At 11:05 a.m. on August 5, 2022, an employee, 59, was pressure testing a pressure vessel for leaks with compressed air when the air pressure became too high within the vessel. The lid of the vessel flew open and struck the employee in the arm, abdomen, chest, and head. The employee was taken to the hospital and died due to his injuries on September 27, 2022. … HomeRead More »

At 4:00 p.m. on April 14, 2023, an employee, 23, working for a structural sheet metal manufacturer, was performing hydrostatic testing on an air-conditioned heat exchanger. A plug failed under pressure, striking the employee. The employee was killed after being impaled in the chest by the plug. … HomeRead More »

In 1981, workers at LANL were about to fill hydrogen (H2) cylinders from a large, H2-filled tube trailer. They used a manifold containing residual oxygen (O2), which was also connected to a tube trailer of O2 with only one valve separating these incompatible gases. When the mix ignited, the workers attempted to purge O2 from the manifold using low-pressure H2. The resultant fire destroyed the valve,...

A 25,000-gallon tank used to store nitrogen or carbon dioxide at 250 psig needed maintenance that required the removal of a four-foot diameter, 500 lb manhole cover. The tank was evacuated to 0 psig using the manually operated relief valve. Once the workers no longer heard air flowing through the valve, they released the stick they had been using to keep it open. … HomeRead More »

There are numerous units used to measure pressure… … HomeRead More »

A contractor boilermakerlost consciousness following the inhalation of nitrogen supplied through an air-line helmet respirator. On 26 April 2024, a contractor boilermaker (CMW), was setting up for a hot work task and attached their air-line welding helmet respirator to the nitrogen line (refer Figure 1). The CMW then put on their air-line welding helmet and fell to the ground. Other CMWs in proximity...

Respondent operated a facility that utilizes anhydrous ammonia to provide cooling capabilities to processing, shipping, cooler areas, silos, and chillers for its beef and meat products. On March 30, 2022, EPA performed an inspection of the Facility to evaluate compliance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) Section 103, EPCRA Sections...

The standard applies… … HomeRead More »

Flammable liquids shall be drawn from or transferred into vessels, containers, or portable tanks within a building: only through a closed piping system, from safety cans, by means of a device drawing through the top, or from a container or portable tanks by gravity through an approved self-closing valve. Transferring by means of air pressure on the container or portable tanks shall be prohibited. So...

How dare OSHA even mention “torque” as part of a PSM QA program… … HomeRead More »

This was published 30+ years ago, but it makes so much sense I thought it was fitting to share far and wide again. Each employer must address what actions employees are to take when there is an unwanted release of highly hazardous chemicals. Emergency preparedness or the employer’s tertiary (third) lines of defense are those that will be relied on, along with the secondary lines of defense, when...