Bryan Haywood

Top 10 OSHA Cases in the History of OSHA

Seven (7) of the Top 10 OSHA citations were in General Industry; Three (3) were in construction. Of the Top 10 citations, ALL were issued in 2010 or earlier, dating back to 1989. Process Safety, Flammable Liquids, and Combustible Dusts drive the top four (4) citations ($114,251,500) The three (3) construction cases totaled $23,230,000… Membership...

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Another coworker starts a commercial grinder while a worker is performing servicing and maintenance (4 fingers amputated)

We see this all the time, although many folks think it is rare – why I am not sure, as this scenario is 100% why OSHA promulgated the Energy Control Standard in 1989, to PREVENT someone from energizing a machine/equipment while someone is performing servicing/mainteance on it. On Jan. 29, 2026, a worker was tasked…...

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CISA and Partners Urge Hardening Automatic Tank Gauge Systems

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National Security Agency (NSA), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Department of Transportation (DOT), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)—hereafter referred to as “the authoring organizations”—are aware of malicious cyber…...

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N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services issues a stop-sale order on “Ignik TapRack 4” brand Refillable Propane System

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has issued a stop-sale order for the Ignik TapRack 4 Refillable Propane System. This device failed to meet several safety standards enforced by the department’s Standards Division. Manufacturers and distributors will have six months to remove these products from retail locations. Online sales shall include a note…...

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The two-word phrase “at least” carries a huge impact in safety

I have discussed the phrase “at least” in 39 articles I have posted over the 30 years of SAFTENG’s existence. Most of my references are to process safety matters, but it is also widely used in OSH standards and codes. And still today, it is as big a “trap” as it was when I started…...

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Is it an issue when one (1) threaded rod/bolt is longer than the others when on a flange?

Yes, having threaded rods of inconsistent lengths on a single flange is a mechanical integrity concern. While it may seem like a minor aesthetic issue, it directly impacts the ability to achieve a secure, uniform pressure boundary. Why Inconsistent THREADED Rod/Bolt Lengths are a Problem… Membership Required You must be a member to access this...

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“Weep Holes” are not just for draining rainwater

In an early post this morning, I discussed the need for “rain caps” and “weep holes” on our Pressure Safety Relief systems. And a dear friend and great ChemE reminded me that “weep Holes” are not just for draining rainwater. For example, this week I was working with an NH3 client, and I must state…...

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Do I need a “weep hole” at my PSV discharge if I have a “rain cap” on the end of my vent lines/discharge piping?

Yes, we still need to consider drainage at the low point of our discharge piping, even with a “rain cap”. While a rain cap is designed to deflect direct vertical precipitation from entering the discharge lines/piping, it is not a hermetic seal. Over time, moisture can still enter the discharge piping through condensation, wind-driven rain,…...

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An explosion in the dryer system injured three workers

During a maintenance shutdown at a wood pellet plant, three workers employed by a mill machinery service company were working at the mill to clean the burner. The workers were standing at the opening of a burner door when an explosion occurred in the dryer system. The three workers were knocked backward by the force…...

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Workers were injured in an explosion and fire when an electrostatic discharge ignited flammable vapors

At a wellsite, two workers operating a vacuum truck were vacuuming and cleaning fluids, sludge, and sediment from a low-pressure separator vessel (LPS). Other workers opened two hatches on the LPS and inserted their vacuum hose into a debris-catch opening. Suddenly, an explosion occurred inside the LPS, resulting in a flash fire. One of the…...

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The worker died after an explosion and fire during a truck-to-truck fuel transfer (Static Electricity)

A worker was standing on top of a tanker truck to transfer gasoline from a tanker trailer to the tanker truck. The tanker truck’s engine was running, and the pumping system was engaged. The worker opened access hole covers to a compartment in the truck that held diesel and to another that was empty. Some…...

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Line Break Gone Bad – Worker seriously injured while replacing a leaky gasket in a steam plant

In a steam plant at a plywood mill, two (2) workers were attempting to replace a leaky nipple and gasket at the end of a condensate header. As they were loosening or removing nuts from the outer flange at the end of the header, one worker was sprayed with steam and condensate (hot water). The…...

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