In February 2024, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and PHMSA issued a safety advisory to provide notice of the possibility of catastrophic failure of nurse tanks. This notice focused on nurse tanks manufactured from January 1, 2007, through December 31, 2011, by American Welding and Tank (AWT) at its Fremont, Ohio plant. Nurse…...
Think about… when we are working around chemicals, we typically look at forms of exposure such as inhalation, absorption through the skin, etc., and we wear the appropriate PPE. For example, we may wear a full-face respirator, gloves, and an apron to protect against splash and vapors. But there is one organ that is normally…...
This is a pet peeve of mine: DETAILS MATTER in safety procedures and safe work practices. One thing we commonly find is some very generic language in LOTO procedures for how to verify each energy source has been isolated and is at a Zero Energy State (ZES). For example, you’re performing a “periodic inspection,” and…...
OSHA has cited a big rig parts distributor for 16 serious safety violations after an investigation into a worker fatality found the company exposed workers to confined space and other safety hazards. OSHA initiated an inspection on Jan. 7, 2026, after an employee asphyxiated while inspecting a tanker trailer. OSHA cited the company for 16…...
This is WHY we need the CSB! We would never get this type of analysis from an OSHA investigation/report. No offense to my friends at OSHA, its just this type of analysis and passing on the critical information is not part of their charter. Today, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released…...
Every once in a while, I come across a process design that leads to code issues down the road. This usually occurs with small pressure vessels (e.g., less than 5 cubic ft) that fall outside the scope of ASME Section VIII and also fall outside the scope of being a “confined space” (e.g., too small…...
The definition of stationary source includes transportation containers used for storage not incident to transportation and transportation containers connected to equipment at a stationary source for loading or unloading (40 CFR Section 68.3). In a January 6, 1998 final rule (63 FR 640), EPA clarified that if a container remains attached to the motive power that…...
There is no specific list of substances that subjects a stationary source owner or operator to the general duty provisions. The general duty provisions apply to owners and operators of all stationary sources that have any “extremely hazardous substances”. Extremely hazardous substances are NOT limited to the list of regulated substances listed under section 112(r),…...
Drums containing regulated substances (listed in 40 CFR §68.130) are stored in several separate locations at a stationary source and there is no possibility that an accidental release in any of the individual storage areas would impact any of the other storage areas. Must the overall amount of the regulated substance present at the stationary…...
PLEASE ensure your “life safety” contractor inspector for Exits, Fire Extinguishers, EW/SSs, etc., is FULLY trained on the hazards of the area(s) they will be working in. This year, we have found two (2) national companies that provide these inspection services using electronic devices NOT rated for the hazardous areas where they are working. We…...
We have 12 SCBA bottles/cylinders that were manufactured in 2003. These specific DOT bottles/cylinders came with a 15-year service life; meaning the service life expired in 2018. They were all Hydro’ed on schedule for their three (3) hydros in 2008, 2013, and 2018. KEY POINT: None of the bottles/cylinders have been used since 2018 (pointing
In an industrial and occupational safety context, a line break accident occurs when workers open pipes, valves, flanges, or vessels containing hazardous materials—such as toxic chemicals, flammable liquids, high-pressure gases, or high-temperature steam—and an unintended release occurs. Because these accidents can result in severe chemical burns, toxic inhalation, explosions, or physical trauma from pressure blasts,…...
