[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 40, Volume 12]
[Revised as of July 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 40CFR68.73]

[Page 173-174]
 
                   TITLE 40--PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT
 
               CHAPTER I--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
 
PART 68--CHEMICAL ACCIDENT PREVENTION PROVISIONS--Table of Contents
 
                 Subpart D--Program 3 Prevention Program
 
Sec. 68.73  Mechanical integrity.

    (a) Application. Paragraphs (b) through (f) of this section apply to 
the following process equipment:
    (1) Pressure vessels and storage tanks;
    (2) Piping systems (including piping components such as valves);
    (3) Relief and vent systems and devices;
    (4) Emergency shutdown systems;
    (5) Controls (including monitoring devices and sensors, alarms, and 
interlocks) and,
    (6) Pumps.
    (b) Written procedures. The owner or operator shall establish and 
implement written procedures to maintain the on-going integrity of 
process equipment.
    (c) Training for process maintenance activities. The owner or 
operator shall train each employee involved in maintaining the on-going 
integrity of process equipment in an overview of that process and its 
hazards and in the procedures applicable to the employee's job tasks to 
assure that the employee can perform the job tasks in a safe manner.
    (d) Inspection and testing. (1) Inspections and tests shall be 
performed on process equipment.
    (2) Inspection and testing procedures shall follow recognized and 
generally accepted good engineering practices.
    (3) The frequency of inspections and tests of process equipment 
shall be consistent with applicable manufacturers' recommendations and 
good engineering practices, and more frequently if determined to be 
necessary by prior operating experience.
    (4) The owner or operator shall document each inspection and test 
that has been performed on process equipment. The documentation shall 
identify the

[[Page 174]]

date of the inspection or test, the name of the person who performed the 
inspection or test, the serial number or other identifier of the 
equipment on which the inspection or test was performed, a description 
of the inspection or test performed, and the results of the inspection 
or test.
    (e) Equipment deficiencies. The owner or operator shall correct 
deficiencies in equipment that are outside acceptable limits (defined by 
the process safety information in Sec. 68.65) before further use or in a 
safe and timely manner when necessary means are taken to assure safe 
operation.
    (f) Quality assurance. (1) In the construction of new plants and 
equipment, the owner or operator shall assure that equipment as it is 
fabricated is suitable for the process application for which they will 
be used.
    (2) Appropriate checks and inspections shall be performed to assure 
that equipment is installed properly and consistent with design 
specifications and the manufacturer's instructions.
    (3) The owner or operator shall assure that maintenance materials, 
spare parts and equipment are suitable for the process application for 
which they will be used.