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 […]
Last week, David Ayers, Ph.D., CSP, CHMM, and I had a nice chat regarding LOTO and Complex Processes, and one of the areas associated with these LOTOs is the “evacuation” of the HAZMAT within the process/system. We did not have enough time for me to get deep into the weeds on this aspect of isolating
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…
I have written about this incident a couple of times, as it is full of learning opportunities. The biggest of which is the practice of REDUCING PPE after the initial opening was uneventful, and we have “verified” our positive means of isolation is holding. This is a common practice for long-duration jobs and plays a
Many have seen a gauge such as the one below. It will be on an Acetylene Cylinder. But how many know why the gauge scale is RED in color from 15 psig and higher?
What PPE do you wear for a leak behind this door? What is the primary hazard that causes you the most concern? We see so many failures with the NFPA 704 Diamond. From them being applied as a square, rather than a diamond. We see them applied upside down. We see numbers larger than 4.
Prayers and RIP After all the media reporting, it seems this was NOT a PRCS incident. OSHA mentions a “pump room” and they failed to issue any PRCS citations so my best guess is this was NOT a PRCS incident. But this was another H2S exposure incident which claimed six (6) lives. OSHA has cited
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
Overfilled propane tank causes evacuations, road closures in Littleton Fire crews in Littleton responded to a propane leak on Pike Avenue on Friday. The Fire Department said a resident called after hearing a “pop” and a loud roaring sound from a propane tank. Officials confirmed the tank was venting and that gas could be smelled
The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) today released its final investigation report into the fatal October 10, 2024, release of toxic hydrogen sulfide (H2S) at a Refinery in Deer Park, Texas. Two (2) contract workers died as a result of exposure to the toxic gas, 13 others were transported to local medical
