State Fire Marshal Larry L. Flowers is pleased to announce the initiation of the Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of State Fire Marshal’s (SFM) administrative rule update process for the 2011 Ohio Fire Code (OFC) and associated SFM rules (also known as Ohio Administrative Code sections 1301:7-7- 01 through 1301:7-7-47). The targeted effective date of…...
At a brewery in 1997, an operator confused filling nozzles for two commonly used acid cleaning agents and transferred nitric acid into a tank with P3, a proprietary phosphoric acid based cleaner that also contained 5-15 percent isopropanol. 10-15 minutes later the mixture exploded violently. The stainless steel tank disintegrated with such force that fragments…...
The purpose of this project is to analyze a ruptured 1000 gallon NH3 tank to determine the crack initiation site (CIS) and the cause of the tank failure. On 11/21/2007 it was reported that, “a nurse tank carrying anhydrous ammonia exploded and pieces were found laying in the front yard of a farm just outside of Silver…...
Recent investigations conducted by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) on USDOT specification cargo tank testing and repair facilities have resulted in a consistent pattern of non-compliance regarding bench testing of Pressure Relief Devices (PRD). Specifically, cargo tank testing and repair facilities are either failing to bench test PRDs or…...
One of my favorite hazardous materials to work with is Chlorine (Cl2). And yes I know and no I have not been taking my meds! “Like” is probably a poor choice of words to us – Respect is probably more fitting in describing my relationship with Cl2. I have been working with this hazardous material…...
In 2015 we saw six (6) unloading accidents that involved serious injuries to workers, with some of the workers injured being those who were in the WRONG place at the WRONG time. Here is a summary of these six (6) incidents. PLEASE take notice that 4 of the 6 incidents involved UNLOADING HOSES. These temporary…...
Repair work for liquefied carbon dioxide at a low-temperature storage tank (CE) in a steel mill was carried out. At the time, the main block valve below the safety valves was closed, while liquid CO2 remained in the tank. In addition, the heat source from the tank heater was still active. Therefore, in the tank,…...
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) is seeking to update requirements covering the use of excess flow valves in natural gas distribution pipelines. In its November 30, 2015 Federal Register notice, PHMSA announced its Gas Pipeline Advisory Committee will meet to consider and vote on a rulemaking proposal that expands requirements for excess…...
Reports are that workers were in the process of evacuating the process area due to a small fire. As they were in their muster stations, the explosion occured and was captured on several cell phones. This is the best video that I have seen. Fire burned for 24 hours and no damage estimate as of…...
An updated version of the video Handling Hydrochloric Acid Safely is now available for free streaming, free download, and purchase (for physical copies). Additionally, you can download resources to accompany the video, including a student assessment, training presentation, Wall Charts, NIOSH Pocket Guide and related pamphlets. Major changes to this latest edition include updating MSDSs…...
An updated version of the video Handling Sodium Hypochlorite Safely is now available for free streaming, free download, and purchase (for physical copies). Additionally, you can download resources to accompany the video, including a student assessment, training presentation, Wall Charts, NIOSH Pocket Guide and related pamphlets. Major changes to this edition include updating MSDSs to…...
The USDOT/FMCSA is issuing this safety notice to remind all companies of the dangers associated with cleaning, repairing, testing, and inspecting cargo tanks. These cargo tanks may contain hazardous materials, even if only in trace amounts. FMCSA has been advised of an increase in the number of incidents related to working on cargo tanks. …...
