SCHOOL BUS REAR-ENDS A STOPPED TANKER TRUCK IN SUMMIT TOWNSHIP, PA. THE 2 DRIVERS WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED. THANK GOD THE TANKER TRUCK WAS EMPTY.

 

SCHOOL BUS REAR-ENDS A STOPPED TANKER TRUCK IN SUMMIT TOWNSHIP, PA.  THE 2 DRIVERS WERE SERIOUSLY INJURED. THANK GOD THE TANKER TRUCK WAS EMPTY.

FEBRUARY 4, 2015

SUMMIT TOWNSHIP, Pa. — 

A school bus rear-ended an empty tanker truck on a rural Butler County highway Wednesday afternoon, sending the drivers of both vehicles to hospitals, authorities said.

None of the four high school students on board were injured when the crash occurred shortly before 1 p.m. on Route 422 in Summit Township, about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh, authorities said.

State police said the bus driver was taken by helicopter to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh.

Pennsylvania State police Trooper Dan Kesten told Channel 11 News that the driver’s injuries aren’t life-threatening, but he is in serious condition.

“A seatbelt likely saved the driver’s life,” Kesten said.

According to the Associated Press, the tanker driver was taken by ambulance to nearby Butler Memorial Hospital after complaining of back pain. Police didn't believe he or she had life-threatening injuries.

The bus said "Hermitage Schools" on it but the students were from Indiana Area School District.

Hermitage Superintendent Dan Bell said the district's contractor, Student Transportation of America, was using the vehicle to transport students from another district.

Indiana Area School District Superintendent Dale Kirsch said the students were heading to an orchestra competition at Hickory High School, which is in the Hermitage district.

A teacher following behind in her vehicle took the students to the Butler hospital as a precaution, but they weren't believed to be injured, both Kirsch and county emergency services spokeswoman Amy Marree said.

Investigators say the tanker was stopped, so police are checking to see if there was a mechanical error on the bus or if the driver experienced a medical emergency. The accident remains under investigation.

CSX freight train partially derails in South Philadelphia

 CSX freight train partially derails in South Philadelphia

January 31, 2015

Authorities are probing the partial derailment of a freight train early Saturday in South Philadelphia.

The incident took place around 3 a.m. inside a CSX Corp. rail yard near 11^th Street and Pattison Avenue, CSX spokesman Rob Doolittle said.

A three-locomotive, 111-car CSX freight train was traveling from Chicago to the Philadelphia area when 11 tank cars containing crude oil came off the tracks, he said. The cars remained upright.

Fire department hazmat crews responded to the scene "out of an abundance of caution" and left without taking any action, Doolittle said.

No chemical leaks were detected, and no injuries reported, according to both CSX and the Philadelphia Fire Department.

CSX crews were working Saturday to re-rail the cars "as quickly as safety allows," Doolittle said.

"Safety is CSX's highest priority, and we work hard every day to ensure the safety of our operations by investing in our infrastructure and training our personnel in safe operations," he said.

The cause of the incident remained under investigation. No other freight or rail operations in the area were affected, according to CSX.

Last January, a 101-car CSX freight train partially derailed on a bridge over the Schuylkill River in University City. Seven freight cars – six of them containing crude oil – came off the tracks, with two of them dangling over the river.

Neither leaks nor injuries were reported, but the incident prompted Philadelphia City Council to convene an investigative hearing probing the safety of CSX rail infrastructure.

CSX later issued a statement pegging faulty maintenance work along the bridge as the likely culprit.

Decommissioning Offshore Platforms

Decommissioning Offshore Platforms

SAFETY AT ALL LEVELS...AT ALL TIMES

When a company signs a lease for offshore oil or gas exploration or production, Right-of-Way or Right-of-Use-and-Easement, that initial agreement includes the process of “decommissioning” the well, that is, safely plugging the hole in the earth’s crust, and disposing of the equipment used to support the production. This process is critical for environmental protection after a well is drilled, utilized for production, then plugged and sealed when the well is exhausted, in the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). 

Decommissioning regulation authority for BSEE began with 43 U.S. Code 1334 and 30 CFR 250, Subpart Q, Decommissioning Activities. These provide deeper detail regarding regulations for sealing the well, to protect the environment and people using the waters around it.

Approximately 2,996 active production platforms exist on the OCS with more than 40% of these facilities more than 25 years old. (Platforms are facilities which facilitate the extraction and processing of oil and natural gas, different from drilling rigs which “drill” a well to discover hydrocarbons and bring them to the surface for processing). Over the past decade, the offshore energy industry has averaged 130 platform removals per year.

Platforms generally consist of two parts for decommissioning purposes: the topside (the structure visible above the waterline) and the substructure (the parts between the surface and the seabed, or mudline). In most cases the topsides that contain the operational components are taken to shore for recycling or re-use. The substructure is generally severed 15 feet below the mudline, then removed and brought to shore to sell as scrap for recycling or refurbished for installation at another location.

