I usually breakdown the OSHRC decisions in a technical way; however, this one is more cultural rather than technical.  It is a story of a chicken processing business that decided that a Safety Professional’s job could be shared by others and they could save the $ on the salary.  This is a company that already had a history with OSHA compliance issues and their decision to hire a contractor...

OSHA has cited a silicon chemical products manufacturer for 12 willful federal safety violations after four (4) employees suffered fatal injuries in an explosion and fire at the company’s plant on May 3, 2019. The company faces $1,591,176 in penalties. OSHA has placed the business in the Severe Violator Enforcement Program.  OSHA investigators determined the facility failed to ensure that electrical...

OSHA has cited a silicon chemical products manufacturer for 12 willful federal safety violations after four (4) employees suffered fatal injuries in an explosion and fire at the company’s plant on May 3, 2019. The company faces $1,591,176 in penalties. OSHA has placed the business in the Severe Violator Enforcement Program.  OSHA investigators determined the facility failed to ensure that electrical...

One means of controlling ignition sources in Hazardous Locations (HAZLOC) is to “pressurize” the enclosure/cabinet.  This is not usually a primary means of protection but is a fallback when a facility realizes that an electrical enclosure/cabinet is sitting in their newly recognized Class 1, Div 2 HAZLOC.  So I get a panic e-mail about this newfound issue and the screams of how...

One means of controlling ignition sources in Hazardous Locations (HAZLOC) is to “pressurize” the enclosure/cabinet.  This is not usually a primary means of protection but is a fallback when a facility realizes that an electrical enclosure/cabinet is sitting in their newly recognized Class 1, Div 2 HAZLOC.  So I get a panic e-mail about this newfound issue and the screams of how...

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UPWARDS and UNOBSTRUCTED – say it again!  UPWARDS and UNOBSTRUCTED.  Two simple and very clear terms that so many struggle with when it comes to Relief System Designs.  Here is a horizontal discharge of a relief valve on an NH3 vessel.  The discharge height is ~20′ but we can see how the gas is dispersing.  It is a picture-perfect reason why our HAZMAT codes all...

UPWARDS and UNOBSTRUCTED – say it again!  UPWARDS and UNOBSTRUCTED.  Two simple and very clear terms that so many struggle with when it comes to Relief System Designs.  Here is a horizontal discharge of a relief valve on an NH3 vessel.  The discharge height is ~20′ but we can see how the gas is dispersing.  It is a picture-perfect reason why our HAZMAT codes all...

This past week a small ice plant in São Luís – State of Maranhão, Brazil experienced what can only be described at a “catastrophic failure” of a pressure vessel.  Details of what/how this happened are sketchy at best; however, the video shows us what anhydrous ammonia can do when it is “blocked-in”.  I am assuming this is a “blocked in scenario”...

This past week a small ice plant in São Luís – State of Maranhão, Brazil experienced what can only be described at a “catastrophic failure” of a pressure vessel.  Details of what/how this happened are sketchy at best; however, the video shows us what anhydrous ammonia can do when it is “blocked-in”.  I am assuming this is a “blocked in scenario”...

Most safety and emergency response personnel understand that an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) is intended to cover the reporting, sounding an alarm, and evacuating and accounting for everyone. But most will say 1910.120(q) applies ONLY when the facility has a “response team”, but is this correct? Way back in the 1990’s OSHA stated the following regarding which employees would be considered...