Proforma Safety Blog

Don’t Trust Your Nose to Detect Propane

Posted by proforma on February 2, 2011  |  No Comments

Count yourself lucky if you smell mercaptan. Unfortunately, not everyone can. Even worse, sometimes the mercaptan odor fades when it reacts chemically or is absorbed by other materials. Mercaptan can react with the material of the tank, with rust or water. “Odor fade” also can occur when a propane tank is new, partially filled, or is not in continuous use. And it can occur when propane is in proximity to masonry. Odor fade was attributed as the cause of a fatal explosion last year at a condominium project in Massachusetts.

While odor fade has been known in the industry for several decades, it is still not generally known among the general public, so it’s helpful to inform employees and their families of the dangers associated with propane use and proper use and maintenance of tanks. In spite of the cold weather, consumers continue to pursue outdoor gas grilling, and the use of patio heaters and fire pits are becoming increasingly popular. According to this report by the U.S. Fire Administration, gas grills are involved in four times as many outdoor fires as structure fires. The leading ignition factor is a result of some mechanical failure, such as a part failure, leak, or break and lack of maintenance (43%). And you might not even smell it until it’s too late.

There is lots of good information available on this page published by the National Propane Association, and a fun site to teach children safety around propane at http://www.propanekids.com/.  Science author and teacher Steve Spangler offers practical guidance for leak testing and cylinder storage here.

Halliburton Shares Best Practice Document on Perforating

Posted by proforma on January 6, 2011  |  No Comments

Halliburton experienced a perforation gun discharge on the rig floor and has shared a “best practices” document with the industry through the International Association of Drilling Companies (IADC). The company cited the report’s applicability to any situation in which a company is performing a perforating job using coiled tubing, a “standard” coiled tubing motor head assembly, and a “ball drop type” perforating firing system.

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Wearing the Correct Safety Footwear Avoids Injuries from Electrical Hazards

Posted by proforma on September 13, 2010  |  No Comments

Do your workers know the differences among the various types of safety footwear so that they wear appropriate protection when working around electricity or in explosive or flammable environments? 

This brief guide describes the three major types of footwear: electrical hazard (EH), that are non-conductive; (2) static dissipating (SD), that reduce static electricity buildup; and (3) conductive (CD), that more quickly dissipate static electricity into the ground.

CSB Approves Recommendations for Preventing Explosions

Posted by proforma on June 30, 2010  |  No Comments

The Chemical Safety Board has issued 18 recommendations to OSHA, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and other agencies that are intended to prevent explosions and fires resulting from using fuel gas to clean or purge gas pipes. These recommendations evolved from its investigations into the Kleen Energy plant explosion and the ConAgra Foods plant explosion. Both explosions were attributed to natural gas released during the installation and commissioning of new piping.

CBS recommends that OSHA pass regulations prohibiting the use of natural gas for pipe cleaning and the venting or purging of fuel gas indoors. IN addition, it urges OSHA to require companies to provide workers and contractors with appropriate procedures and training.

See this moving video put out by the Chemical Safety Board on the Dangers of Hot Work.

The Deepwater Horizon Tragedy

Posted by proforma on April 28, 2010  |  No Comments

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Tags:accident, explosion, fatality, offshore GOM, oilfield worker, Workplace Safety

Filed Under: Workplace Safety