Course Description:
Recorded at AIHce EXP 2022
Presentations
OSHA — Diving Hazards Related to Pressure Differential
Recently, OSHA has been involved in 6 deaths that have occurred in dams or power plants where diving was necessary to perform maintenance/inspection/repair work. With only approximately 10,000 diving contractors within the country those deaths stand out drastically as a high mortality rate for the industry. Differential pressure (Delta P) represents a hazardous energy gradient created by water moving from higher to lower pressure in an attempt to equalize the pressure. When this pressure differential occurs through a small opening at depth, it can be difficult to detect. Poor visibility and changing conditions at the site, are also factors to consider when planning the dive. The force exerted through such a small opening can: a) be tremendous, b) entrap divers inextricably, c) cause catastrophic injuries, and d) result in death. Prevention of these hazards requires the dive contractor to ensure that: 1) proper lockout/Tagout procedures are in place, 2) zero energy devices have been used to detect all suspected areas of the dive, 3) facility drawings are reviewed to verify plant configuration and valve alignments, 4) proper umbilical length management is used, and 5) the facility provides as built drawings of the structure, including pertinent control devices. Collaborative efforts from the facility S&H professionals and the diving contractor is necessary to ensure that hazards can be properly assessed and controlled.
Co-Authors
D. Cannon - OSHA, Washington DC, USA
E. Kampert - OSHA, Washington DC, USA
C. Beacom - OSHA, Sandy, UT, USA
Acknowledgements & References
The compliance safety and health officers and area offices that all worked investigating these fatalities.
Author
Andre Taylor, US Dept of Labor - OSHA Washington DC, DC
United States of America
Thyroid Bioassay and Dose Assessment System for I-125 at WHOI
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) conducts research involving iodine-125 (I-125). When an individual handles or works near unsealed radioiodine, including I-125, above certain activities, a bioassay is required or may be required. A thyroid bioassay and dose assessment system & procedure were developed to comply with this requirement. This procedure includes: a) detector calibration, b) quality control, c) determination of recording level, d) determination of minimum detectable activity, e) thyroid bioassay (baseline, routine, special, and termination), and f) intake and dose assessment calculations.
Author
Ronald Reif, PE, CHP, CIH, CSP, WHOI Woods Hole, MA
1
Presentation Date:
05/25/2022
Presenters:
Daniel Autenrieth, PhD, CIH, CSP
Andre Taylor
Ronald Reif, PE, CHP, CIH, CSP