There are five (5) basic types of ventilation systems: dilution and removal by general exhaust; local exhaust; makeup air (or replacement); HVAC (primarily for comfort); and recirculation systems Most ventilation systems generally involve a combination of these types of systems.  But there are some specific requirements, that need to be met: … HomeRead More »

Unlike a PRCS that contains ONLY physical hazards, a space containing an atmospheric hazard cannot be reclassified as a non-permit space. However, if the atmospheric hazard in the PRCS can be controlled by FORCED AIR VENTILATION, we may enter under the CONTROLLED ATMOSPHERE instead of with full permit space procedures. The alternate procedures may be used ONLY when we can show that: … HomeRead...

When can a PRCS be reclassified and how must one go about doing it?  This is taken directly from an OSHA publication, but what caught my eye is this publication makes it clear that BOTH “reclassification” and the “alternative entry” methods can be used at the same time for the same PRCS!  Pay close attention to the very last sentence and you’ll see what I mean. I...

With the new 2021 International Fire Code comes some interesting changes.  One such change impacts how we establish how many “control areas” within our buildings and floors.  Personally, I was surprised they made this change, but after close examination, it actually makes sense.  So let’s look at what liberties the 2021 edition gives us in establishing our control areas…...

I am unsure how to be any louder or more straightforward to the food industry regarding their “Tunnel Freezers.”  A lot of folks are aware of the Chemical Safety Board’s investigation into the food plant accident that claimed the lives of 5 workers and injured dozens more.  But did you know there was a DOUBLE fatality accident in December 2020, a month before, involving...

This information is intended to assist in assessing the human contribution to risk, commonly known as Human Reliability Assessment (HRA).  There are two (2) distinct types of HRA: qualitative assessments that aim to identify potential human failures and optimise the factors that may influence human performance, and quantitative assessments which, in addition, aim to estimate the likelihood of...

A topic we have discussed many times here and if you have ever attended one of my process safety courses or presentations you have most certainly heard my dissertation on the criticality of pressure testing and leak testing and the fact that these safety-critical functions come with some serious risks, especially if the pressure testing is done pneumatically!  Case in point… Here are two...

An OSHA safety investigation has found another rail car products and services provider did not follow federal safety standards for working in permit-required confined spaces after two workers died from inhaling toxic fumes. OSHA determined that an employee became unresponsive after entering a natural gasoline rail car with the intent of cleaning the space on Aug. 12, 2020. A second employee entered...

A construction company has been fined $14,400 after all three (3) employees were killed while working on a utility project. The three employees, 48, 21, and 43, all of whom were killed on August 25, 2020, in an accident while working about 20 feet below ground inside a manhole. They died from asphyxia associated with a low-oxygen environment and subsequent drowning. Two of the deceased were Father...

I studied this incident closely while at MSU and I have never forgotten the dramatic images of what 18,000 gallons of a flammable liquid can do in a sewer! On Feb. 13, 1981, at 5:16 a.m. a series of explosions occurred in the sewer lines of  Louisville, KY. The explosions happened after a soybean extraction plant had a chemical spill of hexane which made it to the sewer.  Ultimately investigators...

To continue with the articles I have written about Permit-Required Confined Spaces found in mechanical refrigeration processes, today I want to discuss the Compressor Oil Separator.  SAFTENG Members can read my earlier post on Evaporative Condenser(s) and Sprial Freezers.  Over the last several years I have shared several pics of workers halfway inside these separators and this week another...

The Respondent operates a wastewater treatment plant where Chlorine, propane, and sulfur dioxide (anhydrous) are present above their thresholds. The Respondent operates a wastewater chlorination process at the stationary source. 40 C.F.R. § 68.130 specifies a 2,500-pound threshold for chlorine, a 10,000-pound threshold for propane, and a 5,000-pound threshold for sulfur dioxide (anhydrous). The Respondent’s...