Have you ever seen fire extinguishers with an HMIS or NFPA Label?  Did you think to yourself… hmm do fire extinguishers fall under HAZCOM?  Here is an LOI discussing this very topic; however, it seems to be a mute point now that the OSHRC has stated Fire Extinguishers are exempt from 1910.1200 because they are “consumer products”.  Here’s what they said…...

Those of you that visit SAFTENG often know that I love the FM Global Data Sheets!  These data sheets are NOW FREE (and have been for a couple of years).  They serve as a GREAT AID in helping facilities understand their hazards and risks associated with all kinds of industries.  In fact, although my practice is not endorsed by Global FM, I point clients to these data sheets when an employer...

On a drilling rig offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, an operator for a cementing contractor was trouble shooting an electronic instrument failure. He suspected a discharged battery in a battery box was the problem. He plugged a wheeled battery charger (like those in all service stations) into a three-prong extension cord carrying household 115V current, and was killed by electrocution.  A BSEE Panel investigated...

This article was written By: Michael Farber, Senior Advisor to the Director of BSEE and I am posting it here as there is no means to “share” this great piece via social media.  General Motors (GM) recently released the findings of its internal investigation into the various failures that led to 12 fatalities and many injuries resulting from collisions caused by faulty ignitions switches...

Respondent has an RMProgram covered process, ammonia storage, which stores or otherwise uses anhydrous ammonia, an amount exceeding its applicable threshold of 10,000 pounds. Respondent has submitted and registered an RMPlan to the EPA. Based on an RMProgram compliance monitoring investigation initiated on January 31, 2013, the EPA alleges that the Respondent violated the codified rules governing the...

Respondent owns and operates a natural gas processing well site and facility, which includes a separator used for separating well fluids produced from the natural gas well into gaseous and liquid components and a tank battery which consists of interconnected storage tanks situated to receive output from the natural gas well and separator. Natural gas is a highly flammable gaseous hydrocarbon mixture...

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) continues to strengthen security at the Nation’s high-risk chemical facilities through the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program.  Chemical Security Program Statistics as of January 5, 2015: More than 48,000 preliminary assessments were reviewed by DHS from facilities with chemicals of interest 3,598 facilities are currently...

Question:  How may a corporation with multiple facilities regulated under CFATS request the corporate approach and what benefits does this provide the corporation? … HomeRead More »

A question I am asked nearly each month is… do I have to have a person dedicated to operating the boiler and is this person restricted from performing any other functions while acting as the “boiler operator”? While I am not a “boiler expert”, most of my clients have industrial size boilers associated with their chemical process(s) so I deal with boiler compliance, as...

The 1st Michigan worker death of 2015 occurred on January 15, 2015. Employers and employees are urged to use extreme care and safety diligence in all work activities. Summary of incident: On January 8, 2015, a 37 year old sheet metal worker was in the process of torch cutting and welding when it is believed he had ignited the flame-retardant insulation between the hopper and building structure. The...