Did you know that OSHA still does NOT require an actual Hotwork Permit, UNLESS you are doing the Hotwork in, on, or adjacent to a PSM covered process?  It’s true, 1910.252(a)(2)(iv) uses the phrase “preferably in the form of a written permit“.  It was not until OSHA put the Process Safety Management Standard (PSM) in place in 1992 that an actual “written permit”...

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA or the Agency) is taking final action to revise the manner for applying the threshold planning quantities (TPQs) for those extremely hazardous substances (EHSs) that are non-reactive solid chemicals in solution. This revision allows facilities subject to the Emergency Planning requirements that have a non-reactive solid EHS in solution, to first multiply...

This overview outlines key elements of the ISA84 committee on process sector functional safety, including scope, purpose, history, and technical issues. It also provides a preview of the forthcoming 2nd edition of ANSI/ISA-84.00.01 (IEC 61511 Mod). … HomeRead More »

This appears to be an inspection after an ammonia leak in a food processing area that impacted a contractor and food production workers.  A contractor drilled into what was thought to have been an “abandoned line” releasing the ammonia.  The leak was on 12/3/11 and the inspection began on 12/12/11.  Some very enlightening citations for refrigeration process safety managers...

Although this is about athletic eye and face protection fogging, if ASTM is successful with athletic eye and face protection it will have a HUGE IMPACT on workplace safety eye and face protection! … HomeRead More »

MANY THANKS to my NEW & RENEWING “Partners in Safety” for their support! since 2012 since 2008 formerly Beta Steel since 2006 since 2012 2012 Fatality Tracker Electrical 35 (2011 = 81) (2010 = 90) (2009 = 100) Forklift/Manlift Mobile Equipment 29 (2011 = 84) (2010 = 110) (2009 = 88) Mining 36 (2011 = 248) (2010 = 480) (2009 = 586) Explosions 96 (2011...

For nearly 16 years I have seen clips of a “dashcam” video that claims an NH3 transportation accident (w/ nurse tank) claimed the life of an IL State Trooper.  The video is on dozens of websites and we even see it used in training courses and almost always the video is depicted as being real dashcam footage – IT IS NOT, it is a training video produced by the IL State Police,...

Here is an explanation of the “letters” that OH EPA uses in their enforcement communications and how and when they use each type of communication: … HomeRead More »

Let it be known that what burned on this young man was NOT the sunscreen lotion, but the propellant used to “spray” the sunscreen out of the can.  In almost all non-edible sprays, the propellant will be a highly flammable material with a very high Vapor Pressure. … HomeRead More »

Name of Product: Gems 3100 Pressure Detectors/Transducers … HomeRead More »

Q: A facility subject to the risk management program requirements in 40 CFR Part 68 must specify its latitude and longitude coordinates in Section 1.5 of the risk management plan (RMP). What tools are available to accurately determine a facility’s latitude and longitude? … HomeRead More »

Incidents involving uncontrolled chemical reactions continue to result in injuries, fatalities, economic loss and harms in industry. These incidents are often the result of not identifying or understanding the chemical reactivity hazards involved in storage, mixing or processing operations. The chemical reactivity evaluation Tool (RMT) and the Help Guide that accompanies it can be used as an aid in...