We routinely find facility siting issues when LPG Tank(s) and Flammable Liquid Tank(s) are located in the same area. OSHA, NFPA, IFC, etc., all require a separation distance between the two (2) types of tanks. This is ALL about preventing a setup for a BLEVE, as a pool of flammable liquid finding its way under […]
An ammonia system at an industrial food processing facility over-pressured, activating one of its overpressure safety relief valves. Ammonia was released into the atmosphere for approximately eight (8) minutes until the refrigeration compressor was manually shut down by disconnecting the supply power, and the pressure in the system was reduced. INVESTIGATION CONCLUSIONS
Employee #1 was using an oxygen-acetylene torch to weld a sign to the top of a school bus in the southwestern bay of a six-bay garage. While performing this task, he sprayed water from a fire extinguisher onto a coworker walking by the bus. In retaliation, the coworker picked up a hubcap filled with liquid
At 11:43 a.m. on February 24, 2025, Employee #1 was spray painting aircraft parts while wearing a supplied air respirator. Nitrogen backflowed into the breathing air system, displacing oxygen and causing the employee to be asphyxiated. Employee #1 was fatally injured.
Department of Labor finds New Mexico company wrongfully fired inspector who raised concerns during gas pipeline installation at Oklahoma site OKLAHOMA CITY – The U.S. Department of Labor has ordered a New Mexico-based inspection company to reinstate and compensate a terminated worker who reported safety concerns during the installation of a natural gas pipeline in
Way back in 2015, I shared a practice I have used for most of my career, after working a major turnaround back in the 1990’s. And anyone who has worked a turnaround at a processing plant will certainly understand what I am trying to address with this practice. Bottom line, we should NEVER put the
Lead the PHA team to think through the safeguards that are in place that are intended to:
Respondent owns a facility (the “Facility”) that uses anhydrous ammonia as a refrigerant for produce processing and packaging. On July 9, 2024, EPA performed an inspection of the Facility to evaluate compliance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) Section 103, EPCRA Sections 304-312, and CAA Section 112(r). Based upon the information
This report summarizes the enforcement activity for the water and wastewater utility sector. During this period, 63 citations were issued across 18 inspections, resulting in $830,945 in penalties. Executive Summary of Penalties and Citations The data indicates that while Hazard Communication and Respiratory Protection are frequently cited, the vast majority of the financial impact stems
Reporting Period: October 2024 – September 2025 This report summarizes the enforcement activity for the chemical manufacturing sector over the past fiscal year. With 883 total citations across 264 inspections, the industry faced over $3.78 million in penalties. Executive Summary: The “Top 5” Risk Areas The majority of financial and safety risks is concentrated in
Period: October 2024 – September 2025 Executive Summary During the fiscal period of October 2024 through September 2025, OSHA issued a total of 20 citations following 14 inspections related to Standard 1910.120. The total current penalty for these violations is $167,073, averaging approximately $8,354 per citation. The data indicate that the Manufacturing sector is the
Period: October 2024 – September 2025 1. Executive Summary During the fiscal period from October 2024 through September 2025, OSHA Standard 1910.134 (Respiratory Protection) remained a significant enforcement focus. Across all 3-digit NAICS subsectors, a total of 2,250 citations were issued, resulting from 959 inspections, with total current penalties amounting to $3,279,655. The data indicate
