What Went Wrong?: Case Studies of Process Plant Disasters

Front Cover
Elsevier, Jun 23, 1998 - Technology & Engineering - 408 pages
Expert Trevor Kletz examines the causes and aftermaths of numerous plant disasters--almost every one of which could have been prevented. Case histories illustrate what went wrong, why it went wrong, and then guide you in how to circumvent similar tragedies.Learn from the mistakes of others. This invaluable and respected book examines the causes and aftermaths of numerous plant disasters - almost every one of which could have been prevented. Case histories illustrate what went wrong and why it went wrong, and then guide you in how to circumvent similar tragedies.

* Learn from the mistakes of others with this important book!* Examines the causes and aftermaths of numerous plant disasters - most of which could have been prevented* Case histories illustrate what went wrong, why it went wrong, and then guide you in how to circumvent similar tragedies
 

Contents

Chapter 1 Preparation for Maintenance
1
Chapter 2 Modifications
48
Chapter 3 Accidents Caused by Human Error
78
Chapter 4 Labeling
98
Chapter 5 Storage Tanks
108
Chapter 6 Stacks
136
Chapter 7 Leaks
144
Chapter 8 Liquefied Flammable Gases
165
Chapter 15 Static Electricity
290
Chapter 16 Materials of Construction
299
Chapter 17 Operating Method
309
Chapter 18 Reverse Flow and Other Unforeseen Deviations
327
Chapter 19 I Didnt Know That
343
Chapter 20 Problems with Computer Control
353
Chapter 21 Inherently Safer Design
367
Chapter 22 ReactionsPlanned and Unplanned
380

Chapter 9 Pipe and Vessel Failures
179
Chapter 10 Other Equipment
205
Chapter 11 Entry to Vessels
229
Chapter 12 Hazards of Common Materials
244
Chapter 13 Tank Trucks and Cars
262
Chapter 14 Testing of Trips and Other Protective Systems
272
Appendix 1 Relative Frequencies of Incidents
392
Appendix 2 Final Thoughts
395
Appendix 3 Recommended Reading
397
Index
399
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About the author (1998)

Trevor Kletz, OBE, D.Sc., F.Eng. (1922-2013), was a process safety consultant, and published more than a hundred papers and nine books on loss prevention and process safety, including most recently Lessons From Disaster: How Organizations Have No Memory and Accidents Recur and Computer Control and Human Error. He worked thirty-eight years with Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd., where he served as a production manager and safety adviser in the petrochemical division, also holding membership in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Loughborough University, Leicestershire, England. He most recently served as senior visiting research fellow at Loughborough University, and adjunct professor at the Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center, Texas A&M University.