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Earlier, I outlined the six (6) stages of a Behavior Modification Intervention. Now, I want to discuss how the same six-step process used to change the behaviors of hourly workers can be used to promote critical health and safety behaviors amongst management personnel.  Management behavior will heavily influence the success or failure of a Behavior-Based Observation Process, and safety leadership...

Several studies have evaluated the effectiveness of behavioral modification programs in improving workplace safety. These studies have focused on establishing the following: their ability to decrease accidents/injuries, their ability to increase safe behavior and which components in a behavioral observation safety processes are most important in changing unsafe behavior and reducing accidents and...

In many processes, the use of a rupture disc (RD) between the vessel being protected and the Relief Valve (RV) is a fairly common practice.  This is ALWAYS done for design necessities and not just “because”.  Some processes could be corrosive to the RV internals, at least this is the most common reason for this type of arrangement.  There are some process safety professionals...

The boiler was in the basement at the rear of the school. This happen on a Sunday when the school was closed. If this was during the week there would have been 15 children and a teacher and teacher assistant in that classroom. The damage was so bad the rear of the school building had to be demolished.    

Citation 1 Item 1 Type of Violation: Serious; $4,500 Section 88.4 – Code of Iowa (2007) 88.4: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment that was free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to a serious corrosive chemical hazard, ammonia used as a refrigerant:(a) In the Plant-...

Pressure Vessel Failure during Hydrotest – Nov. 2007, ChinaPlease see the photos below of a pressure vessel that recently failed whilst under hydrotest during post fabrication testing. This vessel was manufactured by a vessel vendor in China and the plate was of Chinese mill origin. Unfortunately this is another example of serious equipment/material failures with equipment being sourced out of...

Star elementary school Oklahoma 1982. Six children & one adult killed, 42 injured. The cause was an 80-gallon hot water heater exploded. The controls had been tampered with, the temperature probe was removed & the relief valve was improperly installed.    

This is not the first time I have addressed this matter. Still, somehow, somewhere, a dirty little lie has been circulating among ammonia design and installation contractors that somehow an engine room handling less than 10,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia (NH3) is incapable of presenting an explosion hazard, thus no need for any engineered ventilation.  This is insane logic and not anywhere near...

Some specialized literature regarding the maintenance of safety relief valves (SRVs) is available, but it is best to always consult the manufacturer’s detailed installation and maintenance manuals on the subject, as some type of valves might require special attention. It is highly recommended to always use genuine manufacturer’s spare parts. In some parts of the world, this is even required...

Almost all Occupational Safety and Health efforts need one key ingredient to be successful… Employees participating in the safety process!  Heck, OSHA and EPA have even regulated employee participation (EP) in their process safety standards.  But far too many organizations have not quite understood the concept of Parent-to-Parent engagement vs. Parent-to-Child engagement and almost...

The requirements for bonding and grounding of containers during the transfer of Class I flammable liquids are contained in 29 CFR 1910.106(e)(6)(ii). This paragraph does not specifically address plastic containers. However, OSHA issued “OSHA Instruction STD 1-5.14-A” on October 24, 1980 to address plastic containers (NOTE: this STD is NO LONGER AVAILABLE via OSHA.gov). This instruction...