Dust Clouds, Liquids & Gases, Static Electricity, Electrical Sparks, Mechanical Sparks, …

Explosions – Learn all about them!

Training Courses in Process Safety from Stonehouse. Virtual, broadcast live and direct to your PC in two 3-hour segments.

At Stonehouse, we’ve been helping hundreds of businesses with their process safety consulting and testing needs. We’ve built decades of cumulative knowledge, and experience – and (we believe) a unique insight into industry’s process safety problems and solutions. Everything from dust explosions and static electricity through to hazardous area classification and process safety management. Now it’s time to let you benefit directly from this, through a new suite of live virtual training courses, complete with video footage, solution methodologies, and case studies.

Here are the brand-new training courses we have on offer. We are excited about our new look and refreshed training courses, and we hope you can join us on-line for all our virtual and live, bite-sized training events!

The Courses:

Process Hazard Analysis – theory and practice

Are you committed to ensuring process safety and minimizing risks in your workplace? Join our new live, bite-sized, virtual training program on Fundamentals of Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) and equip yourself with the knowledge and tools to identify and evaluate hazards and risks in your operations. This two half-day course will delve deep into PHA fundamentals, risk assessment techniques, HAZOP processes, and more. Elevate your safety expertise and make your workplace safer with us!

Our comprehensive PHA training program is your gateway to mastering the intricacies of process safety. Over two half-days of intensive learning, we’ll cover a spectrum of critical topics that will empower you to effectively assess and manage process hazards and risks. With a focus on practical application and real-world scenarios, you’ll gain invaluable skills to enhance safety in your workplace.

Safety begins with knowledge. We’re here to empower you with the skills needed for a safer workplace. Join us to make a difference!

Background to PHA

Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) is a cornerstone of process safety management. It is essential for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks associated with all processes and is mandated for those involving highly hazardous chemicals. By understanding the fundamentals of PHA and seeing how they can be applied in practice you can ensure compliance with safety regulations, prevent accidents, and safeguard both personnel and the environment.

Course content

The course will cover:

  • PHA Fundamentals – Purpose, concepts, requirements, and documentation.
  • Overview of Risk Assessment Techniques – Exploring various risk assessment methodologies, including Checklist Analysis, FMEA, What If Analysis, Structured What If (SWIFT – utilizing questions/checklists), HAZOP, LOPA, and Facility Siting and Human Factors Analysis.
  • Introduction to HAZOP – Understanding nodes, design intent, deviations, cause and consequence; evaluating safeguards, risk ranking, and generating recommendations and documentation.
  • Application of HAZOP through an example process.
  • PHA Preparation & Planning Pre & Post – Exploring the PSI Checklist, its requirements, establishing a basis of safety and expert team selection
  • PHA Follow-up – Effective communication of results, managing recommendations and ensuring PHA revalidation for long-term safety.

Learning Objectives

  1. Master the fundamentals of PHA and the distinction between Process Safety and Occupational Safety.
  2. Gain awareness of various risk assessment techniques, including Checklist Analysis, FMEA, HAZOP, and more.
  3. Learn how to apply HAZOP through practical examples.
  4. Understand the crucial elements of PHA preparation and planning.
  5. Acquire the skills to effectively manage recommendations and conduct PHA revalidation.

Course Duration

The duration of this virtual course will be six (6) hours and will be presented in two 3-hour segments on two consecutive days.

Dates: January 23rd and January 24th, 1-4 PM ET

Process Safety Management (PSM) in Practice

As a Process Safety Professional or someone who simply wants to understand Process Safety Management, here’s a training course you do not want to miss! The OSHA Process Safety Management (PSM) program, under 29 CFR 1910.119, represents a pivotal framework in industrial safety. PSM is designed to prevent and mitigate major chemical accidents, ensuring the well-being of both workers and the environment. Professionals in this field recognize that thorough knowledge of PSM is paramount for legal compliance, but more importantly, it equips them with the tools and expertise to identify and mitigate potential risks in highly hazardous chemical processes.

This training is delivered in our new live, virtual training format. It guides you to all the answers, providing you with valuable insights into regulatory requirements, risk assessment, emergency response planning, and best practices for ensuring the safe management of chemical operations. Attending such a course will advance career prospects but most importantly it underscores commitment to creating safer, more responsible industrial environments.

Background to PSM

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Process Safety Management (PSM) program, codified in 29 CFR 1910.119, is a vital regulatory framework aimed at ensuring the safe handling of highly hazardous chemicals in various industrial operations. This comprehensive OSHA program was established to prevent catastrophic incidents like fires, explosions, and chemical releases that may result from mishandling these chemicals. It outlines a set of 14 key elements, encompassing areas such as employee involvement, process safety information, operating procedures, management of change, and emergency response. Compliance with 29 CFR 1910.119 is not only a legal requirement but also an essential commitment to safeguarding the well-being of workers, the environment, and surrounding communities.

