Unlike a PRCS that contains ONLY physical hazards, a space containing an atmospheric hazard cannot be reclassified as a non-permit space. However, if the atmospheric hazard in the PRCS can be controlled by FORCED AIR VENTILATION, we may enter under the CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE instead of with full permit space procedures. The alternate procedures may be […]
When can a PRCS be reclassified and how must one go about doing it? This is taken directly from an OSHA publication, but what caught my eye is this publication makes it clear that BOTH “reclassification” and the “alternative entry” methods can be used at the same time for the same PRCS! Pay close attention
An OSHA safety investigation has found another rail car products and services provider did not follow federal safety standards for working in permit-required confined spaces after two workers died from inhaling toxic fumes. OSHA determined that an employee became unresponsive after entering a natural gasoline rail car with the intent of cleaning the space on
A construction company has been fined $14,400 after all three (3) employees were killed while working on a utility project. The three employees, 48, 21, and 43, all of whom were killed on August 25, 2020, in an accident while working about 20 feet below ground inside a manhole. They died from asphyxia associated with
To continue with the articles I have written about Permit-Required Confined Spaces found in mechanical refrigeration processes, today I want to discuss the Compressor Oil Separator. SAFTENG Members can read my earlier post on Evaporative Condenser(s) and Sprial Freezers. Over the last several years I have shared several pics of workers halfway inside these separators
A 38-year-old male employee was overexposed to hydrogen sulfide (or possibly an oxygen-deficient atmosphere) while inside a manhole. A second employee tried to rescue the victim but was also overcome. The second employee was rescued by an employee of the Waste Water Treatment facility. The two-man crew had been hired by the Waste Water Treatment
A tower mechanic was entering a fractionation vessel at a gas facility to prepare a final inspection of the vessel. The interior of the vessel was under a nitrogen purge, and the worker was using supplied air. Shortly after entering the vessel, the worker went into distress. The on-site emergency response team extracted the worker
At 1:30 p.m. on May 14, 2000, an employee was painting the inside a 200,000-gallon potable water storage tank. At some point, the employee collapsed and was rescued from the space by two coworkers who provided CPR until emergency medical services arrived. The employee died of Cardiomegaly (enlarged heart). Even though this death was NOT
On or about May 28th, 2020 at approximately 15:30 hours three (3) employees were exposed to fire and explosion hazards when a remediation repair (on a produced water tank) involved a grinder for preparing the surface and a heat gun for preparing an epoxy on a tank which had accumulated hydrocarbon vapors from the produced
At 9:00 a.m. on May 29, 2020, Employee #1 and #2, coworkers, discussed entry into a manhole to clear a blockage. Employee #1 entered into the manhole without personal protective equipment, without training, and without performing any air quality testing. Employee #1 successfully placed the line to clear the blockage and began to climb out.
This is a MUST READ accident report for those who are involved in entries into Permit-Required Confined Spaces. It is a scenario that occurs daily around the globe and is often overlooked until tragedy strikes. Many times over my career, the INITIAL testing of the space indicated NO ATMOSPHERIC HAZARDS were present; however, the work
At approximately 4:00 a.m. on March 29, 2020, an employee was installing a blind on a flange on a reactor. Then, the probe stem fell inside of the reactor, and the employee tried to fish it out. Using a ladder, the employee went inside the reactor that was NOT cleared for entry because the reactor
