Safety Info Posts

The Value of Self Assessments

A little boy went into a drug store, grabbed a stool at the counter and pulled it over to the telephone. He climbed onto the stool so he could reach the buttons on the phone and proceeded to dial someone. The store-owner observed and listened to the conversation. Boy: ‘Lady, Can you give me the…...

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40 incidents & 3 updates (4/6/14)

  MANY THANKS to my NEWEST and RENEWING Partners in Safety since 2011 since 2006 since 2014 returning partner from 2012   2014 Fatality Tracker Electrical 14 (2013 = 32) (2012 = 68) Forklift/Manlift 13 (2013=62) (2012 = 52) Mining* 9 2013=87*) (2012 = 92*) *no longer includes China Explosions 37 (2013=194) (2012 = 241) Cranes…...

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EPA EPCRA/RMP Citations @ Ethanol facility (Flammables and NH3 & $41,393)

EPA alleges that Respondent has violated EPCRA Section 312 and the federal regulations promulgated pursuant to EPCRA; and Section 112(r) of the CAA. On or about February 12-13, 2013, EPA conducted an inspection of Respondent’s facility to determine compliance with EPCRA and Section 112(r) of the CAA. Respondent stores approximately 924,000 pounds of natural gasoline…...

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What is your EPA Risk Management Plan “Hazard Index”?

One of the methods EPA uses to determine RMP inspection priorities is based on their use of the Wharton School’s Hazard Index, which is defined as  “the sum over all chemicals of log2 (maximum quantity of inventory on-site/threshold), or, alternatively, as the number of chemicals times log2 of the geometric mean of the maximum-to-threshold quantity…...

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Yep, its JUST Anhydrous Ammonia “in Refrigeration” (Part II)

UPDATED with the actual working EXCEL Spreadsheet so that members can sort the data as needed;as well I updated the #’s related to refrigeration below.  I had messed up my first sort and was off by a couple.   This week I raised a red flag regarding ammonia accidents after the UNLOADING FATALITY at a…...

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Why are so many fearing OSHA’s I2P2

In the past several years OSHA has renewed their efforts in trying to get their “Injury and Illness Prevention Plan” (I2P2) on the table for discussion/rule making. To many safety professionals this may be a “new movement”, but in reality this effort dates all the way back to 1995. Recently, OSHA has said they are…...

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2014 Video of the Week #14 (Flammable Liquids and IBC’s – NFPA and Dow Corning)

Plastic Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) are popular for shipping large quantities of liquids. But some of these containers also create a dangerous hazard.  When UNLISTED composite IBCs (those that have NOT been inspected or certified to provide any fire endurance) containing combustible and flammable liquids are stored in large quantities they pose a high risk…...

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Canada got it right with their Process Safety standard (CSA Z767:17)

Canada’s consensus standard for Process Safety Management far surpasses OSHA and EPA’s versions.  My favorite upgrade is how senior management has a few of its own sections in the standard.  For example: Leadership commitment at all levels of an organization is key to achieving excellence in PSM and establishing a process safety culture. Management must…...

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OSHA cites Fallon oil facility for 3 violations (FRC, Safe Work Permitting and $20K)

NV-OSHA (state plan) have cited an oil refining company for three serious violations stemming from a December explosion that left one employee seriously burned.  The action proposes the refinery pay up to $20,790 in fines. Final determination is still in the administrative process.   According to the state, refinery workers were attempting to restore flow to an…...

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Excellent Advice from a Relief Valve Manufacturer regarding how to go about establishing Safe Upper Limits

I have written often about how we should establish safe upper and lower limits for our covered process(s). (SAFTENG members can read Establishing Safe Upper and Lower Limits)  One mistake we have discussed is related to safe upper pressures and its relationship to the MAWP of process vessels. We continue to see errors in such…...

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OSHA’s Request for Information (RFI) regarding their PSM Standard has CLOSED, but here are the comments

There are some really good comments and there are some very political comments, which should be expected in this type of transfer of information. I did notice that NOT ONE of the commenters answered the 85 questions OSHA requested they answer to support their comments/positions. Here is what the RFI stated: OSHA is providing the…...

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