OSHA has cited an energy services company with 13 safety and health violations – including two willfuls and three repeats – for exposing workers to flash fires and other hazards. OSHA opened an inspection after two workers were injured by a fire that occurred in an oil and gas field tank (e.g. frac tank). Proposed penalties total $246,000.  OSHA found that the employer had failed to ensure that...

Since we are sharing NIOSH Investigative Reports tonight, I thought I would share one of the reports that floors me every time I see it!  In March 2011, a safety manager for the government agency that inspects “dairy plants” was concerned that the inspectors were not being properly protected from Confined Space hazards, so he requested NIOSH conduct one of their investigations.  The...

On the morning of June 27, 2011, human error resulted in the mixing of an acidic solution of Fresh FX, an antimicrobial used in poultry processing, with a sodium hypochlorite solution. This mixing of chemicals caused a release of chlorine gas into the plant. About 600 employees who were at work at the time of the release were evacuated.  NIOSH received a request for technical assistance from OSHA...

My apologies for missing this one back earlier this year!!!  OSHA has cited an adhesives manufacturing facility with 50 alleged violations of workplace safety standards following a March 13 explosion in which four workers were injured. The  faces a total of $917,000 in proposed fines.  OSHA’s inspection identified several serious deficiencies in the company’s PSM...

The UK’s HSE is issuing this notice to those who use, install, maintain or distribute wood pellet boilers or manufacture/store/distribute wood pellets. Since 2002 there have been at least nine fatalities in Europe caused by carbon monoxide poisoning following entry into wood pellet storage areas. … HomeRead More »

NFPA Data UPDATE on 11/13/12:  The NFPA has updated their Loss calculations from the Magnablend fire, as well as some causes of the damage. … HomeRead More »

As I stated a couple weeks back, I am now a Big Bang Theory junkie, but before that I was a huge Seinfeld fan and still to this day will turn to TBS in the hopes that a re-run may be coming on.  One of my favorite episodes is when George IMPROPERLY EXITED an apartment when some food was burning in the oven.  If you do not know “George” and what he is capable of just sit back and...

 

  2012 Fatality Tracker Electrical 66 (2011 = 81) (2010 = 90) (2009 = 100) Forklift/Manlift Mobile Equipment 50 (2011 = 84) (2010 = 110) (2009 = 88) Mining 65 (2011 = 248) (2010 = 480) (2009 = 586) Explosions 234 (2011 = 218) (2010 = 246) (2009 = 302) Cranes 46 (2011 = 50) (2010 = 50) (2009 = 82) Falls 88 (2011 = 123) (2010 = 139) (2009 = 172) (2008 = 250) Work Zone 56  (2011 = 54) (2010...

Executive Summary (40 CFR 68.155) Mustbriefly describe the following elements Accidental release prevention and emergency response policies at your facility Your facility and the regulated substances handled General accidental release prevention program and chemical-specific prevention steps Five-year accident history Emergency response program Planned changes to improve safety (common deficiency)...

This is an interesting case, with EPA laying claim that although the chemical Toluene is NOT listed as an Extremely Hazardous Substance (EHS) in either the RMP or EPCRA rule it is still an EHS and the Clean Air Act’s RMP General Duty Clause applies to it.  EPA wins this case, but the argument the facility puts forth is compelling and thus this decision provides MUCH INSIGHT into EPA’s...

A facility buys anhydrous ammonia in railcar quantities, which the Railroad delivers the ammonia to its site, after which it is off-loaded either into “bulk trucks” for delivery, or to stationary ammonia storage tanks. The anhydrous ammonia eventually is sold as both a refrigerant and fertilizer. The company filed a “Tier II Report” identifying its operation under the standard industrial code 42269....