Tag Archives: General

What can we learn from the Fernie Ammonia fatalities?

Posted on July 30, 2018 by Brian Chapin

The October 17th, 2017 Ammonia release in Fernie, BC resulted in three fatalities: On October 16, 2017, the curling brine chiller at the Fernie Memorial Arena was put back into operation after a seasonal shutdown. During the shutdown and seasonal … Continue reading →

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Pencil-Whipping can Kill

Posted on December 15, 2016 by Brian Chapin

What is it? Pencil-whipping is when you complete a form, record, or document without having performed the implied work or without supporting data or evidence. Here are some common examples in NH3 refrigeration: Completing “word orders” without conducting the work … Continue reading →

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Militarized Incompetence or Unintentional Sabotage

Posted on October 23, 2016 by Brian Chapin

  In 1944, near the end of WW2, the Office of Strategic Services (the forerunner to the CIA) released a field guide called the “Simple Sabotage Field Manual.” The purpose of the suggestions in the manual was “to present suggestions … Continue reading →

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DHS CFATS Top-Screen Update

Posted on September 1, 2016 by Brian Chapin

It looks like the DHS has finally got around to updating their Top-Screen program. Below is the email from them: ——————————————————————————– Subject: Enhanced CFATS Risk-Assessment Methodology and Upcoming Requirement to Submit CFATS Top-Screen From: “cfatsupdate” <[email protected]> Date: Tue, August 30, … Continue reading →

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Change is coming to the Industrial Refrigeration world…

Posted on June 1, 2015 by Brian Chapin

I have seen the future and it is going to mean some very large changes for the Industrial Refrigeration industry. As always, I want to talk about something else, before I get to my point… I want to talk about … Continue reading →

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Opinion: Why many Safety Programs fail to get results

Posted on May 3, 2015 by Brian Chapin

The question that vexed me Over the past few years as a traveling PSM auditor I was exposed to hundreds of different safety programs. There were small, flat organizations with dozens of workers and large international conglomerates with thousands of … Continue reading →

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CSB Releases Safety Video on 2009 Fatal Blast at NDK Crystal – Animation Depicts Stress Corrosion Cracking; Vessels Were Not Inspected or Tested

Posted on November 14, 2013 by Brian Chapin

Today the CSB issued a report on a 2009 vessel failure that it blamed on Stress Corrosion Cracking. There are some interesting lessons to be learned about incident investigation in this report since the mechanism that led to the vessel’s … Continue reading →

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So, you need a PSM coordinator…

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Brian Chapin

The Situation: Several times a month I get a call from a recruiter or a facility that desperately needs to fill a PSM coordinator position. They quickly learn something that many people in our industry are unaware of – quality … Continue reading →

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How should I FIX a PSM program?

Posted on October 16, 2012 by Brian Chapin

This might be one of the most common questions we’re asked: How do I resurrect a PSM program that has been neglected? Our answer is that you should deal with these broken programs no differently than if you are starting a … Continue reading →

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A site update and a few interesting links

Posted on July 9, 2011 by Brian Chapin

I apologize for not posting in a while – I’ve recently accepted a position as an instructor at Garden City Ammonia Program in Garden City, Kansas. GCAP is the best ammonia training school for Operators and ammonia refrigeration PSM practitioners in the … Continue reading →

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