Catastrophic results can occur when unauthorized repairs are performed on pressure vessels. An improper weld on an anhydrous ammonia nurse tank was a factor in a nurse tank failure that occurred on April 15, 2003, near Calamus, IA. resulting in one fatality and one serious injury. This is a stark reminder of the serious consequences that can occur as a result of a pressure vessel...

Last week OSHA sent another “Hazard Alert” letter to an employer regarding their practice of using on-site EMT’s to provide care to employees.  In this case, OSHA is again asserting that the EMT’s are performing duties outside their certifications and the purpose of the EMT’s is to avoid recording injuries.   Medical care must be provided or supervised by a healthcare...

from official report from the Dutch Safety Board, May 2015 CLICK HERE (pdf) for full report in English Two days before arriving in port, the Master received cargo documents from the shipper, which included an 11-page material safety data sheet (MSDS) on zinc concentrate. On receipt of the documents a safety meeting was held with the crew to discuss the cargo risks.  During the meeting,...

A few years ago I posted a “safety celebration” luncheon where the grills were placed next to the 500 gallon propane tank.  Now we have this safety lunch… Notice anything UNSAFE about this safety celebration? SAFTENG members can see the unaltered pic

CAUTION!  Viewer Discretion ADVISED.  This video shows an entrant being badly burned as he enters a 6,000 gallon underground gasoline storage tank.  Heat from a halogen work light that was lowered into the tank ignited gasoline vapors. The worker sustained a head injury and severe burns to several areas of his body. He was taken by ambulance to Mercy Hospital St. Louis in Creve Coeur....

Over the holidays I came across this “letter” from OSHA to an employer regarding how the facility was “managing” their “1st Aid cases” using on-site EMTs who were not actually state certified EMT’s, nor had they been trained to identify and assess musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).  In reading the letter, OSHA was clearly implying that these 1st aid...

One of my favorite hazardous materials to work with is Chlorine (Cl2).  And yes I know and no I have not been taking my meds!  “Like” is probably a poor choice of words to us – Respect is probably more fitting in describing my relationship with Cl2.  I have been working with this hazardous material for well over 27 years and have gotten to know it well, thus my utmost...

Industrial Police: Cruise Ship Worker Dies in Elevator Accident (electrician, 66, aboard a cruise ship was killed while working on an elevator during the final leg of a three-day cruise – some links will show passenger video of the results of this accident – VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED) One Statoil Rig Worker Dead, Two Injured in North Sea Storm (one rig worker had died and...

 But no worries because I have on my high visibility safety vest while I do my job!  So I must be working safely…

WARNING!  This video shows a worker dying.  It is NOT graphic but could be upsetting to some.

In 2015 we saw six (6) unloading accidents that involved serious injuries to workers, with some of the workers injured being those who were in the WRONG place at the WRONG time.  Here is a summary of these six (6) incidents.  PLEASE take notice that 4 of the 6 incidents involved UNLOADING HOSES.  These temporary connections are almost always our weakest link in our process and such we...

Date of Incident  Employer/Address of Incident  Hazard Description  Inspection #  12/4/15 Sulzer Chemtech USA Inc., 39018 Hwy 3089, Donaldsonville, LA  70346 Worker died from exposure to argon while retrieving tool from tank. 1110099 12/1/15 Alexander Petroleum, 612 County Rd.  326, West Jourdanton, TX  78026 Worker asphyxiated while cleaning tank that previously...