UPDATED on 9/2/12… Is there an OSHA PSM or EPA RMP requirement that liquid ammonia piping/equipment that can trap the liquid be equipped with a proper type and sized releif device or can a “qualified refrigeration technician” take the place of a relief device?  This question has been debated within the refrigeration industry PSM/RMP circles for the past 20 years; yet in...

Last year, we came across a very interesting LOTO practice that we completely disagreed with, but we were the only ones in the room who were not in agreement, so I think we may need to be “calibrated” in our LOTO expectations!  I am not saying I will ever agree with this practice at a facility I am managing, but we were at a VPP site, and the safety professionals were truly world-class...

Those who deal with OSHA’s PSM and EPA’s RMP regulations on a daily basis know all about the 3-year audit schedule we are required to maintain; but what many professionals responsible for PSM/RMP compliance may not know, is there are as many BAD audits done each year as there are GOOD audits.  Sadly, we get proposal request for BAD audits on a monthly basis and although it is tough to walk away...

OSHA has cited a natural gas producer for one willful and seven serious PSM violations following an explosion and fire that severely burned a worker. OSHA began its investigation Feb. 29 at the company’s facility which specializes in the production of liquid natural gas through a cryogenic process. The incident occurred while employees were restarting the process. Cryogenic liquids were improperly...

  2012 Fatality Tracker Electrical             53 (2011 = 81) (2010 = 90) (2009 = 100) Forklift/Manlift 39 (2011 = 84) (2010 = 110) (2009 = 88) Mining 51 (2011 = 248) (2010 = 480) (2009 = 586) Explosions 181 (2011 = 218) (2010 = 246) (2009 = 302) Cranes 35 (2011 = 50) (2010 = 50) (2009 = 82) Falls 72 (2011 = 123) (2010...

Since my last article on Hazardous Locations I have received dozens of e-mails from members/subscribers asking about their specific workplace situations.  The best advice I can pass on is OSHA’s advice.  They have provided specific examples of the types of areas that would be considered Hazardous Locations in the Subpart S Definitions Section, 1910.399 Definitions applicable to...

This video is used to demonstrate improper LNG fueling. This operator did not continue with this fueling company and the company now uses this video segment as a training video to review improper safety procedures that took place. This film intent is to be used for training purposes only.

Simulates jet fire and 3 diminsional pool/spill fires. Notice 4 phases simultaneously. Liquid at -256 F, vapor, gas, burning fuel. Conact and comment on this site for LNG safety sytems and training.

The Flixborough disaster was an explosion at a chemical plant close to the village of Flixborough (near Scunthorpe), Humberside orignally Lindsey, Lincolnshire (now North Lincolnshire), England, on 1 June 1974. It killed 28 people and seriously injured 36. At 16:53 on Saturday 1 June 1974, the temporary bypass pipe (containing cyclohexane at 150°C (302°F) and 1 MPa (10 Bar)) ruptured, possibly as a...

In the early hours of Sunday 11th December 2005, a number of explosions occurred at Buncefield Oil Storage Depot, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. At least one of the initial explosions was of massive proportions and there was a large fire, which engulfed a high proportion of the site. Over 40 people were injured; fortunately there were no fatalities. Significant damage occurred to both commercial and...

UPDATED 8/25/12 – The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is aware of hazardous materials (HM) incidents involving Anhydrous Ammonia (NH3) and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) occurring during the transfer of these materials from cargo tanks to storage tanks, and vice-versa. One recent event was a release of NH3 that occurred in Swansea, South Carolina, during which the hose...