My previous article on the Anhydrous Ammonia requirements generated a lot of questions, mostly about how OSHA worded their requirements when it came to Excess Flow Valves, Check Valves, Unloading, and Emergency Shutoff Valves. So this posting I used one of my favorite sources, WA States LNI standards, to present the material in a more […]
This article is being posted in my Hazardous Materials section rather than the Process Safety section because the vast majority of my finds regarding the lack of proper design are almost exclusively in processes that have less than 10,000 pounds. I am hoping that those who read this will understand that what I am going
All bollards have limitations. Most are designed to stop a 12,000-pound vehicle traveling at 10-mph. Most non-commercial vehicles will weigh far less than 12,000 pounds; however, 18-wheelers will weigh far more than 12,000-pounds. These are the bollards that are the ones that are 4″ steel pipes filled with concrete and buried at least 3′ into
Anyone who follows my ramblings knows that I am a big fan of bollards. I have written about them and shared dozens of incidents where a properly designed and installed bollard saves the day and more often than not I am sharing incidents with “fake” bollards where something was destroyed because the bollard was IMPROPERLY
ASME B31.3 does not permit the use of an “ASME Section V Pressure Change Test” as a substitute for the mandatory leak testing requirements (hydrostatic, pneumatic, or initial service leak test) defined in Chapter VI of the B31.3 Code. Why It Cannot Be Used as a Substitute:
OSHA may use its General Duty Clause (GDC) to require employers to install oxygen monitors in areas where inert cryogenics are stored or used. But I like to use codes/standards (e.g., RAGAGEPs) to guide my safety engineering for these hazardous processes, even though PSM/RMP does not cover them. To do this, I turn to the
This week, we saw OSHA issue two willful and three serious violations totaling $122,602 to a sperm bank for bulls (cattle) after an employee was asphyxiated while filling freezers with Liquid Nitrogen. And back in 2017, we saw another sperm bank, this one for humans, have a Nitrogen incident which claimed the life of a
5705.3.7 Rooms or buildings for quantities exceeding the maximum allowable quantity per control area.Where required by Section 5705.3.5.3 or 5705.3.6.1, rooms or buildings used for the use, dispensing, or mixing of flammable and combustible liquids in quantities exceeding the maximum allowable quantity per control area shall be in accordance with Sections 5705.3.7.1 through 5705.3.7.6.3.
The United States Coast Guard issued a Marine Safety Alert after they discovered three (3) separate Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) carriers with issues with their fixed flammable gas detection systems that resulted in the issuance of deficiencies and delay of cargo operations. While witnessing tests, multiple sensors measured outside the tolerances established by the manufacturer
Have you ever wondered where all the “separation distances” we see in OSHA Standards, NFPA Codes, Fire Codes, etc. come from? Who came up with them, what are they based on, etc.? All legitimate questions and you are NOT alone!! Many of these requirements have historical undocumented origins. Guidance, which may inform a sound technical
When we have a hazardous material that poses either a physical hazard such as a flash fire/explosion or a health hazard we need to manage this hazard using our hierarchy of controls. The first control is to see if we can use a “safer alternative” which we call “Elimination/Substitution”. But if this is not possible
A gas cylinder was found in the parking lot of an event facility by staff arriving at work. The cylinder had launched from the concessions area the night before.
