Preliminary investigation indicates that two (2) HVAC contractors were in the vicinity of the ammonia leak when it was initiated. Norwood’s first responders were able to stabilize and transport one man to Good Samaritan Medical Center, and he was then further transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital for specialized treatment.  The second contractor, 68, was deceased on scene. ...

At approximately 8:45 a.m. on March 4, 1986, Employee #1, at a cannery, attempted to remove chlorine gas cylinders from a distribution point located beneath a stairwell. Eight of the cylinders were mostly full and simply in storage. The system had not been used for five (5) years. One 150-lb cylinder was still connected to a gas chlorinator regulator and the manifold. While Employee #2 was removing...

In the retort area of the cannery, Employee #2 watched as Employee #1 took a 150-pound chlorine cylinder out of service. Employee #1 failed to follow posted instructions to ensure that the cylinder valve was fully closed. When the vacuum regulator was removed, chlorine gas began escaping. Employees #1 and #2 left the area. Employee #1 donned an SCBA and returned to close the valve. It appears that...

I have written numerous times about how the PSM/RMP thresholds are inconsequential regarding line/vessel opening hazards.  A 1/2″ line in a water treatment process, NOT covered by PSM/RMP as it ran on 150# cylinders, poses the same risks as if the 1/2″ line was part of a covered process.  Granted, the LOPC event could release more in the covered process thus causing a wider area...

Listening is a function of Caring. Hearing is not Listening!  Depending on your leadership style, this may be a growth opportunity for you. It’s a leadership characteristic we can all continuously improve upon!  Hint- If you continue to hear the same message over and over…you might not be listening… or at least the people sharing don’t think you are getting it. Repeating the message is a...

I was posed this question recently by an organization that is on a steep growth curve. The leadership team is working like crazy just to keep everything afloat… and they are on a quest to be “the best.” My response was simply that your choice of BOD committees demonstrates what’s important to the leadership of the organization. If you want your team to value safety, health, environment, and sustainability,...

As we wrap up this year and prepare for 2023, hopefully, you started your health, safety, environmental, and sustainability planning process at least a month or two ago. If you didn’t, don’t panic…. Focus! Just because you are late to the game doesn’t mean you have to plan for less. Focus on incorporating multiple dimensions, and think of big-ticket initiatives over multiple years. A one-dimensional...

Peter Drucker famously said, “Culture eats Strategy for breakfast.” So, does that mean focusing on culture and working on strategy later? In a conversation with a CEO friend whose organization is struggling with lackluster EHS&S performance, the question of which is the cause and which to focus on was the problem statement. I countered with my own question: How are the other operations performance...

Leaders… Don’t confuse your lack of injuries or environmental events with good EHS performance. DMAIC…Dig into what work drives your performance, measure it, understand trends, and chart a path to continuously improve, monitor, and respond… simple but effective! Who are you holding accountable for EHS performance?

A friend in a new role asked me to engage in a recent discussion with his leadership team regarding goals and objectives. Next to leadership discussions, this is one of my favorite topics! The conversation prompted a reflection on how well they performed in prior years. They were quick to cite the decrease of NOV’s, “C “ft print, TRIR, DART and even the increase in the number of EHS observations conducted…one...

This study explored the pre-post effects of Safety Management by Walking Around (SMBWA) intervention.  They also hypothesized that SMBWA would improve the organization-level safety climate because an enhanced safety climate may act as a form of organizational resource to buttress motivation and alleviate burnout.  Not surprisingly, results indicated:   (Study link: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssci.2023.106062)...

This ref’s delivery and leadership to regain control of a game that was getting out of hand was SPOT ON! Everything necessary in life (rules, respect, and safety as a value) is ALL about the VALUES our leadership demonstrates. Our priorities change by the hour – our VALUES do not! We can change our priorities without any internal conflict; when our actions don’t align with our VALUES,...