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…...
Why does OSHA (and IFC and NFPA) require 1910.110(h)(6)(i)(h) Read More »
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…...
Thirty 100-pound batteries charging caused HAZMAT response at Hospital Read More »
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...
2020 Mechanical Code of New York State Issued June 2023 – Version 2.0 Read More »
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…...
22 Nitrogen Fatalities from 2020-2023! (15 were outside of a PRCS) Read More »
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…...
WRONG CHEMICAL – WRONG TANK (Reaction creates Cl2) Read More »
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…...
Kentucky’s Hazardous Liquid Unloading standard Read More »
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…...
IBC handling hazardous materials have an inspection frequency Read More »
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…...
Unloading/Loading HAZMATs without a “qualified attendant” Read More »
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…...
Understanding statistics in public relations Read More »
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…...
Another 150-pound Cl2 Cylinder “line break gone bad” event Read More »
In the 2021 International Mechanical Code (IMC), the International Association of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR) was successful in simplifying the code requirements for refrigeration systems using Anhydrous Ammonia (NH3). The code now reads: 1101.1.2 Ammonia refrigerant Refrigeration systems using ammonia as the refrigerant shall comply with IIAR 2, IIAR 3, IIAR 4, and IIAR 5 and…...
2021 IMC and Refrigeration Processes (other than NH3) Read More »
