Permit Required Confined Spaces

Line Break in Pit (PRCS) fatality (H2S/CO; Would Be Rescuer dies)

On May 29, 2024, at about 3:15 p.m., several pounds of hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide gas were released at a Sugar Cooperative. As a result of the release, one employee was fatally injured, and another employee was seriously injured due to inhalation of the gases. The facility’s investigation found that, at the time of…...

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Flash Fire in PRCS (improper atm monitoring)

On September 5, 2023, at approximately 7:30 p.m., an accidental release of butadiene vapor occurred inside a decanting tank (“tank”). The butadiene vapors ignited, resulting in a fire that seriously injured one employee. The incident occurred in a latex production area during a maintenance shutdown. Employees were tasked with removing an internal part (a “baffle”)…...

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Triple Fatality in Sewer by Asphyxiation (Video)

The three Syrian workers who died of suffocation in the Marj area of West Bekaa, Lebanon in an incident that occurred around August 14, 2025, were not identified by name in the initial news reports. News coverage confirmed that the bodies of the three men were removed from the manhole by the Masnaa Civil Defense…...

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EPA issues RMP GDC for PRCS Fatality @ Water Treatment Plant

On April 26, 2024, there was an incident at the Facility that resulted in the fatality of one (1) worker while working in a scum pit. EPA sent an informal questionnaire to the Respondent, and the Respondent provided documentation and information concerning the Incident and the Respondent’s compliance with Section 112(r) of the CAA and…...

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Isolating piping passing through a PRCS (OSHA LOI)

Well, it’s not often that I disagree with the OSHA technical team that writes LOIs, but this one is a MAJOR MISTAKE. I have debated this topic for 30 years and now my argument just got squashed by the agency. In their 2025 LOI, OSHA stated: If the employer’s evaluation of the space determines that…...

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Cell Phones in the workplace… just a bad idea!

On the evening of Christmas Eve, the Jackson Fire Department was alerted to a worker trapped inside a hopper at a local factory. Jackson Police Department, Jackson County EMS, Jackson Sheriff’s Office, Liberty Fire, and Jackson Fire units, including Jackson’s Rescue, Tower, and two engines, responded to the scene. The worker was attempting to retrieve…...

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Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) kills 2 workers in pit accident

Three (3) workers were exposed to hydrogen sulfide (H2S) while cleaning a chemical pit at a company, leaving two dead and one hospitalized. Two (2) workers died, and a third was rescued…. Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...

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Confined Space Incident (HAZ ATM)

Whilst moored at the quayside a fishing vessels engineer found water in a cargo hold. The engineer attempted to use the bilge pump to remove the water but found a problem with the suction. It was thought that either the suction pipe in the hold well had a hole or the pipe end strainer might…...

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PRCS fatality in a Tanker Truck while cleaning

On January 30, 2025, Employee #1, 27, was working at a trailer truck wash business and had been subcontracted to clean out a trailer tank using a water hose. The business specialized in washing out livestock haulers. Employee #1 entered the tank to continue cleaning. A coworker noticed Employee #1 lying on his side at…...

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OSHA answers two (2) PRCS questions related to the Isolation of Piping that does NOT terminate within the space

OSHA has addressed two (2) PRCS questions related to the Isolation of Piping that does NOT terminate within the space. This was a long time coming, as NFPA 350 and several trade groups have stated that piping that does NOT terminate within the PRCS need not be isolated. OSHA agreed, as long as six (6)…...

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PRCS Fatality (Cargo Tank/8% O2)

On the evening of 20 April 2022, the chemical tanker was anchored at anchorage 8 in the North Sea. The recently unloaded vessel had discharged its cargo ofpalm oil in Rotterdam, and was being prepared to take on a new cargo of gas oil in Amsterdam. To receive the new cargo, the tanks first had…...

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PRCS Fatality (Catylst Reactor/N2 Atmosphere/died from burns) w/ Video

Oxygen-containing air released from his breathing air helmet came into contact with the catalyst on top of him, causing it to ignite. On the morning of Friday, February 3, 2023, an employee of XXXXXX Service Catalyst Handling (the contractor) lost his life in an accident at the oil refinery. This happened while removing the catalyst…...

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