After cleaning with steam a tank was quenched with cold water to shorten the cooling time (not normal practice). The tank vent was not calculated for the vacuum resulting from this rapid quenching operation, resulting in a collapsed tank (without liquid release). SOURCE: EPSC Learning Sheet
Back in May 2020 and January 2021, I posted the first two parts of this three-part series on the hazards of Liquid Nitrogen. These articles were prompted by the OSHA and State Fire Marshal cases involving fatalities at cattle and human sperm bank businesses. Then, in January of this year, we had the GA Food
Does OSHA’s PSM Standard, 29 CFR § 1910.119 apply to LNG export facilities? No, and here is why…
How often do the operators within your PSM/RMP covered process(s) actually use their operating procedures? Hourly, Daily, Weekly, Monthly, every three years during refresher training? How often do we think they should be using their operating procedures? How many times have you pulled the SOP binder off the shelf to find it covered in dust
What is the Assigned Protection Factor (APF) for a Powered Air-Purifying Respirator (PAPR)? Most people will claim 1,000 and with that, we are already off the rails!!! SAFTENG members can refer back to my 2015 article (What is the ACTUAL assigned protection factor for Powered Air Purifying Respirators (PAPR) WITHOUT a tight-fitting facepiece?) where I
Have you ever seen the Wizard of Oz? It is a classic and I highly recommend it, even as an adult first-time viewer. But the theme of the movie can relate to the safety profession. During my internship in the summer of 1992, I worked with a great safety professional, Garth Newman. Garth was preparing
OSHA titled the standard, “Mini Respiratory Protection Program“, but when we read it we see that it could very easily be applied to “voluntary use” NOT associated with COVID 19. So I ask, could this “emergency standard” become permanent and have 1910.134(c)(2) refer to this “standard”? OSHA has made it VERY clear that at this
NIOSH is recommending a new standard in face masks for workplaces, called Workplace Performance and Workplace Performance Plus masks Manufacturing masks that comply with the new NIOSH criteria can help protect people in the workplace from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. These masks CANNOT be used as a replacement for respiratory protection when it
In the 2021 revisions to the National Board Part 4 – Pressure Relief Devices, the code formally recognizes the need for an “intervening valve” on the discharge side of a relief valve. The code, section 2.5.6 allows this in the following manner:
The 2021 NBIC Draft Edition has been officially approved by the NBIC Committee. The list of major changes found below will appear in the 2021 NBIC. The four-part set: Part 1- Installation (162 Pages) Part 2- Inspection (402 Pages) Part 3- Repairs and Alterations (312 Pages) Part 4- Pressure Relief Devices (144 Pages) will cost
Much like The National Board did, ASME is now splitting out its relief systems into a new section. The NB created Part 4 – Pressure Relief Devices in 2017 and now ASME is following suit and has created Section XIII, Rules for Overpressure Protection (available 7/31/21). This new section in the 2021 edition of the
For 20 years now, when teaching any of my process safety courses I make the student repeat this three times: UPWARDS and UNOBSTRUCTED, UPWARDS and UNOBSTRUCTED, UPWARDS and UNOBSTRUCTED. We do this when we get to the Relief System design basis. The vents to the atmosphere almost will always be required to be UPWARDS and
