2019 edition of the National Board Inspection Code (NBIC) summary of major changes
The 2019 edition of the National Board Inspection Code (NBIC) has been available for purchase since July 1st, 2019. Here is a summary of the major changes:
Anhydrous Ammonia hydrostatic expansion event?
This is another picture that was shared with me and is making the rounds on social media. It certainly appears to be a liquid (hydrostatic) expansion event on a stainless steel pipe. The story goes and I can certainly see this happening… Valve installed when hot out. Valve didn’t fully seat and allows vapor to
Hazards of Improper weld repair and failed hydrostatic pressure testing?
I have many questions about this picture but was told this was the results of a failed hydrostatic pressure test after a non-certified repair was made. Has anyone seen this picture before? Got an incident report to go along with the image? My source is very trustworthy, but I just would like to have an
Toluene applied in a 10′ X 8′ X 5.5′ pit using an APR as protection (PRCS Fatality – O2 Deficiency)
Another example of not understanding the chemical hazards in your CS/PRCS… This OSHA case shows us that “pits”, even those that would are not identified as a PRCS in a site evaluation can be deadly from the work we do inside them! When using a chemical that has a Vapor Density 3X’s that of air (1)
Dispelling the myth… entry into a PRCS requires ventilation
I am guessing that maybe we should have had the “Top 11 Myths” rather than the “Top 10 Myths” in our presentation at Safety2019! I continue to get emails from folks who want to convince me that “ventilation is required for all entries into PRCSs”. I have even had a face-to-face discussion with an OSHA
What is the FAMILY SAFETY STANDARD to work and live by?
I was always taught from my very first Plant Manager the “standard of safety/risk” is FAMILY. When that manager/supervisor would not think twice of having one of their family members work in their department/unit, they have then achieved the FAMILY SAFETY STANDARD. Now I am not talking about their children, but if they had a
What is an approved self-closing valve?
This week I posted the requirement for transferring a flammable liquid using “gravity”. This requirement comes from OSHA’s flammable liquid standard… 1910.106(e)(2)(iv)(d) flammable liquids shall be drawn from or transferred into vessels, containers, or portable tanks within a building only through a closed piping system, from safety cans, by means of a device drawing through
Transferring flammable liquids without a deadman valve can be deadly indeed!
There is a sound reason why OSHA’s Flammable Liquid Standard has required a deadman valve for over 40 years and it is the same reason why I have written about their use for 20 years… When things go bad and you need to get the heck out of dodge quickly, you can do so AND
EPA RMP GDC citations @ windshield wiper fluid manufacturing facility (Methanol & $197K)
PLEASE NOTE this case is significant in that many facilities in the OSHA arena will EXEMPT their “methanol” from PSM coverage using the “Atmospheric Storage Tank” exemption (e.g. 1910.119(a)(1)(ii)(B) or called the “Meer Decision”). EPA couldn’t care less about this OSHA exemption, as is evident in this case! There is NO EPA RMP exemption for flammable liquids stored
International methods of Energy Isolation (RISK BASED – SG253)
Since I shared my article last week on OSHA’s position of NOT allowing “exclusive control” to be carried over to process valves like we do with “cord and plug” electrical equipment, my international friends and clients have been having quite the chuckle at us here in the USA. They all say virtually the same thing…
OSHA clarifies the 6-month testing frequency of Rubber Insulating Electrical Gloves (1910.137)
One of the more common deficiencies that we find in our audits is the lack of electrical gloves testing. 1910.137, Table I-5 establishes the testing frequency for these gloves; however, the confusion comes with the “footnote” which states… If the insulating equipment has been electrically tested but not issued for service, the insulating equipment may not
EPA RMP citations @ LPG and Butane facility
Respondent owns and operates a liquefied petroleum gas plant which handled and handles a maximum of approximately 3,548,000 pounds of propane and 761,400 pounds of butane at the Facility. EPA conducted an inspection of the Facility on October 17, 2018 to determine Respondent’s compliance with CAA Section 112(r)(l) and (7) and the Chemical Accident Prevention