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Who and When… (March 2023)

Who said the following, and what year was it said? “The prevention of accidents is a science, but it is not so recognized nor is it treated scientifically today. In our endeavors to solve other problems we proceed logically enough to find out what is wrong and then to make it right; but when it…...

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OSHA PSM citations @ refinery (Flammables & $156K)

A federal investigation into two workers’ fatal burns at an Oregon, Ohio, refinery’s crude unit found its operator violated OSHA’s process safety procedures for highly hazardous materials and failed to train the workers adequately.   As the workers attempted to correct rising liquid levels in the fuel gas mix drum, a flammable vapor cloud formed, ignited,…...

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Human Factors 101… when you see it

Another “when you see it” human factors screw up from a traveling SAFTENG Lifetime Member…. thanks Victor Dearman We want to wish you all the luck in getting out of that parking garage. ? At a mall in Louisiana, when you see it…… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership...

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Is “short-threading” and “3-threads showing” a thing of the past?

Whenever we are dealing with piping and vessels that use nuts and bolts as their joining method, there was always this “rule of thumb” about “short-threading” and “3-threads showing.”  But now these “rules of thumb” may be no more, based on ASME PCC-1–2019, 8.2 Bolt Lengths.   I was raised/trained in this as a fundamental in…...

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EPA RMP Citations @ transmix refinery facility (NH3, SO2, H2, Flammable Mixtures & $299K)

At all times relevant to this CAFO, Respondent operated at a facility that refined transmix. Transmix is a mixture of refined products such as gasoline, diesel, and/or jet fuel that results when refined materials are transported in pipelines. The intermingling of products at portions of a pipeline stream can result in the material of an…...

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Safety Thought of the Week… front-line operators are rarely the principal instigators of system breakdown

“Several recent accidents in complex, high-risk technologies had their primary origins in a variety of delayed-action human failures committed long before an emergency state could be recognized. These disasters were due to the adverse conjunction of a large number of causal factors, each one necessary but singly insufficient to achieve the catastrophic outcome. Although the…...

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An organization’s incident investigation process says a lot about its safety maturity

Taking from the “Five Themes for Excellence in Safety Management Systems (SMS)”, we can look at a facility’s incident investigation process through this lens of excellence and measure the maturity of the safety culture.  To recap the progression, here are the five levels: Ad-Hoc Managed Standardized Predictable Excellence Using an organization’s incident investigation process, we…...

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Seven attributes of an integrated culture of safety

The significant ways of thinking and doing, which underpin a positive health and safety (H&S) culture suited to the organization, are identified and applied.  Culture is a lever that can assist the board and senior managers in improving company and safety performance. Setting out a culture strategy for H&S as part of a health and…...

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Which style management do you prefer: Transformational or Transactional

Leadership research is pervasive in the organizational literature, and studies in mental health services suggest that leadership is essential for both the organizational process and consumer satisfaction and outcomes. Glisson and Durick found that higher levels of positive leadership in human service organizations were associated with higher levels of organizational commitment. Higher levels of positive…...

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Five themes for excellence in health and Safety Management Systems (SMS)

The following descriptions of excellence have been set for each of the main areas of an effective SMS: Health and safety policy and leadership Organizing for control and communication Securing cooperation, competence, and development of employees at all levels Planning and implementation of risk controls through co-ordinated management arrangements Monitoring, reviewing, and auditing to provide…...

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Details matter in our SOPs/SWPs (Changing your clocks)

Your instructions to “change my clock” was confusing, but I think I nailed it. Now I’m off to change the batteries in my smoke detector.  … Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...

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Argon in 20″ pipe leads to welder asphyxiating

During construction work at an LNG plant, Argon was used in Corrosion Resistant Alloy (CRA) welding to remove oxygen from the molten weld. The Argon accumulated in the piping, and when the welder checked the weld from inside, he fainted and died.          … Membership Required You must be a member to...

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