September 2024 | AIChE

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September 2024

Causal factor chart

A sequence diagram that graphically depicts an incident from beginning to end; typically used to organize incident data and identify causal factors.

Causal factor (CF)

A major unplanned, unintended contributor to an incident (a negative event or undesirable condition), that if eliminated would have either prevented the occurrence of the incident or reduced its severity or frequency. Also known as a critical causal factor or contributing cause.

Catch Tank

A separate containment vessel intended to receive an emergency discharge from relief devices in the process vessel's vapor space. Catch tanks are usually employed where substantial two-phase relief flow, entrained solids, or reaction mass carryover is expected to occur.

Catastrophic Release

An uncontrolled loss of containment of toxic, reactive, or flammable materials from a process that has the potential for causing onsite or offsite acute health effects, significant environmental effects (e.g., compromise of a public drinking water supply), or significant on-site or off-site...

Catastrophic Incident

An incident involving a major uncontrolled emission, fire or explosion that causes significant damage, injuries and/or fatalities onsite and have an outcome effect zone that extends into the surrounding community.

Catastrophic Failure

A failure which is both sudden and causes termination of one or more fundamental functions.

Catastrophic

A loss with major consequences and unacceptable lasting effects, usually involving significant harm to humans, substantial damage to the environment, and/or loss of community trust with possible loss of franchise to operate.

Catalyst

A chemical substance that accelerates the rate of a chemical reaction by lowering the energy of activation required for the chemical reaction to occur.

CAS Registry Number

A unique number having up to nine digits that is assigned to a chemical by the Chemical Abstracts Service of the American Chemical Society. With the exception of aqueous solutions, mixtures are not covered under this registry.

Carcinogen

A material that has been found by the International Agency for Research on Cancer or the National Toxicology Program to produce or potentially produce some type of cancer

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