Bryan Haywood

Safety masquerading behind Hi-Vis gear

I like the fact the thieves wore “high vis” clothing to make themselves look “legitimate”. But as the story points out they were getting injured in arc flash events. I support Hi Vis workwear, as it can’t hurt to be more visible in a busy workplace, especially with a lot of mobile equipment around. My…...

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If my bonding/grounding system’s resistance to ground needs to be <10/25 ohms, then why is ESD footwear allowed a resistance of 1,000,000 ohms?

This is another Top 10 question on flammable liquids safety I get from clients, cold calls, referrals, and friends. Most are familiar with the testing limits for path to ground on bonding/grounding stations of 10/25 ohms. In my previous post tonight I explained where these 10 and 25 ohm limits came from and how they…...

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If 1 meg-ohm is adequate resistance to ground, then why do we test to 10 or 25 ohms?

Theoretically, a resistance to ground of 1,000,000 ohms is considered capable of dissipating a static electrical charge. So why then does my safety program (and NFPA 77) require a resistance to ground of 10 or 25 ohms OR LESS, depending on the metal used in my system? (e.g. end-to-end resistance of a bonding wire should…...

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The CSB releases Volume 2 of its Incident Reports

Volume 2 covers 25 serious chemical incidents in 14 states: Arkansas, Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois,  Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska,  Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas.  These serious incidents resulted in 7 fatalities, 23 serious injuries, and approximately $1 billion in property damage. Link to Volume 2: http://www.idevmail.net/link.aspx?l=1&d=86&mid=421120&m=2672 The reports give the public important information about…...

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1983 Newark 1.8 Million Gasoline Storage Tank Explosion

On January 7, 1983, at approximately 12:15 am EST, a massive explosion, ignited by an overflowing gasoline storage tank at the Texaco storage facility in Newark, NJ, and a nearby incinerator, destroyed three tanks, killing one person and injuring 24, while the blast was felt up to 100 miles away. Cause:The explosion was said to…...

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Biofuel Tank Fire (12/2024; damaged heating coil)

Providence Fire Department Field Notes Date: 26Dec2024 Time: 15:04 Address: 130 Terminal Rd Incident No.: 2024-45273 Investigator: Eric Pedro SUMMARY  OVERVIEW… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...

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Static electricity from flowing gasoline?

Gasoline (UN1203) is a NON-conductive flammable liquid. These liquids, as all liquids, generate static electricity as they flow through hoses, piping, and free fall into tanks and containers. Since the liquid is non-conductive, it can not conduct the static charge to the hose/pipe/container so the charge can be dissipated to the “ground”. Authorities say quick…...

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No increase in dust explosion incidents last year, a decrease in injuries

Nine (9) grain dust explosions in 2024 in the USA caused two (2) injuries and NO fatalities. These numbers are similar to last year’s (nine explosions, 12 injuries, and no fatalities) and on par with the 10-year national average of 8.6 explosions. The explosions occurred in:… Membership Required You must be a member to access...

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LOTO Safety Myth #2 (Minor Servicing Exception)

Many folks will focus on ONLY three (3) criteria for applying this “exception” to OSHA LOTO standard 1910.147. And these (3) criteria are just opening the gates to LOTO Hell. Far too often we find the “exception” has become the rule and LOTO has become the exception. So what are the FIVE (5) criteria we…...

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Hazard ID is fundamental to any SMS and an ALJ who gets it

Sometimes a lawyer or set of lawyers can surprise us… This is a quote from a recent OSHRC ALJ decision, regarding the employer’s responsibility to conduct inspections of the workplace to identify and correct hazards: “As an employer, Respondent is obligated to provide safe working conditions and ensure safe work practices. Implicit in that obligation…...

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LOTO Safety Myth #1

I have written dozens of articles around these “safety myths”, but Jonathan Zimmerman and I were not selected to present this at ASSP several years ago so I thought I would share it as a series here. These are topics that I still get challenged on in 2024/2025 and often I am unable to convince…...

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