Hydrostatic test or Pneumatic Test… which shall I use on my flammable liquid piping?
The debate rages on in process safety circles as to how one can “pressure test” their piping that was installed using ASME B31 series of RAGAGEPs. It has always been “the rule” that we use the hydrostatic method UNLESS this method would cause a hazard or purity concern; however, as with most practices we have
Vent Line Flame Arresters and Pressure-Vacuum Vents on atmospheric flammable liquid storage tanks (OH Fire Code 2017)
This year the OH Fire code is undergoing revisions to bring it up to the 2015 IFC requirements. In this process, there is a comment period in which anyone with interest can make comments on the proposed revisions or ask questions. One such question was asked about the revisions to 5704.2.7.3.2. Vent Line Flame Arresters
Never too old to learn – Holiday Craft Shows, Fires and Sprinklers!!!
Those of you that follow me know my love for the International Fire Code and Mechanical Code, as well as how each state utilizes these codes. I use these codes daily in my process safety and fire safety work as I truly believe they provide us an excellent baseline in our risk reduction efforts. This year
Does NFPA 704 allow for different ratings of the same hazardous material?
In the past several weeks I have received inquiries regarding NFPA 704, 4.2.3.2 so I figured I should put it in writing so that others can understand this single clause which apparently has become a “whipping boy” for a particular hazardous material. The quick answer is YES, but apparently, there is some confusion on why
OSHA issues Willfuls and Repeats regarding entry into grain bins
OSHA has cited a Nebraska grain-handling cooperative for failing to protect workers from grain bin entrapment and engulfment hazards. The company faces $373,911 in proposed penalties. On May 4, 2017, OSHA responded to reports of a worker partially entrapped in a grain bin. Investigators found the worker had entered the bin to clear clumps of
EPA RMP citations @ Water Treatment Plant (Cl2 $10K w/ $230K SEP)
This is another example of how a “process” can be classified as a Program 2, based NOT on the hazards but merely because it is a public utility in a Federal OSHA state. Had this process been in a private business, it would have been a RMP Program 3 as it would have been a
EPA RMP citations @ cold storage facility (NH3 & $10K w/ $26K SEP)
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 10, has reached a settlement with a seafood cold storage facility in Unalaska, Alaska, for violations related to a 125-pound ammonia release on December 3, 2016 that seriously injured one of the facility’s workers. The facility’s failure to provide timely information about the ammonia release also put first responders at
Two (2) years into OSHA’s Confined Spaces in Construction and General Industry workplaces are still struggling to comply
On May 4, 2015, OSHA issued a new standard for construction work in confined spaces, which became effective August 3, 2015. And now that we are two (2) years into this new Confined Space standard I thought a follow-up on how it is to be applied in GENERAL INDUSTRY workplaces might be helpful. We are
2017 Video of the Week #45 (Hydro Testing and Inspecting an SCBA)
SAFTENG Members can see my SCBA Hydro cheat sheet if you have questions about the frequency of your testing frequency of your SCBA cylinders. This video does a nice job explaining the hydro testing process. The second video walks us through a nice monthly inspection of an SCBA. The inspection was done per the manufacturer’s