Another failure caused by improper torque
This fatal incident is another example of workers unknowingly understanding “torque values” when putting the primary containment system into service.
Mexico City NG Gas Explosion
A truck carrying Natural Gas (called “pipas”) wrecked and leaked the gas, which then found an ignition source. (See video below) The explosion killed at least six (6) people and left 90 injured. Ten (10) have been discharged as of Wednesday morning. Footage of the aftermath showed some victims with severe burns across their bodies
OSHA issues Serious Citation in PRCS Death for NOT performing “Freshair Setup” and “bump testing” meter
In a recent PRCS involving a fatality, one of the OSHGA citations issued under 1910.146(d)(4)(i) was related to not following the meter manufacturer’s use requirements related to “bump testing” the meter before each day’s use… 1910.146(d)(4)(i) Testing and monitoring equipment needed to comply with paragraph (d)(5) of this section; Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 002
Analysis of Leak Testing Planning for Carbon Dioxide Piping Systems
This is an EXCELLENT document to help us understand the risks associated with pressure testing Carbon Dioxide (CO2) piping. It compiles all my previous posts on the need for and methods of pressure/leak testing our hazardous materials piping systems. Many people are skeptical of a redneck from Western KY on these matters, so I thought
Leak Test Gone Bad (using oxygen as test media)
Polish Authorities have determined that the heat pump explosion that killed two people last year was caused by using oxygen to carry out a leak test. The heat pump explosion on August 20, 2024, killed two people: an engineer (30) who was servicing the unit and the property owner (45). They were said to have
Pressure Testing Gone Bad (Fatality – Flange bolts not torqued properly)
On March 6, 2018, a 49-year-old pipefitter was hit in the chest by a pressurized 12-inch diameter polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe during a hydrostatic pressure test of a fire suppression system. The sudden pipe movement was attributed to a pipe joint connection failure in a buried section of the pipeline. The failure was due to
Line Break Gone Bad (NG Fatality)
Natural gas was released into the basement of the Realty Building and caused an explosion in Youngstown, Ohio, after a member of a scrap removal crew cut into a steel pipeline. Although the cut pipeline had not been marked or otherwise identified as containing natural gas, it did contain gas, pressurized at about 38 psig,
A hat tip to WorkSafe BC on their REVISED Toxic Process Gas (TPG) standard
WorkSafe BC (British Columbia) is proposing some thoughtful improvements to its Part 6, Substance Specific Requirements, sections 6.116 to 6.132 — Toxic Process Gases. The hazardous materials that this effort focuses on are: This standard reads much like OSHA’s PSM standard; however, this standard has a bit more specific requirements. Some Highlights of the proposed
Storing Acetylene/Oxygen cutting rigs in shipping containers
Upon investigation, it was found that an oxygen–acetylene welding setup inside the shipping container leaked, causing the closed shipping container to fill with the highly flammable mixture of oxygen and acetylene. There was also an upright freezer in use, powered by an extension cord running into the shipping container. This energized equipment provided an ignition
H2S has has claimed eleven (11) souls in 7 days (3 different events)
In less than one (1) week, Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) has claimed eleven (11) souls: Six (6) at a Dairy in CO Three (3) in a sewer in TX Two (2) in a Sewage Treatment Plant This chemical has a long history of killing workers: (Note: SAFTENG membership required to access article)
Catastrophic Failure of NH3 Cold Storage Vessel = 14M pound release & 7 Fatalities
A liquid ammonia NH3 tank failed catastrophically at the Azotas fertilizer plant in Lithuania in 1989. During maintenance on the boil-off system, operators accidentally created a backflow of liquid warm NH3 to the tank. Potentially after a “role-over”, NH3 evaporated quickly, creating pressure that could not berelieved by the PSV. The tank was lifted, releasing
WRONG Chemical – WRONG Tank (HCL to Nitric acid tank – Video)
The chemical reaction event at the Friesland Campina site in Borculo early last month (July 2025) was caused by an error in the unloading of hydrochloric acid. The explosion released toxic smoke, chlorine, and nitrogen dioxide. A truck driver reported to the wrong unloading point at the dairy company in Gelderland on Friday afternoon, July