As I noted in 2007, the #1 cause of process vessel deflagrations is the manual additions of powders to process vessels which have a flammable atmosphere. NFPA 77 covers this hazard with several solutions, yet many facilities are either not aware of these risks and solutions or simply have their head buried regarding these catastrohic…...
The definition of “switch loading: Switch loading is the hazardous practice of loading a low-vapor-pressure product (such as diesel or heating oil) into a tank compartment that previously contained a high-vapor-pressure, flammable product (such as gasoline) without first cleaning it. This creates a high risk of static electricity generation and explosion, as residual vapors can…...
Recently, I had the opportunity to help a client gain the full picture of what has to be done regarding the BULK TRANSFER hoses to unload their HHC/EHS from Tanker Trucks/ISO Containers and Railcars. Now, before we get into the specifics, I know a number of folks will fall back on the compliance position that…...
An explosion at a large outdoor oil storage tank at Korea National Oil Corporation Pipeline’s Yeongnam branch is preliminarily attributed to static electricity generated during a petroleum component verification process. The incident occurred at a large-scale oil storage facility housing 12 to 14 tanks, raising concerns that it could have escalated into a major disaster…....
We see this often, handling, storing, and processing a Class IIIA flammable liquid, and about half will classify the area, and the other half do not. So who is right? Here is my take on the matter as I work thru the risk analysis…… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View...
Another video has surfaced, showing what static electricity can do in the presence of flammable vapor. The video below actually catches the static discharging as the vessel does not appear to be grounded. This is another transfer gone bad. Open top container. It does appear the operator has the hose down inside the tank, but…...
So what are we seeing in this video, other than the tragic loss of life? I can say without knowing the specifics that he was transferring a FLAMMABLE liquid. That flammable liquid was most likely a NON-CONDUCTIVE flammable liquid. Several serious failures in what we are seeing:1) SPLASH FILLING is a NO-NO in any flammable…...
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…...
A fire broke out at a factory on Jan. 8, 2026, severely injuring a worker, 30, who died five days later on Jan. 13, 2026, according to police. The explosion occurred during a chemical mixing operation…. Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...
I hope that in today’s workplaces, everyone knows we do NOT “splash fill” flammable liquids. However, this simple fact is often overlooked or unknown when adding a non-flammable solution to a flammable one. Its not the product that matters, it’s the free fall that creates the static within the flammable atmosphere…. Membership Required You must...
Take notice… single hose. Means liquid gasoline is going in the tank, but where are the vapors going if there is not a vapor return hose back to the truck? ALSO, the tank has an atmospheric vent pipe somewhere so as to vent vapor pressure should the tank get warmer and the gasoline Vp increases…....
At an Ethylene unit in the Czech Republic (2015), when swapping over cooling water supply lines during a flowmeter calibration, the operator made a simple mistake. While intending to open valve #3 on the spare supply line, he closed the identical valve #2 instead, shutting off all cooling water to the Light Ends columns. A…...