This course from Stonehouse Process Safety sets out to provide you with the understanding and the tools you need to move your company towards compliance with The Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Process Safety Management (PSM) program. It takes you from understanding program requirements through skills and knowledge building, Safety Information, action planning, compliance audits, leading HAZOPS, and on to how to demonstrate effectiveness and compliance with the program.

Course content

The course will cover:

    • Fundamentals of flammable liquids and toxic materials as covered in the PSM regulation.
    • In-depth coverage of OSHA 1910-119 Elements, including Employee Involvement, Process Safety Information (PSI), Operating Procedures, Pre-startup Safety Review (PSSR), Mechanical Integrity, Management of Change (MOC), Incident Investigation, Emergency Action Planning and Response, and Compliance Audits.
    • Case Studies: Analysis of major industrial accidents with a focus on prevention.
    • Building PHA Leadership Capability
    • Regulatory requirements for PHAs.
    • Leading Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) Studies, with insights into assembling the right team, defining roles, setting expectations, risk evaluation, human factors, and more.
    • Gap Analysis for compliance – development of a checklists with evaluation criteria based on OSHA PSM regulation requirements.
    • Sources of Guidance/Additional Resources

Learning Objectives

  1. Understand the regulatory requirements of the OSHA PSM program 29 CFR 1910-119.
  2. Develop the skills and knowledge required to implement effective tools and strategies to ensure legal compliance with highly hazardous chemical systems.
  3. Learn how to demonstrate the effectiveness of each of the 14 Elements of the OSHA PSM regulation to regulators and others.
  4. Foster a culture of safety and reliability, emphasizing both short-term compliance and long-term operational excellence.

Course Duration

The duration of this virtual course will be six (6) hours and will be presented in two 3-hour segments on two consecutive days.

Dates: February 20th and February 21st, 1-4 PM ET

Exploding Dusts

You’ve heard it all. NFPA 652, Dust Hazards Analysis, DHA, the brand new, game changing NFPA 660 even? You’ve even been and got a consultant in to do the necessary DHA. But do you want to know what to do next? Are you struggling to apply the DHA recommendations in a practical and cost-effective way? Or perhaps you are even wondering how you will arrange the mandatory revalidation and update of your DHA?

In our new live, virtual training course we are ready to guide you to all the answers. We’ll give you all the basics, tell you about your dust explosion lab results, and what they mean and will lead you to the next steps in your dust fire/ explosion control journey from first-time DHA through to revalidation, including preventing explosions and all the plant protection methods available. For more information and to register, click here

NFPA 652, Dust Hazards Analysis (DHA) and what you need to do

Understand the requirements of NFPA standards on combustible dusts and learn what you need to do to become (and remain) compliant.

Background

National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) 652: ‘Standard on Fundamentals of Combustible Dusts’ addresses the general requirements for the management of combustible dust fire and explosion hazards. This standard, along with a number of other industry or commodity-specific standards, provides the basis for dust explosion prevention and protection in industry in North America.  Yet these standards need to be applied and interpreted for real plant and at every facility that processes combustible dusts; not always an easy task! They are also changing (NFPA 660)!

This NFPA training course sets out to provide you with the understanding and the tools you need to move your company towards compliance with NFPA dust explosion standards and industry best industry practice, taking you from dust explosion basics through to preparation and implementation of the “Dust Hazard Analysis” (DHA).

Course content

The course will cover:

  • The fundamentals of dust fires and explosions and how they arise in industrial processes
  • Case histories to bring the theory to life
  • Video material to enhance participants understanding of the hazard
  • Dust explosion laboratory tests and how to use the results
  • Dust Hazard identification and assessment techniques
  • Explosion prevention techniques, including control of hazardous dust accumulations and dust cloud formations, housekeeping, and ignition source management,
  • Explosion protection techniques, including explosion relief venting, explosion suppression and explosion isolation – and how they are used in practice
  • Preparation and content of the Dust Hazards Analysis (DHA)
  • Risk management and communication of the hazards
  • Questions and Answer sessions
  • Subject knowledge test (available on request)

Learning Objectives

  1. Understand the requirements of NFPA standards for the management of combustible dust fire and explosion hazards and what’s involved in the preparation of a “Dust Hazard Analysis (DHA)” that targets explosible dust issues.
  2. Understand how dust explosion hazards are identified and can be mitigated with appropriate explosion prevention and protection techniques.
  3. Understand the key changes that have been made to 2019 Edition of NFPA 652 and the changes that are planned to NFPA combustible dust standards.
  4. Understand the written management programs that are required for the safe operation of your facility and equipment

Course Duration

The duration of this virtual course will be six (6) hours and will be presented in two 3-hour segments on two consecutive days.

