Hazardous Materials

At 5:00 p.m. on January 30, 2023, two employees, 24 and 48, were performing operations pertaining to an autoclave. The atmosphere was oxygen deficient due to the presence of argon gas. The employees were asphyxiated and killed. Source: https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/accidentsearch.accident_detail?id=153529.015… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log...

At approximately 12:00 p.m. on February 24, 2023, an employee, 35, was performing “well site pumping operations” for an oil and gas producer. A coworker had been trying to contact the employee unsuccessfully, so he went to the oil and gas well site where the employee was working to check on him. The coworker found…...

1101.1 Scope. This chapter shall govern the design, installation, construction, and repair of refrigeration systems. Permanently installed refrigerant storage systems and other components shall be considered as part of the refrigeration system to which they are attached. 1101.1.1 Refrigerants other than ammonia. Refrigeration systems using a refrigerant other than ammonia shall comply with this chapter,…...

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…...