Safety Info Posts

What is the margin of error in the computed respirator change-out schedules?

/ OSHA Compliance, Respiratory Protection /

There is no single, universal “margin of error” for computed respirator cartridge change-out schedules. Because software calculators—such as NIOSH’s MultiVapor™ or manufacturer-specific tools like 3M™ Select and Service Life—rely on predictive mathematical models (most commonly Gerry Wood’s adsorption model), their accuracy depends entirely on how closely the inputted parameters match real-world workplace conditions. In controlled…...

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Failure of NH Nurse Tank

/ Hazardous Materials /

On June 28, 2026, a fatal farming accident occurred in Crane Township, Paulding County, Ohio, involving a tractor pulling an anhydrous ammonia “nurse” tank. The farmer, 59, was killed. He was driving a John Deere 9220 tractor pulling an anhydrous ammonia tank through a field. Just after 4:00 PM, the machinery struck and crashed into…...

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Report on the catastrophic Explosion @ Shandong Youdao Chemical Co., Ltd. (China)

/ Chemical Process Safety (PSM/RMP), Hazardous Materials /

On May 27, 2025, a catastrophic explosion and fire erupted at a chemical manufacturing plant operated by Shandong Youdao Chemical Co., Ltd. (often referred to as Gaomi Youdao Chemical) in Gaomi City, Shandong Province, China. The explosion killed 12 people, injured 19 others, and caused widespread structural destruction throughout the surrounding area. In July 2026,…...

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What is the minimum pressure for a sensitivity “bubble test” (Piping Leak Test)?

/ Chemical Process Safety (PSM/RMP), Hazardous Materials, OSHA Compliance /

For a formal liquid bubble leak test using a detector like Swagelok Snoop, the industry-standard minimum pressure governed by ASME Section V, Article 10 and ASME B31.3 is 15 psig or 25% of the system design pressure, whichever is less. While SNOOP itself will bubble at virtually any positive pressure where gas escapes, engineering codes…...

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Is pneumatic testing of plastic water piping acceptable under ASME B31?

/ Chemical Process Safety (PSM/RMP) /

As we have discussed before, the PREFERRED pressure/leak testing method is hydrostatic. This is the “rule” for all of the ASME B31 series RAGAGEPs; however, for some odd reason, many businesses believe that pneumatic testing is “easier, cleaner, and cheaper” and will just perform their testing with little to no consideration for using hydrostatic methods…....

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What does the phrase “Tag +” mean to you as a safety professional?

/ Lockout Tagout, OSHA Compliance /

It’s an internal OSHA term for when an employer chooses to use TagOut (TO) instead of LockOut (LO). The TO has to be “equally effective” as a LO; this “Tag Plus” must be demonstrated to show that the TO is equal to an LO…. Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View...

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Facility Siting – Location of labor quarters in relation to the covered process

/ Chemical Process Safety (PSM/RMP), Hazardous Materials /

The Industrial Safety and Health Department has directed all seafood processing units to relocate labor quarters to safe locations from the processing units immediately. The order comes in the wake of the NH3 leak tragedy that left 18 workers dead, as their accommodation was in close proximity to the factory’s Engineroom. Following the incident, the…...

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Can the safety manager “see” an employee’s completed Respiratory Protection medical questionnaire?

/ OSHA Compliance, Respiratory Protection /

ABSOLUTELY NOT! I know this may not be accepted by everyone, but the medical questionnaire is a medical record, and even the safety manager does not have access to it. In fact, some of the companies I worked for forbade the record from being kept on site. Although two of my sites had on-site medical…...

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Can we deny an employee a specific job if they refuse to be medically qualified for respirator use?

/ Emergency Response, OSHA Compliance, Respiratory Protection /

Employees who refuse to undergo a medical evaluation cannot be assigned to work in areas where they are required to wear a respirator…. Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...

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Do you consider “Fit Testing” records to be “medical records” and off-limits to a 2nd/3rd-party auditor?

/ Emergency Response, OSHA Compliance, Respiratory Protection /

In the past 12-months I have been told by three (3) organizations that I can not audit the fit testing records because they are “personal medical records”. After some time, I finally convinced their legal team that fit tests are not medical records, and I was then allowed to audit the records. And of course,…...

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Medical Evals for Respiratory Protection (RP) standard do NOT qualify as the HAZWOPER Medical Surveillance

/ Emergency Response, OSHA Compliance, Respiratory Protection /

The Respiratory Protection (RP) standard medical questionnaire for 1910.134 will NOT satisfy the HAZWOPER medical surveillance requirement. The intent and requirements for medical surveillance under HAZWOPER are very different from those required by the Respiratory Protection standard. The intent of the HAZWOPER medical surveillance requirements are two-fold:… Membership Required You must be a member to...

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Fireproofing piping supports

/ Chemical Process Safety (PSM/RMP), Flammable Liquids, Hazardous Materials, OSHA Compliance /

Fireproofing piping supports — specifically the application of Passive Fire Protection (PFP)— is a critical mitigation strategy designed to prevent the structural collapse of pipe racks during a flammable liquid fire. In most state fire codes and the IFC, flammable liquid piping supports inside a secondary containment are REQUIRED to be protected from the effects…...

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