Practical EHS Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
Cold weather hazards are nothing to fool around with. Workers can be seriously injured or killed by the cold. Make sure your workers know how to cope with cold conditions and how to recognize danger when working outdoors. As we said in yesterday’s Advisor, the two main health hazards of working in cold weather are […]
Winter is here—well, technically not until December 21, but the cold weather has already arrived. For the next few months, many workers will be required to work briefly or for sustained periods in cold weather conditions and will face the special hazards that such work entails. The two main health hazards of overexposure to cold […]
Ergonomics is the practice of fitting the job—including every job task—to the worker, and that includes communication. Our Safety Training Tips editor provides some examples and tips. For example, in order to stay connected to work 24/7, your employees may constantly check their personal digital assistants (PDAs). Using these devices over a long period of […]
Yesterday, we discussed three key confined space attendant duties—keeping track of entrants, communicating with entrants, and monitoring the space. Today, we continue with three additional responsibilities—keeping out unauthorized personnel, evacuating entrants, and nonentry rescue. An attendant must be on duty at all times while entrants are inside a confined space. Attendants can never leave their […]
Confined space attendants serve as lifelines to safety for confined space entrants. That’s makes the attendant’s job a crucial responsibility—one that only well-trained, reliable, and highly motivated employees can handle. Confined space attendants’ primary responsibility is the safety of the entrants. That means attendants must: Be knowledgeable about all the potential hazards of the confined […]
Yesterday, we talked about the impact and benefits of proposed revisions to the hazcom standard. Today, we look at the costs of compliance. OSHA reports that the compliance costs associated with the proposed revisions to the hazard communication standard would generally be incurred by affected industries as one-time transition costs over the phase-in period of […]
OSHA has proposed a rule that would align its hazard communication standard (HCS) with provisions of the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). Proposed modifications to the hazard communication standard include: Revised criteria for classification of chemical hazards Revised labeling provisions that include requirements for use of standardized signal […]
December 6 to 12 is National Handwashing Awareness Week, and our Safety Training Tips editor reminds us of the importance of washing one’s hands to help prevent the spread of germs and disease. Every year when flu season arrives, we are reminded of the importance of washing our hands frequently as a way to help […]
Yesterday, we described the first three guidelines for hazmat employee training. Today, we continue with points four through seven. 4. Select a training tool. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) guidance for hazmat employee training lists four training delivery methods: Web-based Computer-based Classroom Hands-on/mentor training Decisions on which of these, or which combination, […]
Hazmat training requirements under the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) regulations are nonspecific. But one thing is crystal clear: Employers are legally responsible for making sure hazmat employees are properly trained. Performance-based standards have a nice, industry-friendly sound to them until you realize you are the one responsible for designing and implementing a […]