Sinopec Yangzi Petrochemical (May 29, 2026): Four workers died during shutdown maintenance at an ethylene plant in China. The flash fire occurred while operations personnel were disassembling a cracking valve. Early investigations point to incomplete emptying and purging of the pipe, which left residual cracking gases (ethylene, propylene, and butadiene) inside. The suspected ignition source […]
The proposed OSHA Emergency Response standard is currently in the final review stages. According to OSHA’s most recent Unified Agenda (published in July 2026), the final rule is projected to be published in April 2027. Once finalized, this rule will completely replace the outdated 1980 “Fire Brigades” standard (29 CFR 1910.156) and dramatically expand basic
Many in safety may not recognize that the “burst pressure” of piping is NOT the same as the Maximum Allowable Working Pressure (MAWP). ASME B31.3 requires the facility to identify and work within the MAWP. For those who may not know the difference and why it matters…
The 2026 edition of the code no longer relies on cross-referencing NFPA 55. This code now has full scope over all requirements related to hydrogen storage, use, and handling. This is a result of the NFPA Standards Council clarifying that the scope of the technical committee responsible for revising this code must be referred to
First, I am as guilty as anyone for using these terms interchangeably, but this week I was in a deep discussion on PRCS Isolation and those on the other end of the phone were getting confused as I was using these terms interchangeably. So I am setting the record straight on this topic, as it
Recent technological advancements that employ computer-based controls of hazardous energy (e.g., mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, chemical, and radiation) conflict with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) existing lock-out/tag-out (LOTO) standard. The use of these computer-based controls has become more prevalent as equipment manufacturers modernize their designs to increase productivity. Additionally, National Consensus Standards have evolved, and
My official question to OSHA was… Recently, OSHA issued an LOI aligning with NFPA 350 regarding PRCS isolation. In particular, OSHA stated that a pipe passing through a PRCS but not terminating within the space would NOT have to be isolated and evacuated. I want to know if this practice would be acceptable if the
A fire ignited inside a silo (a confined space) at this firm’s sawmill, and the water used to extinguish it had frozen the wood fiber inside the silo. While a subcontractor’s worker was pressure washing the fiber inside the silo, a large volume of fiber dislodged from an overhang above the work area. The fiber
While the terms “Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)” and “Non-Destructive Examination (NDE)” are often used interchangeably in casual professional conversation, they have distinct technical nuances based on the depth of the process and the intended outcome.
Employee #1 was injured when the 300-gallon air receiver of an air compressor unit ruptured, resulting in severe injuries to both his legs. The accident was caused by rust inside the receiver, which weakened the steel because the receiver was not drained. The safety valve was inoperative due to corrosion from a lack of testing.
OSHA has proposed more than $3.5 million in fines against three (3) companies after federal inspectors determined they failed to protect workers during post-emergency response cleanup after a chemical spill at an industrial facility in Channelview. OSHA initiated three (3) inspections following a Dec. 27, 2025, sulfuric acid spill that resulted in multiple employee injuries.
