A contractor boilermakerlost consciousness following the inhalation of nitrogen supplied through an air-line helmet respirator. On 26 April 2024, a contractor boilermaker (CMW), was setting up for a hot work task and attached their air-line welding helmet respirator to the nitrogen line (refer Figure 1). The CMW then put on their air-line welding helmet and fell to the ground. Other CMWs in proximity...

Respondent operated a facility that utilizes anhydrous ammonia to provide cooling capabilities to processing, shipping, cooler areas, silos, and chillers for its beef and meat products. On March 30, 2022, EPA performed an inspection of the Facility to evaluate compliance with the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) Section 103, EPCRA Sections...

The standard applies… … HomeRead More »

Flammable liquids shall be drawn from or transferred into vessels, containers, or portable tanks within a building: only through a closed piping system, from safety cans, by means of a device drawing through the top, or from a container or portable tanks by gravity through an approved self-closing valve. Transferring by means of air pressure on the container or portable tanks shall be prohibited. So...

How dare OSHA even mention “torque” as part of a PSM QA program… … HomeRead More »

This was published 30+ years ago, but it makes so much sense I thought it was fitting to share far and wide again. Each employer must address what actions employees are to take when there is an unwanted release of highly hazardous chemicals. Emergency preparedness or the employer’s tertiary (third) lines of defense are those that will be relied on, along with the secondary lines of defense, when...

I’ll never understand this new way of doing math!! But it’s all the rage. 😉 … HomeRead More »

It is being said that the fatal explosion that killed a 35-year-old battalion chief while operating at a tractor-trailer fire was a “smoke explosion.” The investigation continues, looking at other fuel sources, such as the foam insulation in the trailer. They have ruled out a BLEVE. A sample of rigid foam insulation from the trailer was provided for testing to identify the foam type and...

At 1:45 p.m. on June 2, 2020, Employee #1, 30, was working for a plumbing/HVAC contractor. This was a commercial construction site. Employee #1 was pressure testing a water line. Employee #1 was struck by a steel end cap from a pressurized 8-inch water line during a pre-use air pressure test. Employee #1 suffered an arm fracture, a fractured jaw, and was hospitalized. … HomeRead More »...

At 4:15 p.m. on June 30, 2024, Employee #1, a maintenance technician, 27, was assisting with WLV pressure testing when a rod was ejected from the WLV system. The rod struck Employee #1 in the head, causing a fatal injury. Emergency services were called, but the employee died from the injuries. Violations/Penalties Serious Willful Repeat Other Total Initial Violations 5 1 6 Current Violations 3 1 4...

We say this for so many of these maintenance tasks… LINE BREAK PERMIT brings so much safety to maintenance work that it should extend well beyond PSM/RMP-covered processes. The Safe Work Permitting process, when developed, implemented, and managed PROPERLY, will go a long way to reduce the chances of this type of accident. At approximately 8:00 a.m. on February 9, 2022, a 61-year-old employee...

The SOII program is a key component in providing essential data and insights to support these initiatives as it tracks workplace incidents across industries and occupations, documenting their frequency, characteristics, and impact on workers. This comprehensive data collection enables meaningful industry comparisons and reveals safety trends. Government agencies and industry leaders rely on these insights...