MANY THANKS to my NEW & RENEWING “Partners in Safety”for their support! since 2006   since 2007    since 2012        since 2006 since 2010   2012 Fatality Tracker Electrical 11 (2011 = 81) (2010 = 90) (2009 = 100) Forklift/Manlift Mobile Equipment 8 (2011 = 84) (2010 = 110) (2009 = 88) Mining 18 (2011 = 248) (2010 = 480) (2009 = 586) Explosions...

So this week my good friend “Jim” and I were talking about an “accepted practice” that has grown into an “industry practice” and how OSHA has definitely drawn the line on the “cord and plug” LOTO practice such that it does NOT include valves.  This “practice” involves the concept of defining “exclusive control of an energy...

This week’s photo is a bit different.  It is from my archives and one I use in my Flammable Liquids training courses.  For those of have attended my training courses or a PHA’s on a flammable liquids process have seen my video of a very similar “tank launching” incident.  The picture shows what happens when a flammable liquid tank emergency relief system fails....

OSHA recognizes that in some situations, violations of certain standards which require the employer to have a written program to address a hazard, or to make a written certification (e.g., hazard communication, personal protective equipment, permit-required confined spaces, and others), are perceived to be “paperwork deficiencies” rather than critically important implementation problems....

Many THANKS to John Newquist, Assistant Regional Administrator at DOL-OSHA, for providing this presentation.  Click Here to download (pdf)

In the USA, OSHA REQUIRES employers to “Fit Test” each worker who will wear a tight-fitting respirator.  This includes all types of tight-fitting respirators, from half-face air purifying respirators to full-face supplied air respirators.  The workers are also REQUIRED to be fit tested with EACH MAKE, MODEL STYLE and SIZE face piece they are medically qualified and trained...

It is pretty common for PSM/RMP facilities to have a windsock or two on-site.  However, the condition of these devices ranges from brand new to a piece of wire sticking up in the wind.  In this posting, I want to offer some tips on how we should manage our windsocks as a “piece of critical equipment”. … HomeRead More »

Most ammonia refrigeration personnel know their refrigerant is flammable, but most would also tell us that they do not have any “Hazardous Locations” (e.g. Class 1, Div 1 or 2 locations) associated with their refrigeration process.  Most of these workers will explain their engine room/compressor room ventilation system is designed, installed, and maintained to ensure that NH3 never...

Is the act of loading/unloading a PSM/RMP chemical exempt from OSHA/EPA enforcement?  Absolutely not!  Somewhere this little fib began and it has spread like wildfire.  If you have a release of your HHC/EHS during unloading or loading, rest assured OSHA and/or EPA can investigate and inspection, and here’s why… … HomeRead More »

  MANY THANKS to my NEW & RENEWING “Partners in Safety”for their support!   since 2006 since 2007    since 2012        since 2006 since 2010 2012 Fatality Tracker Electrical 8 (2011 = 81) (2010 = 90) (2009 = 100) Forklift/Manlift Mobile Equipment 7 (2011 = 84) (2010 = 110) (2009 = 88) Mining 18 (2011 = 248) (2010 = 480) (2009 = 586) Explosions...

This is not meant to be a trick question, but many think it is.  A close examination of the specific wording in the PHA element of the RMP rule will quickly identify DIFFERENT wording than what is in OSHA’s PSM std (just another example of how these standards are NOT identical!). … HomeRead More »