Archives

Lockout Tagout

Could There Be Lockout-Tagout Changes on the Horizon?

OSHA may be planning to explore alternative methods of ensuring workers are protected from sources of hazardous energy (chemical, electrical, hydraulic, mechanical, pneumatic, thermal, and others). OSHA announced plans in the Department of Labor’s (DOL) most recent agenda of regulatory and deregulatory actions to issue a pre-rule request for information (RFI) on alternatives to its […]

Environment, health, and safety (EHS) software

Do You Need Help Building the Business Case for EHS Software?

You may have heard of the powerful changes EHS management software is bringing to all kinds of organizations. You may have heard how it’s saved lives and money while reducing insurance premiums, but some things that don’t get the attention they deserve are process automation, workforce engagement, and freedom from disparate data sources, to name […]

Lightbulbs

DOE Looks to Void Lightbulb Definition Expansion

The Department of Energy (DOE) is proposing to withdraw a rule issued in the final days of the Obama administration that expanded the definition of general service lamps (GSLs) and general service incandescent lamps (GSILs).

Workplace bullying, violence

Workplace Bullying Is a Workplace Safety Issue

Some EHS professionals may consider bullying an issue that falls on the shoulders of human resources (HR) to address. That’s a mistake, according to Catherine Mattice-Zundel, MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, president of Civility Partners and a speaker at the upcoming 2019 Workplace Violence Prevention Symposium, taking place March 14th through 15th in San Antonio, Texas.

Environmental Protection Agency sign

Take a Look at EPA’s Proposed National Compliance Initiatives for 2020–2023

Since President Donald Trump occupied the White House, the EPA has been methodically revising its approach to enforcement. One important policy change occurred in summer 2018 when the Agency’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance (OECA) announced that the National Enforcement Initiatives (NEI) program, the OECA’s triannual prioritization of the country’s top noncompliance problems, would […]

Cal/OSHA Will Hold Electronic Recordkeeping Hearing

The California Department of Industrial Relations’ Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) has scheduled an advisory committee meeting for May 9, 2019, to discuss electronic submission of injury and illness records.

Marijuana and opioids, drug use

Employers See Effects of Rising Opioid, Marijuana Use

The use and misuse of both illicit and prescription drugs are affecting a growing number of employers. Whether marijuana or opiates are obtained legally or illegally, both are present in the workplace. An increasing number of workers are even dying on the job from drug and alcohol overdoses. The most acute hazards are faced by […]

Stop Violence

How Well Do You Understand the Links Between Workplace Violence and Substance Abuse?

Do you prefer to read rather than listen? If so, you won’t miss out on our latest episode of EHS on Tap! Read the transcript of our recent conversation with Patrick Prince, associate vice provost and chief threat assessment officer for the University of Southern California, on the intersection of workplace violence and substance abuse. […]

Pesticide worker

Rules for Noncertified Applicators of Restricted Use Pesticides (RUPs)

In January 2017, the EPA amended its regulations affecting the certification of applicators of restricted use pesticides (RUPs). In writing the amendments, the Agency needed to balance two somewhat opposing forces—strengthen requirements to ensure that applicators and particularly young applicators, as well as the families of applicators, were not harmed by exposure to RUPs while […]

Workplace Violence Prevention: Plain Talk and No Emotion are Key to Communication

Most organizations have some form of workplace violence prevention plan in place. However, that is only the first step. EHS, security, or HR personnel may not know how to effectively communicate this plan to employees, or how to appropriately communicate that an actual incident is in progress. According to 2019 Workplace Violence Prevention Symposium keynote […]