Bonding and grounding is a critical safety function when transferring flammable liquids. But for the ground to function properly, how good must it be or in technical terms, how much resistance to ground is acceptable in the design of the safety system?… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready...
NOT only was this worker welding, but he/she had also used a flammable liquid to clean the spot they wanted to weld and then kept the OPEN bucket of flammable liquid right at the point of work. When they struck the arc, the vapors in the bucket ignited and the worker kicked the bucket of…...
Seriously, who welds in a polyester uniform? Read More »
At 5:48 a.m. on November 5, 2019, an employee was working for a trucking firm that hauled refined fuel products. He was pumping fuel from a portable tank back into his tanker truck by top-loading (e.g. SPLASH FILLING). The fuel involved was a mixture of gasoline and diesel fuel (both NON-conductive flammable liquids). The employee…...
Top loading flammable liquids fatality (Phoenix, AZ 2019) Read More »
In recent years, offshore operators on the Outer Continental Shelf have reported multiple flash-fire incidents that resulted in injuries and damage to facilities. Investigations found that static discharge was a contributing factor in each of the incidents. Flash-fire incidents occurred during multiple types of operations, including maintenance on a control panel when natural gas was…...
Preventing Static Discharge (BSEE) Read More »
Have you seen this yet? If not, you most likely will either via your social media activity or by e-mail. This week this picture and various stories about what happened have gone “viral” after a Wisconsin Fire District posted it on their FB Account as an attempt to educate their followers. The “shares” are over…...
Have you seen this picture and story? (Hand Sanitizer car fire) Read More »
These photos from a recent tank barge explosion serve as a stark reminder of how dangerous cargo tank cleaning and gas freeing operations can be if safety regulations under Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1915 and Title 33 CFR Part 154 are not followed, and equipment is not properly maintained and inspected…...
Improper Bonding During Gas Freeing Can Have Explosive Results! (USCG Alert) Read More »
OSHA has cited a carpet restoration, plumbing, and resurfacing contractor for exposing employees to safety and health hazards after a fatal incident at a worksite. The company faces $183,127 in penalties. OSHA initiated an investigation after an employee suffered fatal injuries after inhaling lacquer thinner, which was used to resurface a bathtub. OSHA cited the…...
OSHA citations for flash fire and exposure hazards of toluene ($183K) Read More »
In the past several weeks I have tried to explain the fundamental safety practices of storing the alcohols many businesses are using to make hand sanitizer. This post I wanted to share two videos that show the flammability of these hand sanitizers and an excellent video from NFPA about how the changes at businesses such…...
Hand sanitizer fire hazards (2 videos) Read More »
We have discussed the hazards and risks associated with the transferring of hazardous materials in bulk. This case was a terminal to ship transfer, but these basic failures can happen on any transfer. Not following procedures, not utilizing an unloading checklist, and not using the unloading process and the nitrogen purge process as it was…...
Flammable Liquid Transfer OVER PRESSURE and RUPTURE EVENT Read More »
Well, we knew it would just be a matter of time until someone did this. Again, the fear of contracting a virus has apparently overridden all rational thinking. This picture was shared this morning in one of my favorite Facebook Groups Fire Inspectors With No Borders. We do not know the background of the…...
This past month we have lived with the COVID19 pandemic and the fear that comes with it. I have spent hours trying to stop one of the social media myths about COVID19 and gas pump handles. There have been viral posts suggesting that people use plastic shopping bags to handle the…...
Gas Pumps, COVID19, and plastic shopping bags Read More »
Earlier this week I explained the OSHA requirements for storing Flammable Liquids “outside”, using Ethanol as my example since so many businesses have been converted over to making hand sanitizers, many of which have never managed such a large inventory of flammable liquids. Part 2 is to cover those businesses who wish to store their…...
