Unfortunately, the code is not as clear as I would like, and I do get a lot of pushback when I encounter high-expansion fluids in hazardous-materials piping. I deal with a lot of liquids that are Highly Toxic, Flammable, and some that are both, which also have a high coefficient of expansion. So, in this…...
A chemical gas leak at a Water Plant resulted in three people being transported to the hospital. The leak was a result of a chemical reaction of the chemical “alum” being mistakenly added to two tanks of bleach, creating chlorine gas. At around 2 p.m., the Portage County Hazardous Materials Team responded to an incident…...
Under certain conditions, the IFC allows “Fail-Safe Engineered Systems” in lieu of “emergency backup power” for safety-critical systems such as ventilation, treatment, or temperature control systems. The code states: 5004.7.2 Fail-safe engineered systems. Standby power for mechanical ventilation, treatment systems and temperature control systems shall not be required where an approved fail-safe engineered system is…...
Seven (7) of the Top 10 OSHA citations were in General Industry; Three (3) were in construction. Of the Top 10 citations, ALL were issued in 2010 or earlier, dating back to 1989. Process Safety, Flammable Liquids, and Combustible Dusts drive the top four (4) citations ($114,251,500) The three (3) construction cases totaled $23,230,000… Membership...
We see this all the time, although many folks think it is rare – why I am not sure, as this scenario is 100% why OSHA promulgated the Energy Control Standard in 1989, to PREVENT someone from energizing a machine/equipment while someone is performing servicing/mainteance on it. On Jan. 29, 2026, a worker was tasked…...
The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the National Security Agency (NSA), the Department of Energy (DOE), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Department of Transportation (DOT), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)—hereafter referred to as “the authoring organizations”—are aware of malicious cyber…...
I have discussed the phrase “at least” in 39 articles I have posted over the 30 years of SAFTENG’s existence. Most of my references are to process safety matters, but it is also widely used in OSH standards and codes. And still today, it is as big a “trap” as it was when I started…...
Yes, having threaded rods of inconsistent lengths on a single flange is a mechanical integrity concern. While it may seem like a minor aesthetic issue, it directly impacts the ability to achieve a secure, uniform pressure boundary. Why Inconsistent THREADED Rod/Bolt Lengths are a Problem… Membership Required You must be a member to access this...
In an early post this morning, I discussed the need for “rain caps” and “weep holes” on our Pressure Safety Relief systems. And a dear friend and great ChemE reminded me that “weep Holes” are not just for draining rainwater. For example, this week I was working with an NH3 client, and I must state…...
Yes, we still need to consider drainage at the low point of our discharge piping, even with a “rain cap”. While a rain cap is designed to deflect direct vertical precipitation from entering the discharge lines/piping, it is not a hermetic seal. Over time, moisture can still enter the discharge piping through condensation, wind-driven rain,…...
During a maintenance shutdown at a wood pellet plant, three workers employed by a mill machinery service company were working at the mill to clean the burner. The workers were standing at the opening of a burner door when an explosion occurred in the dryer system. The three workers were knocked backward by the force…...
A worker was standing on top of a tanker truck to transfer gasoline from a tanker trailer to the tanker truck. The tanker truck’s engine was running, and the pumping system was engaged. The worker opened access hole covers to a compartment in the truck that held diesel and to another that was empty. Some…...