Dates: March 19 & 20, 2024 – 1:00pm-4:00pm EDT

PRICING (Visa/Mastercard):

  • 1 Course = $595.00
  • 2 Courses = $1,095.00
  • 3 Courses = $1,395.00
  • 4 Courses = $1,595.00

DELIVERY: MS Teams

*A Stonehouse representative will contact you for payment arrangements and confirmation.

Explosions

Gases, vapors, aerosols, fibers, dusts and more. We all know they can (and do) explode uncontrollably in industry threatening life, community, and business integrity. Yet, explosions and flash fires can be prevented and controlled…. if you have the knowledge, experience and sometimes ingenuity. Our ‘Explosions’ course is your key to a safer plant – and peace of mind.

Our course takes you from understanding to hazards analysis, to explosion prevention and protection techniques and through to compliance with standards and guidelines. And we do this with copious doses of video and case study material built up from years of practical experiences. For more information and to register, click here

Preventing Flash Fire and Explosion Hazards in Industrial Processes

Introduction

Every year, flash fires and explosions in industrial settings result in fatalities, injuries, environmental damage and have serious community and economic impact. These flash fires and explosions involve the flammable or combustible liquids and powders that are integral to most industrial processes; yet with understanding and application of good Process Safety practices, many of these flash fires and explosions can be prevented.

This course has been designed to show how both flash fire and explosion hazards arise in manufacturing processes, how they can be systematically identified and assessed, and how the most appropriate basis of safety can be selected and applied in practice.

Course content

The course will cover:

  • The basics of flammability from ignition source energy to ignition properties of flammable atmospheres
  • How to identify locations where flammable atmospheres could be present;
  • Identification of potential ignition sources that could be present under normal and foreseeable abnormal conditions, including electrostatic ignition sources
  • Practical measures to prevent flash fires and explosions and how to protect against their heat & pressure effects
  • Codes and Standards for managing flammable gas, vapor, and dust cloud flash fire and explosion hazards.
  • Questions and Answer sessions
  • Subject knowledge test (available on request)

Learning Outcomes

After the completion of this course participant will:

  1. Gain an understanding of different types of flammable atmosphere (dusts, gases, vapors, aerosols, fibers…) their characterization, and relevant chemical/ physical ignition properties
  2. Learn how to identify areas where flammable atmosphere may arise
  3. Learn how to evaluate and control the flammability hazards from gases, vapors and dust clouds in order to eliminate or reduce risk 

Course Duration

The duration of this virtual course will be six (6) hours and will be presented in two 3-hour segments on two consecutive days.

Dates: April 23 & 24, 2024 – 1:00pm–4:00pm EST

PRICING (Visa/Mastercard):

  • 1 Course = $595.00
  • 2 Courses = $1,095.00
  • 3 Courses = $1,395.00
  • 4 Courses = $1,595.00

DELIVERY: MS Teams

*A Stonehouse representative will contact you for payment arrangements and confirmation.

Static Electricity

Static electricity is a devious subject. Fear not. We have it covered in this neat course designed for those who want to understand how static sparks arise in industry – and what to do to control this most elusive of ignition sources. We walk you through from the basics of the subject to help you understand where it all starts, we enthrall you with new video clips of the subject, filmed in our own labs and we lay out practical options available to control static electricity on your plant. For more information and to register, click here

Electrostatic Hazards in Industry

Understanding and preventing explosions and fires in industry caused by static electricity.

Background

Industrial facilities that handle flammable liquids, combustible powders, and/or aerosols are at risk of flash fire or explosion, caused by electrostatic discharges.  Yet not all industries carry the same risk – that risk being influenced by your type of processing operations and by the minimum ignition energy of the materials you handle. Some flammable or combustible materials are very sensitive to ignition by static electricity (low Minimum Ignition Energy) and some types of electrostatic discharge can carry more energy than others.

This course sets out to help you understand static electricity and then how to identify and control this challenging problem. We cover the basics of static electricity – how it is generated and how it can create discharges or sparks on plant.  We examine the different types of static discharge and their energy content and compare these to the ignition sensitivity of different flammable atmospheres (Minimum Ignition Energy). We then go on to describe tried and tested techniques that can be used to eliminate or at bring static electricity on plant under your control.

