2013 Photo of the Week #47 (Confined Space Safety)
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2013 Video of the Week #47 (Pressure Vessel Hydro Failure)
This week’s video is meant to keep our focus on pressure vessel management. Although this video is on a MUCH smaller scale than what an industrial plant would deal with, it does show us how a pressure vessel is hydro’ed (pressure tested), how the vessel can fail, how critical it is to uses “coded/certified” welders,…...
Engineering Controls and Economic Feasibility
Most safety professionals practice the hierarchy of controls: Elimination/Substitution, Engineering Controls, Administrative Controls, and LASTLY Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). But there is always this thing called “feasibility” when it came to asking for capital to install “engineering controls”. Earlier this year OSHA issued a memo discussing how they would enforce 1910.95(b)(1), which requires employers to…...
Turkey Fryer Fire Demonstration, presented by William Shatner & State Farm®
PLEASE share this video with all your family, friends, and co-workers. More cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving Day than any other day of the year, according to State Farm claims data. In fact, grease and cooking-related claims more than DOUBLE on Thanksgiving Day compared to an average day in November. With the popularity of turkey…...
Confined Space Rescue GUIDANCE that should be taken to heart (WorkSafe BC)
By definition, confined spaces have limited or restricted access that may make rescue difficult. There must be written rescue procedures for confined spaces. Read this section for information on the responsibilities of rescue personnel and rescue procedures and equipment. Some employers believe that having a good rescue team is the most important part of a…...
Confined Space Isolation GUIDANCE that should be taken to heart (WorkSafe BC)
This is not the first time I have suggested using other government regulations to improve our baseline safe work practices. But WorkSafe BC has done such a nice job in this publication that we all need to cut and paste these isolation requirements into our current confined space entry program. These isolation requirements are just…...
National Board Report of Violation Findings for Second Quarter 2013
The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors has released its Second Quarter Report of Violation Findings for 2013. The data captures problem areas and trends related to boiler and pressure vessel operation, installation, maintenance, and repair; and also identifies problems before unsafe conditions occur. This report serves as an important source of…...
Safety and Security Plans for Class 3 Hazardous Materials Transported by Rail
PHMSA and FRA are issuing this safety advisory as a follow-up to the agencies’ joint safety advisory published on August 7, 2013 and FRA’s Emergency Order No. 28 published that same day, both of which relate to the July 6, 2013, catastrophic accident in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec. In this safety advisory, PHMSA and FRA are reinforcing…...
Another example of Catastrophic Pressure Vessel failure
The recent CSB report involving a catastrophic failure of a pressure vessel is causing quite a stir among engineering, safety, and process safety circles. I have received several e-mails and a couple of phone calls claiming the CSB incident is “very rare” and that the vast majority of pressure vessels are managed properly. Much like…...
42 incidents & 1 update (11/20/13)
MANY THANKS to my RENEWING Partners in Safety 2013 Fatality Tracker Electrical 32 (2012 = 68) (2011 = 81) (2010 = 90) (2009 = 100) Forklift/Manlift 62 (2012 = 52) (2011 = 84) (2010 = 110) (2009 = 88) Mining* 78 (2012 = 92*) (2011 = 248) (2010 = 480) (2009 = 586) *no…...
Listen Up – Safety Awareness Training for Noise and Hearing for the Construction Industry Tuesday, December 3rd
Every year, approximately 30 million people in the United States are occupationally exposed to hazardous noise. Noise-related hearing loss has been listed as one of the most prevalent occupational health concerns in the United States for more than 25 years. Thousands of workers in a variety of industries suffer from preventable hearing loss due to…...
OSHA cites food plant with REPEAT PSM citations (NH3 & $121K)
OSHA has cited a processor of chicken, beef and pork for repeat and serious violations of workplace safety standards following an inspection at a NY manufacturing plant. The proposed fines total of $121,720. The inspection, which began on May 15, was conducted under OSHA’s Site Specific Targeting Program, which directs enforcement resources to high-hazard workplaces…...