A written emergency response plan (ERP) shall be developed for preventing, preparing for, and responding to work-related emergencies involving combustible dusts, including but not limited to fire and explosion. The following information shall be developed into the ERP:
Hot work and similar spark-producing operations shall not be conducted in or adjacent to combustible dust-producing areas unless precautions have been taken to provide safety. Hot work shall be permitted only in safe, designated areas in accordance with Chapter 35. Hot work is prohibited on equipment that is operating. Conspicuous signs with the following warning
Flexible hose shall be permitted if designed and installed in accordance with the following requirements:
Dust-producing equipment and dust-handling equipment, including but not limited to vacuums, dust collection systems, dryers, mixers, blenders, separators, conveyors, storage containers, silos, or other similar devices, shall be listed and shall be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommended standards. 2203.2.1 Signages and markings Signages and markings shall be provided in accordance with Sections 2203.2.1.1
A lot work has been done in the past twenty years to raise awareness and understanding of the risks associated with combustible dusts. Between NFPA and the IFC, we have some excellent resources to design, operate and maintain areas where combustible dusts may be present. In the 2021 IFC, the “Critical Depth Layer” was re-defined/quantified…
To improve safety performance, coherent action is required in three (3) areas: 1) technical aspects, 2) safety management, and 3) human and organizational factors These different “pillars” all influence the safety culture. It should be emphasized that, in any given company, safety priorities have undergone several phases of chronological development, with each new area of
On November 28, 1999, a blockage occurred in the South Teal Unit. The blockage or plug occurred somewhere in the recycle waste line on the second level of South Teal. This line brings crude Teal with excess aluminum to T-103, which feeds back to the reactors. During the night shift, they were able to blow
A recent Coast Guard investigation involving a fire and subsequent loss of propulsion on board an inspected vessel serves as a reminder of safety issues caused by condensate forming in airlines. During the investigation, an underlying issue was discovered that caused condensate to form in airlines that supplied compressed air to the vessel’s air-operated engine
If you’re an EHS pro, you have certainly seen these devices. They can add a level of safety for that loss of primary containment (LOPC) incidents or, in some cases, overfill events. image source: eagle manufacturing But these “Containment Pallets” come with some environmental limitations that are required for their safe use…
The most common RAGAGEP for pipe labeling is ASME A13.1, Scheme for the Identification of Piping Systems. It is referenced in dozens of hazardous material codes, from ICC to NFPA. In the ICC codes, specifically the International Fire Code (IFC), there is an interesting twist to the requirements for “Compressed Gases (Chapter 53). ASME is
One of the reasons I use the International Fire Code (IFC) for my hazardous materials code over OSHA standards is that the IFC gets updated every three (3) years. God only knows when OSHA may address lithium-ion and lithium-metal batteries. Also, the IFC and NFPA tend to be closely aligned in their design and practices
This weekend, we witnessed football helmets failing upon impact due to the frigid temperatures. Sadly, these failures were accepted, and play continued! But this brings about the logical question: How cold can it get before my hard hat (HH) fails when struck by a falling object? Most HH manufacturers will advertise the maximum temperature at
