evolved over 25 years and covered about 12,000 pressure vessels. No doubt with today s PSM Mechanical Integrity element, Dows program has far exceeded the excellent efforts discussed here. 

This section describes the equipment to which the standard applies. The list covers not just equipment and piping but also instmmentation (hence the term mechanical integrity seems to be too limiting). It is assumed here that the word Pumps in paragraph (vi) includes all types of rotating equipment. 

This covers more than just maintenance training. All employees need to be aware of mechanical integrity issues. For example. Chapter 11 describes an accident that was caused by the installation of an incorrect gasket. This incident involved both an operator and a warehouse worker, both of whom needed training in mechanical integrity as it applied to their work. 

Mechanical Integrity. The on-site employer must establish and implement written procedures for the ongoing integrity of process equipment, particularly those components that contain and control a covered process. 

Mechanical integrity becomes an especially important consideration in a chlor-alkali plant, where the products are not only dangerous but also present a variety of hazards. Most producers now have some form of mechanical integrity program as part of their PSM initiative. Such initiatives are frequently government-mandated and may cover the following. 

Quality assurance, it will be seen, is critical to establishing mechanical integrity. The OSHA rule covering PSM states that the quality assurance program is an essential part of the mechanical integrity program and will help to maintain the primary and secondary lines of defense..These lines of defense are the protective systems and procedures that one adopts to prevent hazardous releases. They might include ... 

Covers mechanical integrity programs for safety critical instmments and safety relief devices Provides numerous photos to illustrate various mechanical integrity activities ... 

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