On February 8, 2007, PHMSA issued, “A Summary Evaluation of Risk Associated with Bulk Loading/Unloading of Hazmat,” a summary report of a risk assessment conducted to identify risks associated with bulk loading and unloading operations for highway and rail transportation. The report provides both a qualitative and quantitative analysis of incident reports involving loading and […]
Chemical Reaction During Cargo Transfer MC-307 Cargo Tank Whitehall, MI May 1, 2001 NTSB Number HZB-00/03 PDF Accident No: DCA99MZ006 Location: Whitehall, Michigan Date of Accident: June 4, 1999 Time: 3:50 a.m. eastern standard time Carrier: Quality Carriers, Inc. Vehicles: MC-307 Cargo Tank Injured: 1 fatality and 1 injury Evacuated: 11 people from the plant
Chemical Reaction During Cargo Transfer Matlack, Inc Louisville, KY November 19, 1998 NTSB Number HZB 00/02 PDF Accident No: DCA99MZ003 Location: Louisville, Kentucky Date of Accident: November 19, 1998 Time: 8:15 a.m. eastern standard time Carrier: Matlack, Inc. Vehicles: MC-307 Cargo Tank Injured: 7 minor Evacuated: About 2,400 people were evacuated from the plant and
I am often asked why I am such a stickler for unloading/loading HAZMATS and where I come up all of “my requirements” for these tasks. Yes, I am a stickler for these tasks as my career has seen its fair share of unloading/loading incidents. As for “my requirements” I can not actually take credit for
Pressure decay testing, monitoring a gauge for a pressure drop over a specified period, is unacceptable as a standalone leak test under ASME B31.3 because the code explicitly mandates a 100% visual examination of all joints and connections while the system is under test pressure. While a pressure decay test can indicate that a system
Those of you that have followed me and my ramblings for years know that I am a stickler for unloading/loading operations involving HAZMAT(s). Some of the worst accidents in my career in the chemical industry involved the unloading/loading of HAZMATs. I have written many times about the hazards of unloading even mildly hazardous materials into
Goal To determine a recommended, non-destructive metallurgical testing method and protocol for detecting cracks in a nurse tank, and to develop guidelines for when to require repair or order a nurse tank out-of-service. Research results are intended to support a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommended rulemaking by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
I am always amazed at the number of facilities that do not understand their hazardous materials and the proper safety techniques in managing the hazards these HAZMATs present. Recently I came acorss a sitution where a contractor was left to “prepare piping for a line break”. The facility utilizes natural gas, as a fuel, within
For the doubting Thomas (no offense to actual people named Thomas), here is a bit of info to BELIEVE… I can not believe I have to say this in the Year 2026, but: Anhydrous Ammonia is a FLAMMABLE GAS Look it up on any reputable SDS. Yes, it is shipped as a non-flammable gas, but
When comparing a Wheatstone bridge detector and a catalytic bead detector (often called a pellistor), it is essential to clarify their fundamental relationship: they are not competing technologies, but rather complementary components of the exact same industrial gas detection system. A catalytic bead sensor CANNOT function without a Wheatstone bridge circuit, and in the context
Recently, a compressed gas cylinder exploded in a state university campus laboratory. The explosion was attributed to dangerous alterations that had been made to the cylinder. At approximately 3:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 12, 2006, an explosion occurred in a state university chemistry building laboratory, causing substantial building damage. The explosion resulted from a rupture
Marking Hazardous (Classified) Locations is a critical step in both compliance and personnel safety. While OSHA and the NEC (NFPA 70) mandate the classification of these areas, they are surprisingly quiet on exactly how to physically mark them. Because “invisible” hazards like flammable vapors or combustible dust can’t be seen, you should use a tiered
