In light of the recent HSE video showing a 30′ silo exploding and going airborne for 9 seconds, I thought it might be fitting to offer some guidance on how to SAFELY perform HW on these “used containers.” OSHA’s 1910.252 standard provides no advice other than to say that we must be “absolutely certain” that…...
Hot Work on flammable and combustible liquid storage tanks Read More »
As you know, I am a big fan of the International Fire Code and utilize it more than outdated OSHA standards. One requirement the IFC has that OSHA does not is that “conspicuous signs shall be posted to warn others before they enter the hot work area.” Such signs shall display the following warning:… Membership...
IFC and Hot Work Signage Read More »
On 20 September 2017, two employees of were using a grinder to cut and replace pipework at the top of an 11-metre (40’) high metal tank containing waste slurry. They were not using harnesses. Sparks from the grinder ignited flammable gasses causing the tank to explode. The slurry vessel was airborne for 9 seconds and…...
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1984 San Juanico, MX BLEVEs 40th Anniversary Read More »
On March 20, 2024, at noon, an employee, 34, was pneumatically leak-testing a newly installed 56-inch drainpipe. The pipe extended from one side of the street to the other, roughly 150 feet. They placed a rubber pressure plug on one side and another on the testing site across the street. At about 30 minutes into…...
Hazards of Pneumatic Pressure Testing/Leak Testing (Fatality) Read More »
Today, the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released an update on the agency’s investigation of a fatal release of toxic hydrogen sulfide gas at the PEMEX Deer Park Refinery in Texas on October 10, 2024, which killed two workers and injured 13 others. PLEASE UNDERSTAND we may know WHAT happened, but we…...
CSB updates H2S Line Break Double Fatality – Contractor(s) Opened WRONG flange Read More »
Last week, we saw the devastation of a catastrophic failure of a pressure vessel (PV) in Louisville, KY. We still do not know the cause of this failure, just that it was a “cook vessel #6. SAFTENG members can see my breakdown of the photographic evidence available from the Courrier Journal (local Louisville newspaper). But…...
A look inside the Caramel Processing area Read More »
Another example shows us that serious hazards can be found OUTSIDE of chemical processes, and applying the Line Break/Equipment Opening Procedure and Permit to these hazards could go a long way in controlling these recognized hazards. DEFINING and QUANTIFYING “hazardous energy” sources is STEP 1 in ensuring the process/system can be safely opened. Step 2…...
Line Break/Equipment Opening GONE BAD (185F water) Read More »
This Louisville explosion has started the debate about the plant being in a residential area. What most of the media and local politicians fail to mention is that the plant has been there since 1948. The neighborhood was allowed to build up around it because of lax zoning and spineless politicians. So to blame the…...
True Facility Siting – Louisville Explosion Read More »
The Courier-Journal has released more photos. Below is my analysis of these photos, using their and Google Maps road images. The first image below is the PRE-EXPLOSION image. In it, we can see the two (2) standing cooling towers/condensers. The one in the blue box is the one that was destroyed and came to rest…...
My take on Louisville Explosion Read More »
This week, we saw a fatal explosion in Louisville, KY. This same facility, albeit under a previous ownership, had a catastrophic failure of a PV in 2003. The photos coming out of the post-analysis of this week’s event look to be a similar type of explosion. CLICK HERE to see the pics. Here is my…...
Catastrophic Failure of Pressure Vessel (Again?) Read More »
Inspections As of the 3rd quarter of the fiscal year (Q3), EPA completed 133 CAA Section 112(r) (Risk Management Program) inspections. Enforcement Cases As of the 3rd quarter of the fiscal year (Q3), EPA took action at 73 facilities to decrease the likelihood of chemical accidents. Sasol Chemicals: In April 2024, EPA finalized a settlement…...
EPA RMP FY 2024 PARTIAL YEAR RESULTS Read More »
