Working in confined spaces can be very dangerous. A confined space is an area with poor or no airflow. Examples of confined spaces include Tanks, Bins, Covered Pits, Silos. Poor airflow allows the accumulation of dangerous gases in confined spaces. Before a miner enters a confined space, the atmosphere must be checked for adequate oxygen concentration and the accumulation of flammable or harmful gases....

OSHA has cited a specialty chemical manufacturer for 20 safety violations following a plant explosion that resulted in the hospitalization of approximately 40 employees of other companies, working in the surrounding area, for decontamination. The May explosion was caused by a runaway reaction from an overheated reactor. During the production of a compound used in water treatment, an increase in...

Although this week’s video is in Chinese, I think everyone will be able to get the idea that fire extinguishers filled with flour instead of dry chemical is a BAD thing!  The video has a segment showing the police test of the flour filled extinguisher compared to a real dry chemical extinguisher and to my shock, the flour dust did not ignite and it certainly did NOT extinguish the fire....

RE: 7000 Series Gas/Vapor Cartridges: 7100, 7200, 7300, 7400,(7500, 7600,(7140, 7640, 7101, 7102, 7103, 7111, 7112, 7113, 7171, 7172, 7173, 7601, 7602, 7603As part of Moldex’s commitment to producing safe, quality and innovative products we constantly monitor our products to ensure the health and safety of our customers. During a recent internal audit we found that a limited number of cartridges...

OSHA has cited a fertilizer producer with 40 safety and health violations following the deaths of two workers in separate incidents.  On May 22, an operator attempting to start up a steam turbine in sulfuric acid plant No. 2 was struck by flying metal debris when the turbine housing ruptured due to apparent overpressurization. In a similar incident on June 1, an operator restarting a tripped...

The Propane Education and Research Council has put out some GREAT training resources that we can all use to better train our employees who handle propane.  This little tidbit is from “Module 8 – Cylinder Safety”.  Depending on the requalification method and the propane cylinder’s specifications, it must be requalified every 5, 7, or 12 years. Refer to Title 49 CFR §180 to...

There are several codes and standards that call for the use of Hydrostatic Relief Valves (HRV) and often times the implementing organization fails to meet these requirements fully.  As for propane systems, both OSHA and NFPA, require the installation of HRVs EVERYWHERE there is a chance that liquid propane can be trapped, but as this Nevada LP Gas Board Inspector states, many find excuse after...

ASME Section VIII, Division 1 has special design and construction requirements for vessels that will be used in “Lethal Service.”  Sounds logical and easy.  Logical – yes, Easy – not so much!  Section VIII mentions the term “lethal service” dozens of times. Still, it is Subsection B – Requirements pertaining to Methods of Fabrication of...

You will be able to view the new Oregon Codes Collection in an Adobe® Reader® format. The files found on this site are in a read only format and are not available for printing.  You will need to have Adobe®; Reader®; 8.0 or higher installed to be able to read these files. If you do not have Adobe® Reader® 8.0 or higher you can download it for free at www.adobe.com. … HomeRead More &raq...

You will be able to view the new Oregon Codes Collection in an Adobe® Reader® format. The files found on this site are in a read only format and are not available for printing. This site includes the May 2012 amendments.  You will need to have Adobe®; Reader®; 8.0 or higher installed to be able to read these files. If you do not have Adobe® Reader® 8.0 or higher you can download it for free at...

The IIAR is proposing a new standard to specify the minimum criteria for developing operating procedures for closed-circuit ammonia mechanical refrigerating systems. IIAR has designated the proposed standard as BSR/IIAR 7-200X. Upon approval by the ANSI Board of Standards Review, the standard will receive a different name that reflects this approval.  The 45-day public review period will be from October...

A sixth public review of draft standard IIAR 5-201x, Start-up and Commissioning of Closed-Circuit Ammonia Mechanical Refrigerating Systems is now open for public review of the substantive changes resulting from the fifth public review. The International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration (IIAR) invites you to make comments on the substantive changes of the draft standard. Substantive changes...