Practical EHS Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
On October 23, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) announced the winners of the third and final phase of its Respirator Fit Evaluation Challenge. NIOSH issued the challenge, seeking practical solutions that provide real-time results on filtering facepiece respirator fit. In Phase 1 of the challenge, entrants submitted concept papers outlining their […]
Workplaces, regardless of the industry, can be demanding and expose us to difficult situations. Whether it’s working in a high-hazard industry, witnessing a traumatic incident, experiencing emotionally challenging day-to-day events or seeing a colleague struggling with a toxic work environment, there are many instances where people may be exposed to secondary trauma, also known as […]
Artco-Bell Corp., a Temple, Texas, school furnishings manufacturer, faces a $257,183 Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) fine after a worker sustained serious, permanent hand and arm injuries, the agency announced October 21. According to OSHA, the worker’s injuries could have been prevented had the employer installed required machine guards. Agency investigators learned that in […]
Amazingly enough, October is winding down and we’re heading into the colder months, which means most areas will be inundated with respiratory diseases like influenza, RSV, and COVID. This week, EHS Daily Advisor wrote about indoor air quality and preparing for respiratory disease season, so the Song of the Week is Matthew Sweet’s power pop […]
The EPA has put the state of Vermont on notice that it must make corrections to its administration of the federal National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program or lose the authority altogether. In a letter dated September 6, 2024, the EPA Region 1 administrator informed Vermont authorities it had received a joint petition from […]
The EPA recently announced a proposed update to its Recommendations of Specifications, Standards, and Ecolabels for Federal Purchasing, which help federal government purchasers and other buyers use private sector standards and ecolabels to buy products that are more sustainable and climate-friendly and contain safer chemical ingredients. This update marks the first time in nearly 10 […]
The EPA announced food producer Hiland Dairy Foods Company LLC of Norfolk, Nebraska, has agreed to pay a $93,107 civil penalty to resolve alleged violations of the federal Clean Air Act’s (CAA) chemical accident prevention provisions. According to the EPA, the company stores more than 10,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia, a regulated toxic substance, and […]
Ports and shipyards serve as essential gateways in the global supply chain, facilitating the movement of commodities across the world. However, these environments can also be incredibly busy to the point where safety can be a concern. Boaters and workers have numerous tasks to complete in the loading, unloading and reconfiguration of vessels, as well […]
The D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals in September ruled against the EPA in United States Sugar Corp. v. EPA, unanimously deciding that the EPA erred in retroactively classifying industrial boilers built before 2020 as new sources of emissions. These boilers are used to create heat, electricity, and other forms of energy by burning materials like […]
On October 16, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced the release of new inspection guidance for animal slaughtering and processing facilities. Previous guidance only applied to poultry establishments. The updated “Inspection Guidance for Animal Slaughtering and Processing Establishments” is intended to reduce injuries and illnesses resulting from occupational hazards in the meat processing […]