Practical EHS Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
As today’s workplace becomes more complex, regulation of that workplace increases. In this section, you’ll find the practical advice you need to understand exactly what OSHA, other federal agencies, and their state counterparts, require of you, and to comply in the ways that best satisfy both your and their needs. Look also for important court decisions, advice on how to handle enforcement actions, and news of upcoming changes in workplace health and safety law.
Free Special Report: What to Expect from an OSHA Inspection
Here are some tips for dealing with agency inspectors at your facility. Designate a manager and backup to handle inspections. This is the person the receptionists should call ASAP to notify of the arrival of any inspection personnel. Request the inspector’s credentials and make a copy of them. Business cards are not enough; in fact, […]
Educating the Educators Community college Maine: EPA Region 1 RCRA violation: During a compliance evaluation conducted by EPA regional staff, EPA’s inspectors identified multiple RCRA violations and state Hazardous Waste Management Rules, which govern the safe storage and handling of hazardous wastes. Penalty: $238,000 fine Third Time’s a Fine! Fuel company Baltimore, Maryland: EPA Region […]
If CID determines there was culpable conduct by a facility it will begin a criminal investigation. Here’s what they are looking for. Was Criminal Intent Present? Criminal intent is not necessarily a component of culpable conduct. Therefore, in order to pursue prosecution EPA needs to determine if there was criminal intent. A “knowing” violation is […]
OSHA issues different types of citations, depending on the nature and severity of the violation. Penalties are proposed based on the type of violation. If you receive OSHA citations following an inspection, penalties may vary depending on the type of violations. Note, however, that in settling a penalty, OSHA says it has a policy of […]
If you are cited for violations following an OSHA inspection, there are certain procedures that must be followed. Here’s a brief overview of key issues. If you receive a Citation and Notification of Penalty from OSHA following an inspection: You must post the citation (or a copy of it) at or near the place where […]
What is a multimedia inspection? In multimedia inspections, the regulatory authority evaluates a facility’s overall compliance with environmental control or safety programs, rather than assess facility compliance on a media-specific basis. Multimedia inspections may also address environmental or safety performance issues, such as pollution prevention, that offer safety or environmental benefits beyond what is required […]
Know the Answers Typically, an inspector will assess the effectiveness of your facility’s environmental and safety programs by asking environmental, operations, and maintenance staff to answer a series of general questions. Know the answers to these questions to stay ahead of the game. Need an answer fast? Relax. Our editors guarantee a personalized response to […]
Yesterday, we reported several big OSHA enforcement actions with costly price tags for the employers cited. Today, we’ll review a couple more big-dollar cases involving willful, repeat, and serious violations. Ohio Steelmaker Faces More Than 500K in Proposed Fines A steelmaker in Lorain, Ohio, faces $563,000 in proposed fines for inadequate lockout/tagout procedures and for […]
2011 was a busy year for OSHA enforcement. Here’s a quick roundup of some of the most costly actions. As we start another year under the watchful eye of an OSHA administration that has not been reluctant to propose large penalties when citing employers for safety and health violations, it may be helpful to take […]
Here’s a UST checklist to help you out with the paperwork: Have owners and operators kept on file the following information (40 CFR 280.34(b)): Corrosion expert’s analysis of site-corrosion potential if corrosion-protection equipment not used (40 CFR 280.20)? Documentation of operation of corrosion protection equipment (40 CFR 280.31)? Documentation of UST system repairs (40 CFR […]