Respondent operates an ammonia refrigerant system which contains approximately 8,487 pounds of ammonia which is processed, handled, and stored in the ammonia refrigerant systems, and ammonia is a regulated extremely hazardous substance listed under Section 112(r)(3) at 40 C.F.R. § 68.130. EPA inspected the Facility on June 7, 2018. Prior to the June 7, 2018…...
I have been doing process safety my entire career and I have had some of the finest engineers teach me process safety. Now those that know me, know I am just some dumbass western KY edua-macated safety redneck, but even I know the importance of intenral inspections on my PVs. I know only two (2)…...
Several years ago I wrote an article about how a space goes through its transitions to become a non-permit required confined space. A space is not identified as a non-permit required confined space during its first evaluation; it becomes one after it has been “reclassified” using either (c)(7) or 1926.1203(g). That article caused quite a…...
UPDATED on 8/21/2019 with the 2018 IFC Commentary… I am guessing that someone has published a technical paper or article stating that an “electrical shunt” is no longer a code requirement for ammonia refrigeration engine rooms. This has caused several of my clients and subscribers to ask me if this is true as this goes…...
A company was fined $220,000 by the State Courts today under section 12(1) of the Workplace Safety and Health Act (“WSHA”) for failing to take adequate safety measures for its work in an underground storage tank. On 25 July 2016, four workers were instructed by their supervisor to clean an underground storage tank, a permit-required confined space 3.2m…...
This $50 device is priceless in validating that the ventilation system is functioning as designed Verifying that a mechanical exhaust system provides sufficient airflow is critical for preventing the accumulation of flammable vapors. The use of a Vaneometer™ is ideal for monitoring low-velocity air currents (typically 25 to 400 feet per minute) at the face…...
OSHA cited a paper product manufacturer for exposing employees to hot steam and failing to ensure the use of proper hazardous energy control methods. The company faces $211,400 in proposed fines. OSHA launched an investigation of the facility after hot steam burned an employee trying to repair a leak on a steam-line header. OSHA determined the header…...
OSHA has cited a poultry processing company $119,341 for exposing employees to hazardous chemicals. On January 27, 2019, 12 employees needed transport to nearby hospitals after a leak caused the release of 2,100 pounds of anhydrous ammonia. OSHA cited the company for failing to provide an operable alarm responsible for indicating the release of hazardous…...
The 2019 edition of the National Board Inspection Code (NBIC) has been available for purchase since July 1st, 2019. Here is a summary of the major changes:… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...
This is another picture that was shared with me and is making the rounds on social media. It certainly appears to be a liquid (hydrostatic) expansion event on a stainless steel pipe. The story goes and I can certainly see this happening… Valve installed when hot out. Valve didn’t fully seat and allows vapor to…...
I have many questions about this picture but was told this was the results of a failed hydrostatic pressure test after a non-certified repair was made. Has anyone seen this picture before? Got an incident report to go along with the image? My source is very trustworthy, but I just would like to have an…...
Another example of not understanding the chemical hazards in your CS/PRCS… This OSHA case shows us that “pits”, even those that would are not identified as a PRCS in a site evaluation can be deadly from the work we do inside them! When using a chemical that has a Vapor Density 3X’s that of air (1)…...
