Five Emergency Planning Lessons from Recent Ammonia Refrigeration Facility Fires A fire in an ammonia refrigeration facility creates challenges that extend well beyond extinguishment. Fires can damage structures, interrupt utilities, block access to controls, and compromise refrigeration equipment. These scenarios should be evaluated during applicable Process Hazard Analyses (PHAs) and addressed through preparedness efforts before an incident occurs. Recent incidents in Orego

This blog is for those in our industry who are waiting for an opportunity: the ones who want to be more than a rounds person, an ammonia refrigeration operator, or a PSM coordinator in a plant. The ones who want to grow, take on more responsibility, and make a name for themselves. Who gets an opportunity, and who doesn’t? What does opportunity look like? When do you have one? Where do you find it? And most importantly, how do you put it all together? Keep reading, and I’ll sh

Walking In I wasn't the auditor. I was the new guy, there to shadow, watch, and learn how a compliance audit actually works. The first thing we opened was the stack of policy documents. From where I stood, they looked complete. Every section had a heading. Every heading had content. Binders were labeled, files were named, nothing jumped out as missing. I remember thinking: this facility has its act together. This should be quick. Then We Started Digging I learned firsthand t

I’ve been to my share of national RETA conferences. I can’t recommend it enough! I love our industrial refrigeration community, and this national conference is the best way to dive in. There is so much to do at these conferences; I thought I would share my tips on how to get the most value out of your attendance at the upcoming conference! When you register and get your goody bag, get a shirt one size bigger than your normal size. I notice the material tends to shrink a bit i