CSB Comments on EPA HF Initiative

Yesterday the Chemical Safety Board published a news release on “CSB Applauds New EPA Initiative on Safety at Chemical Facilities that Use Hydrogen Fluoride”. The release is referring to an EPA memorandum published last week on “FY 2024 – 2027 National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives”.

Buried in the discussion of the six FY 2024 – 2027 National Enforcement and Compliance Initiatives, under Initiative #6, Chemical Accident Risk Reduction (continued from prior cycle), on page 6, the EPA notes that: “. In addition, recent incidents involving the release or potential release of highly toxic hydrogen fluoride, used in the petrochemical manufacturing, and concerns about the potentially catastrophic consequences of a hydrogen fluoride release support a focus on these facilitiesusing these hazardous chemicals in their processes.”

The EPA report then goes on to vow:

“Facilities using anhydrous ammonia and hydrogen fluoride have had dangerous releases, some of which nearly caused catastrophic impacts on surrounding communities, while many others required medical response and evacuations and caused serious injury and fatalities. OECA will use all available enforcement tools to address violations of risk management requirements, including holding entities criminally responsible.”

While this is hardly announcing a major effort to actively conduct a series of inspections at HF facilities to look for risk management program violations, the CSB news release reports that:

“CSB Chairperson Steve Owens said, “The CSB applauds EPA for continuing to focus on preventing accidental releases from chemical facilities and for recognizing the need to emphasize inspections and compliance efforts at facilities that use hydrogen fluoride.  EPA can help ensure that facilities that use HF are operated safely.””

CSB is ‘applauding’ the EPA’s action, but it has not updated the three accident investigation recommendations calling for EPA to look at HF alkylation units:

• 2018-02-I-WI-12 Husky Energy Superior Refinery Explosion and Fire, and

• 2019-04-I-PA-1 Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) Refinery Fire and Explosions, and

• 2019-04-I-PA-3 Philadelphia Energy Solutions (PES) Refinery Fire and Explosions