This is an excellent video that takes us through the progression of an ammonia (CAT 2 Flammable Gas) explosion. A contractor working in the engine room reported the smell of ammonia @ 6:04 a.m. A maintenance worker entered the engine room at 6:24 a.m. and did not smell/see/notice anything unusual!!! I am guessing they did not have a zero leak policy at this facility?!?! At 6:48 a.m. we can see the...

Jack Rabbit: Chlorine Properties is a 28-minute video that uses footage from the Department of Homeland Security’s Jack Rabbit release trials to demonstrate chlorine’s dispersion properties. The video covers the following topics: Introduction Dispersion Pressure Differentials, Phase Changes, and Thermal Considerations Density Different Atmospheric/Land Conditions

We should be doing MONTHLY inspections on our LEVEL A suits (regardless of manufacturer) and this month, those of us who use DuPont Tychem® Level A suits will need to take some special actions due to a change that DuPont implemented several years ago.  Effective September 1, 2013, DuPont transitioned to Pirelli valves for all Tychem® Level A suits. Products impacted by the valve change Prior to...

MEMORANDUM FOR: REGIONAL ADMINISTRATORS, STATE PLAN DESIGNEES THROUGH: AMANDA EDENS,Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary FROM: PATRICK J. KAPUST, Acting Director,Directorate of Enforcement Programs SUBJECT: Enforcement of 29 CFR 1910.29(f)(1)(ii)(B) and 1910.29(f)(1)(iii)(A): Heights of Handrail and Stair Rail Systems This memorandum replaces the memorandum issued on June 10, 2019, on this subject, and...

One of the biggest flaws in the OSHA’s and EPA’s process safety standards is their expectations of how contractors are to be evaluated.  Yes, of course, hiring contractors with good safety programs and good safety performance is CRITICAL, but way too many facilities are only looking at the safety numbers and programs.  And that is NOT good enough!  In fact, some states have...

Following the August 2012 fire and chemical release at a San Fransico Bay Area refinery, the Governor of CA formed the Interagency Working Group on Refinery Safety to examine ways to improve public and worker safety through enhanced oversight of refineries, and to strengthen emergency preparedness in anticipation of any future incident. The Interagency Working Group found gaps in the regulatory schemes,...

Respondent is the owner and/or operator of a Brewery which uses, handles, and/or stores more than a threshold quantity of anhydrous ammonia, a regulated substance, as specified at 40 C.F.R. §§ 68.115 and 68. 130. Pursuant to CAA section 112(r)(7), Respondent is required to prepare and implement a risk management program to detect and prevent or minimize accidental releases of such substances. The EPA...

Question 1: Does the HCS apply to universal waste, which is included within the definition of hazardous waste and subject to 40 CFR 273? Response: No. As noted in the background section, per 29 CFR 1910.1200(b)(6)(i), the HCS does not apply to hazardous wastes regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). When waste does not meet...

With the recent Hot Work fire in KS at a beef processing plant, I was looking for my posting regarding the 2011 NFPA Loss Report(s) for refrigeration facilities and realized it had not made the move over to the new website.  So here it is again.  Some really good loss data in here(albeit it is now 8 years old)  to share with Management so they can see the impact poor safety performance...

Respondent is the owner and/or operator of an Oil Refinery which uses, handles, and/or stores more than a threshold quantity of Flammable Mixture and Hydrogen fluoride/Hydrofluoric acid, which are regulated substances, as specified at 40 C.F.R. §§ 68.115 and 68.130. The EPA conducted an inspection of the Facility from August 15 to August 18, 2016, to assess compliance with 40 C.F.R. part 68. During...

Bryan Haywood PO BOX 405 Milford, OH 45150 (513) 238-87fourseven (47) The phone is done this way to prevent spam calls   Bryan@SAFTENG.net Bryan.SAFTENG@gmail.com    

Those of you that have been reading my materials for the past 20+ years know that I can be rather extreme when it comes to critical safety items such as SCBA’s used in IDLH atmospheres.  I make no apologies for my positions and my directness – heck I think more of you need to be like me rather than I need to “take a chill pill and join the team” (advice I get often). ...