Have you ever seen a setup on a machine, typically those manufactured outside of the USA, with two (2) electrical disconnects?  Most of the time, these disconnects are COLOR-CODED to clearly identify their different uses, although we have seen some that were NOT color-coded, nor were they properly labeled!  Here is an example of what this may look like; I have highlighted both switches with...

Whenever we talk about OSHA’s Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) standard, we almost always have to talk about its machine guarding and electrical standards.  One crucial requirement in OSHA’s electrical standards, as it relates directly back to LOTO, is … (emphasis by me) … HomeRead More »

In the 20th Century, the great Professor James Reason foresaw how 21st Century Safety Management would have to evolve to move us to the next level. Two (2) approaches to the problem of human fallibility exist: … HomeRead More »

Guidelines for Preparedness and Initial Response to a Pipeline Release of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) This field operations guide is not an educational or decision-making tool. This guide contains a set of operational tools and references to assist in the response to a pipeline release of carbon dioxide (CO2). The priorities for CO2 response are: … HomeRead More »

An inside look at what OSHA proposes in their Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Program (HIIPP).  This is from the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) panel. This document is meant to outline potential options for the various elements of a proposed rule. OSHA envisions a programmatic standard that could require employers to create a plan to evaluate and control heat hazards...

I know by the poll results and the emails/texts/calls I have received these past 2-3 weeks that this post will be met with a healthy dose of skepticism, but that has never stopped me from saying what I believe when it comes to the safety and health of those we have the privilege to protect.  So, I hope to spark many more discussions with this series of articles titled “Is shorter better?“ I...

I came across these helpful tips for our Safe Work Permitting System.  I hope it can help others… … HomeRead More »

Today, my “friend in safety” and I continued our debate/discussion regarding the “proper” length of written programs. He staunchly believes that a shorter program will attract more eyes and get used more often. On the other hand, I have programs that are over 50 pages, which blows his mind. He brought a few samples of his written programs, which helped me make my point.  ...

Much can be said about the safety movement mimicking the 1990s Quality Movement in the US automobile industry. Does anyone remember Ford’s “Quality is Job 1” ads? It was a huge branding image effort to compete with Toyota and Honda, who were stealing market share based on the QUALITY of their vehicles. Even today, Toyota and Honda (as well as some other foreign manufacturers) have...

This past week, we saw the 2nd catastrophic failure of an NH3 nurse tank in three months.  This is indeed a rare occurrence.  Both incidents appear (from news accounts and photos) to be circumferential weld failures on these vessels.  Both vessels failed while they contained NH3 (levels unknown), but neither was actively being filled at the time of their failure.  The incident this...

Does it bother anyone when we see this sign? I am not telling you anything you don’t already know… Hearing Protection is very much like Respiratory Protection – it comes with some serious limitations and is based on the worker’s EXPOSURE. However, as a consultant working in plants, I am always told in my contractor safety package that I have to wear hearing protection when...

I am not a big fan of government intervention, but in the safety envelope, they play a role in validating that minimum standards are being met.  The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) audits service providers who inspect HAZMAT transportation containers.  Beginning in June 2023, during an investigation at a manufacturer in Fresno, California, FMCSA personnel discovered that...