Safety Info Posts

UN’s proposal for modification of the classification criteria and hazard communication for flammable gases

The Joint TDG-GHS informal working group (IWG) dealing with the categorization of flammable gases was organized in Brussels from 9 to 11 March 2015 by the Belgian and the Japanese delegations to the TDG and GHS sub-committees.  The participants (physically/by phone) list can be found in Annex 1of this report.  The purpose of this IWG…...

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Does ASME B31.1 require pressure/leak testing on PSV vent piping to atmopshere?

The requirement for pressure and leak testing on PSV vent piping depends entirely on whether the piping is classified as Boiler External Piping (BEP) or Non-Boiler External Piping (NBEP). If the vent line is part of the BEP (directly attached to the boiler safety valves under the jurisdiction of ASME Section I), the testing requirements…...

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Process Safety and Engineered Pressure Enclosures

I can still remember the day I was told: “the pipe failed its thickness testing – but don’t worry we are going to use a pipe clamp so we can keep using it”.  I had just attended my API 570 and 510 courses to learn all about process equipment inspection protocols.  Not once did I…...

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Canada’s Ammonia Refrigeration staffing requirements (Public Occupancies)

Canada has an interesting requirement for their NH3 refrigeration plants that operate within structures where the general public could be exposed to the NH3.  Since the promulgation of OSHA’s PSM standards in 1992, OSHA has shied away from even mentioning “staffing” for a covered process.  In the USA, we have plants that run 24/7/365 without…...

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Line Break gone BAD (Chlorine)

We have yet another failure of enormous proportions.  When two workers, one of which is a Supervisor, are opening a liquid chlorine line and they have on supplied-air respirators without the regulator attached to the facepiece we have entered into the Twilight Zone.   WorksafeBC has levied a $318,707 fine against the city’s water-treatment plant for:…...

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When we fail @ Hot Work Safety (Video of Designated HW area)

Whether we’re in process safety or just good ole fashioned occupational safety and health, the act of performing hot work (welding to the layperson – my feeble attempt at some Dumb and Dumber humor) can be one of the most dangerous task workers can perform.  Add in the fact the hot work is done within…...

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Does a manufacturer’s maintenance instruction over-ride OSHA’s “minor servicing” exception?

We have a machine and this machine has a couple of tasks that have been deemed “minor servicing”.  As we walk by we see a worker in the machine and no LOTO in place so of course we stop and ask about the situation.  We are told the task being done, “XXXXXXXX”, is indeed a…...

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When bollards look good, but fail miserably

Bollards – a safety engineer’s best friend and a facility engineer’s worst nightmare.  I am not quite sure how we lost our way in such a simple design for such a significant safeguard.  But the International Fire Code (IFC) since the early 1990’s when I began using it has remained consistent in the design of…...

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Understanding Nitrogen Hazards – It is NOT a “toxic hazard” (OSHA GHS)

Last year I was attending some continuing education for my hazardous materials work.  The instructor was outstanding until he went on his tirade against Nitrogen (N2).  He was factually correct when he stated that N2 was a leading killer within confined spaces, but he went off the rails when he tried to convince me that…...

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EPA RMP citations @ refrigerated warehouse and storage facilities (NH3 & $53K w/ $112K SEP)

Respondent is a business that owns and operates two (2) refrigerated warehouse and storage facilities located in Nebraska and Minnesota. The Nebraska facility is located in EPA Region 7 and the Minnesota facility is located in EPA Region 5. Information gathered during the EPA inspection revealed that Respondent had greater than 10,000 pounds of anhydrous…...

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CSB’s Accidental Release Reporting

Here is an initial look at the rule, signed by the CSB Interim Executive today. The final rule requires an owner or operator of a stationary source to submit an accidental release report to the CSB. The rule describes when to file a report of an accidental release and the required content of such a…...

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