On March 25, 2008, the State of New Jersey adopted rules requiring facilities regulated under the Toxic Catastrophe Prevention Act (TCPA) Program, which is PSM/RMP to those of us outside of the state of New Jersey, to perform Inherently Safer Technology (IST) reviews. Both OSHA and Federal EPA have tried to incorporate the IST model […]
MEMORANDUM FOR: REGIONAL ADMINISTRATORS, STATE PLAN DESIGNEES THROUGH: AMANDA EDENS, Deputy Assistant Secretary FROM: PATRICK J. KAPUST, Acting Director Directorate of Enforcement Programs SUBJECT: Enforcement Guidance for Use of Respiratory Protection Equipment Certified under Standards of Other Countries or Jurisdictions During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic This memorandum provides interim guidance to Compliance
OSHA cited three employers – a University, a Mechanical contractor and an HVAC contractor – for exposing workers to permit-required confined space hazards associated with underground steam vaults. Proposed penalties for the three companies total $235,962. OSHA received an employer-reported referral from the mechanical contractor after an employee suffered burns from a release of steam
In this one, we get a 2-for-1 special!!!! First, the egress path height… 1910.36(g)(1) The ceiling of an exit route must be at least seven feet six inches (2.3 m) high. Any projection from the ceiling must not reach a point less than six feet eight inches (2.0 m) from the floor. and then the
From my friend Bill Geddings… In an effort to help EHS professionals who are missing conferences, local professional development meetings and other training opportunities that will allow us all to maintain certifications and our competencies please share known online learning opportunities. These can be environmental, occupational health, safety, leadership, emergency response, etc. I will share
Earlier this week I explained the OSHA requirements for storing Flammable Liquids “outside”, using Ethanol as my example since so many businesses have been converted over to making hand sanitizers, many of which have never managed such a large inventory of flammable liquids. Part 2 is to cover those businesses who wish to store their
The humanity and compassion that many ordinary businesses are showing during this pandemic are heartwarming and patriotic. But it is also very concerning and quite frankly dangerous to see some of the images from their public announcements of their efforts. As a profession, we need to step up and help these businesses manage their hazardous
Although the idea of this article originated from a PSSR debacle on a new process construction project, the information will apply to ALL building construction and so I have put this in the OSHA Compliance Category rather than the Chemical Process Safety category. Late last year we were finishing up a longterm project with a
Brian Chapin, Compliance Services Manager NOTE: This article is by my good friend and colleague Brian Chapin @ RC&E in Forth Worth, TX. In full disclosure, RC&E has been a corporate member for several years. Brian was gracious in allowing me to post his work directly at SAFTENG as some of you were having issues
On June 29, 2005, an operator was involved in the following maintenance activities in the Chloropyridines Complex at the employer’s chemical manufacturing facility. He was returning a reactor vessel to service and WAS ATTEMPTING TO DO A PRESSURE AND LEAK TEST USING CHLORINE GAS. The pipeline was supposed to be pressure tested with nitrogen gas
On March 13, 2007, Employee #1, a subcontractor, performed maintenance on commercial foodservice equipment. He was in the kitchen area of a single-story restaurant, attempting to locate the source of a refrigerant leak in an ice cream storage dipping cabinet. Employee #1 connected a Nitrogen cylinder to the dipping cabinet’s refrigeration system via a hose
