Application cont'd - hdbk11010022

DOE-HDBK-1101-96

liquids are kept below their normal boiling point without benefit of chilling or refrigeration.

Atmospheric storage tanks containing flammable liquids are not exempt if they are located

close enough to a covered process that they could be involved in a catastrophic release [Q16,

Q17]. Similarly, flammable liquids stored in barrels and drums, would be exempt from

coverage so long as they are not stored in such close proximity to a covered process that an

incident in that process could involve the containers [Q18]. Where this exemption is

invoked, the boiling point (or 10% point of distillation) of the flammable liquid, and its

proximity to and absence of interconnections with other covered process equipment should

be documented.

The process involves any quantity of an explosive or pyrotechnic HHC in a manufacturing

process. Storage and use of explosives outside the manufacturing process are covered by 29

CFR 1910.109 [Q15]. Compliance with the DOE Manual 440.1-1, DOE Explosive Safety

Manual, should promote compliance with the PSM Rule, but does not preclude the need to

comply with the PSM Rule as well [Q19, Q20].

In addition to the instances cited above, the PSM Rule does not apply to the following situations.

Retail facilities (at which over half of the income is obtained from direct sales to end users).

Oil or gas well drilling or servicing operations. The PSM Rule may apply to other operations

associated with drilling, such as separation or treatment of flammable liquids and gases

produced by these wells [Q21]. OSHA has determined that DOE petroleum reserves must

comply with the PSM Rule.

Remote facilities that are normally unoccupied [See glossary definition of normally

unoccupied remote facility).

Figure 1.2 provides a general logic diagram for determining the applicability of the PSM Rule in

DOE. No documentation for exclusion is required by the Rule. However, DOE contractors should

maintain a list of covered processes and, where the Rule is subject to interpretation, document the

basis for excluding a process [Q23].

Questions

Note: Where OSHA speaks of employers, this Handbook uses DOE contractors. Where OSHA

speaks of contractors, this Handbook uses subcontractors.

Does the calculated process inventory for a specific HHC apply to an entire plant, or is

each process unit viewed as a separate location?

Each process should be evaluated separately to determine whether it is covered by the Rule. If

several distinct and separate processes use the same HHC, coverage is determined by

comparing the maximum intended inventory of each process to the appropriate TQ for the

HHC. DOE contractors should not add up the inventory of all processes to determine whether

the facility is covered.

If a plant has only one process covered by the Rule, must the PSM Rule be applied to all

process areas in the plant?