For those who deal with these “hazardous materials storage cabinets,” we have seen some new design requirements over the past couple of code cycles. A lot of codes began requiring “self-closing” doors on these cabinets; however, we can go back to the 2012 edition of the IFC and find this requirement. And now the IFC […]
A few years ago, I warned about the huge push to make flammable refrigerants easier to manage in the name of “global warming.” As a safety professional, this shift is alarming. Never in my career have we considered a burning rate of 10 cm/s as a means to lessen the risk associated with a flammable
The report indicated that the driver of the refrigerated truck had poor safety and legal awareness. He allowed eight female workers to ride in the truck, which carried packaged beef with dry ice. The dry ice sublimed into carbon dioxide gas, which rapidly filled the confined space inside the truck.
The day has arrived! The 2024 IFC recognizes the new GHS for Flammable Gases by breaking down CAT 1 Flammable Gases into 1A and 1B Flammable Gases. it also uses the phrase “Burning Velocity” (BV) which are defined and quantified as…
As we have discussed, the Chemical Safety Board (CSB) issued a Safety Study (CSB Safety Study: No. 2024-01-H, Remote Isolation of Process Equipment) discussing the untapped advantages when Remote Emergency Shut-Off Valves are used in hazardous processing. I have written about these requirements for all types of hazardous materials; this post is for Flammable Gases
Those who follow my accident posts are well aware of my crusade to help everyone understand the LIMITATIONS of our atmospheric monitors. Just this year, I did my 2-day PRCS training course for a well-known petrochemical business and was challenged on the limitations of the LEL sensors on these devices. During the lunch break, several
ATF Louisville said it has definitively identified the origin of last week’s deadly plant explosion. The investigation led them to the origin of the explosion: Cooking Vessel No. 6 on the South side of the facility. They can say that the vessel failed definitively… it was likely an issue with overpressurization. Some of that vessel
For example, the popularity of flammable refrigerants. The risk is real! R-600a is an isobutane, a flammable substance like you might find in a cigarette lighter.
A couple of KEY items, reading between the lines: https://www.csb.gov/assets/1/6/cuisine_solutions_investigation_update_-_final_to_publish1.pdf
As many of you know, I have a love of bollards. This love has come over many years and many accidents where I have seen them protect a critical asset and PREVENT a serious event. This is a new county building built near my home, and when I drove by, I had to take a
If we spend enough time in chemical plants, we will encounter a widespread, albeit severe, human failure regarding a “safety-critical instrument.” I am referring to the IMPROPER placement of personal gas monitors. Nine times out of 10, where do we find these personal gas monitors on the worker’s body? I am betting your experiences are
Following the investigation of a natural gas explosion in Loudon County, Virginia, in 1998, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommended (Recommendation P-01-002) that PHMSA require that excess flow valves be installed in all new and renewed gas service lines, regardless of a customer’s classification, when the operating conditions are compatible with readily available valves.
