OSHA currently regulates aspects of emergency response and preparedness; some of these standards were promulgated decades ago, and none were designed as comprehensive emergency response standards. Consequently, they do not address the full range of hazards or concerns currently facing emergency responders, and other workers providing skilled support, nor do they reflect major changes in […]
ME-OSHA issued two (2) Willfuls and six (6) serious citations to the Fire Department regarding the Sept. 16, 2019 explosion that killed a Captain in a propane explosion. The citations include up to $22,000 in potential fines for the town relating to violations of equipment and training standards. Here is a breakdown of the citations:
Recently I was at an HOA meeting for my neighborhood because of some concerns some homeowners had after a home fire. Like most folks, everyone can recognize the object to the left – quite possibly one of the most recognized safety objects of all time. And the color of the hydrant is red, but what
NFPA has made a major revision to NFPA 1961, Standard on Fire Hose, 2020 Edition. The new requirement that 1½ in. to 3 in. attack hose be tested in accordance with:
I see this practice, keeping cylinders in-service beyond their hydro due dates, and I just want to make everyone aware that although this practice may be complaint with 49 CFR Part 180, it sets up the Emergency Response Team (ERT) with a potentially serious Breathing Air (BA) issue during a response. There are two failures,
RECOMMENDATIONS The NIOSH Fire Fighter Fatality Investigation and Prevention Program (FFFIPP) recommends that fire departments ensure all firefighters responding to natural gas or propane incidents: use gas detection equipment and do not rely upon their sense of smell to determine if propane or natural gas is present understand that the odorant in natural gas or
We have been using OSHA’s HAZWOPER standard since the 1980’s to establish the absolute minimum training for personnel who would discover and/or respond to uncontrolled releases of hazardous materials. This HAZMAT training was intended to be a “Step-Progression” style of training, meaning that you would have the baseline level (e.g. Awareness) and then get the
At 8:30 a.m. on May 13, 2020, Employee #1 and Employee #2 were working to pressurize portable fire extinguishers. At some point, the extinguisher being worked on by the Employees exploded. Both Employees received severe lacerations to unspecified parts of their bodies. Employee #1 was killed, and Employee #2 was hospitalized due to his injuries.
The Year 2020 was a trying time, but some exciting news has come out of 2020… Jack Rabbit III is in the works. The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CSIA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have been working on the infamous Jack Rabbit study Phase III since early 2020. Without question, these Jack
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) has released its investigation report (A19O0063) into the May 2019 collision between a fuel truck and a plane at Toronto/Lester B. Pearson International Airport, Ontario. The investigation highlights the importance of passengers familiarizing themselves with safety information and following instructions from flight attendants during emergencies. On 10 May 2019, at
The DOT ERG identifies chemicals as being shipped “inhibited” or “stabilized” and have a “P” listed with their guide number meaning that the chemical can polymerize. These inhibitors are TIME and TEMPERATURE dependent! The inhibitors can be tested and more inhibitor added if necessary, albeit VERY RISKY once the reaction has begun AND the fact
UPDATED on 4/4/24 with 2024 ERG Info This week we saw the official release of the 2020 Emergency Response Guide (ERG) from DOT/PHMSA and along with this 2020 update came some clear distinctions between a “Heat Induced Tear” (HIT) and a Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion (BLEVE). (emphasis by PHMSA) A Heat Induced Tear
