With the recent release of the CSB report on a catastrophic failure of a pressure vessel I thought this was a fitting photo of the week.  Look closely and see if you can see the issue with how this PV is being operated.  

OSHA has announced a request for information seeking public comment on potential revisions to its Process Safety Management standard and related standards, as well as other policy options to prevent major chemical incidents.  The RFI is in response to executive order 13650, which seeks to improve chemical facility safety and security, issued in the wake of the April 2013 West, Texas, tragedy that...

WARNING!!! This video may be upsetting to some viewers.  Injury required seven (7) stitches to close.  NO gore in the video; only the seven sticthes.

OSHA is making two (2) main revisions to its Mechanical Power Presses Standard. First, OSHA is revising a provision that requires employers to develop and maintain certification records of periodic inspections performed on the presses by adding a requirement that they develop and maintain certification records of any maintenance and repairs they perform on the presses during the periodic inspections....

For those who fall under EPA’s RMP rule, you are familiar with the three (3) program levels your process(s) will fall under and each of these program levels has varying degrees of hazard recognition requirements.  Many professionals involved in process safety are familiar with the term Process Hazards Analysis (PHA), but an RMP Program 2 process is NOT required to conduct a PHA.  A...

Question What is a thermal radiation zone? Answer … HomeRead More »

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), in conjunction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s United States Fire Administration (USFA), has announced a new public safety campaign targeting winter fires. The Put a Freeze on Winter Fires campaign is intended to boost public awareness of common winter fire risks and to provide guidance and approaches to reduce fires.  The...

  MANY THANKS to my RENEWING Partners in Safety 2013 Fatality Tracker Electrical 32 (2012 = 68) (2011 = 81) (2010 = 90) (2009 = 100) Forklift/Manlift 62 (2012 = 52) (2011 = 84) (2010 = 110) (2009 = 88) Mining* 79 (2012 = 92*)  (2011 = 248) (2010 = 480) (2009 = 586) *no longer includes China accidents Explosions 191 (2012 = 241) (2011 = 218) (2010 = 246) (2009 = 302) Cranes 48 (2012 = 52)...

The IAFF Division of Occupational Health, Safety and Medicine has been notified of a safety issue concerning stored fire fighter turnout gear. W.L. Gore & Associates has issued a safety alert for all users of Gore moisture barriers. The identified problem involves seam tape separation when the gear has been stored in its original packaging for three or more years before being issued and worn. When...

A concrete company has been cited for ten serious safety violations by OSHA after a plant operator, 39, was fatally engulfed in a fly-ash storage silo on Aug. 6. The worker entered the cone-bottom silo in an attempt to break up clumps of fly ash that had clogged the bottom discharge. After attempts to dislodge clumps with a metal bar and air hose did not work, he climbed into the silo without a harness...

This response to your letter regarding training requirements under the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR; 49 CFR Parts 171-180) applicable to a truck driver who is responsible for loading and unloading hazardous materials from a cargo tank motor vehicle with the power unit attached. Specifically, you are unclear on whether the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or the Pipeline...

A first (1st) public review of draft standard BSR/IIAR 2-201x, Safety Standard for Equipment, Design, and Installation of Closed-Circuit Ammonia Mechanical Refrigeration Systems is now open. The International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR) invites you to make comments on the draft standard. Substantive changes resulting from this public review will also be provided for comment...