OSHA QUICK CARD: Hazard Communication Standard Pictogram

OSHA QUICK CARD: Hazard Communication Standard Pictogram


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Confined space hazard alert

Confined space hazard alert

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Baffles Needn't Be Baffling | Chemical Processing

Baffles Needn't Be Baffling | Chemical Processing

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Work permit incident

A hot liquid sulphur splashed in the surrounding area as a maintenance technician opened a filter cover on a live line. Fortunately, no injuries happened.
Operations raised notification to clean the filter in the molten sulphur line. A work permit was raised by maintenance personnel. Shift Supervisor approved the permit without asking the field operator to isolate the equipment. Field operator also signed the hard copy of the permit without isolating the equipment. However, the field operator told the maintenance foreman that the line is not yet isolated and it would be isolated when he was ready to carry out the job. The maintenance foreman gave the permit to the technician but forgot to tell him that it was still live. The technician opened the drain blind flange and opened the drain valve. On finding nothing coming out, he opened the filter cover. Since the line was not isolated hot liquid sulphur sprayed all over the area. Fortunately nobody was injured.

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Inside the control room of the future: Experion Orion Console [VIDEO]

Inside the control room of the future: Experion Orion Console [VIDEO]: Honeywell Process Solutions offered a rare insight into the development work being done in Australia to create the advanced display technology that brings the plant control room of the future to life.


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IOCL Paradip Refinery: An Engineering Marvel IOCL

Read about the details of the recently commissioned Paradip refinery in this link. The CCR is blast proof.

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Massive fire at steel plant in UK caused by lightning

 News reports coming in of a massive fire at a steel plant in UK, attributed to lightning. See the news and pictures in this link

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The Chemical Engineer | News | Three killed in Pemex rig fire

The Chemical Engineer | News | Three killed in Pemex rig fire


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6 burnt alive in factory blast

6 burnt alive in factory blast:
Six workers were burnt alive and one sustained injuries in a fire following an explosion at around 6.30 a.m. in Hasita Aromatics Private Limited factory, at Maheshwaram, located in Telegana.


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TransAsia Airways slammed for poor flight safety management | Society | FOCUS TAIWAN - CNA ENGLISH NEWS

Lessons to learn:
TransAsia Airways slammed for poor flight safety management | Society | FOCUS TAIWAN - CNA ENGLISH NEWS


'Though the council put most of the blame for the accident in Penghu on the pilots, it said the airline was also responsible, citing numerous flaws in the carrier's management, including inadequate risk management processes and ineffective safety meetings.
It also questioned senior management's commitment to safety."

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Propane incident

Read about a propane explosion in the incident available in this link.
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Handling of a cyclone with high wind speeds

I was recently talking to the Unit Head and Head-EHS of a large chemical company which had safely managed a cyclone of wind speeds upto 220 KPMH. They had warning about the cyclone and had planned very well, safely shutting down the plants ahead of the cyclone. Their lessons learnt are summarised as follows:
There is no greater safeguard than pre planning to the last detail before the cyclcone hits.
You must have alternate means of communication (radio) ready
Big trees should be avoided near OHC, Fire station, emergency control centres, main entrances etc as they may fall and block access.
Access to JCB's which can be used to clear pathways is necessary.
Remember every cyclone has an eye. Once the initial phase passes, there will be a calm when the eye passes, followed again by ferocious winds, when the rest of the cyclone passes through.
Insulation damage is inevitable and a plan to restart the plant with partial insulation should be discussed and a management of change done.

The unit managed the cyclone safely without a single injury. Hats off to them!

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Agencies need to address ammonium nitrate safety, report on West Fertilizer explosion says | AgriPulse

Agencies need to address ammonium nitrate safety, report on West Fertilizer explosion says | AgriPulse


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Hazards of aerosol cans

 "Two electricians suffered singeing burns when residue in an electrical switchgear cubicle was ignited shortly after an electrical contact cleaner aerosol had been used. In another case  solvent from a pressure can was ignited by a heat gun. A safety risk exists where any aerosol container with flammable contents is used in a confined space or near an ignition source, whether this is electrical switchgear or some other source of raised temperature.
As they are used so frequently, it is important to refer to information on the can itself or preferably to the appropriate material safety data sheet regarding the flammability of the contents or any other restrictions on usage. Some material safety data sheets state that the aerosol container must not be used in confined spaces or may burst if exposed to temperatures exceeding 50°C.Incorrectly used or stored aerosol containers may represent a safety risk. It is important that material safety data sheets are available" Courtesy Queensland Government - department of mines

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Fire at Deccan Fine Chemicals unit

Fire at Deccan Fine Chemicals unit: Creates panic in Vizag villages

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Updated: Worker injured as high-pressure hose ruptures at Cassar Ship Repair - The Malta Independent

Updated: Worker injured as high-pressure hose ruptures at Cassar Ship Repair - The Malta Independent


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Common sense is not so common

 I was chatting with a Plant Manager recently when he lamented the fact that his operators believed the instrumentation rather than common sense. A pump was not delivering the required flow, even though the current drawn by the motor was normal. The operators checked the position of the recirculation control valve in the DCS and it indicated close. They then requested maintenance to replace the pump twice but the problem remained. Finally they found out that the recirculation valve was open in the field though it was indicating close in the DCS.
I see similar things happen in complicated PSM systems where poeple loose sight of what is the objective of PSM. PSM is common sense applied to keep the hazardous chemicals where they belong.


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Deadly accident sounds alarm for safety in Chinese labs | Chemistry World

Deadly accident sounds alarm for safety in Chinese labs | Chemistry World

Good article on why lab safety needs to be focussed on .



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One dead, three injured in plant accident

One dead, three injured in plant accident: One person is confirmed dead and three others injured following an incident Saturday afternoon involving a chemical explosion at a Pasadena chemical plant.


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Explosion report issued - Vernon Morning Star

Explosion report issued - Vernon Morning Star

The above news item about an incident investigation is worth reading as an explosion occurred in a dryer furnace because the combustion air fan was shut off before the furnace was cooled adequately. When the furnace was opened, an explosion occurred. This incidents highlights the importance of following SOP's

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