Practical EHS Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
Confused about exactly which items of PPE you have to pay for and which you don’t? Here’s quick review of the “employer pays” rule. OSHA’s PPE standard (29 CFR 1910.132[h]) says that employers must pay for most types of PPE when used by employees exclusively in the workplace (that is, not for personal use at […]
November is National Healthy Skin Month, so it’s a great time to teach your employees how to protect their body’s natural armor. Weighing in at between 6 and 9 pounds and with a surface area of about 2 square yards, the skin is the body’s largest organ. As such, it is the body’s first line […]
Yesterday, we discussed key safety requirements for flammable and combustible liquids. Today, we spotlight a disastrous accident that underlines the critical importance of those requirements. A few years back an explosion ripped through a solvent manufacturing plant in Iowa. The accident was caused by a static electrical spark resulting from inadequate electrical bonding and grounding […]
The presence of flammable and combustible liquids in the workplace greatly increases the risk of fire and explosion. Precautions like these can help prevent accidents. 1. Storage All storage must be in tanks or closed containers. The quantity of liquids allowed in manufacturing/production areas (outside of primary storage) is limited according to the liquid class and […]
Yesterday,we identified the six stages in the job hazard analysis process. Today, we feature a sample analysis developed by OSHA. Here’s an example of a job hazard analysis developed by OSHA for a job that involves grinding iron castings. There are three basic steps involved in this job: Step 1— Reach into metal box to […]
One of the best ways to determine safe work procedures to protect workers in a particular job is to conduct a job hazard analysis.< Job hazard analysis is a simple but powerful technique that focuses on job tasks as a way to identify hazards before they occur. It focuses on the relationship between the worker, […]
This year’s 35th annual Great American Smokeout is Thursday, November 18. And yes, quitting smoking may be the only instance that breaks the tenet “Quitters never prosper!” Consider the benefits of quitting smoking: Immediate and steady reduction of damage to lungs and heart Reduced risk to nonsmokers around you More money for important and enjoyable […]
Strong motivation for and skillful delivery of safety training make the difference between high-quality results and so-so or oh-no! outcomes. Employees won’t work safely if your training manifests these 7 deadly sins: Trainees don’t know what they’re supposed to learn in training sessions. They don’t understand how what they’re learning is connected to their job. […]
Both the law and sound business practice compel you to look beyond specific regulations to assess safety training needs and to plan for effective training. Before you can roll out a successful safety training program, you have to assess training needs and plan for effective training. Fail to identify needs, and training will miss the […]
Any powered equipment is potentially dangerous—even if it’s supposed to be shut down. Many needless accidents occur when somebody turns on a machine that’s supposed to be locked out. Lockout/tagout accidents are not only needless, but serious. They result not in small cuts or scratches, but often cause amputations, serious fractures, or death. Any energy […]