Many in safety may not recognize that the “burst pressure” of piping is NOT the same as the Maximum Allowable Working Pressure (MAWP). ASME B31.3 requires the facility to identify and work within the MAWP. For those who may not know the difference and why it matters…
July 10, 2026, marks the 50th anniversary of the Seveso chemical disaster in Italy. The European Commission has reaffirmed its commitment to the Seveso Directive, which serves as a global benchmark for industrial safety, while emphasizing the need to adapt to emerging risks like cybersecurity and the energy transition.
The 2026 edition of the code no longer relies on cross-referencing NFPA 55. This code now has full scope over all requirements related to hydrogen storage, use, and handling. This is a result of the NFPA Standards Council clarifying that the scope of the technical committee responsible for revising this code must be referred to
First, I am as guilty as anyone for using these terms interchangeably, but this week I was in a deep discussion on PRCS Isolation and those on the other end of the phone were getting confused as I was using these terms interchangeably. So I am setting the record straight on this topic, as it
Recent technological advancements that employ computer-based controls of hazardous energy (e.g., mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, chemical, and radiation) conflict with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) existing lock-out/tag-out (LOTO) standard. The use of these computer-based controls has become more prevalent as equipment manufacturers modernize their designs to increase productivity. Additionally, National Consensus Standards have evolved, and
My official question to OSHA was… Recently, OSHA issued an LOI aligning with NFPA 350 regarding PRCS isolation. In particular, OSHA stated that a pipe passing through a PRCS but not terminating within the space would NOT have to be isolated and evacuated. I want to know if this practice would be acceptable if the
Four (4) people were killed, and several others sustained injuries after an LPG tanker crashed into a toll plaza and erupted in flames. The tanker was carrying around 18 tons of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and lost control before crashing into the toll plaza. According to the police, the tanker first hit a road divider
A fire ignited inside a silo (a confined space) at this firm’s sawmill, and the water used to extinguish it had frozen the wood fiber inside the silo. While a subcontractor’s worker was pressure washing the fiber inside the silo, a large volume of fiber dislodged from an overhang above the work area. The fiber
The primary difference between a pipe vent and a pipe drain lies in their location and function within a piping system. In both industrial process piping and residential plumbing, they serve as essential controls for pressure and fluid management.
While the terms “Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)” and “Non-Destructive Examination (NDE)” are often used interchangeably in casual professional conversation, they have distinct technical nuances based on the depth of the process and the intended outcome.
Employee #1 was injured when the 300-gallon air receiver of an air compressor unit ruptured, resulting in severe injuries to both his legs. The accident was caused by rust inside the receiver, which weakened the steel because the receiver was not drained. The safety valve was inoperative due to corrosion from a lack of testing.
