The day has arrived! IN-OSHA, a state-plan agency, has issued a citation to a chemical manufacturer regarding its Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for Ammonium Hydroxide (NH₄OH). OSHA took issue because the SDS did not provide the LEL/UEL range for this chemical. Now I could argue that NH₄OH is NOT a flammable liquid, and therefore, this…...
Are you shocked this led to a fire? Welding on the wall of a boxcar that is full of paper goods. This is the exact set up OSHA warns us of… 1910.252(a)(2)(x) Noncombustible walls. If welding is to be done on a metal wall, partition, ceiling, or roof, precautions shall be taken to prevent ignition…...
The Compressed Gas Association (CGA) has published P-95, Guideline for the Safe Installation and Use of Cryogenic Food Freezing and Chilling Equipment. This publication covers the installation and operation of food freezing and chilling equipment and associated supply systems, and the use of that equipment with refrigerated liquefied gases (nitrogen and carbon dioxide)…. Membership Required...
At 4:30 p.m. on October 25, 2024, an employee, 53, was working on a crew with four (4) other employees fueling a boat when an explosion occurred. The employee died from 3rd degree burns to his body and blunt force trauma to his head. Four (4) other employees were hospitalized to treat multiple burns…. Membership...
At 12:19 p.m. on September 18, 2024, Employee #1, 42, was cleaning the paper machine rollers with an air hose. While performing the task, the employee was caught between the top roller and the mat. The employee was crushed by the rollers, resulting in fatal injuries…. Membership Required You must be a member to access...
It’s hard to believe that 2025 is already at its halfway mark. Temperatures are rising and humidity is creeping in for many workplaces, so it’s time to start measuring, monitoring, and responding to high-heat working conditions. Don’t ignore this hazard simply because OSHA has not yet promulgated a standard. Do it for your PEOPLE, not…...
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Recently, I visited an old client after a long absence. As I pulled into the parking lot, I immediately noticed the upgrade to the freshly paved and striped parking lot. My last visit, years earlier, I ended up parking in a crater in a gravel lot that some smaller cars would not have been able…...
Today, the CSB released its final report addressing three (3) serious chemical incidents involving toxic hydrogen fluoride (HF) at a facility in Geismar, Louisiana. The incidents occurred over a period of less than three years, from October 2021 to June 2024, and reveal systemic safety failures at the facility. These incidents were LOPC events, two…...
One of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of injury while operating machines is to use what’s called the Hierarchy of Controls method. It ranks the ways to reduce risks from most effective to least effective. Often, you’ll need to combine control methods to best protect workers…. Membership Required You must be a member to...
I am sharing this incident as we continue to find air receivers that are 20+ years old and have never once been inspected as a pressure vessel. We even see this in PSM/RMP-covered facilities – the facility does a nice job on their process pressure vessels, but overlooks their air receivers. Air receivers have a…...
At 11:30 a.m. on September 7, 2024, Employee #1 (41) and the owner (51) were working inside a silage silo when they were overcome by hazardous vapors. A third employee entered the silo in an attempt to assist them…. Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log...
