Now you see it-Now you don’t (COLD LPG BLEVE – Brittle Fracture Failure?)
Members can view the frame-by-frame footage showing the event…
Flammable Liquid tank HIT @ tequila plant (Video)
UPDATED 7/26/2024 with drone images, fatality count, and preliminary investigation findings Two (2) of the factory’s 219,000-liter (57,850-gallon) tequila vats ruptured, triggering a fire in three (3) other tanks. One 500,000 liters (132,086 gallons) suffered a HIT and traveled nearly 700′, landing in a residential area. The explosion within the plant killed seven (7) workers;
CSB Releases New Study Calling for Greater Use of Remote Isolation Equipment at Chemical Facilities
I love the CSB’s work, but this study could have been said in really simple terms… State Fire Code(s)! I have written dozens of articles explaining the specific requirements of the International Fire Code (IFC), from which most of the 50 states have adopted some “revised” version. Chapter 50 of the IFC (and those states
Fatal HW Explosion on Aqua Ammonia Storage Tank
Many thanks to my friend in safety down under, Mr. Peter Hunt, Director and Principal Consultant, Whamcorp Pty Ltd On 25 March 1991, a contractor died after an ammonia tank he was upgrading exploded at the ICI plant. BACKGROUND
OSHRC decision on Minor Servicing using an Interlock and Machine Specific Procedures
At its facility, Respondent converts paper products into finished products such as rolls of toilet paper and paper towels. The paper products are run through machinery operated by Respondent’s employees. One of these machines is the R74 Line Rewinder (Rewinder) machine. The Rewinder transforms a 10-foot by 10-foot giant roll of toilet paper into the
The journey of the “lazy bollards” (what we call bollards that just don’t work!)
The Hydrant and PIV must be protected, so we installed two (2) “lazy bollards.” The post are correct, their installation is NOT to code. Had they been installed in the parking lot with a 15” diameter footing and at a height of 4’ AND 4’ away from the PIV, then all would be OK. But
Manufacturer’s Limitations of Sulphur Sticks
In 2012, I discussed the use of sulfur sticks and asked a question: Sulfur sticks and ammonia leaks… are you in compliance when using these leak detection devices? In 2014, IIAR updated its edition of ANSI/IIAR 2 – Standard for Safe Design of Closed-Circuit Ammonia Refrigeration Systems, which PROHIBITS their use when charging is being
Bypassing safety critical valves
In almost every PHA I have done since 2000, we find safety critical valves or instrumentation with a built-in bypass around them. I understand the need for a bypass WHEN IT IS FOR MAINTENANCE of the device, but in no sane world do we put a bypass around a safety-critical device so that the process
OSHA issues PSM citations at ink and coatings manufacturing facility (Flammable Liquids & $183K)
The operators of a global ink and coatings manufacturing company could have prevented an employee from suffering burn injuries from a flash fire that erupted in an industrial mixing vessel containing flammable liquids and vapors by following federal regulations for handling of highly hazardous chemicals. An OSHA investigation determined a flash fire sparked in the
OSHA’s Construction Standard for PRCSs information collection requirements
OSHA’s Construction Standard for PRCSs specifies several information collection requirements. The following sections describe who uses the information collected under each requirement and how they use it. Employers and employees would use these information collection requirements to identify a confined space at a construction worksite. The purpose of the information would permit employers and employees
When you see it… (Bollards)
How many code/RAGAGEP violations can you identify? Tip: Code(s) and RAGAGEPs require equipment to be protected against contact with mobile equipment when that contact could lead to an LOPC event involving a hazardous material. Answer(s) below:
[My] Weekly Safety Thought – Building an SMS is like building a house
Imagine trying to build a house today without the proper tools, such as a hammer/nail gun, handsaw/power saw, and tape measure. These are obviously critical to the task being done WELL and EFFICENTLY. Sure, we could build a house without them, but would it be one we would buy and put our family in for