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Hazards of evacuating NH3 from the process

On February 7, 2017, an employee, 50, was making preparations to replace the relief valve of a 1,000-gallon ammonia (NH3) tank. The incident investigation reported that the tank was empty of liquid NH3. However, it contained approximately 80 psi of vapor pressure. The employee set up a 30-gallon drum that contained water and affixed it…...

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OSHA cites employer for doing pneumatic pressure testing rather than hydrostatic pressure testing (5A1 – Fatality)

On July 14, 2009, Employees #1 and #2 were performing a pneumatic test to verify leak tightness of a new pipeline meter station. The test medium was nitrogen gas, and the system being tested included piping and two (2) pressure vessels. Numerous leaks were found in the system during the test. The system reached the…...

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Filling ungrounded process vessel with Isopropyl Alcohol (Flash Fire)

On July 23, 2020, an employee, 30, was looking into a vessel being filled with chemicals, including Isopropyl alcohol, to ensure the level of the mixture was above the blades before turning on the mixers. The access port was mounted with one bolt so the employee could rotate the cover to look in. The employee…...

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Buyer Beware… Not all Flammable Cabinets are created equal!

In 2025, one would hope we would be beyond these failures. But when the price is more critical than UL/FM approval or even an attempt to comply with Fire Codes and OSHA, we will inevitably end with a chuck of metal rather than a functioning flammable liquids storage cabinet. See if you can spot the…...

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Management Oversight and Risk Tree (MORT)

MORT was first developed in the USA to analyze the root causes and causal factors for incidents in the nuclear power and aviation industries, but it has now been applied in many industries. However, it seems to be a “lost art” these days! MORT is a pre-populated tree based on a model of an organization’s…...

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1998 H2S incident (same contractor; wrong place-wrong time)

Looking at the contractor involved with the refinery H2S incident last week, I came across another refinery accident involving H2S where this contractor had their employees exposed.  I have no special info on this latest incident, and I will let the media release the name of the contractor, but this 1998 incident was being in…...

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When does “storage incident to transportation” end?

Hazardous chemicals which are carried on transportation vehicles, including rail cars, can be subject to EPCRA reporting when they are not under active shipping papers and have reached the consignee identified on the shipping papers. See House Report No. 99-962 (Committee of Conference), October 3, 1986. 99 Cong. Conf. H. Report 962, at 311, which…...

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Group E (Metal Dusts) only have Div 1 locations (NFPA 499)

An old dog is never too old to learn something new. NOTE: This clarification was made in the 2021 edition of NFPA 499. In NFPA 499, the definition of a Class II, Div 1 HAZLOC is as follows: (emphasis by me)… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a...

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Frozen Tank Vents Probed in Missouri Bulk Plant Flammable Liquid Storage Tank Explosion and Fire

Regulators in Missouri are cautioning aboveground storage tank (AST) owners and managers everywhere to beware of icy weather conditions that could affect the safe operation of vents. Investigators are examining whether two frozen vents could have led to a bulk-plant fire in Marshall, Mo. about 80 miles (129 kilometers) east of Kansas City as a…...

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Three Strikes and I’m done!

This week many “visitors” are finding out that SAFTENG.net has MUCH LESS public information available to non-members.  As usual, I have received hate mail and the likes, but I thought I would share with you why SAFTENG is transitioning to a 100% Membership Based and Client Portal website:… Membership Required You must be a member...

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Getty Letter

And for those not believing I was actually sued and made payment to own up to MY obligations of using someone elses work, here you go.  You can even go to the gettyimages website and use the case number (as shown below) to do your own verification through the actual source.  I am NOT mad…...

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