PSM Programs
Develop and maintain OSHA 1910.119 Process Safety Management programs for ammonia refrigeration systems, with documentation aligned to facility design, operations, equipment, procedures, and regulatory expectations.
Protect people, product, and operations with Hixson’s ammonia refrigeration safety management and compliance services. Our integrated engineering teams support PSM, PHA, HAZOP, RMP, OSHA 1910.119, and documentation needs for industrial refrigeration systems in food, beverage, pharma, and cold storage environments—helping clients reduce risk, strengthen compliance, and make safer facility decisions.

Integrated compliance, engineering, and hazard analysis support for ammonia refrigeration systems in regulated industrial facilities.
Develop and maintain OSHA 1910.119 Process Safety Management programs for ammonia refrigeration systems, with documentation aligned to facility design, operations, equipment, procedures, and regulatory expectations.
Support PHA, HAZOP, LOPA, and What-If/Checklist studies to identify credible ammonia refrigeration hazards, evaluate safeguards, and prioritize practical risk-reduction actions.
Assist with EPA Risk Management Plan requirements for covered ammonia systems, including process information, hazard evaluation inputs, prevention program support, and coordination with operational teams.
Address workplace safety requirements tied to ammonia systems, including lockout/tagout, confined space, emergency planning, process safety documentation, and compliance-driven facility improvements.
Create and update ammonia system documentation, including P&IDs, utility requirements, equipment information, controls coordination, and PSM-compliant records that support safe operation.
Coordinate ammonia refrigeration safety needs with broader EH&S compliance, environmental permitting, hazardous materials reviews, and facility design decisions before issues become retrofits.

We begin by understanding the ammonia refrigeration system, covered processes, facility operations, applicable OSHA and EPA requirements, and existing documentation so the compliance effort is grounded in how the plant actually runs.
Hixson supports leading food, beverage, pharma, biotech, and cold chain clients with complex facility needs.
Hixson brings integrated engineering depth to high-consequence refrigeration safety and compliance work.
Founded in 1948, Hixson brings deep facility experience to complex regulated operations.
Twenty in-house technical disciplines coordinate process, mechanical, controls, safety, and facility requirements.
Food, beverage, pharma, biotech, and cold storage experience informs practical ammonia safety solutions.
Compliance is integrated with engineering deliverables to reduce retrofits, downtime, and audit exposure.
Specialized engineering leaders support safer, compliant industrial refrigeration programs.

Manager, Plumbing Systems & Fire Protection Engineering
John oversees the department responsible for the design and engineering of plumbing systems and fire protection engineering for a variety of project types, including new construction, building utility upgrades, utility capacity analyses, and process line additions. John and his team work with a range of systems, including domestic water, process water, hot water production, direct contact water heaters, high pressure/rinse water, compressed air, natural gas, sanitary drainage, process drainage, central sanitation systems, fire pumps, and fire sprinkler systems.

Manager, Controls & Automation Engineering
As the Manager of Hixson's Controls & Automation department, Craig guides the team responsible for designing, implementing, and commissioning advanced control systems and automation solutions. His responsibilities include overseeing the development of automation strategies that streamline manufacturing processes, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure seamless integration of new and existing systems.

Manager, Process Engineering
Warren leads the team providing processing design services, process optimization studies, and process commissioning and FAT, SAT, and IQ activities. He advises on waste, energy, and GHG emissions reductions, and conducts safety and dust evaluations, including PSM/HAZOP. His expertise spans all food and beverage sectors including fluid, dried and cultured dairy products, processed meat, flavors, and prepared foods. Warren is also on the IDFA Food Safety Committee and actively participates in the 3A, SSI steering committee, and work groups.

Manager, Civil Engineering
In his role as Manager of Civil Engineering, Steve leads the team responsible for the planning, design, and engineering of roads, stormwater hydraulics and modeling, and onsite utilities. On project work, Steve is responsible for civil site project design, specifications, technical design, and project coordination with the client, government regulatory bodies, outside consultants, and contractors. As a senior staff member with our firm, Steve also serves as a mentor to newer associates.

