2013 Photo of the Week #35 (Electrical)
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2013 Video of the Week #35 (CATASTROPHIC FAILURE of Tanker Truck)
It is imperative to properly follow the Hazardous Materials Regulations. Improperly shipped hazardous materials can sometimes end with a catastrophic failure. In this case, a corrosive material was placed in an incompatible aluminum cargo tank for shipment. More than 4,000 gallons of hazardous waste with a pH of 13 was being transported from Chicago to…...
Chemical Advisory: Safe Storage, Handling, and Management of Ammonium Nitrate
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) (“we”) are issuing this advisory as part of an ongoing federal effort to improve chemical risk management, and to advance safety and protect human health and the environment. This advisory contains information on…...
Ammonia Engine/Machinery Rooms and Hazardous Locations is NOT driven by PSM/RMP alone
Over the last several years we have come across several facilities that handle anhydrous ammonia and have a dangerous misunderstanding of “hazardous locations”. It seems that somewhere/someone had informed them that their engine room(s) did not need proper ventilation since they were below the 10,000 pound PSM/RMP threshold. They were badly misinformed and here’s why……...
NFPA 350 – Preliminary Draft of Guide for Safe Confined Space Entry and Work is Open for Public Input
The NFPA Standards Council has approved the preliminary draft of NFPA 350, and is now open for public input. With non-mandatory language, this guide incorporates the best practices that organizations and confined space professionals have utilized to comply with regulations and standards for the past 20 years since the initial publication of OSHA’s final rule…....
OSHA issues PSM citations to ice maker (NH3 and $147K)
A nationwide ice maker has been cited by OSHA for 9 serious and 3 repeat workplace safety violations for $147,000 at it’s Fairport, NY, plant. The inspection was conducted under OSHA’s Site-Specific Targeting Program that directs enforcement resources to high-hazard workplaces where the highest rates of injuries and illnesses occur. OSHA inspectors found workers exposed…...
36 incidents & 1 update (8/25/13)
2013 Fatality Tracker Electrical 22 (2012 = 68) (2011 = 81) (2010 = 90) (2009 = 100) Forklift/Manlift 46 (2012 = 52) (2011 = 84) (2010 = 110) (2009 = 88) Mining* 41 (2012 = 92*) (2011 = 248) (2010 = 480) (2009 = 586) *no longer includes China accidents Explosions 121 (2012…...
2013 Photo of the Week #34 (Ladder)
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2013 Video of the Week #34 (LOTO Failures: High Pressure/Temperature Steam Release During Engine Room Repair)
Although this video is using a ship LOTO, the SAME APPLICATION of LOTO on any steam system is relevant!!!! GREAT video on locking out high pressure steam and the IMPORTANCE of verifying ZERO ENERGY STATE on complex processes!… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in...
What is a “Tell-Tale” gauge and why is it significant in process safety
How can such a little gauge play such a BIG role in process safety? It is actually quite simple, yet so many relief system designs fail to incorporate them. These gauges are BOTH critical to process safety AND compliance with PSM/RMP. In this article, I will explain what a “tell-tale” gauge is and what purpose…...
EPA RMP Citations @ chemical plant (chloroform, ethyl ether, formaldehyde, and HF)
The Respondent, a manufacturer, packager and distributer of multiple grades of high-purity solvents, acids, salts and bonded phase products, has four RMProgram covered processes which stores or otherwise uses chloroform, ethyl ether, formaldehyde, and hydrogen fluoride in amounts exceeding their applicable thresholds of 20,000; 10,000; 15,000; and 1,000 pounds respectively. Based on an RMProgram compliance monitoring…...
EPA RMP Citations @ fertilizer manufacturing plant (NH3 and $58,788)
November 2-3, 2011, EPA conducted an inspection of fertilizer manufacturing plant (Anhydrous Ammonia) to determine compliance with Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act and 40 C.F.R. Part 68. Information gathered during the EPA inspection revealed the facility had greater than 10,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia in a process at its facility. From the time…...