Details are still emerging regarding yesterday's (April 17, 2018) explosion at a fertilizer facility. Fertilizer (ammonium nitrate) is highly explosive. click here for more details. In addition, a fire occurred with my previous employer, ExxonMobil at their Beaumont,...
Safety Articles
Enforcing Arc Flash Boundaries – Protecting Unqualified Workers
During my NFPA 70E seminars and while working with clients, a constant concern I hear is unqualified workers entering both the arc flash and approach (shock) boundaries. Production supervisors; other employees; and in academia, students, are notorious for entering the...
Electric Arc Safety – Racking out Electrical Circuit Breakers
Many severe electric arc incidents occur while qualified employees are racking electrical circuit breakers. Click here to read my article on the potential hazard while racking circuit breakers. Whenever feasible, it is always a best practice to remotely rack...
Clear Arc-Rated Faceshield offered by BSD
A common complaint I receive concerning arc-rated faceshields is the dark tint. Qualified employees complain this reduces their visibility while performing work on energized electrical conductors. BSD has recently manufactured a clear faceshield. According to Thomas...
OSHA Flammable Liquid Standard revised due to revised HAZCOM standard
As a result of the recently revised OSHA Hazard Communication standard, 1910.106 was revised on March 26, 2012. Previously, 1910.106 used the term combustible liquid and flammable liquid. However, the revised standard only uses the term flammable liquid. Flammable...
Recent refinery incidents likely to result in increased Process Safety Management (PSM) enforcement
The August 6, 2012 fire at Chevron's Richmond, California refinery is likely to result in increased OSHA enforcement of their process safety management (PSM) standard. Although OSHA has no enforcement authority in Venezuela, the August 25, 2012 Venezuela Amuay...
HOA Post-Storm Interview: WRAL-TV
Jon Wallace was interviewed by WRAL on July 25, 2012 as President of the Glenmere Homeowners Association after a severe storm.
NFPA 70E – High Amperage Load Rated Break Plugs
During a recent NFPA 70E course for an aviation company, the client asked if any manufacturer sold high amperage load rated break plugs. Meltric provides load rated break plugs up to at least 200 amps. Also, if you need a higher voltage GFCI unit, Lind Corporation...
Best practices for removal of bolted on dead front electrical covers
The removal and reinstallation of bolted on dead front covers poses a significant potential for an electric arc as well as the potential to inadvertently trip one or more circuit breakers. One method to minimize this risk is as each dead front screw is removed - ...
NFPA 70E Course – March 30, 2012
Since the 2012 Edition of NFPA 70E has been issued, I've had very strong demand for my one day course - having taught five courses in three months. I'm offering an open enrollment course on March 30, 2012 at our office in Greensboro, North Carolina. Please click here...