The Regional Supervisor may grant a departure from the requirement to remove a structure by approving partial structure removal or toppling in place for conversion to an artificial reef if the operator meets the requirements of the National Artificial Reef Plan as permitted by several U.S. Federal agencies. State government agencies are responsible for managing marine fisheries resources programs.

As a result of successful initiatives to provide new habitat for marine life, ships and platforms which have reached the end of their useful life are sunk in pre-approved places to create artificial reefs. Today the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has overall responsibility for the program, working with many other state and federal agencies, including BSEE.

President Requests $204.7 million in FY 2016 Budget for Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement Proposal would strengthen oversight capacity for offshore oil and gas development under the President’s all-of-the-above energy strategy

President Requests $204.7 million in FY 2016 Budget for Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement

Proposal would strengthen oversight capacity for offshore oil and gas development under the President’s all-of-the-above energy strategy

February 2, 2015

WASHINGTON — President Obama’s fiscal year 2016 budget request for the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE) is $204.7 million, providing robust support that will enable BSEE to keep pace with industry activity and the technology developments that are helping to drive deepwater oil and gas development on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf.

The Administration’s proposal sustains funding increases received in previous years and provides critically needed resources to further strengthen BSEE’s regulatory and oversight capabilities for OCS oil and gas development, as the Administration works to responsibly expand domestic energy production through the President’s all-of-the-above energy strategy.

“The President’s 2016 request fully reflects the Administration’s continued emphasis by ensuring that development of the Nation’s vast offshore energy resources is conducted in a safe and environmentally responsible manner,” said BSEE Director Brian Salerno. “Funds will be used to recruit expert engineers, scientists, inspectors and oil spill prevention specialists to support the development of risk-based approaches to oversight and compliance on the Outer Continental Shelf.”

By the end of 2014, there were 69 deepwater rigs and non-rig units working in the Gulf of Mexico, up from 40 at the start of the year. The Energy Information Administration projects offshore production will continue to grow through 2040, as the pace of development activity quickens and new, large development projects, predominantly in the deepwater and ultra-deepwater areas of the Gulf of Mexico, are brought into production.

The 2016 budget will continue to build a robust culture of safety, with a strong focus on risk reduction. The Bureau will bolster its capacity for analyzing data gained through incident reporting requirements, near-miss reporting, and real-time monitoring. The Bureau will also continue to work with industry to better understand their safety processes, so that BSEE can mitigate and reduce risk. Through these initiatives and others, BSEE will continue to ensure that offshore development occurs in a safe and environmentally responsible way.
The 2016 budget request includes an increase of $1.7 million to establish the Engineering Technology Assessment Center to support the evaluation of new and emerging technologies and develop associated safety and oversight protocols. The increased funding will add greater depth and capacity to the BSEE, so that as industry continues to innovate and develop new capabilities, the BSEE will be able to keep pace. The Center will provide a Bureau-wide focal point for emerging technology evaluation. The FY 2016 request also better aligns inspection fees with BSEE’s risk-based approach to inspections and compliance.

The 2016 request also includes a program increase of $750,000 for establishing the Renewable Energy Inspection Program. The funding will support the development of regulations, inspection guidelines, procedures, and criteria for inspections of offshore renewable energy facilities so that the appropriate regulatory structure will be in place to protect the safety of these facilities as well as the environment.

Anticipated fixed cost increases are funded at $1.4 million. BSEE’s targeted funding increases are largely offset by anticipated savings from continued management efficiency efforts (-$2.4 million) and a reduction in offsetting collections funding (-$1.4 million), for a net funding increase of $46,000 over the 2015 enacted level.

The President’s budget proposes $14.9 million for Oil Spill Research, equal to the 2015 enacted level. The Oil Spill Research program plays a pivotal role in initiating applied research used to support decision-making on methods and equipment to prevent or mitigate oil spills, which is a critical component of the offshore permitting process. The request will address key knowledge and technology gaps in oil spill response, focusing on deepwater and Arctic environments.

Additional details on the President’s FY 2016 budget request are available online at http://www.doi.gov/budget/index.cfm.

CHILDREN AND ELDERLY PEOPLE ARE MOST LIKELY TO GET KILLED BY FIRES: MOBILE HOME FIRE IN RURAL TEXAS LEAVES 4 CHILDREN DEAD

 CHILDREN AND ELDERLY PEOPLE ARE MOST LIKELY TO GET KILLED BY FIRES:  MOBILE HOME FIRE IN RURAL TEXAS LEAVES 4 CHILDREN DEAD

 February 4, 2015

SPURGER, TEXAS

 Four children died in a mobile home fire early Wednesday near Spurger, an unincorporated community in the southeastern part of Tyler County.

The children’s parents, along with a 2-year-old and a 5-month-old, escaped from the burning mobile home, but authorities later found the bodies of the four children, who ranged in age from 4 to 8.

The mother and the two surviving children were taken to Tyler County Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation and minor burns. 

