A safety feature(flanged connection)failure in a refrigeration system released 10 to 20 lbs of ammonia intended to be contained. The ammonia refrigeration system is designed to operate at 250 Psig. The system uses welded or flanged connections to connect components such as compressors, condensers, evaporators, and liquid receivers. Piping and fittings including flanges, different types of valves, elbows,...

PSM/RMP covered processes that operate above 15 psi will have relief valves to protect pressure containing components such as vessels, piping, pumps, compressors, etc.  It is standard practice that these relief valves get changed out at least every five (5) years or so; please follow your RAGAGEP and/or the RV manufacturer instructions for specific change/test schedules.  But whenever we...

Immediate Action Required During a recent internal review, 3M discovered a potential issue involving certain versions and lots of the size-medium 3M™ Half Facepiece Disposable Respirators 5000 Series. In a limited number of instances, we have observed a pinhole in the chin area of the faceseal. This affects only certain 5200 (MEDIUM) respirators that were MANUFACTURED IN JULY 2019, WITH LOT NUMBERS...

In 2019, OSHA published a respiratory protection guide for Roofing Contractors, but since I do not work in the construction field I did not pay much attention to it.  But today I found some never published guidance from OSHA regarding how an employer can establish a “change-out schedule”.  I may have missed this in all the other OSHA/NIOSH documents regarding respirators or my...

I really don’t understand the mindset of these companies… they have a horrible accident, and rather than recognize something failed and needs to be fixed, they hire lawyers to fight all the OSHA citations rather than competent/qualified safety professionals to fix it all.  These citations were like “taking candy from a baby” because the company managed respiratory protection...

OSHA cited a grain, lumber, and supply company for grain-handling safety violations after corn engulfed an employee clearing clumps in a grain storage bin. First responders were able to rescue the worker. The company faces $69,010 in penalties. OSHA cited the company for two willful and four serious violations for exposing employees to engulfment hazards while walking/working on the grain to make it...

Respondent owns and operates the chemical manufacturing and distribution facility. Anhydrous ammonia is a “regulated substance” pursuant to 40 C.F.R. § 68.3 with a threshold quantity, as listed in 40 C.F.R. § 68.130, of 10,000 pounds. Ammonia in the concentration of greater than 20% is a “regulated substance” pursuant to 40 C.F.R. § 68.3 with a threshold quantity for ammonia...

OSHA may use their General Duty Clause (GDC) to enforce their desire for employers to have Oxygen monitor(s) in areas where inert cryogenics are stored and used.  But I like to use codes/standards (e.g. RAGAGEPs) to drive my safety engineering of these hazardous processes, even though they are not PSM/RMP covered processes.  To do this I turn to the Internation Fire Code (IFC) that is applicable...

Sorry, I have not seen any actual citations or details of how this incident occurred, but I will update if I get anything. A chemical supplier and an Ingredients’ facility have been fined $1 million each for violating the federal Clean Air Act when a cloud of toxic chlorine gas was released over Atchison, Kan., in 2016.  Both companies have paid the fines.  U.S. District Court Judge Daniel...

I am not sure how much of the $4 million was for RMP, as there were other issues in this Consent Decree and I have only pulled out the RMP issues. On or about September 4, 2017, heater tube 23 ruptured in the CRU2/HTU2 charge heater process due to creep, a molecular failure mechanism that causes metal deformation as a result of stress from high temperatures. The rupture of heater tube 23 caused the...

Last week, VA-OSHA posted this Hazard Alert regarding hand sanitizers with 80% alcohol.  Now I am not aware of any studies that differentiate the hazards of 80% versions from 70% and 65%% versions or of any incidents where static ignited the sanitizer when the user touched a grounded surface.  But we do know that Alcohols have Minimum Ignition Energies (MIE) less than 1 millijoule (mJ) and...

OSHA has cited a texas chemical company for exposing employees to workplace safety and health hazards after a fire and explosion at the plant in November 2019. The company faces $514,692 in fines. OSHA opened an investigation after vapor formed at the base of a butadiene finishing tower ignited and caused several explosions and fires. OSHA cited the facility for three willful violations for failing...