At 11:00 a.m. on April 10, 2023, Employee #1, 55, was performing maintenance on the refrigerant lines of a Liquid Chiller used for air conditioning at an airport terminal. Employee #1 was removing the Electronic Expansion Valve (EEV) from the hot gas bypass line. The line contained R-22 refrigerant and compressor lubricating oil at a…...
LINE BREAK GONE BAD (R-22 & Compressor Oil Flash Fire) Read More »
Chlorine dioxide (ClO2) gas is unstable and decomposes, sometimes violently, into Cl2 and O2 (with a 50% increase in gas volume). When storing chlorine dioxide (ClO2), it is commonly kept in CHILLED WATER because its solubility in water significantly increases at lower temperatures, making it more stable and allowing for higher concentrations to be safely…...
The power of decomposing Chlorine Dioxide (ClO2) Read More »
“Police told media outlets that the leak happened late Saturday night at Vanguard Culinary Group. Crews had a hard time reaching valves that were attached to three tanks, each of which holds up to 500 gallons of ammonia. Officials say the leak was caused by a failure in the plant mechanical system. No evacuations were…...
When your local responders throw you “under the bus” Read More »
Not everyone seemed comfortable turning over NH3 Refrigeration Codes and Standards to the IIAR. In November, Wisconsin updated its State Code on Mechanical Refrigeration. One of the requirements that caught my eye is the INSTALLATION INSPECTION documentation the state will require before issuing the operating permit: (2) INSTALLATION INSPECTION. … the following documents shall be…...
Wisconsin updates its Mechanical Refrigeration State Code Read More »
The Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) Program identified and regulated the security of high-risk chemical facilities using a risk-based approach. Pursuant to section 5 of the Protecting and Securing Chemical Facilities from Terrorist Attacks Act of 2014. Authorization had been granted for CFATS until July 27, 2023. Congress did not act to reauthorize the program…...
I first wrote about this API 510 requirement in July 2019, and now OSHA seems to have caught on to this requirement; this year, they issued their first Citation against this requirement. Of course, the citation was related to a PSM-covered process. Here is the API 510 requirement for newly installed pressure vessels and the…...
OSHA cites API 510, 6.2 Inspection During Installation Read More »
Employee #1, a firefighter, was performing a pressurized hose test on a 4-inch fire hose. The employee was standing at the pump panel of the fire truck next to the discharge point where the hose was connected by a 2.5-inch double female adapter to the 3.5-inch fitting on the truck. The hose was being brought…...
Pressure Test gone BAD (Fire Hose #2) Read More »
On November 3, 2006, Employee #1, a firefighter/paramedic, was the designated pump operator during the performance of an annual hose test. The pump on the fire department apparatus was utilized to perform the test. Near the conclusion of the 5-minute 400 psi test, while Employee #1 was reducing the pressure in a hose being tested,…...
Pressure Test gone BAD (Fire Hose) Read More »
On September 20, 2018, an employee was performing a pressure test of a residential sewer line when he was struck in the eye by a small piece of a pneumatic quick connection of a pressure test kit…. Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...
Pressure Test gone BAD (Fatality) Read More »
There are very good reasons why workers are required to be a “safe distance” from equipment that is being “pressure tested”. These safe distance requirements apply to BOTH pneumatic and hydrostatic pressure testing. Had these distances been honored/respected, a component failure during the pressure test may cause damage, but not an injury! On August 26,…...
Failed Pressure test results in broken arm Read More »
On April 21, 2020, Employees #1 and #2, 37 and 63, were conducting a pressure test on a chiller. Employees #1 and #2 were unaware there was pressure in the chiller. When they began removing the 1/2″ nuts off the bolts holding the flange in place…… Membership Required You must be a member to access...
Pressure Test gone BAD Read More »
On February 28, 2020, an employee, 36, was tasked with replacing a gasket in a 6-inch bolted flange on top of the Platformer Heater at an Oil Refinery. The employee was working in a man basket on top of the Platformer Heater. The employee loosened the bolted flange while using hand tools to remove a…...
Elevated Line-Break goes BAD Read More »
