Safety Info Posts

BLEVE #1 (2020)

This video was shared with me from outside the USA.  The audience certainly does not understand what they are witnessing or they would not be watching so closely.  Although we can not see the fire impinging on the vessel, we can see the RV discharge has ignited.  Then after a few moments, I’m told this…...

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We have Hotwork Compliance Standards around the world because of these two workers!

There is just so much to take in from this video!  God help us if the “gas can” the attending is using contains actual gasoline!!  Of course, he or his partner ensured these “used gas cans” were cleaned thoroughly before filling with water and be used to wet the pavement during the hotwork – BUT…...

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EPA RMP citations @ food transfer and storage facility (NH3 & $52K)

Respondent is the owner of a food transfer and storage facility and according to their risk management plan for the Facility, Respondent uses approximately 25,225 pounds of anhydrous ammonia in its closed-loop industrial ammonia refrigeration system.  On October 2, 2018, EPA conducted an inspection of the Facility to determine whether Respondent was in compliance with…...

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Pressure testing for individual piping system components (an official interp)

This is NOT my personal interpretation of this ASME B31.3 “leak testing” requirement(s), but it is the official position of the Alberta Canada pressure equipment safety authority.  I share this as another “official” explanation of what ASME B31.3 requires in terms of pressure/leak testing and this regulatory agency’s interpretation of how they read this critical…...

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Have you granted your local Fire Department access to your Ammonia Machinery Room on a 24/7/365 basis?

This little matter always leads to an energetic discussion during our Emergency Response assessments/planning exercises.  But most states have a state code that will read something like this… Access to refrigeration systems having a refrigerant circuit containing more than 220 pounds (100 kg) of Group A1 or 30 pounds (14 kg) of any other group…...

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Never has an OSHA “Note” ever been so overlooked (1910.146)

There is a “Note” in OSHA’s Permit-Required Confined Space (PRCS) Standard(s) that seems to be overlooked by many who read the standard.  This “Note” is maybe the most important “Note” I have come across over my nearly 30 years in safety, so I am at a loss as to why so many misunderstand or overlook…...

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OSHA issues update to the Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal Fall Protection Systems Final Rule Frequently Asked Questions

A number of revisions were made to the existing general industry standards. Changes and new requirements include: (emphasis by me)… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...

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Authentic leadership and work engagement: The indirect effects of psychological safety and trust in supervisors (Study)

This is a MUST READ for safety leaders.  It is scientific proof that CULTURE MATTERS to safety, and how we establish a culture of safety is with AUTHENTIC LEADERSHIP (w/ empathy) and how this BUILDS TRUST in the organization – most importantly, how this builds trust with the workers who do the dirty and dangerous…...

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Line Break gone bad (Butane w/ improper energy isolation)

An operator was working to remove a pressure gauge on what was assumed to be depressurized tubing. The upstream piping the pressure gauge tubing was connected to had been isolated, de-pressured and air-gapped so that this section of line was positively and physically isolated from the process. However, during the work to isolate the process…...

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EPA RMP citations @ chemical manufacturing facility (NH3 & $98K)

Respondent is the owner and/or operator of a facility that uses anhydrous ammonia in its chemical manufacturing process.  EPA conducted an inspection of the Facility on April 13, 2016, to assess compliance with Section 112(r)(7) of the CAA (the “Inspection”) and the regulations at 40 C.F.R. Part 68. Respondent filed an RMP for the Facility…...

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Small cracks grow up to become big cracks and big problems (NH3 direct expansion chiller)

A new direct expansion chiller was installed at an ice arena to replace an existing chiller. After almost 20 weeks of service, an ammonia leak was detected, which released ammonia into the machinery room. The low level (25 ppm) ammonia alarm sounded and the ventilation system was activated to continuously evacuate vapors to the outdoors…...

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