Safety Info Posts

Respiratory Protection for a PRCS Rescue Team

Most of us will envision a vessel’s manway when someone mentions a Permit-Required Confined Space (PRCS).  Plenty of PRCSs will have larger entry/egress portals, but they will all be limited in size or configuration such that they will limit entry and egress from the space.  With this common characteristic of limited means of entry/egress, entry/egress […]

FY 2016 U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board Management Challenges (EPA Office of Inspector General)

Attention to CSB management challenges could result in stronger results and protection for the public, and increased confidence in management integrity and accountability.  Based on our continuous audit work, CSB public hearings, congressional hearings and CSB board meetings, EPA’s IG identified three (3) management challenges and one internal control weakness related to operational controls.  The

EPA RMP Citations @ meat processing facility (NH3 & $82K)

Respondent operates a meat processing facility that uses 24,300 pounds of ammonia as its refrigerant. Respondent has one RMProgram level 3 covered process, an ammonia refrigeration process, which stores or otherwise uses a toxic chemical in an amount exceeding its applicable threshold of 10,000. During calendar year 2014, EPA opened an RMProgram compliance monitoring investigation

Hazards of Pressure Testing Fire Extinguishers

On October 29, 2009, Employee #1 was performing pressures tests on 30-pound fire extinguisher bodies, using a test machine run in automatic mode. Employee #1 loaded four bodies/cylinders into the machine and started the test cycle by activating the two-hand control. The machine submerged the fire extinguishers into a water bath, and the bodies were

Pressure Testing gone bad (Fatality)

On September 24, 2010, Employee #1 was standing five feet away from a pressure test being conducted with nitrogen. Inside the test, the cylinder was a downhole tool used in oil and gas production. For unknown reasons, the tool inside the test cylinder exploded knocking the threaded end cap off the test cylinder. The explosion caused the straps

NBIC introduces a NEW Certification Mark for Pressure Relief Valve Certified Testing Organizations

The new T/O program formalizes the “Test Only” process by providing National Board certification to organizations conducting in-service testing of pressure relief valves. The program includes an adjustment for restoring nameplate set pressure and provides customer and inspector confidence in testing capabilities.  T/O Certificates of Authorization will be extended to current VR certificate holders. New applicants can obtain a T/O Certificate of Authorization by

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