A “safety can” is an approved container of not more than 5-gallon (19 L) capacity having a spring-closing lid and spout cover so designed that it will relieve internal pressure whensubjected to fire exposure. Safety cans are commonly used where limited quantities of flammable and combustible liquids are required for manufacturing or research. The basicpurpose…...
The Massachusetts Department of Fire Services (DFS) has enacted the Hazardous Materials Processing regulation (527 CMR 33). The code was developed to help prevent the occurrence of incidents like the explosion in Leominster in 2005, the fire and explosion in Danvers in 2006 (see the CSB investigation), and the fire and explosion in Middleton in…...
MANY THANKS to my NEW & RENEWING “Partners in Safety”for their support! since 2006 since 2007 since 2012 since 2006 since 2010 2012 Fatality Tracker Electrical 11 (2011 = 81) (2010 = 90) (2009 = 100) Forklift/Manlift Mobile Equipment 8 (2011 = 84) (2010 = 110) (2009 = 88)…...
So this week my good friend “Jim” and I were talking about an “accepted practice” that has grown into an “industry practice” and how OSHA has definitely drawn the line on the “cord and plug” LOTO practice such that it does NOT include valves. This “practice” involves the concept of defining “exclusive control of an energy isolating…...
This week’s photo is a bit different. It is from my archives and one I use in my Flammable Liquids training courses. For those of have attended my training courses or a PHA’s on a flammable liquids process have seen my video of a very similar “tank launching” incident. The picture shows what happens when…...
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OSHA recognizes that in some situations, violations of certain standards which require the employer to have a written program to address a hazard, or to make a written certification (e.g., hazard communication, personal protective equipment, permit-required confined spaces, and others), are perceived to be “paperwork deficiencies” rather than critically important implementation problems. In other circumstances,…...
Many THANKS to John Newquist, Assistant Regional Administrator at DOL-OSHA, for providing this presentation. Click Here to download (pdf)… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...
In the USA, OSHA REQUIRES employers to “Fit Test” each worker who will wear a tight-fitting respirator. This includes all types of tight-fitting respirators, from half-face air purifying respirators to full-face supplied air respirators. The workers are also REQUIRED to be fit tested with EACH MAKE, MODEL STYLE and SIZE face piece they are medically qualified and…...
It is pretty common for PSM/RMP facilities to have a windsock or two on-site. However, the condition of these devices ranges from brand new to a piece of wire sticking up in the wind. In this posting, I want to offer some tips on how we should manage our windsocks as a “piece of critical…...
Most ammonia refrigeration personnel know their refrigerant is flammable, but most would also tell us that they do not have any “Hazardous Locations” (e.g. Class 1, Div 1 or 2 locations) associated with their refrigeration process. Most of these workers will explain their engine room/compressor room ventilation system is designed, installed, and maintained to ensure…...
Is the act of loading/unloading a PSM/RMP chemical exempt from OSHA/EPA enforcement? Absolutely not! Somewhere this little fib began and it has spread like wildfire. If you have a release of your HHC/EHS during unloading or loading, rest assured OSHA and/or EPA can investigate and inspection, and here’s why…… Membership Required You must be a...
