Why the PRCS standard begins when any part of the body breaks the plane
At 2:00 p.m. on October 12, 2021, an employee was working on top of a fermentation tank (a confined space), preparing to install a spray nozzle and attach it via a hose to the pump-over riser to begin a pump over. The employee opened the fermentation tank and was found lying on the platform with
A Trash Compactors is PRCS
At 1:00 p.m. on December 16, 2021, an employee was retrieving a waste drum that had fallen into a trash compactor. While the employee was inside the compactor, the waste company attempted to remove the compactor, and the employee was unable to exit. The employee suffered crush/contusion injuries from the waste compactor and was hospitalized,
Using LPG Torch inside silo (Flash Fire fatality)
At 4:45 p.m. on December 3, 2021, an employee was using a propane torch to loosen asphalt from the ejection chute of a silo while cleaning the chute. A flash fire occurred at the opening of the chute, striking the employee. The employee incurred 3rd-degree burns on 65% to 75% of his body, a broken
Administrative control weaknesses (PIT vs Worker)
At 4:30 a.m. on December 31, 2021, two employees were walking in a Powered Industrial Truck (PIT) traffic area when an Electrical Tow Motor struck them. The employer established a PIT traffic only during dispatching hours between 4:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., which is enforced by posting a supervisor to stop foot traffic. The facility
Paint thinner and open flame heater
At 1:30 p.m. on December 27, 2021, two employees worked in spray painting operations on a ship. At some point, the hose line was clogged with debris and paint material. The employees poured paint thinner into the hose to attempt to clear the clog. Employee #1 held the hose line while Employee #2 regulated the
Quantifying Risks – Into to Risk Matrix
An into to using a Risk Matrix, with working examples. I use the most basic 9-Block matrix in this session. What is a Risk Matrix? Why use a Risk Metrix? Likelihood and Severity Worked Examples
Safety Engineering Series
Here are my high-level training (1-hour) materials on Safety Engineering Principles: PREVENT – PROTECT- MITIGATE Swiss Cheese Model Layers of Protection Hierarchy of Hazard Control Measures
Why “EXITING” must be simple (Human Factors 101)
There is sound logic behind these, apparently not so obvious, egress requirements: IFC, 2018, Chapter 10: Means of Egress, 1010.1.9 Door operationsExcept as specifically permitted by this section, egress doors shall be readily openable from the egress side without the use of a key or special knowledge or effort. 29 CFR 1910.36(d)(1) Employees must
EPA issues RMP/EPCRA citations @ frozen foods processing facility (NH3 & $100K)
Respondent is the owner and operator of a frozen foods processing facility that includes anhydrous ammonia storage tanks, valves, piping, compressors, freezer tunnels, and other buildings, structures, equipment, installations, or substance-emitting stationary activities from which an accidental release of anhydrous ammonia may occur; which belong to the same industrial group; which are located on one
Understanding your decisions and the risks
As one of my favorite authors said in his book “Risk Makes Sense”… Remember that the biggest danger in risk assessment is not the threat itself but the mind space of the person who overlooks, underestimates, ignores, or is perhaps deluded in their assessment of that risk.Dr. Robert Long, Risk Makes Sense If you have