The father suffered minor burns but declined treatment at the scene.  Sheriff Weatherford said the surviving children, ages 2-years-old and 5-month-old, both girls, were sleeping in the same room as the parents.

The call reporting the fire came in to 911 dispatch at 2:30 a.m. The caller reported a fire on County Road 4547 in the Spurger area on the east side of the county. The caller told the dispatcher that all but four children were able to get out.

Tyler County Deputies and Spurger Volunteer Firefighters were among the first to arrive on scene.

Firefighters found the bodies of the four children inside the burning structure.Assistance from neighboring agencies was requested. The Dam-B and Fred Volunteer fire departments sent manpower to help work the fire.

The names of the victims have not been released.

Tyler County Sheriff Bryan Weatherford says the cause of the fire is still being investigated, but said foul play is not suspected.

1 DEAD, 3 INJURED IN MASSIVE NORRISTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA APARTMENT COMPLEX FIRE

 

1 DEAD, 3 INJURED IN MASSIVE NORRISTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA APARTMENT COMPLEX FIRE

February 4, 2015

NORRISTOWN, PA

 

A woman died and three other people, including a firefighter, were injured in a massive overnight blaze at a Norristown apartment building.

Montgomery County dispatchers said the four-alarm fire at the Norris Apartments on the 600 block of Swede Street was reported at 12:45 a.m. Wednesday.

The blaze was initially reported in the basement, but firefighters encountered heavy flames throughout the building and had to make rescues from all four floors, fire officials said.

A Red Cross spokesman said 15 people were provided hotel rooms for Wednesday night. A shelter established at Norristown High School earlier in the day has been closed.

The Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia was also helping the victims. The agency said it planned to serve meals to 45 people, including residents and emergency responders, at the temporary shelter through Thursday morning. The agency said it would provide other assistance as needed.

Officials said the fire apparently spread through a trash chute.

"Crews had their hands full when they got here," Fire Chief Thomas O'Donnell told reporters at the scene.

The woman died despite efforts to rescue her from her fourth-floor apartment, fire officials said. Her name was not released.

Three others were taken to hospitals for treatment of various injuries, dispatchers said.

O'Donnell said one of the injured was a firefighter who cut his hand.

Firefighters battled the blaze, during which the roof and fourth-floor walls in the rear of the building collapsed, for several hours.

The fire was under control by early Wednesday, though crews remained on the scene to damp down embers and flames.

The Fire Department said the collapsed roof and walls as well as icy streets and sidewalks posed significant challenges for firefighters. Portions of the building will need to be taken down, fire officials said.

The cause and origin of the fire remains under investigation, although it is believed that it started in the basement inside a trash can.

One person dies after crash involving pedestrian on Wade Hampton Blvd in South Carolina. Pedestrian seriously injured.

  Fire crews were on accident scene on Wednesday night. (Feb. 4, 2015/FOX Carolina)

One person dies after crash involving pedestrian on Wade Hampton Blvd in South Carolina.  Pedestrian seriously injured.

  February 04, 2015

 

GREENVILLE, SC (FOX Carolina) - 

 A person died after a crash involving a pedestrian on Wade Hampton Boulevard on Wednesday evening. 

The collision was reported near the intersection of Pine Knoll Drive just after 7 p.m. 

Troopers said the pedestrian was seriously injured, but did not release any other information. 

OVERTURNED TANKER TRUCK SPILLS HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL (HYDROCHLORIC ACID) IN RURAL NEBRASKA. RESIDENTS WERE EVACUATED.

OVERTURNED TANKER TRUCK SPILLS HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL (HYDROCHLORIC ACID) IN RURAL NEBRASKA

 

February 4, 2015

CRAWFORD, Neb. (AP) - A truck making a delivery to a uranium mining company has overturned and caused a minor hazardous chemical spill in northwestern Nebraska.

Dawes County Deputy Sheriff Scott Swickward says a tankard truck hauling a trailer slipped down a rig early Wednesday morning while delivering a chemical to Crow Butte Resources, Inc. near Crawford.  He says the leak resulting from the accident is not a public threat, but nearby residents were evacuated as a precautionary measure.

Swickward says only a valve broke on the truck, causing hydrochloric acid to drizzle out. He says Nebraska hazmat crews have responded to the scene and are working to clean up the spill.

Hydrochloric acid is corrosive to the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes.  Acute (short-term) inhalation exposure may cause eye, nose, and respiratory tract irritation and inflammation and pulmonary edema in humans.  Acute oral exposure may cause corrosion of the mucous membranes, esophagus, and stomach and dermal contact may produce severe burns, ulceration, and scarring in humans. 

Hydrochloric acid is used in the production of chlorides, for refining ore in the production of tin and tantalum, for pickling and cleaning of metal products, in electroplating, in removing scale from boilers, for the neutralization of basic systems, as a laboratory reagent, as a catalyst and solvent in organic syntheses, in the manufacture of fertilizers and dyes, for hydrolyzing starch and proteins in the preparation of various food products, and in the photographic, textile, and rubber industries.