The Dirty Dozen highlights the most frequently observed human-related issues discovered during Fiscal Year 2022 agency mishaps and close-call investigations. Throughout the year, these issues contributed to $3,310,298.74 in damage costs and 630 workdays of lost time…. Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...
In Reason’s Swiss Cheese model, there are four “slices “or tiers of human error potential, divided into two sections: an “active” layer and “Latent Factors”: preconditions, Supervision, and Organization. The goal of the Human Factors Analysis and Classification System (HFACS) is to understand human factors throughout the system rather than stopping at the operator. Most…...
This is a reminder that if your ERP or Environmental Management System (EMS) has not been updated to reflect these “NEWER” CSB reporting requirements, the facility should consider updating these programs/processes and including the reporting requirements in EHS training. Also, line 9.8 of your RMP should list 40 CFR 1604 – Accidental Release Reporting. The…...
This is just an FYI to my Cl2 clients. Although the changes are NOT significant (0.1 – 0.3 miles), they are indeed changes to the Downwind Protective Action Distances. If you have used the 2020 ERG Distances in your Pre-Plans, which you or I did for your Emergency Response Plan (ERP), it may be beneficial…...
This is just an FYI to my NH3 clients. Although the changes are NOT significant (0.1 – 0.2 miles), they are indeed changes to the Downwind Protective Action Distances. If you have used the 2020 ERG Distances in your Pre-Plans that you or I did for your Emergency Response Plan (ERP), it may be beneficial…...
One of the many changes to the 2024 ERG, includes considerations for lithium battery and electric vehicle (EV) fires fire control. NOTE: the print editions are NOT yet available, but we can download the app (CLICK HERE) Water spray cools batteries and helps suppress and slow the release of toxic gases but does not…...
The Respondent formerly operated an ammonia refrigeration process at a distribution center and warehouse, which maintained a maximum inventory of the regulated toxic substance anhydrous ammonia at the Facility, which exceeds the threshold quantity of 10,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia as set forth in Table 1 at 40 C.F.R. § 68.130 and, therefore, has had…...
Are “safety cans” created equally? Nope, and which UL standard they meet will dictate how much “safety they provide.” OSHA’s 1910.106 defines a “safety can” as Safety can shall mean an approved container, of not more than 5 gallons capacity, having a spring-closing lid and spout cover and so designed that it will safely relieve…...
A Y-shaped strainer (filter) in a three-inch pipe ruptured. The failure occurred after pressure cycles induced by thermal expansion. The released isobutylene resulted in a gas cloud explosion and the company’s bankruptcy. Aspects: When a closed system filled with a liquid hydrocarbon raises the temperature, the pressure can rise above the design. Here, a brittle…...
Have you ever walked up to a atmopsheric storage tank and seen the paint bubbling and the hazard signs/placards faded/peeling off? Look up and you will most likely see the atmopsheric vent line on that side of the tank. What are these indicators of? The tank being over filled, which is a serious event and…...
Although it is done often, most state Fire Codes PROHIBIT the use of DOT tank vehicles and tank cars as “Flammable Liquid Storage Tanks.” We call this “dropping trailers,” and my 2014 Article “Dropping Trailers of Flammable Liquids” got quite the debate going. But trust me, there are sound engineering reasons why we can not…...
Recently, a facility experienced firsthand why the IFC and its state fire code PROHIBIT the movement of hazardous materials via the facility’s “tunnel system.” The code does not prohibit the use of the tunnel system or even in enclosed corridors. Still, the design requirements for these tunnel systems or enclosed corridors to move HAZMATs are…...
