When you cut down a tree, keep an eye on the forest

Since the EPA began mandating controls on atmospheric discharges of organic materials, there have been a number of fires, explosions and other types of incidents of varying significance involving the emissions control devices. While these kinds of repetitive incidents are common throughout the industry, this paper discusses a number of incidents in one corporation, including thermal oxidizers, flares, and charcoal beds. We then discuss the common causes that seem to rise up to catch the operators of such devices unaware in spite of the history. Reasons why these avoidable incidents keep repeating are also explored.