Safety Info Posts

OSHA makes it clear – difference between controlling a hazard and eliminating a hazard

As our debate/discussion continues regarding falls within or into a Confined Space and if that fall hazard is one that makes the CS a PRCS and if a PRCS can be reclassified when there is a fall hazard present.  I keep sharing OSHA language and it keeps being diced up and rephrased to meet personal…...

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here

EPA’s RMP Vulnerable zone determination

One way EPA selects facilities to be inspected is by “Vulnerable Zones”.  These are areas that could be affected by a release from a chemical accident at a facility subject to the risk management program requirements in 40 CFR Part 68.  So how can a facility determine if they are one of the many facilities that impact a “vulnerable zone” and…...

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here

EPA RMP Citations @ meat processing facility (NH3 & $10K)

Respondent is the owner or operator of a meat processing facility. On March 8, 2017, an authorized representative of the EPA conducted a compliance inspection of Respondent’s Facility to determine compliance with the Risk Management Plan (RMP) regulations promulgated at 40 C.F.R. Part 68 under section 112(r)(7) of the Act. Based on the March 8,…...

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here

Can we extend the life of our SCBA cylinders using Modal Acoustic Emission (MAE) Examination

In the last couple of years we have come across a vicious and BADLY MISLEADING rumor that some facilities have fallen for and thus they have fallen out of compliance with OSHA/NIOSH/DOT in regards to their SCBA Cylinders. FACT: There are studies that have been done by the U.S. Navy and PHMSA that demonsrate 15-year…...

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here

Another solvent applied in lift station PRCS Fatality (Acute MEK toxicity)

At 11:45 a.m. on August 28, 2012, an employee was finishing a painting assignment to coat pipes in six confined spaces at a lift station site. The employee was cleaning the pipes using a Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) solvent prior to applying a two-part epoxy paint that contained Xylene, Methyl Isobutyl Ketone (MIBK), and Ethyl…...

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here

Liquid Nitrogen is not a solution to be played with!

We just can’t make this stuff up!!!  This accident happened during a “safety day”… At 8:30 a.m. on May 24, 2018, Employee #1 was in charge of setting up a booth representing the control laboratory for a safety day event at the plant, which involved approximately 1,000 employees, visitors, and vendors. Employee #1 wanted to…...

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here

Attention to details matters when working in IDLH atmospheres

Fit testing is an ABSOLUTE CRITICAL path in our Respiratory Protection Program; therefore, ensuring it is done CORRECTLY and ACCURATELY is a must. Over the past two years (2018-2019) we have seen nine (9) facilities where they had done their quantitative fit testing; however, upon closer examination of the results of the tests, we found…...

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here

ORFA Commentary on Ontario-related Legislation, Regulations, and Registered Refrigeration Plant Operational Best Practices

The Ontario Recreation Facilities Association Inc. (ORFA) has reviewed the Fernie, BC Ammonia Triple Fatality investigation report produced by Technical Safety British Columbia (the safety authority and governing body for pressure vessels and operating engineers in BC), and offers the following comparative as it relates to Ontario related legislation, regulations, and registered refrigeration plant operational…...

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here

Singapore Company Fined $230,000 for Unsafe Work Practices that Led to Fire at Hazardous Waste Treatment Facility

This is another case of a PLASTIC tote being used for a NON-CONDUCTIVE Flammable Liquid and a serious incident occured due to the failure to control the ignition source… STATIC ELECTRICITY!  SAFTENG Members be sure to check out the posts earlier this year of a very similar incident that was caught on camera (Transferring flammable…...

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here

UK’s HSE Safety Alert – Catastrophic rupture of dead-leg pipe-work

Catastrophic rupture of dead-leg pipe-work Issue Date: 20.08.2019 Target Audience: Operators of Process Plant (and associated inspection bodies) which may have pipe-work dead-legs on toxic, flammable, dangerous to the environment or other critical services. Oil and gas (onshore / offshore) Chemical processing and production Nuclear Pharmaceutical Power production Key Issues: This safety alert highlights the…...

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here

EPA RMP Citations @ meat processing facility (NH3 & $55K)

Respondent owns and operates a meat processing facility that handles approximately 170,300 pounds of anhydrous ammonia. 32. The Facility is a Program 3 Facility under the RMP Regulations, in accordance with 40 C.F.R. ยง 68.10(d). EPA conducted an inspection of the Facility on June 27, 2017, to determine Respondent’s compliance with the RMP Regulations at…...

Membership Required

You must be a member to access this content.

View Membership Levels

Already a member? Log in here
Scroll to Top