Hazardous Materials

I am not a big fan of government intervention, but in the safety envelope, they play a role in validating that minimum standards are being met.  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) audits service providers who inspect HAZMAT transportation containers.  Beginning in June 2023, during an investigation at a manufacturer in Fresno, California, FMCSA…...

We don’t see this often, but the number of facilities that do not know of this fundamental OSHA/IFC/NFPA requirement for their fixed LPG storage tank(s) is sad.  How one defines “high water table or flood conditions” is open for discussion as no one has reallty DEFINED or QUANTIFIED the phrase as of yet.  The video…...

Did you know that sulfuric acid (H2SO4) based batteries produce Hydrogen (H2) when charging? This is why OSHA requires ventilation (1910.178(g)(2) and “NO SMOKING” signs (1910.178(g)(10) in charging areas. And FYI… H2 is 16X’s lighter than air, so the exhaust needs to be in the roof- not even high up on the wall near the…...

The state of NY is removing its code requirements for Ammonia Refrigeration processes and simply requiring the use of IIAR standards…… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...

Many folks recognize Nitrogen (N2) as a confined space hazard, and rightfully so; however, as OSHA’s data points out – N2 can kill OUTSIDE of a confined space just as quickly.  Here are the 22 deaths caused by N2 exposure and the links to the OSHA case files from 2020 thru 2023. Fifteen (15) of…...

A private hospital company has been fined £160,000 for breaching health and safety regulations after three (3) people were injured during a chlorine leak. The company pleaded guilty to two (2) charges of failing to discharge general health, safety, and welfare duty in relation to an incident on March 11, 2021, when a chemical reaction…...

A “Hazardous liquid” means, for the purpose of this regulation, a chemical or mixture of chemicals that is toxic, an irritant, corrosive, a strong oxidizer, a strong sensitizer,combustible, flammable, extremely flammable, dangerously reactive or pressure generating or which otherwise may cause substantial personal injury or substantial illness during, or as a direct result of any…...

Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC) have become very popular in various industries.  They have also become a major pain in the _ss for many safety and process safety professionals as they have become a “catch-all” type of container.  This week, we encountered an IBC permanently implemented as a “process vessel” within a PSM/RMP-covered process.  And as…...

I have said this many times… one of the most hazardous tasks that can take place on industrial property is the loading/unloading of hazardous materials.  So many things can go wrong and with the quantities being handled, hazards can get out of control quickly.  So DOT has seen fit to require a “qualified attendant” during…...

Since the train derailment in Palestine, OH, on February 3, many have heard the statistic… More than 99.98% of rail hazmat shipments reach their destination without a release caused by a train accident. Source: https://www.aar.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/AAR-Hazmat-Fact-Sheet.pdf That statistic may very well be accurate; however, without understanding the definitions used, there could be some padding in the…...

At approximately 8:45 a.m. on March 4, 1986, Employee #1, at a cannery, attempted to remove chlorine gas cylinders from a distribution point located beneath a stairwell. Eight of the cylinders were mostly full and simply in storage. The system had not been used for five (5) years. One 150-lb cylinder was still connected to…...

In the retort area of the cannery, Employee #2 watched as Employee #1 took a 150-pound chlorine cylinder out of service. Employee #1 failed to follow posted instructions to ensure that the cylinder valve was fully closed. When the vacuum regulator was removed, chlorine gas began escaping. Employees #1 and #2 left the area. Employee…...