FIRST: RIP and Prayers to the truck driver and three (3) citizens who lost their lives in this event. We wish a full and speedy recovery to the 17 that we seriously injured, five (5) of whom have life-threatening injuries. This week, we saw a catastrophic failure of an LPG tanker truck in Chile (see…...
I recently participated in a LinkedIn discussion about “panic hardware” for EXIT doors from an NH3 Refrigeration mechanical room. The image shared (which the poster acknowledged fell short) was a push pad about the size of an adult’s hand. Here are the specifics for our (USA-based) panic hardware on EXIT doors:… Membership Required You must...
On May 29, 2024, at about 3:15 p.m., several pounds of hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide gas were released at a Sugar Cooperative. As a result of the release, one employee was fatally injured, and another employee was seriously injured due to inhalation of the gases. The facility’s investigation found that, at the time of…...
At 1:30 p.m. on August 7, 2022, a 55-year-old production supervisor was working in his office when the deluge system pre-discharge alarm activated. Approximately 30 seconds after the audible alarm engaged, the foam generators activated and began dispensing 2.2% high-expansion foam. The employee attempted to exit his office to reach a safe point, but he…...
This is a perfect (and sad) example of why releases of hazardous materials need to be DEFINED and QUANTIFIED so that personnel know their LIMITATIONS in responding to said releases. This exercise is part of our PRE-PLANNING, starting with using the Tier II forms we submit each year. Just understand, the Tier II forms are…...
On the evening of Christmas Eve, the Jackson Fire Department was alerted to a worker trapped inside a hopper at a local factory. Jackson Police Department, Jackson County EMS, Jackson Sheriff’s Office, Liberty Fire, and Jackson Fire units, including Jackson’s Rescue, Tower, and two engines, responded to the scene. The worker was attempting to retrieve…...
This information is preliminary and subject to change. On November 12, 2025, about 9:16 p.m. local time, a cargo tank transporting Anhydrous Ammonia experienced a leak while parked in Weatherford, Oklahoma. The driver had stopped at a Holiday Inn Express and Suites for the evening when he noticed the manway cover underneath the cargo tank…...
Supposedly, the liquid leak was from a failed gasket (as stated by an EPA official earlier this week). But now we have been told the gasket was on a 12” manway on the bottom of the tanker as shown below. The pictures were taken at the time of the release and appear to show what…...
I am not a fan of “government”, but I am a fan of so many of the workers within our government. They can do some fantastic work. Take this latest and greatest tool for Chemical Safety, for example. This is just too “cool,” and if you are into HAZMATs or Chemical Safety, this is a…...
A truck carrying Natural Gas (called “pipas”) wrecked and leaked the gas, which then found an ignition source. (See video below) The explosion killed at least six (6) people and left 90 injured. Ten (10) have been discharged as of Wednesday morning. Footage of the aftermath showed some victims with severe burns across their bodies…...
The state FM has been gracious in sharing this information with the SAFTENG community. Location:… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...
Almost everyone involved in emergency response is aware of the “buddy system” (e.g., 2 in-2 out rule); however, many merely treat this as a “check box” approach as compared to having real rescue capabilities for the entry team. I always ask my students if they believe they could lift and carry a grown adult in…...
