Earlier this year I wrote an article about the International Fire Code (IFC) and its practice of limiting flammable liquids outside of proper storage means, such as cabinets and rooms. In that article I posted the OSHA requirements but did not explain how the OSHA requirements applied to workplaces, rather I chose to use the IFC as it is much more relevant and up-to-date than OSHA’s 1910.106...

The bulletin sets out the key precautions require to protect personnel from this hazard: MAIB safety bulletin 1-2020: Resurgam Inadvertent discharge of a condensed aerosol fire extinguishing system during its installation onboard the fishing vessel Resurgam (PZ 1001) on November 15, 2019, with loss of 1 life. Recommendation FirePro has been recommended (S2020/114) to issue a safety alert to the owner/operators...

What happened? While conducting a fire watch round on a vessel in port, a 2nd mate noticed that a fire blanket on the midships fire hose box had caught fire. He immediately reported this to the Bridge and used an extinguisher to put the fire out. What went wrong? The fire started after a third-party team (hired to remove sea-fastenings) had LEFT THE JOB TO HAVE LUNCH after cleaning the grillages on...

Styrene has been a chemical I just can not seem to get away from.  I dealt with it throughout my career in the petro-chem industry and now as a consultant, I have a number of clients who use this flammable liquid in a number of different processes.  In 2005 I was consulted about a leaking styrene railcar in my hometown of Cincinnati – not many people get to have that much fun on their...

Independent, systematic audits check that risk-control systems and management arrangements within the Safety Management System (SMS) are effective.  An audit is an independent, systematic check of risk-control safeguards and the SMS to ensure business objectives are met. An audit can be an internal audit (first party, conducted by the organization) or an external audit (second or third party,...

SAFTENG is 25 years old this year and from day 1, the most popular materials have been the graphic injury/accident photos.  In my early years, I used them myself, but as I gained more experience and became a follower of Dr. Scott Geller I began to reshape my views on “shock safety”.  He convinced me that we would never succeed in scaring workers to behave safely by showing them...

The one thing this Virus is “maybe” teaching the general public is: Risk = Probability x Severity When we are told to limit our exposure to large groups of 100 or more that is based on a “probability” and when the elderly and immune compromised individuals are told to stay inside that is based on both Probability AND Severity. I have not seen the actual numbers as to who and how the “groups of 100”...

Respondent is engaged in business at the Facility at which a hazardous chemical is produced, used, or stored. On March 13, 2017, EPA conducted an inspection of the Facility to ascertain Respondent’s compliance with Section 103 of CERCLA and Sections 302-304 and 311 -312 of EPCRA. During and following the Inspection, Respondent submitted information to EPA regarding the Facility and its compliance...

Have you taken the 3 minutes to read OSHA’s expansive Compressed Gas Standard 1910.101?  After all, the standard is three sections long and references Compressed Gas Association (CGA) pamphlets that are no longer in print.  One of the most requested standards I get from SAFTENG members and clients is for CGA P-1 (1965): Safe Handling of Compressed Gases (which can now be downloaded...

Respondent is the owner or operator of the refrigerated warehousing and storage area. Respondent’s refrigerated distribution center includes a Program Level 3 covered process, as provided by 40 C.F.R. § 68.10(d). Respondent uses 74,000 pounds of ammonia (anhydrous), a regulated substance in an amount that exceeds the threshold quantity as part of its covered process at its distribution center. ...

On October 26, 2018, Respondent became the owner and operator of the facility upon the completion of a merger. According to Respondent’s RMP, Respondent handles approximately 22,477 pounds of anhydrous ammonia at the Facility. EPA conducted an inspection of the Facility on April 18, 2018, to evaluate the Facility’s compliance with CAA Section 112(r). On May 24, 2018, EPA sent a post-inspection...

On November 30, 2015, an employee entered a large transformer, top cover removed, which had previously been filled with nitrogen. The employee fell unconscious one he/she entered the space. Another employee entered to retrieve the first employee and also fell unconscious. Another employee (#3) followed and also fell unconscious. Employees #1 and #2 died. Employee #3 was hospitalized.  So for some...