Hazardous Materials

A forklift operator at an industrial site was filling a liquid propane cylinder on the forklift and also heard a hissing sound. The operator then started the forklift and a flash fire explosion occurred at the forklift and propane dispensing system. The facility is an industrial wood processing plant with a propane dispensing system. Propane-fuelled…...

Back in June of last year (2020), the city of Wenling in China experienced a tragedy that involved a COLD BLEVE of a flammable liquified pressurized gas tanker truck and a subsequent explosion killing 18 people.  We have dashcam footage of the COLD BLEVE and it is “textbook” footage of such an event – we…...

As you know, I am a huge fan of the FM Global Data Sheets and I still recommend them to all my clients.  If your business is too cheap to buy RAGAGEPs, these Data Sheets are by far your next best options as they are FREE.  And in some situations, I actually prefer the FM…...

When trying to assure that people will work in a safe environment, it is imperative to understand how a building is intended to be used. The code classification system for buildings is therefore based upon how the building is intended to be used. The safety of building occupants cannot be assured if only the construction…...

We often get asked: Do I neet to install a gas detector in the room? Well, it’s pretty easy in my state, as in most cases we have dealt with, the state fire/HAZMAT code required it.  The code includes basic requirements for ALL gas detection systems and covers: construction documents, equipment, power connections, emergency and…...

This past week I learned that what used to be allowed only under a “special permit” is now part of the regulation for unloading (and loading) HAZMATs.  It was very popular during my time as a safety/PSM manager and all my plants applied for and received the DOT Special permit(s) to unload both Railcars and…...

I have always wanted to do this for my own use and over the pandemic, I took the time to compile a breakdown of some of the hazardous materials my clients have into Highly Toxic and Toxic so as to be clear which design requirements apply to which hazardous materials (HAZMATs).  For some of these…...

Anhydrous Ammonia is NOT a toxic nor highly toxic gas, as defined by the International Fire Code (IFC).  But if it is not managed as a “toxic,” how do we manage our ammonia gas? The IFC actually puts Anhydrous Ammonia in the…… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready...

I have been catching up on my Chlorine posts these last several weeks and some have asked me how I know which chemical goes into which hazard class; specifically, why Chlorine is “only toxic” and not “highly toxic”.  As I said in a few of my previous articles on safely managing Cl2, some of my…...

One of the top 5 nastiest checmicals I have encountered during my career is Hydrofluoric Acid and Hydrogen Fluoride (HF).  And it just amazes me that humans can convenience themselves that these chemicals are not “really that hazardous”.  TRUST ME (and NIOSH), HF has earned its place in my Top 5.  Of course, HF is not…...