UPDATED on 7/21/2018 For SAFTENG Members – On Scene News Report Video from ABC13 Houston… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...
An operator at a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) processing facility heard a loud noise coming from an area of the plant during start-up, following significant maintenance works. The operator identified that high pressure, flammable natural gas was being released to the atmosphere from a localized point beneath the insulation of process equipment. The Department of…...
Recently a facility had an NH3 release via an RV and in the spirit of “doing it right” made all the necessary calls, including notifying their local FD. The FD arrived, although it was not required as the facility response team had matters under control before their arrival, the FD felt it was necessary to…...
Employees such as chemical process operators may be required to shut down processes, close emergency valves and otherwise secure operations that are not in the hot zone or danger area before evacuating in the event of an emergency. (See 29 CFR 1910.38(a)(2)(ii).) These procedures need to be delineated carefully, and employees must be trained to…...
For SAFTENG members… I have revised my Car-Seal Program to incorporate the “attendance requirements” for deviated valves…. Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...
From the WorkSafeBC annual report… In 2017, following work-related deaths at an ice rink, we utilized the Risk Analysis Unit’s research on ammonia exposure to launch a three-phased province-wide inspection initiative focusing on ammonia exposure to ensure that owners and employers of facilities using ammonia are correctly managing the risks associated with the toxic gas…....
Have you ever wondered what a “No. 54 drill-size Opening” is? This is a phrase used in OSHA’s 1910.111, Storage and handling of anhydrous ammonia. In simple terms, OSHA has established that if the potential leak is through an opening of No. 54 drill-size or smaller then, the opening need not be protected by an excess-flow valve. …...
This is a topic that is near and dear to me, as it is one I learned very early on in my career as a means to safely perform PRD work on an RV or RD that is connected to a header/manifold. Although this design MUST be adequately done AND must be managed very tightly,…...
This is a classic. Details matter, contrary to what many want to claim about safety plans, programs, practices, and operating and maintenance procedures. The fact is, there MUST be a balance between details and length and complexity. Some jobs will need a 10-page procedure, and some will need a half-page. The idea that shorter is…...
The CSB faces two management challenges that, if not addressed, may seriously impede the agency’s ability to achieve its mission efficiently and effectively. Based on our continuous audit work, the EPA OIG has identified two management challenges for the CSB that were not in the fiscal year 2017 report: the lack of authority that…...
Here is an unfortunate incident that draws our attention to operating elevating equipment inside refrigerated spaces. This incident also demonstrates the increased hazards to workers working within these elevated devices, as their means of egress, should there be a chemical release, is GREATLY compromised. Lastly, we should NOT lose sight of the fact that this…...
For years, PHA’s seemed to always list vessel “relief systems” as a “safeguard” for ALL the HIGH-PRESSURE scenarios involving the vessel. In this article I want to challenge this practice; but to be up front, if you were to look at all my PHA’s I was guilty as sin for doing this very thing. But…...
