I have written many times about this “therapy” and the hazards I have seen in these spas related to the storage and handling of Liquid Nitrogen (LN2). This week, we saw another fatality and several people hospitalized from an overexposure to N2. A customer was undergoing a session when a N2 leak killed a spa worker, in her 20’s, and hospitalized the customer, in her 30’s. Others...

1910.147 says the following regarding contractors performing LOTO inside our facilities: 1910.147(f)(2)(i)Whenever outside servicing personnel are to be engaged in activities covered by the scope and application of this standard, the on-site employer and the outside employer shall inform each other of their respective lockout or tagout procedures.1910.147(f)(2)(ii)The on-site employer shall ensure...

This is worth five minutes of our time! Human Factors(s) can be a massive driver of safety performance. This five-minute video from the Energy Institute does a great job of explaining what HF is all about. HF has been involved in just about every accident investigation I have been involved with. We must understand how to identify and analyze human factors’ role in accidents. For those who practice...

RIP On January 21, 2025, an explosion at the Port of Barcelona resulted in one death and several injuries. The explosion occurred in a methyl acetate tank during maintenance work. WARNING! Video may be upsetting to some viewers. … HomeRead More »

Two explosions, two hours apart, sent two (2) workers of a storage tank sales and servicing company to the hospital, one with severe burns. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries is fining the Des Moines, Wash. business $166,423 for ignoring rules that keep workers safe. A resort on the Kitsap Peninsula hired the service company to inspect an 18,000-gallon underground propane tank...

On March 4, 2005, Employee #1 (leadman) performed a hydrostatic pressure test on a large stainless steel pressure vessel at a plant manufacturing pressure vessels. The tank was cylindrical, about 14 in. diameter and 24 in. long. The tank was pressurized to 150 number for the test. Upon completing the test, he was draining the water from the tank. He soon discovered that the water would not drain very...

On December 24, 2008, natural gas leaking from a gas distribution pipeline resulted in an explosion and fire at 10708 Pauite Way, Rancho Cordova, California. One person died, and others were injured. The National Transportation Safety Board (“NTSB”) immediately began to investigate the accident. The NTSB concluded its investigation on May 18, 2010, with the issuance of its Pipeline Accident Brief on...

ASME B31.9 requires that utility piping be leak tested BEFORE initial operation. Hydrostatic testing shall be employed when possible. Pneumatic testing may be used instead of hydrostatic testing only under the limitations provided in para. 937.4. … HomeRead More »

ASME B31.9 covers “utility piping.” The Code DEFINES and QUANTIFIES the phrase “utility piping.” We use this code for utilities associated with our PSM/RMP-covered processes WHEN the utility either PREVENTS, PROTECTS, or MITIGATES an event. Specifically, the code applies to the following services, except as excluded in para. 900.1.3: … HomeRead More »

We have discussed all the requirements for transferring flammable liquids and gases (i.e., NFPA Flammable “4”); however, I have not mentioned the requirements for transferring TOXIC and HIGHLY TOXIC LIQUIDS that have an NFPA 704 Health Rating of 3 or 4. We see these issues in our Chlorine work where Cl2 is a “utility” to the business and is sort of “out of sight –...

Early Warning of Natural Gas Leaks Can Prevent Deaths and Injuries The Problem ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​It is vital that occupants evacuate a building when a natural gas leak occurs or is suspected.  Although natural gas is generally a safe source of energy, when a pipeline or natural gas appliance leaks, the gas can migrate into a building and reach dangerous concentrations that can ignite and explode. ...

Today #NTSB released the final report of the March 24, 2023, natural gas-fueled explosion and fire at the R.M. Palmer candy factory in West Reading, Pennsylvania. The NTSB issued 18 new safety recommendations, 1 reiterated safety recommendation, and published a Safety Alert to the public about the importance of installing natural gas alarms in businesses and homes. Read the final report here: https://www.ntsb.gov/…/AccidentReports/Reports/PIR2501.pdf...