Hazardous Materials

In petition P-1619, the Chlorine Institute requested that updates to publications currently listed in § 171.7(l)—specifically § 171.7(l)(1), (2), (5), and (12)—and referenced in various sections of the HMR be incorporated by reference. PHMSA conducted a review of these publications and found them suitable to propose incorporation into the HMR. In the NPRM, PHMSA proposed…...

I don’t think I have done a process safety course or a HAZMAT course where I do not have a lengthy sidebar discussion to explain why NH3 is a flammable gas under OSHA definitions, but not under DOT definitions.  Yes, NH3 has a LEL of 15-16% and a UEL of 25-28% so it has a flammable range,…...

In June 2014 a qualified diesel mechanic, 39, died from burns and blunt force trauma when a refrigeration compressor blew up during his work.  He and another gentleman, a boilermaker by trade who worked as a welder offered to move the refrigeration compressor from the cellar in order to assist.  While they were in the cellar…...

Once again I go to the well that just keeps on giving guidance… the International Fire Code (IFC). And again I do this as OSHA nor EPA have any standards for Chlorine when the amount is below the 1,500 pounds for OSHA’s PSM standard to apply. Of course, there is EPA’s RMP General Duty Clause,…...

  Violation Code Violation Description # of Inspections # of Violations % of Total Violations # of OOS Violations OOS Percent 1 177.834A Package not secure in vehicle 3,154 3,277 9.71% 3,138 95.76% 2 107.620B No Copy Of US Dot Hazardous Materials Registration Number 2,269 2,269 6.73% 3 0.13% 3 177.817E Shipping paper accessibility 2,150…...

Way back in the early 1990’s I learned a valuable lesson the “hard way,” and to this day, facility siting means something altogether different than how most view it.  Those that work with me know I hate having combustibles such as empty pallets around chemical processes, especially flammable processes.  But even non-flammable processes, such as…...

EPA has begun limiting the use of refrigerants that have high global warming-potential properties. The refrigerant manufacturing industry has responded by developing a number of replacement refrigerants. One of the characteristics of most of these products is that they are minimally flammable as compared to other flammable refrigerants. Different protection schemes exist for lesser risk…...

In the 2018 edition of the International Fire Code (IFC), which is the code, most of the states revise and adopt in some format.  As I have said for nearly 20 years now, this fire code is an EXCELLENT resource for those looking to improve their design and construction of their processes that handle hazardous…...

This video is an excellent demonstration of the power within a compressed gas cylinder.  This was an ammonia cylinder; actually, one of the more tamer compressed gases (as far as energy goes) of HAZMATs in cylinders.  But look at the damage to the side of this shipping container – peeled open like someone used a…...