Three (3) fundamentals are behind the “electrical classification” model for hazardous locations. These three fundamentals mirror our approach to other workplace hazards, and understanding these three fundamentals will help make a lot of sense out of NFPA 497/499 and 1910.307.
The US still uses the Class and Division system to classify electrical systems in hazardous locations. However, outside the US, the Zone system is more widely used. Manufacturers are beginning to list their equipment based on the Zone(s) it is rated for, which can cause translation confusion. The table below may be of help.
We can learn a lot from Aviation Safety! I came across this 2017 presentation on Runway Safety Trends and Runway Incursion Analysis and just loved how they analyzed their data to identify the trends, causes, and contributing factors. Some of the data may be alarming, but that is not my intent. This is how we
I have spent much time reading NTSB accident reports over my career. They are usually very educational, even for those of us outside the aviation industry. This incident involving this mother of three being sucked into a jet engine has captured a lot of headlines due to its graphic nature, but there will be so
I have several clients who offload ships/containers in this manner. Whenever I see this, I immediately go to “that is a PRCS”. The ship/container is for sure a CS, and the fact that we have an engine putting off CO inside the ship/container makes the space a PRCS. I am fortunate enough to have great
Yesterday, OSHA announced its plans to promulgate a revised Process Safety Management (PSM) standard and a NEW Emergency Response Standard in 2023. Executive Order 12866 requires the semiannual publication of an agenda of regulations listing all the regulations the Department of Labor expects to have under active consideration for promulgation, proposal, or review during the
The OSHRC has vacated four (4) heat-related OSHA citations against the United States Post Office. This decision was based ON LEGAL matters regarding the Feasibility of Abatement of the Hazard. ALL parties agreed to the fact that HEAT CAN BE A HAZARD, but when OSHA issues a GDC Citation, it must provide feasible abatement measures.
The derailment in East Palestine, OH, was a classic need for a Vent & Burn operation (as shown in the video). There was some indication that one or more of the Vinyl Chloride railcars had begun its polymerization reaction, which could result in catastrophic consequences for many people and property. This indication also eliminates the
On May 3, 2022, at about 19:45 local time, the inspected passenger vessel Natchez, with one crewmember on board standing a security watch, was moored in the Industrial Canal in New Orleans, Louisiana, undergoing renovations when a fire broke out.1 Local firefighters extinguished the fire at 2139. No pollution or injuries were reported. Damage to
Filling or handling plastic or other non-conducting containers can still be hazardous when the flammable liquid is conductive. The splashing (filling) and turbulence of the liquid in the container can cause a static electric charge to build up in the liquid or on conductive parts of the container that are not adequately grounded. A spark
SPECIAL NOTE: This appears to be the first case where OSHA has applied it’s new Instance-by-Instance Penalty for Willful Citations. This case involved a leg amupation while working inside a sile with the paddle conveyor still running. OSHA issued three (3) Willfuls using 1910.28(b)(6)(i) for each citation and all three (3) were willfuls. An grain
When writing SWPs/SOPs be sure how you phrase things. KNOW your audience. An elementary teacher got what she asked for when she simply asked the class to draw a clock showing the time as 10 minutes past 11. This exercise is called the Clock Drawing Test for Cognition. Usually reserved for the elderly or someone
