Yes, I’m well aware that EPA has officially stated that an Org Chart showing who is responsible for the various elements is all that is need to “comply”. But in an actual functioning process safety management system, we will not only define who is responsible for each element but we will also explain HOW each […]
We have all been there… the auditor identified several “physical changes” during their walk-thru of the process, and when it comes time to audit the MOC element, they begin asking for completed MOCs (and PSSRs). And like everyone before us and mostly after us, we will have made changes that needed a MOC, but we
OSHA’s and EPA’s process safety standards require a lot of specific training in order to meet their minimum compliance requirements; however, in this article, I want to point out that although OSHA or EPA makes no specific mention of this training, the training is ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY for a functioning process safety management system.
A central Illinois grain-handling cooperative exposed workers to serious engulfment hazards when soybeans collapsed inside a bin and engulfed an employee up to their waist. An investigation by OSHA found that two workers were clearing the bin of crops and debris when the February 19, 2021, incident occurred. OSHA proposed $303,510 in penalties after identifying
A worker at a milk packaging plant operated by a large supermarket chain lost four fingers while operating a molding machine that lacked the required safeguards. OSHA investigated the Feb. 12 incident and cited the business for two (2) willful and five (5) serious violations and one (1) other than serious violation for: Failing to
Corrective action and change management programs secure the proportionate, prioritized close-out of actions arising from monitoring, investigations, audits, and safety management system reviews. Taking from the “Five Themes for Excellence in Safety Management Systems (SMS),” we can look at a facility’s approach to its Corrective Action Plans (CAP) process through this lens of excellence and
Oregon OSHA has fined a custom crush winery in Dundee $11,100 for violating job safety standards designed to protect workers from the hazards of confined spaces. The division cited the winery following an investigation into the death of a worker. The investigation found that at approximately 10:30 a.m. Feb. 1, 2021, a cellar worker was
When trying to assure that people will work in a safe environment, it is imperative to understand how a building is intended to be used. The code classification system for buildings is therefore based upon how the building is intended to be used. The safety of building occupants cannot be assured if only the construction
Call me crazy, but this just blew me away. And once again we find ourselves faced with an “industry practice” vs. “RAGAGEP”. We were at a facility several years ago where pieces of equipment are painted and this painting is a huge pride of the manufacturing sector and hence they have some very tight QA
We often get asked: Do I need to install a gas detector in the room? Well, it’s pretty easy in my state, as in most cases we have dealt with, the state fire/HAZMAT code required it. The code includes basic requirements for ALL gas detection systems and covers: For example, meat production facilities use Nitrogen
Just an FYI for those of you outside of Canada… there are fourteen (14) jurisdictions in Canada – one (1) federal, ten (10) provincial, and three (3) territorial each having its own occupational health and safety legislation. Federal legislation covers employees of the federal government including Crown agencies and corporations across Canada. The federal health
Respondent operates an ammonia refrigeration plant with 50,629 pounds of anhydrous ammonia which is an RMProgram level 3 covered process. On March 27, 2019, the EPA conducted an on-site inspection of the RMProgram related records and equipment for the purpose of assessing the Respondent’s compliance with the RMProgram requirements and the implemented recognized and generally
