2014 Video of the Week #06 (CSB’s Animation of Explosion at Tesoro’s Anacortes Refinery)
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ACGIH® Board Ratifies 2014 TLVs® and BEIs®
The ACGIH® Board of Directors ratified the 2014 Threshold Limit Values (TLVs®) for Chemical Substances and Physical Agents and Biological Exposure Indices (BEIs®) on December 13 and 19, 2013 and on January 27, 2014. The Board also approved recommendations for additions to the Notice of Intended Changes (NIC). For a listing of the substances that were acted upon, click here. The…...
Process Safety Operating Procedures and a Certified PPE Hazard Assessment
This week, OSHA once again showed their intent to issue PPE citations during PSM NEP audits. They are very content to issue a citation against 1910.132(a) or (d) when the process contains a flammable liquid and somehow the employer’s PPE Hazard Assessment determined that Flame Retardant Clothing (FRC) is not necessary. But there is another…...
Is your facility REALLY prepared for an emergency? (ERT and PSM SOPs)
Over the past several months we have been working with a confidential client who has afforded me with permission to post this “learning opportunity” for others. This incident, although minor this time, was recognized as having the potential to end the business so this organization is pulling out all the stops to identify failures. Once…...
OSHA PSM citations @ films and packaging manufacturer (Flammables & $112,500)
A plant that produces films used in packaging has been cited by OSHA for 19 PSM related violations. The plant has been cited for exposing workers to flammable chemicals. OSHA has proposed penalties of $112,500. The inspection was initiated in July 2013 under OSHA’s PSM NEP and found employees were exposed to health and safety…...
EPA RMP General Duty Citations @ cold storage warehouse (NH3 & $MILLIONS)
This case may be the “whopper” that sinks the General Duty Clause perverbal teeth into the refrigeration industry. From all accounts, it appears this facility was inspected and issued some NOVs, which the facility agreed to take care of. A year later, EPA returned for a follow-up inspection and found items not corrected. Here are…...
EPA RMP Citations @ refrigerated distribution center (NH3 and $1K)
On August 10, 2012, EPA conducted a compliance inspection of a refrigerated Distribution Center to determine its compliance with the Risk Management Program (“RMP”) regulations promulgated pursuant to Section 112(r) of the Act, and set forth at 40 C.F.R. Part 68. Based on the August 10, 2012 inspection, EPA has determined that Respondent violated the…...
EPA RMP General Duty Citations @ a chemical facility (Flammable Liquids and $22K)
On June 23, 1999, Respondent submitted a Risk Management Plan (“RMP”) for the Facility for the storage of acrolein. Respondent de-registered the RMP from EPA’s national database on July 15, 2010. EPA conducted an inspection of the Facility on August 11, 2010, to assess Respondent’s compliance with Section 112(r)(l) and (7) of the CAA, 42…...
60 incidents & 1 update (2/2/14)
MANY THANKS to my NEWEST and RENEWING Partners in Safety returning partner from 2012 since 2014 since 2013 since 2009 Heartland Technology Partners, LLC made a $500 donation to “Homes for our Troops”! 2014 Fatality Tracker Electrical 4 (2013 = 32) (2012 = 68) Forklift/Manlift 7 (2013=62) (2012 = 52) Mining* 4 2013=87*)…...
2014 Video of the Week #05 (Dangers of 9 Volt Batteries PSA)
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Vibration-induced fatigue on process pipework
What happened? During a recent inspection at a facility, an NOPSEMA inspector observed vibration-induced fatigue cracking and evidence of rectification work carried out on several small-bore connections on seawater cooling pipes. On further investigation, it was discovered that there had also been a recent fatigue failure on the hydrocarbon test separator header. Fortunately, the operator…...
Are we “dumbing” down RAGAGEPs to make OSHA’s job harder?
Early last year I wrote about some trade organizations that were “revising” their codes/practices, which in turn were making them “more flexible”. I stated it then and I will state it again, this time along with the US Chemical Safety Board… this is a REALLY BAD idea. Both OSHA and EPA wrote “performance oriented” standards…...