We are all accustomed to labeling our process vessels/tanks with the contents; many of us that operate batch processes even use some specialized labeling and cross-referencing hazard data based on the batch being run. But one item too many of us fail to identify within a vessel is the use of an inert purging/blanketing gas such as Nitrogen. This year a facility had a very serious incident in which a contractor taking measurements in the process area decided he needed to measure the diameter of a manway and in doing do fell unconscious… the culprit? Nitrogen that was blanketing the vessel.
My first question to the business was: “Was the vessel labeled and was the label visible at the point of exposure?”
The answers were NO and NO, but then the debate began… “Does OSHA require it?” My position is ABSOLUTELY OSHA requires it and here is why…