Since 1996 Establishment Size: All sizesStandard: 1910.134 Respiratory Protection. Citations issued during the period October 2023 through September 2024. Penalties shown reflect current rather than initial amounts. … HomeRead More »

A permit-required confined space (PRCS) may be reclassified as a non-permit space under the following conditions as outlined in 1926.1203(g): There is no actual or potential atmospheric hazard within the space.This means that there are no atmospheric hazards in the space, and none will develop during the entry period. Use of forced air ventilation to control atmospheric hazards is not considered the...

Does the Standard impose additional requirements on “permit-required confined spaces” beyond those imposed for “confined spaces”? Yes. … HomeRead More »

This information should open some eyes as to OSHA’s expectations for how our PRCS Entry Programs are managed and by WHO! Take time to “read between the lines” in this information. Could your facility, and more specifically could your facility personnel, pass this level of inspection? … HomeRead More »

I came across this on the DOL website and found it refreshing, as it seems the debate still rages on about several key terms in OSHA’s PRCS standards. Here are a few that may be helpful: … HomeRead More »

The CSB has released an UPDATE into its ongoing investigation into the fatal November 12, 2024, explosion in Louisville, Kentucky. The incident killed two employees and seriously injured three others. The explosion caused significant property damage to the facility and nearby homes and businesses. Debris was ejected outside the facility’s fence line, flying up to 400 feet into the nearby neighborhood,...

At approximately 9:45 p.m. on November 4, 2003, a maintenance employee went to the chlorine house to turn on the chlorination system. The chlorine house measured 3 feet, 10-inches wide by 5 feet, 10-inches long and was approximately 10-feet high. The water lines ran through a hole in the block wall. The hole in the block wall lead directly from the chlorine house into the chemical room. The hole was...

I have upload my REVISED Car Seal Program and the PowerPoint that goes with it to the Document Library – Chemical Process Safety folder.

One of the things I look for in my PSSR walk downs is “short-threading”. I was raised with the old pipe-fitters rule of “three threads showing”; however, ASME now accepts “full engagement” as bolt flush with nut. Some companies will have a QA/QC requirement of 1-thread showing. So I have to accept the ASME definition of “full engagement”, but I can almost...

I just uploaded my newest version of the SAFTENG Car Seal Program that reflects the code requirements in 2025. A client has learned they need to car seal some valves that are “intervening valves” after a PRD and before a header. The OEM commissioning the process stated they had a Car Seal Program and would “handle it”. This is what we found… Do you see it? … HomeRead...

Three People Died Due to the Blast The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board (CSB) released a new safety video on its investigation into the January 24, 2020, fatal propylene release and explosion at the Watson Grinding and Manufacturing Company facility in Houston, Texas.  The massive explosion resulted in the death of two workers and a nearby resident and damaged hundreds of neighboring...