The course is based on the principles of NFPA 77, Recommended Practice on Static Electricity and is brought to life through study of case histories of real industrial explosions caused by static electricity. We also make use of photographs to illustrate the teaching points and use videos from our media library to show electrostatics in action.

Course content

The course will cover:

  • The basics of static electricity and how it is generated in industrial processes
  • The nature of different types of static discharge and the importance of Minimum Ignition Energy of flammable & combustible atmospheres
  • Example ‘case histories’ to illustrate how static has caused industrial explosions
  • How to identify electrostatic hazards on process plant, including identification of ‘early warning signs’
  • Methods available to control and eliminate electrostatic hazards
  • Questions and Answer sessions
  • Subject knowledge test (available on request)

Learning Outcomes

  1. Attendees will learn how electrostatic charge is generated in industrial environments
  2. Attendees will learn how to recognize those electrostatic hazards that can trigger industrial fires and explosions
  3. Attendees will learn how to evaluate and control electrostatic charge in order to reduce or eliminate flash fire and explosion hazards

Course Duration

The duration of this virtual course will be six (6) hours and will be presented in two 3-hour segments on two consecutive days.

Dates: May 14 & 15, 2024 – 1:00pm–4:00pm EST

PRICING (Visa/Mastercard):

  • 1 Course = $595.00
  • 2 Courses = $1,095.00
  • 3 Courses = $1,395.00
  • 4 Courses = $1,595.00

DELIVERY: MS Teams

*A Stonehouse representative will contact you for payment arrangements and confirmation.

Hazardous Area Classification

You’ve got flammable atmospheres at your facility. You’ve got electrical equipment at your facility. Better make sure the two never meet – or else make sure that if they do, the electrics cannot cause a fire or explosion. Knowing where your flammable atmospheres are (classifying hazardous areas) is a fundamental requirement of good process safety – important enough to have its own NFPA standards.

In our hazardous area classification course, we aim to have you understanding the requirements of the standards. We explain good industrial practice, and point you in the right direction to ensure your plant is safe from the fire and explosion hazards presented by electrical equipment. For more information and to register, click here

Hazardous Area Classification (HAC)

Practical Approach to Use of Electrical Equipment in Hazardous Locations; the Nature of flammable atmospheres, Purpose of HAC, and Methodology of Classification

Background

A key concern in facilities working with flammable gases, liquids, powders, fibers, and flyings is the risk of initiation of a flash fire or explosion caused by arcs, sparks, and hot surfaced from electrical equipment installed or introduced to the facility.

When electrical equipment is installed in locations which could contain flammable or combustible substances there is as risk that the electrical equipment could introduce a source of ignition. This could arise from electrical arcing and/or from high temperatures generated by the equipment; it could be present under normal and/or abnormal operating conditions of plant.

To manage these hazards, it is essential to establish and understand the characteristics of all of the hazardous materials used at the site, to define their locations and potential sources of leaks, and to determine the extent of the Hazardous Area associated with each. To manage and control these hazards, hazardous material locations are be classified according to applicable industry codes and standards. Such Area Classifications are used in the selection and installation of suitable electrical equipment, wiring devices, wiring methods, and mechanical equipment that prevent the ignition of flammable or explosible mixtures.

Course content

The course will cover:

  • The purpose and methodology of Electrical Hazardous Area Classification
  • How to identify and classify locations where flammable atmospheres could be present under normal and foreseeable abnormal conditions, hazardous locations
  • Codes and Standards for Electrical Hazardous Area Classification including NFPA 497 ‘Classification of Flammable Liquids, Gases, or Vapors and of Hazardous (Classified) Locations for Electrical Installations in Chemical Process Areas’, and NFPA 499 ‘Recommended Practice for the Classification of Combustible Dusts and of Hazardous (Classified) Locations for Electrical Installations in Chemical Process Areas’, and NFPA 70, ‘National Electrical Code’.
  • Questions and Answer sessions
  • Subject knowledge test (available on request)

 Learning Outcomes

After completion of the course the attendees will:

  1. How current legislation and its requirements affects Electrical Area Classification.
  2. Gain an understanding of how to perform electrical area classification for areas containing flammable atmosphere.
  3. Learn how to select and specify appropriate (electrical) equipment for Classified Locations.

Course Duration

The duration of this virtual course will be six (6) hours and will be presented in two 3-hour segments on two consecutive days.

Dates: June 11 & 12, 2024 – 1:00pm-4:00pm EST

PRICING (Visa/Mastercard):

  • 1 Course = $595.00
  • 2 Courses = $1,095.00
  • 3 Courses = $1,395.00
  • 4 Courses = $1,595.00

DELIVERY: MS Teams

*A Stonehouse representative will contact you for payment arrangements and confirmation.