A flammable storage cabinet is much different from a regular office cabinet! They may look similar in size and shape, but that is where their similarity ends. A flammable storage cabinet MUST have special features to comply with NFPA 30 and/or 1910.106(d)(3). … HomeRead More »

A lot of folks know that all it takes to break a window is around 0.5 psi, but what happens above that force?  … HomeRead More »

How did EPA select the substances to be included in their RMP rule? The chemical accident prevention provisions promulgated pursuant to Section 112(r) of the Clean Air Act (CAA) are designed to focus on chemicals that pose a significant hazard to the community in the event of an accidental release and to prevent and minimize the consequences of such releases (59 FR 4479; January 31, 1994). EPA was...

There is a “personnel safety” practice that is very common in the design of process plants, but it is not the best design for “process safety,” and I forgot to mention this in my earlier Car-Seal article. Here is the setup. Do you see anything wrong with the pressure gauge arrangement? … HomeRead More »

MANY THANKS to my NEW & RENEWING “Partners in Safety”for their support! Polyone since 7/11, S-Con, Inc since 7/11, Michels Corporation since 7/11, Fluor-B&W Portsmouth since 6/2011, and Suzlon since 2009 2011 Fatality Tracker  Electrical  48  (2010 = 90)  (2009 = 100) Forklift/Manlift Mobile Equipment 60 (2010 = 110) (2009=88) Mining 146 (2010...

UNREAL!  Many thanks to Bob Cornett @ MSHA and his Safety Sharing Group for this shocker photo. … HomeRead More »

There is a lot of confusion amongst businesses in how the “alternative entry” method using 1910.146(c)(7) is to be applied. I always suggest that safety professionals take the time to read OSHA’s Pre-amble to any standard that has one. The pre-amble for 1910.146 is an EXCELLENT source of information as, like all pre-ambles, it is where OSHA makes the justification for requirements...

There is a lot of confusion amongst businesses in how the “alternative entry” method using 1910.146(c)(5) is to be applied. I always suggest that safety professionals take the time to read OSHA’s Pre-amble to any standard that has one. The pre-amble for 1910.146 is an EXCELLENT source of information as, like all pre-ambles, it is where OSHA justifies requirements within the standard...

MANY THANKS to my NEW & RENEWING “Partners in Safety”for their support! Polyone since 7/11, S-Con, Inc since 7/11, Michels Corporation since 7/11, Fluor-B&W Portsmouth since 6/2011, and Suzlon since 2009 2011 Fatality Tracker  Electrical  47  (2010 = 90)  (2009 = 100)  Forklift/Manlift  Mobile Equipment 59 (2010 =...

A lot of folks know about flammable liquids and their vapors.  A smaller group of folks know about combustible dusts.  Yet there is a even a smaller group that knows that when a flammable vapor/gas and a combustible dusts are mixed together, both the vapor and the dust will have a LOWER LEL than if they were in an atmosphere by themselves.  Here is what happens and why it is important...

NOT the way to transport “empty” cylinders! Click on “Read More” below the photo to see full size photo. … HomeRead More »

Want proof that employers are not worried about safety citations?  Below is a photo taken right outside an MSHA office.  Notice the rig to the left in the photo and the contractor walking by the MSHA Office sign.  You have to wonder if this same company would dump oil down a storm drain in an EPA parking lot? … HomeRead More »