Safety Info Posts

State Fire Codes Performance-based Design Alternative (PSM/RMP Model – 2024 Updates)

To quote the IFC committee, “the purpose of performance-based design criteria is to promote innovative, flexible and responsive solutions that optimize the expenditure and consumption of resources while preserving social and economic value.”  Section 5001.3 Performance-Based Design Alternative is intended to be compatible with EPA’s RMP and OSHA’s PSM requirements, so it would reduce the burden […]

Line Break gone bad (H2 & Contractors)

10/28/25 UPDATE: Hydrogen (H2) FATAL Line Break RIP 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙚𝙙? The two deceased workers, identified as Mr K (43) and Mr A (50s), were subcontractors conducting scheduled maintenance on a hydrogen pipeline. The task involved inserting a blocking plate into a pipeline to isolate flow, a process requiring the loosening of flange bolts. The explosion

Lack of safeguards leads to Pressure Vessel failure (Sightglass Fails)

A pressure vessel at a food processing facility failed when a sight glass ruptured during an overpressure event, spraying hot liquid at 100 psi into the workspace. The vessel had been operating above its maximum allowable working pressure for weeks due to: Contributing factors included which left parts of the vessel unprotected from overpressure.  The

Water Reactive, MAQ, and Sprinklers

Make it make sense… I have a “water-reactive” chemical, and yet the IFC/IBC allows me to double my MAQ when the area is “sprinkled”. d. Maximum allowable quantities shall be increased 100 percent in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1. Where Note e also applies, the increase for

Line Break Gone Bad @ Power Generation Facility (ZES of Steam could not be confirmed)

Two (2) maintenance men at an electric power generation plant removed a check valve cover from a steam system. The section of the steam line was isolated and tagged, but it could not be vented or drained first. The section was only partially depressurized when the cover was loosened. When the employees removed all fasteners

Performance Testing of Fraudulent Respirator P100® Filters, Organic Vapor Chemical Cartridges, and Combination Cartridges (NIOSH Study)

This report presents the results of inhalation and exhalation resistance, filtration performance, and organic vapor (OV) service life testing on NIOSH-approved and counterfeit respirator P100 filters, chemical cartridges, and combination cartridges. NIOSH’s pilot project showed: failed to meet all required NIOSH performance tests. CLICK HERE for full report

EPA RMP GDC @ paint/coating plant (Temp-sensitive organic peroxide & $196K)

Respondent is the owner and operator of a paint facility. On August 7, 2023, an incident occurred at the Facility that EPA alleges resulted in an accidental release (the “Incident”) of byproducts from a temperature-sensitive organic peroxide, leading to an overpressure release event. EPA conducted an investigation of the Facility beginning September 12, 2023, to

Equipment Opening gone bad (bolts stripped – not @ a ZES)

On March 25, 2003, two employees working for an power generation facility were instructed to remove a cover plate from an electrical generator. The hydrogen gas had been purged from the generator and replaced with air pressurized at approximately 40 psi. The generator was pressurized with air so that the workers could perform a leak

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