The Chemical Reactivity Worksheet (CRW) is a free program you can use to find out about the reactivity of substances or mixtures of substances (reactivity is the tendency of substances to undergo chemical change). It includes: a database of reactivity information for more than 5,000 common hazardous chemicals; a way for you to virtually “mix”…...
FREE Chemical Reactivity Worksheet Read More »
Slips, Trips and Falls on same level still leading The estimated direct U.S. workers compensation costs for the most disabling workplace injuries and illnesses in 2006 were $48.6 billion. This finding and many others are presented in the 2008 Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index. Produced annually, the Workplace Safety Index identifies the leading causes of…...
The Most Disabling Workplace Injuries Cost Industry an Estimated $48.6 Billion Read More »
OSHA answered this question in 2006 in the LOI, Requirement for flame-resistant clothing in petrochemical plant covered by PSM. Although, OSHA states in the LOI that they will cite the employer for 1910.132(a), 1910.132(d), 1910.119(f)(1)(iii)(B) and/or 1910.119(j)(2). OSHA makes reference to NFPA 2113, Standard on Selection, Care, Use and Maintenance of Flame-Resistant Garments for Protection…...
When is Flame Retardant Clothing (FRC) Really required? Read More »
In this final rule, PHMSA is amending the Hazardous Materials Regulations to clarify requirements governing emergency response information services provided by arrangement with hazardous materials offerors (shippers). In order to preserve the effectiveness of these arrangements for providing accurate and timely emergency response information, PHMSA is requiring basic identifying information (offeror name or contract number)…...
DOT Revises the Requirements for Emergency Response Telephone Numbers Read More »
This new tool was designed for oil spill responders, but should be useful to many others. The NOAA Unit Converter for Oil Spills (NUCOS) is a simple desktop tool that converts basic units of velocity, mass, length, etc., but more specifically, converts units that are unique to oil spill response. NUCOS includes some of the…...
NUCOS: Unit Converter for Spill Responders Read More »
Most of us have a LPG tank on site and many of us have multiple tanks lined up next to each other. As part of their “Coffee Break” training the United States Fire Administration (USFA) has just released a GREAT resource for our engineering groups to aid them when locating these LPG tanks. Now this…...
Bulk Liquefied Petroleum Gas Container Separation Distances Read More »
We continue to see businesses using many methods to identify their lockout locks, many of which are NOT acceptable to OSHA. 1910.147(c)(5)(ii)(B) states: Lockout and tagout devices shall be standardized within the facility in at least one of the following criteria: color; shape; or size… Most businesses use color, and we can have multiple colors…...
We have THREE Choices to Identify our Lockout Locks Read More »
We continue to see businesses using tagout when locks can be used and they dispute us when we attempt to explain to them that locks MUST be used when they can, UNLESS the employer can show that their tags are EQUALLY effective as a lock. OSHA REQUIRES Tag-Plus-One when using a tag in these situations. …...
Tagout vs. Lockout Read More »
As many of you already know, having good operating procedures that are regularly reviewed and updated is a vital part of the management process and helps ensure safety. Recently, an industry group conducted a survey on five major companies. See the Directors Corner for the survey questions and the responses of these surveyed companies…. Membership...
PSM Operating Procedures Survey Conducted Read More »
I often find folks are surprised when they are told that dust accumulations on ledges, equipment, rafters, etc. is a MAJOR hazard. We all know about suspended dust, but as humans we tend to feel more safe when we can not see the hazard, a concern we all carry as safety professionals. But dust accumulations…...
How Much dust is too much? Read More »
This week, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) issued a final rule that establishes interim design standards aimed at improving the crashworthiness of tank cars carrying poison inhalation hazard (PIH) materials. The rule mandates that tank cars carrying PIH materials, such as chlorine and anhydrous ammonia, feature thicker inner shells and/or outer jackets to improve…...
DOT final rule sets design standards for PIH-carrying tank cars Read More »
A MUST READ for businesses that use nurse tanks and for Emergency Responders who may respond to incident involving them!!! Based on eight (8) recent enforcement investigations, conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), Office of Hazardous Materials Enforcement (OHME), this letter is intended to notify the industry…...
DOT issues a Nurse Tank Safety and Compliance Advisory letter Read More »
