At 12:00 a.m. on June 16, 2022, Employee #1 and a coworker were filling train cars with soybeans. Both employees entered the grain bin from the top entry door to investigate why the soybeans were not flowing through the bottom gates of the bin. While inside, Employee #1 was engulfed by the soybeans and the coworker escaped by climbing a fixed ladder on the bin wall. Employee #1 was killed from being...

At 10:30 a.m. on June 15, 2022, an employee was MIG welding nipples onto the top of a fuel tank truck. The purpose of the nipples was to facilitate a steam cleaning process for the tank, and the work was being performed in an indoor bay of a building. The employee was welding when the tank exploded, blowing the employee through the building roof and a considerable vertical distance above the building...

On June 27, 2022, an employee was flushing a chlorine dioxide pump for maintenance. He inhaled the chlorine dioxide when it escaped. The employee was rushed to the hospital and later died. … HomeRead More »

Very unfortunate… we see a lot of accident investigations like this. Regardless of what you may see/read on LinkedIn, root cause analysis tools are a MUST have in any SMS, as well as having TRAINED/COMPETENT personnel using those tools. In my 30+ years, I have come to learn that the RCCA element of an SMS is one of the top 5 elements of a successful SMS. Without it, we can kiss a “learning culture”...

If you can tell, I was at a flammable liquids processing facility last week for an introductory visit.  It did not go well as we could not agree on basic compliance measures and RAGAGEP practices associated with PSM-covered and non-covered processes.  One of the major pushbacks I got was their use of some ancient, non-nameplated cast iron vessels.  There is NO history on these vessels,...

We talk a lot about flanged and welded connections but not so much about threaded connections.  This is mainly based on my limited experience with threaded connections used in HAZMAT processes.  But one thing I did learn about threaded connections is a MAJOR prohibition for threaded connections @ vessels when the piping/vessel will contain flammable liquids, gases, or vapors.  Using...

Sorry I am late posting these, but here are the latest Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG) changes.  And there are a lot of them; listed based on the color of their section in the guidebook: … HomeRead More »

Respondent is the owner and operator of five (5) facilities as that term is defined in section 112(a)(9) of the CAA, and within the meaning of section 112(r) of the CAA and section 313 of EPCRA.  EPA conducted inspections of the facilities on the following dates to determine Respondent’s compliance with section 112(r) of the CAA, 42 U.S.C. § 7412(r), and 40 C.F.R. part 68: Providence RI Facility...

I recently came across this depiction of the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) management model related to a Safety Management System.  It is from our safety friends across the pond.  Check it out, as well as their complete publication on the topic… … HomeRead More »

Maybe I’m just old school, but is it just too much to ask for: a well-written safety procedure, one that is written and analyzed with a safety pro and the worker(s) who do the actual work, that management will fully support the procedures everyday-everytime, including on holidays that fall on a Sunday, and employees will follow procedures everyday-everytime, including on holidays that fall on a Sunday? There...

   An Emergency Escape Breathing Apparatus (EEBA) is NOT an SCBA and is ONLY permitted to be used to EVACUATE a hazardous atmosphere – NEVER to enter one, especially one within a Permit-Required Confined Space! On 1 April 2022, after completing the loading of coal cargo, the Singapore registered bulk carrier, Nozomi, was anchored at the Tanjung Api–Api anchorage, South Sumatera,...

What management thinks we are… Reality as to what we really are When it comes to creating a safety culture, most management teams think the safety leader has some kind of magic wand that they can wave and create the culture they want.  When in reality, we are NOT culture builders!  Culture comes from senior leadership – safety leaders help managers create the culture they want. ...