OSHA has issued its supplemental VPP assessment questions for 2022.  The questions focus on: Leading Indicators & Mechanical Integrity PSM Metrics/Other MOC & PHA Resident Contractors Ammonia Processes and Refrigeration … HomeRead More »

OSHA has found that the U.S. Department of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management violated procedures for safe handling of chemical materials at its Helium Enrichment Unit, a federal chemical producing plant that refines and sells helium products to private entities.  OSHA issued the facility 21 notices of unsafe working conditions. This is OSHA’s first use of the egregious violation policy in citing...

Exposure to dangerous toxins at an Alabama chemical manufacturing plant lead to the deaths of two (2) workers and sickened another worker after the employer failed to provide appropriate protective equipment and implement safe work practices during maintenance activities on chemical processing equipment.  An OSHA investigation found the exposure occurred while the workers were conducting maintenance...

On September 15, 2021, Respondent acquired ownership and commenced operation of the manufacturing facility. Isobutane is a “regulated substance” pursuant to 40 C.F.R. § 68.3. The threshold quantity for Isobutane, as listed in 40 C.F.R. § 68.130, is 10,000 pounds. Propane is a “regulated substance” pursuant to 40 C.F.R. § 68.3. The threshold quantity for propane, as listed in 40 C.F.R. § 68.130, is...

Rotary valves/airlocks (rotary valves) are devices with close-fitting, revolving blades/vanes installed inside industrial equipment to control the flow of materials through a process (see Figure 1).  Rotary valves are used in many industries and functions. A common example (Figure 2) is an airlock used in a pneumatic conveying system to dispense material while maintaining system pressurization. ...

These are from the same hotel and the same bank of elevators. Hint: We must always be consistently “grounded” in our HF design. Day 1 I came down in the elevator shown on the left. Day 2 I came down in the elevator shown on the right and ended up in the basement! … HomeRead More »

This is one of my favorite Safety PR videos.  Not a single word is spoken, but the message is crystal clear.  Congrats to Boart Longyear. … HomeRead More »

This is NOT a political post, nor is it a post about the pandemic.  It is a simple reminder for the experienced safety pro or a mentoring moment for the younger safety pro… We will all walk in Dr. Fauci’s shows one day! What do I mean by this statement? … HomeRead More »

We cannot eliminate risk. It’s a consequence of the uncertainty in our situations and the world around us. It’s essential to think about how we can mitigate risks in the workplace. Also, consider the tools we can provide to make our colleagues more aware of risk in themselves and others.  Risk assessments are a useful way of identifying and mitigating risks in the workplace. There are six (6)...

Human failure is a term used to describe ways in which humans in a system deviate from the intended course of action. As a leader, you must recognize why you and others make errors and mistakes and use this knowledge to prevent this from happening again. A leader also plays an essential role in setting people up for success.  While this section will help you understand human failure, in the system’s...

The SHELL Model is a conceptual tool used to analyze the interaction of multiple system components.  The SHELL Model contains the following four (4) components: SOFTWARE (S): procedures, training, support, etc. HARDWARE (H): machines and equipment ENVIRONMENT (E): the working environment in which the rest of the L-H-S system must function and LIVEWARE (L): humans in the workplace   …...

One of my favorite movies is “Meet the Parents” and in this movie, the bride’s to-be dad, Jack, had his “circle of trust”.   Well not to poke fun at the concept, we also have the “circle of safety”.  It is core in each and every one of us.  When we feel like we can trust our co-workers and we feel like they have our backs and we have theirs...