CLICK HERE to Renew your Membership
CLICK HERE for a NEW Membership
CLICK HERE to see eligibility requirements for FREE Membership
If you have any questions, please contact me

I am proud to announce that SAFTENG and The Chlorine Institute have renewed our partnership for another year (through 2026).  Members of The Chlorine Institute receive a FREE SAFTENG membership.  If you qualify, please contact me

NOTE: Any trade group interested in becoming a partner with SAFTENG for your Member Companies, please reach out, and I can share the plan

SAFTENG has:

Many THANKS to my NEW Members and those who CONTINUE to support SAFTENG:

Since 2012
Since 2025
Since 2010
Since 2008
Since 2026
Since 2026
OneDigital | Resourcing Edge Since 2026
Since 2015
Since 2010
Since 2024
Since 2008
since 2012
Since 2024
Since 2010
OSHA's Spring Regulatory Agenda
Below are the items on OSHA’s regulatory agenda.  I have posted their scope on the standards that play a major role in the facility’s I do work in and links to all of the other items for those of interest to you. … HomeRead More »
Read More
Screen Shot 2019 05 30 at 2.14.28 PM
Workers Hospitalized from Ammonia Leak during PRV Maintenance (Line Break/Process Opening Gone Bad @ food plant)
In April 2011, an OSHA State Plan investigated a 3,600-pound ammonia release at a large warehouse where anhydrous ammonia is used in the refrigeration system in a cold storage building. In this incident, one worker was burned on the arm from the escaping gaseous ammonia. As part of the planned mechanical integrity schedule, two (2) employees were changing out the two (2) pressure relief valves...
Read More
Process Opening 24' up in a scissor lift gone bad (NH3 Oil Draining)
Employees #1 and #2 were draining refrigerant oil from anhydrous ammonia refrigeration system oil traps in fruit cold storage warehouse(s). They were working approximately 24 feet above floor level on a mobile scissor lift personnel platform using hand tools including a wrench, a flashlight, and a bucket. The cause of the unexpected ammonia release is unknown. Employees #1 and #2 suffered thermal and...
Read More
Failure to LOTO NH3 liquid isolation valve(s) leads to cleaning contractor fatality
At approximately 9:30 p.m. on June 30, 1993, Employee #1, a cleaning contractor, was cleaning up the “cut floor” at a beef facility in Council Bluffs, IA. The facility maintenance employees were removing an ammonia valve from the refrigerant line in the ceiling and had NOT locked or tagged out the isolation valves on the roof. The valve on the cut floor was removed and taken to...
Read More
NH3 Fatality after ice cream vessel (NH3 coils) catastrophically fails
On December 26, 1989, Employee #1 was attempting to replace a leaking oil valve on a minus 30-degree freezer when a tank inside the freezer exploded. The company uses anhydrous ammonia to manufacture ice cream. The liquid ice cream mixture (at 50 degrees) is added to the tank. When the liquid ammonia changes to a gas, the liquid ice cream mixture becomes solid. As the ammonia gas pressure builds up...
Read More
One Killed, One Injured Following Ammonia Vessel failure (Oil Separator)
An oil separator on a two-stage ammonia refrigeration system became overpressurized and exploded, killing Employee #1. While looking for Employee #1 after the accident, Employee #2 fell into a drain. Ammonia that had been uncovered as a result of the explosion had flowed into the drain. Employee #2 was hospitalized. … HomeRead More »
Read More
UNSAFE NH3 charging practices causes catastrophic failure of 150-pound NH3 cylinder and a fatality
At approximately 3:15 pm on May 9, 1986, employees started to charge the number 1 line Carbo-Cooler, using a cylinder containing 150 pounds of anhydrous ammonia at 129 psi (room temperature). Employee #1, in an effort to speed the charging process, was running hot water (132 degrees F) over the ammonia cylinder (to raise the internal pressure).  Approximately 15 minutes later the cylinder...
Read More
FATAL NH3 refrigeration vessel catastrophic failure at 170 psi
A pressure vessel in an ammonia refrigerator system at an ice plant ruptured under pressure of 170 psi. The explosion caused extensive physical damage and released dense clouds of ammonia gas. Employees #1 through 4 died of acute ammonia inhalation. … HomeRead More »
Read More
Fatal NH3 release caused by threaded joint weakened by vibrations
Employee #1 was exposed to ammonia gas on November 20, 1984, during an ammonia leak from refrigeration piping in a compressor room. A threaded joint weakened due to excess vibration and cracked. When it failed, ammonia was released. An unapproved gas mask was used by the employee. Employee #1 died the following December 16th from acute bronchopneumonia brought about by inhalational airway and lung...
Read More
IMG 2792
Example of valves to Car-Seal OPEN and CLOSED on a NH3 refrigeration process
Car Seal programs have gained some attention in the refrigeration industry over the years, but there is still a significant debate over whether such a program is needed in the industry.  A past incident at a client’s facility and the root cause of that incident shine a bright light on the need for a Car Seal program in the industry.  This incident occurred during start-up AFTER...
Read More
Car Wash Chain Conveyor sprocket guarding and employee misconduct
Although this serious injury incident occurred at a car wash, the decision of the OSHRC on guarding the chain conveyor and the workers having to work around it due to a change in work practices is an interesting take on “exposure to a hazard”.  If you have ever gone to a car wash that requires you to put your vehicle into neutral gear and then the vehicle is pulled through the wash,...
Read More
AED expires
Automated External Defibrillator (AED) inspection and maintenance
AED’s have become extremely popular in the past decade; they are in just about all public places like airports, government buildings, and many private businesses.  These devices require little to no official training, as the device’s computer walks the user through the entire process of saving a life.  But these devices do NOT last forever!  Today, the plant I am at this...
Read More
1 318 319 320 321 322 755

Partner Organizations

Member Associations

Scroll to Top