Scenario: The client invites the manufacturer of a piece of equipment that we evaluated and determined the space to be a PRCS. The client used the popular argument of “no one else treats these as a PRCS.” And the manufacturer rep explains how this latest model is made specifically for entry. So, therefore, in their…...
Last month, I wrote Before we can achieve a ZES, we must first define and quantify what precisely a form of “hazardous energy” is, and this week, I posted the MSHA accident investigation report where water in an abandoned chilled water system 1600′ underground was opened and the water, pressurized by the head pressure alone,…...
When does a fluid become a hazard? Read More »
I can remember our first attempt at writing SOPs for our PSM covered process(s): Deviation is “High Pressure” in V-1 Steps to Correct “High Pressure”: 1) Lower Pressure Sound familiar? We chuckle now, but in the early 1990’s we thought this was the intent. We still find this kind of PSM/RMP SOP in 2023; however,…...
Verifying ZES requires SPECIFIC procedure(s) Read More »
From MSHA accident file… The two (10) ten-inch metal pipes being removed were part of a closed-loop chiller system that had been abandoned. One pipe supplied chilled water underground (supply and shown as blue in the drawing), and the other returned water to the surface…...
When gravity and water work together to become a “hazardous form of energy” Read More »
This is one of the best summaries of what we can expect to see in the 2024 IFC regarding Lithium Ion Batteries. CLICK HERE (Source: Fire Inspectors Association of Indiana )… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...
Lithium Ion Batteries and 2024 International Building Code / International Fire Code Read More »
This is why I question society’s ability to manage Oxygen deficient atmospheres in warehouses as a means of fire protection. At 10:00 a.m. on February 7, 2023, an employee was found unresponsive in the Control Atmospheric (CA) room. The typical oxygen level when the room is active is between 1.2% to 1.6%. The room has…...
Oxygen deficient atmosphere in Control Atmospheric (CA) room asphyxiates worker Read More »
At 5:00 p.m. on January 30, 2023, two employees, 24 and 48, were performing operations pertaining to an autoclave. The atmosphere was oxygen deficient due to the presence of argon gas. The employees were asphyxiated and killed. Source: https://www.osha.gov/ords/imis/accidentsearch.accident_detail?id=153529.015… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log...
Argon asphyxiates two autoclave operators Read More »
At 6:45 a.m. on February 18, 2023, an employee, 31, was removing trays from a hydrogen reactor. The employee was on SUPPLIED BREATHING AIR. The employee attempted to exit the confined space at the end of the shift when he reported to the attendant that he could not breathe. The attendant told the employee to turn…...
Oxygen Deficient/Nitrogen Enriched reactor asphyxiates entrant during catalyst change Read More »
At 12:30 p.m. on January 31, 2023, Employee #1, 45, performed cathodic protection maintenance on a 4-inch natural gas pipeline. Employee #1 removed the resin coating off the external portion of the pipeline to test the hull thickness of the pipeline. While removing the coating, the pipeline exploded. Employee #1 was killed by immolation. Employee…...
Hazards of thickness testing on live piping Read More »
At 11:45 a.m. on February 23, 2023, an employee, 20, working for a city water department, was repairing a leaking 12-inch PVC waterline main valve. The valve was located in a utility vault approximately 5 feet deep. The employee turned off the water to the WEST of the valve by opening multiple fire hydrants. He…...
Water Valve Pit fatality due to lack of proper energy isolation (Drowning) Read More »
At approximately 12:00 p.m. on February 24, 2023, an employee, 35, was performing “well site pumping operations” for an oil and gas producer. A coworker had been trying to contact the employee unsuccessfully, so he went to the oil and gas well site where the employee was working to check on him. The coworker found…...
Another H2S fatality in a “well shack” Read More »
One of the worst injury accidents of my career occurred in a PSM/RMP-covered process but involved a non-HHC/EHS. The chemical was “hot caustic,” a byproduct from the process used in another process’s scrubber. A sister facility had an incident in which it was discovered that the caustic was too weak. Thus in a process upset,…...
SAMPLING a LIVE process Read More »
