We have all heard the term before, but what exactly did OSHA and EPA really mean when they stated that “human factors” must be part of a Process Hazards Analysis (PHA)? In the USA, we can look to OSHA’s PSM Compliance Directive, CPL 02-045, to get an idea of what we should consider “human factors” when doing our PHA(s). Such factors may include a review of operator/process...

UPDATED 9/11/12 with CCTV video footage showing the steam release, followed by the flash fire, followed by te dark smoke.   … HomeRead More »

  MANY THANKS to my NEW & RENEWING “Partners in Safety” for their support! since 2008 since 2008 since 2012 since 2012 2012 Fatality Tracker Electrical 58 (2011 = 81) (2010 = 90) (2009 = 100) Forklift/Manlift Mobile Equipment 41 (2011 = 84) (2010 = 110) (2009 = 88) Mining 62 (2011 = 248) (2010 = 480) (2009 = 586) Explosions 181 (2011 = 218) (2010 = 246) (2009 = 302) Cranes 36 (2011...

A Muskegon-area chemical company is facing a federal penalty for failing to report an ammonia release on Labor Day to the proper authorities in a timely manner.  The 1400-pound leak was well over the federal limit that requires an immediate report. By law, any release into the air of the hazardous gas over 100 pounds must be reported to federal, state and local government agencies right away....

The National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors has released the Violation Findings Second Quarter Report for 2012. The report is based on 48 reports from 30 jurisdictions and consists of 140,309 inspections revealing 15,304 violations. This is an 11% violation rate.  Boiler Controls is the category with the highest number of violations, reporting 4,740. Boiler Piping and Other Systems...

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) and Transport Canada (TC) publish the Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG), which provides valuable information to first responders during the initial phase of a dangerous goods/hazardous materials transportation incident. A new edition of this guidebook is published every four years, the most recent edition being published in 2012. There are some...

The gas can that caught fire over the exhaust. Note: the can did self-extinguish and even had gasoline remaining inside. A testament to the necessity of safety cans.

Two roofing technicians were going on to a flat roof to perform an inspection and repair. The first technician set up a 30 foot extension ladder to access the roof. The ladder was a Type IA Fiberglass ladder rated for a load capacity of 300 pounds. The technician weighed approximately 160 pounds. The ladder had been inspected and was less than 2 months old. The ladder had not been damaged or subjected...

A TX refinery has been cited for five (5) PSM violations. OSHA opened an inspection at the facility upon receiving a complaint that employees had been exposed to a leak of hydrofluoric acid at a flange in the alkylation unit while performing maintenance work. Proposed penalties total $66,500.  Here is a breakdown… … HomeRead More »

  Elevating Work Platform FailurePublished: 17 August 2012 Purpose: The purpose of this safety alert is to highlight risks associated with a failed cast steel linkage on an elevating work platform (EWP). Background: A worker received severe injuries when he was ejected from an EWP on a construction site on the Gold Coast. The incident involved a Haulotte H16TPX boom type EWP, manufactured...

OSHA has cited a fireworks manufacturer $116,900 for 25 serious and six other-than-serious safety violations after three workers suffered burns caused by an explosion at the company’s facility in March.  The employees were transported to local hospitals, and two were treated for serious burns and released. The third employee, who suffered third-degree burns, was hospitalized for approximately...