Mechanical integrity highly hazardous chemicals

Equipment used to process, store, or handle highly hazardous chemicals must be designed constructed, installed and maintained to minimize the risk of release. A systematic, scheduled, test and maintenance program is preferred over "breakdown" maintenance " that could compromise safety. Elements of a mechanical integrity program include 1) identification and categorization of equipment and instrumentation, 2) documentation of manufacturer data on mean time to failure, 3 ) test and inspection frequencies, 4) maintenance procedures, 5) training of maintenance personnel, 6) test criteria, and 7) documentation of test and inspection results. 

Water and steam are nearly always present in most chemical processes. Their physical properties are generally well understood. Process perils are sometimes related to the infamous deeds of water and steam. The thrust of OSHAs Process Safety Management Law of 1992 focused on the processes that handled a list of 140 highly hazardous chemicals as well as processes that contained an over 10,000 pounds (4,540 kg) of flammable liquids or gases. Even after those chemicals are handled with higher levels of mechanical integrity and additional scrutiny, we will still need to keep our eye on water and its sometimes evil twin, steam. 

The term mechanical integrity became popular as a result of its use by the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) in the 1992 standard on PSM of highly hazardous chemicals [1], The law, OSHA 1910.119, provides requirements for preventing or minimizing the consequences of catastrophic releases of toxic, reactive,... 

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