Theoretically, a resistance to ground of 1,000,000 ohms is considered capable of dissipating a static electrical charge. So why then does my safety program (and NFPA 77) require a resistance to ground of 10 or 25 ohms OR LESS, depending on the metal used in my system? (e.g. end-to-end resistance of a bonding wire should be less than 10 ohms for COPPER and less than 25 ohms for STAINLESS STEEL) Well,...

Volume 2 covers 25 serious chemical incidents in 14 states: Arkansas, Alabama, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Illinois,  Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska,  Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma and Texas.  These serious incidents resulted in 7 fatalities, 23 serious injuries, and approximately $1 billion in property damage. Link to Volume 2: http://www.idevmail.net/link.aspx?l=1&d=86&mid=421120&m=2672...

On January 7, 1983, at approximately 12:15 am EST, a massive explosion, ignited by an overflowing gasoline storage tank at the Texaco storage facility in Newark, NJ, and a nearby incinerator, destroyed three tanks, killing one person and injuring 24, while the blast was felt up to 100 miles away. Cause:The explosion was said to be caused by a human error; specifically, workers failed to monitor a pipeline...

Providence Fire Department Field Notes Date: 26Dec2024 Time: 15:04 Address: 130 Terminal Rd Incident No.: 2024-45273 Investigator: Eric Pedro SUMMARY  On December 26, 2024, at approximately 15:30 hours, Fire Investigators from the Providence Fire Department responded to 130 Terminal Road to conduct a fire scene investigation.  Investigators determined the fire originated in a distribution tank...

Gasoline (UN1203) is a NON-conductive flammable liquid. These liquids, as all liquids, generate static electricity as they flow through hoses, piping, and free fall into tanks and containers. Since the liquid is non-conductive, it can not conduct the static charge to the hose/pipe/container so the charge can be dissipated to the “ground”. Authorities say quick work by staff helped ease...

Nine (9) grain dust explosions in 2024 in the USA caused two (2) injuries and NO fatalities. These numbers are similar to last year’s (nine explosions, 12 injuries, and no fatalities) and on par with the 10-year national average of 8.6 explosions. The explosions occurred in: … HomeRead More »

Many folks will focus on ONLY three (3) criteria for applying this “exception” to OSHA LOTO standard 1910.147. And these (3) criteria are just opening the gates to LOTO Hell. Far too often we find the “exception” has become the rule and LOTO has become the exception. So what are the FIVE (5) criteria we need to meet to SAFELY apply this “exception”: Note: Exception...

Sometimes a lawyer or set of lawyers can surprise us… This is a quote from a recent OSHRC ALJ decision, regarding the employer’s responsibility to conduct inspections of the workplace to identify and correct hazards: "As an employer, Respondent is obligated to provide safe working conditions and ensure safe work practices. Implicit in that obligation is the requirement to inspect the workplace...

I have written dozens of articles around these “safety myths”, but Jonathan Zimmerman and I were not selected to present this at ASSP several years ago so I thought I would share it as a series here. These are topics that I still get challenged on in 2024/2025 and often I am unable to convince the client of these facts. Like so many myths, the internet can be our own worst enemy. I would...

The recent news from Boeing’s CEO regarding their cultural challenges reminded me of a discussion I had with one of my favorite plant managers, Dale Fannin, in 1996. It was an uncomfortable discussion, as I had my a_s handed to me, regarding all my “cheerleading” rather than being a safety leader. Dale, as were two other PMs, was totally against all the safety banners and posters....

Victor Dearman Jr. CIRO, CRST One of the challenges to my post was “What if the flagging tape was to indicate that the valve was in an abnormal position?” This was followed up with a challenge as to whether or not anything forbids such a method. Operating procedures should be designed to meet the requirements of IIAR Standard 7. In short, the only time valves would be manipulated to an...

A soft drink manufacturer had a 3-ton capacity carbon dioxide (CO2) receiver tank at the plant. The tank contained 2000 pounds on the day of the explosion. The establishment was evacuated due to flooding river waters in the area. The plant was secured and evacuated. No employees were at the workplace. Suddenly, the storage tank rocketed 100 feet into a nearby house. Possible causes: … HomeRead...