Vice President & Director, Project Management Services
Chris, a Hixson officer and member of the Board of Directors, oversees Hixson’s Project Management, Cost Estimating, and Construction Administration departments. Chris also serves in a project management role, leading teams consisting of representatives from the client, Hixson, contractors, and vendors to effective project completion. Chris assumes overall responsibility for development of project delivery strategies, coordination of all Hixson disciplines, and facilitating effective communication and management to focus resources on delivering high-quality projects on time and within budget.

Manager, Mechanical Engineering
Dave brings more than three decades of experience to his role as the Manager of Hixson’s Mechanical Engineering Department. His work has included the design and project management of new facilities, as well as modification of existing facilities for high technology and food processing industries. At a corporate level, Dave is a member of Hixson’s Dairy and Beverage Industry team, which works to continuously improve the value Hixson offers to the dairy industry through development of our knowledge base, services and capabilities.

Manager, Electrical Engineering
Kyle serves as the Manager of Hixson’s Electrical Engineering department. In this role, he oversees the team responsible for the creation and delivery of electrical designs. This includes the design of high, medium, and low voltage power distribution, lighting, telecommunications, and fire alarm systems. Kyle brings more than 15 years of experience in electrical consulting and design to his role. Areas in which Kyle specializes include electrically hazardous area classification, high- and medium-voltage power distribution, protective relaying, arc flash studies, harmonics analysis, cogeneration design, emergency systems design, and complex laboratory designs.

Senior Vice President, and Director, Mechanical & Electrical Engineering
Scott, an officer of the firm, leads the teams responsible for mechanical and electrical project tasks and design, specifications, technical content, consultation during equipment selection and installation and systems start-up assistance. In addition, Scott also serves as the Quality Assurance Manager, overseeing the firm’s commitment to quality. Over Scott’s more than three decades of experience, he has worked on greenfield, brownfield, and renovation projects for food & beverage plants in all sectors, labs, pharma & biotech facilities, and workplace projects.

Manager, Manufacturing Engineering
In his role as Manager of Hixson’s Manufacturing Engineering department, Scott leads the team responsible for project consulting and coordination between client, vendor, and internal disciplines within Hixson for overall manufacturing processes, functionality, equipment, and layouts. These team members develop process flow diagrams, equipment lists, and preliminary utility requirements, as well as develop equipment layouts that range from high level master planning to detailed construction documents. In addition to this role, Scott is a member of Hixson’s Meat Industry advisory team, focusing on technologies related to the meat and plant protein industry.

Director of Architecture
Derek is the Director of Hixson’s Architecture department. In this role, Derek leads the teams who design projects for our Food & Beverage, Pharma & Biotech, Laboratory, and Workplace clients. Previously, Derek served as the Manager of Hixson’s Process Layout department, where he directed the team that plays a critical coordination role in the overall development of process models and the 3D equipment model management process. Prior to these management roles, Derek, who began his career with Hixson in 2008, served as a Project Architect.
Key ammonia precautions include maintaining accurate P&IDs, verifying relief and ventilation systems, using trained operators, controlling access to machinery rooms, following lockout/tagout procedures, and keeping emergency response plans current. Facilities should also monitor for leaks, maintain detection and alarm systems, use appropriate PPE, and conduct regular inspections, drills, and hazard reviews.
Talk with Hixson’s engineering team about your refrigeration safety needs.
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Recognized in core industry sectors.
Tell us about your facility, ammonia system, documentation status, and safety goals. Hixson will help identify the right next step for PSM, PHA, RMP, or engineering support.
For immediate assistance, feel free to give us a direct call at +1 513-241-1230. You can also send us a quick email at info@hixson-inc.com.
For immediate assistance, feel free to give us a direct call at +1 513-241-1230. You can also send us a quick email at info@hixson-inc.com.