The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors recorded the number of accidents involving pressure vessels at an increase of 24% over the course of a year between 1999 to 2000. These statistics include power boilers, steam heating boilers, water heating boilers, and unfired pressure vessels. However, the increased number of accidents was not reflected through to the number of fatalities,...

PLEASE NOTE that this citation is SIGNIFICANT in that OSHA took issue with how Operating Procedures were controlled/revised/managed!  OSHA found operators using three (3) different revisions for the same task that caused the release.  Document control records had odd dates as well.  A “document control” system is NOT a PSM (or RMP) requirement, BUT we MUST ensure that personnel...

  Over 12,500 exclusive unsafe acts/conditions and accident/injuries photosand over 1,300 ppt’s & doc’s from more than 2,797 contributors!   11/12/2015 UPDATE FREE Bob Cornett – MSHA Folder with 41 files MEMBERS AREA with 429 Shocker Photos MANY THANKS to my RENEWING “Partner in Safety” for their continued support! since 2004 2015 Fatality Tracker Electrical...

This is another example of a change to our process that may not require a wrench to complete, but it is my opinion, as well as now the National Board’s, that changing the service of a pressure vessel is indeed a change that should undergo an MOC.  The National Board Inspection Code (NBIC) Part 2, SUPPLEMENT 9, REQUIREMENTS FOR CHANGE OF SERVICE offers a very much needed insight into...

I have written about this topic several times, but in reading the newest edition (2015) of NATIONAL BOARD INSPECTION CODE I came across some actual language that must be considered when establishing our Safe Upper Design Limits for our pressure vessels.  I feel like I must state the obivious once again – a relief valve is NOT a pressure control valve!  It should ONLY lift as a...

Each year we see video clips of accidents involving people attempting to deep fry their turkeys for the the holidays.  These are REAL accidents that can be easily prevented.  PLEASE help spread the word of how dangerous this activity can be.  Even done CORRECTLY this activity carries a high risk of serious injury and/or property damage.  CLICK HERE for some tips from StateFarm...

The 2016 ERG will cover approximately 3,500 materials and feature 62 separate guides for describing what to do when different categories of hazardous materials may have been released. Features include: … HomeRead More »

The USDOT/FMCSA is issuing this safety notice to remind all companies of the dangers associated with cleaning, repairing, testing, and inspecting cargo tanks. These cargo tanks may contain hazardous materials, even if only in trace amounts. FMCSA has been advised of an increase in the number of incidents related to working on cargo tanks.           … HomeRead More &...

 

 This is some serious energy!  Imagine this type of failure occurring while in service within a process area.  

While working on a project I came across this gem on my external hard drive and can not believe I never posted it!!!  Yes it is from NIOSH – not OSHA and yes it is nearly 10 years, but the facts are the facts and one day I hope we can put this facial hair debate to bed!!!!!  This letter is KEY in that it makes it clear that ANY FACIAL HAIR inside the facepiece of a NIOSH APPROVED respirator...

The Department of Labor (DOL) administers the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) and the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act), as amended by the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006 (MINER Act). DOL’s effective enforcement of these laws is critical to protecting workers from death, injury, and illness. The two DOL agencies primarily responsible...