Although this Coast Gaurd Bulletin is specific to maritime vessels, it can and should be applied to relief valves on land as well. There are some really good practices in this bulletin, such as when to perform the test in-situ vs. bench testing. The incident happened when a relief valve on the associated compressor was…...
At 4:30 p.m. on March 26, 2019, a contractor working at an asphalt refinery in AL entered a Permit-Required Confined Space to take a video of a reactor section when he lost air supply and was asphyxiated. OSHA cited the industrial contractor for failing to ensure personnel outside the PRCS were capable of providing effective…...
At 8:30 a.m. on June 15, 2019, a worker employed by a painting contractor was setting up equipment to abrasive blast electrode holders. He connected the abrasive blasting hood to a line that was supplying nitrogen rather than one supplying compressed air. He inhaled nitrogen instead of breathable air and was asphyxiated…. Membership Required You...
Sometime in the late afternoon of July 3rd, two workers entered the water main vault at the intersection of Highways 70 and 100 in North Carolina. The two were employees of a Backhoe and Landscaping business and were working with several employees to extend a 24″ main water line. While the vault they entered and…...
Another Fatality OSHA Case file involving a Water Valve Pit (Hazard Information Bulletin regarding Asphyxiation Hazard in Pits: Potential Confined Space Problem) – a SINGLE entrant (the job foreman), a would-be-rescuer, and potentially another would-be-rescuer. The water valve pit was 7 ft in diameter and 16 ft deep. The vault contained a 12″ water main…...
A few weeks ago we were debating in my FaceBook Group about these vaults being a PRCS. The picture in question (shown to the left – full scale in the article) had a working platform just a little more than 4′ down inside the vault, but the fixed ladder went all the way down to…...
We go all the way back to 1996 and OSHA issued a Hazard Information Bulletin regarding Asphyxiation Hazard in Pits: Potential Confined Space Problem. Fast forward 23 years later and we have this: At 2:23 p.m. on July 8, 2019, a worker employed by a utilities construction company was working in an underground vault. He…...
This inspection was for the purpose of determining compliance with Section 112(r)(7) accidental release prevention requirements of the Clean Air Act, as amended in 1990. The scope of this Inspection may include, but is not limited to: reviewing and obtaining copies of documents and records Interviews and taking of statements reviewing of chemical storage, handling,…...
Respondent is a Poultry Processor doing business in the States of Alabama, Arkansas, and Mississippi. On November 10, 2016, the EPA issued to Respondent a Notice of Concern letter which informed the Respondent that EPA had concerns that the Respondent was not in compliance with the CAA Section 112(r). The Respondent and EPA met on…...
On Sunday, February 23rd at approximately 12:34 AM, the Joplin Fire Department responded to a reported structure fire with people possibly still inside. A Joplin Police Department officer in the neighborhood patroling arrived at the same time we were getting the call and was able to assist all occupants out of the structure through the…...
This is a lesson in reporting your releases! Two releases of anhydrous ammonia from a refrigeration process result in $150,000 in fines ($75K for EPCRA and $75K for CERCLA) and a $425,000 SEP to install detectors and emergency shutdown systems. The Complaint alleges that: Respondent violated Section 103(a) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and…...
Respondent owns a chemical supply outlet where chlorine was present in a process above the 2,500 pounds TQ, and sulfur dioxide was in a present in a process above the 5,000 pounds TQ from at least March 16, 2010. Respondent was required to submit and have in place an RMP for the facility. Under 40…...
