2014 Video of the Week #15 (Power of a Vacuum)
So often we hear about the vessels that go BOOM, it never hurts to remind us what can happen when we create a vacuum in a vessel.
UPDATE to the “Ammonia behaving badly… it is suppose to rise!” (Video)
MEMBERS UPDATE on 4/12/14 from Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA)… On October 31, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. while anhydrous ammonia (ammonia) field application assembly was making a turn at the end of the field, the hitch connection between the application/toolbar unit and the nurse tank failed. The break-away coupling device failed to disengage, causing the threaded
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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