Here is OSHA’s current interpretation of the HAZWOPER standard as it relates to IDLH operations. The LOI specifically addresses the HAZWOPER requirement for workers who are engaged in remedial operations as well as in emergency response operations in atmospheres that are or may be IDLH AND who utilize self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for the control […]
WARNING! If you have an ER instructor who claims you can enter the Hot or Warm zone the first time in using LEVEL C PPE, you need to fire them! I have been conducting HAZMAT training for 28 years, and every year, I pick up a few new ER clients who need a refresher course.
On July 9, 1959, the Charlotte Fire Department responded to a fire at the former Charlotte Chemical Company on West Templeton Avenue, just off South Boulevard. The building, then under demolition, still housed a large vat of chemical material in the basement. Believing the substance to be kerosene, firefighters fought the fire with standard tactics—until
When you see it… Flammable liquid railcar, in fact, it’s a carcinogenic flammable liquid, a Benzene railcar on fire. I know it’s hot as heck in MS this time of year, but dang: Just a lot of opportunities! The better option: Set up an unmanned(!!!) monitor nozzle, lay a couple hundred, if not 1,000s, of
A trick question I learned long ago, when it was used on me, is one I use today when auditing a facility that has SCBAs for “Emergency Use Only” (e.g., an ERT). As we are walking to the ERT cage/trucks, I casually ask if the facility fills its bottles/cylinders or if they have a breathing
In August 2024, while loading anhydrous ammonia into a railcar at a manufacturing site, a shear coupling on the loadout arm failed to function. Two out of three bolts failed, causing the coupling to open and resulting in a loss of primary containment (LOPC) of pressurized liquefied ammonia, which formed an ammonia vapor cloud. A
Betting this was just under 10 pounds. That’s a RQ joke as the RQ for Cl2 is 10 pounds – CLEARLY we have exceeded that in this event. (But you never know!) All jokes aside, this is a big one. People wanting to know why it’s taking so long to get an “all clear” 2-hrs
Respondent produced, used, or stored ammonia at the Facility and released a reportable quantity of an EHS, ammonia. On or about August 31, 2022, a “release,” as that term is defined by Section 329(8) of EPCRA, of ammonia in excess of 100 pounds occurred at the Facility (the release). As a result of the information
A 45-year-old senior fire captain is facing charges after authorities say he improperly conducted respirator fit tests for firefighters and lied about it. He is charged with forgery and tampering with records, the County Prosecutor’s Office said Friday. He signed reports stating the tests had been completed when they had not been finished between Jan.
The following NFPA and ANSI standards, in whole or in part, are to be incorporated by reference into proposed rule 1910.156, per 29 CFR 1910.6. See 29 CFR 1910.6(a)(1). Provisions in the proposed standard are drawn from, or consistent with, the following NFPA standards, but these standards are not proposed to be incorporated by reference:
What is purpose of the list of extremely hazardous substances in regards to the emergency planning requirements of EPCRA? The extremely hazardous substances list and its threshold planning quantities are intended to help communities focus on the substances and facilities of most immediate concern for emergency planning and response. However, while the list includes many of
Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF), a substance commonly used by firefighters, contains ethanol, 2-(2-butoxyethoxy) which is categorized as a glycol ether. Glycol ethers meet the definition of hazardous substance in CERCLA 101(14) because they are hazardous air pollutants pursuant to 112(b) of the Clean Air Act. In 1990, the Clean Air Amendments added 47 individual
