TRANSCAER® recently launched a 27-state training tour to provide education and training sessions on emergency response techniques involving anhydrous ammonia. … HomeRead More »

Although both EPA and OSHA use similar definitions to define who is an “incidental contractor” and those contractors who need to be evaluated to work in, on, or adjacent to a “covered process”, there is still much confusion on the intent of the “contractor element” and which type of contractors should be included and the type of review that should really be taking...

I know that I was shocked when I learned that a cooling tower can BURN TO THE GROUND while it is in service.  I have even worked at facilities where I property insurer required us to install sprinkler systems INSIDE the cooling towers.  I know it is hard to imagine, but it happens. … HomeRead More »

Some interesting data on Anhydrous Ammonia releases in NY state from 1993-1998. … HomeRead More »

I have been asked to explain the difference between actions an operator may take during a process leak and the actions that the same operator may take as an “emergency responder” to the leak. … HomeRead More »

Many THANKS to my NEW & RENEWING Corporate Partners in Safety! since 3/2011 since 3/2011 since 2007 since 2009 since 2/11 2011 Fatality Tracker Electrical 6 (2010 = 90) (2009 = 100) Forklift/Manlift Mobile Equipment  27 (2010 = 110) (2009=88) Mining 48...

Still today (2011) we come across facilities working so hard to be the best they can be in PSM/RMP and in 99% of their process they are exceeding expectations.  They are doing EVERYTHING WELL and running a VERY TIGHT ship…except for the loading and unloading of their Highly Hazardous Chemical (HHC).  … HomeRead More »

Nonconductive plastics and other nonconductive materials should be avoided in areas where flammable vapors, gases or powders may be present since static charges can accumulate on nonconductors. However, it is not always possible to completely eliminate nonconductors, so the following lists some of the ways to reduce the static hazard associated with these materials: When it is necessary to use plastic...

Cleaning small parts and portable equipment with solvents, either using an automatic device or manual cleaning, is a potentially extremely hazardous task relative to static generation and spark ignition of solvent vapors.  Significant static electricity charging can occur during cleaning by contact and separation resulting from the following activities: Solvent spraying, which can involve...

One option for mitigating the static hazards associated with low conductivity liquids is to raise the conductivity of the liquid. This can be accomplished by either blending the low conductivity liquid with a conductive liquid (e.g., alcohol, ketone) or by adding a static dissipating additive into the low conductivity liquid.   When blending a low conductivity liquid with a conductive one, the...

Toluene is a widely used low conductivity flammable liquid. Toluene’s vapor pressure is such that one is assured of a flammable vapor/air mixture at the ambient temperatures found in most facilities. The Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) of toluene is 1% and is reached at a temperature of 40°F (4°C). The Upper Explosive Limit (UEL) is 7% and is reached at a temperature of approximately 98°F...

Improper handling of low conductivity liquids is a source of static energy that causes flammable vapor ignition. Low conductivity liquids will accumulate a static charge from liquid shear charging at the pipe or vessel wall.  The charge in a low conductivity liquid can NOT be dissipated by grounding. Low conductivity liquids are typically derived from distilling or fractionating hydrocarbon feedstocks....