Practical EHS Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
The rainfall along the Gulf coast during Hurricane Harvey was so historic that the National Weather Service had to update the color charts on its graphics in order to map it. The previous color scale topped out at rainfall greater than 15 inches (in.). The new chart adds two new colors, showing a maximum of […]
Yesterday we discussed a case where a company faced nearly $4.9 million in fines for alleged violations of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) rules for protecting workers from exposure to restricted use pesticides (RUPs). Today we will review amendments to the regulations for RUP applications that could affect over 1 million RUP applicators nationwide.
A global chemical and seed manufacturer was recently fined millions by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for violations of several rules related to pesticides, including the Worker Protection Standard (WPS). Today we’ll look at how this company ran afoul of its responsibilities when it comes to what the EPA considers the most dangerous pesticides: […]
The EPA recently published a summary of comments it received at three meetings held to inform the public about the Agency’s upcoming proposed regulations to prevent spills of hazardous chemicals from onshore facilities and to contain spills that do occur.
The maxim not to let your employees take hazardous materials home on their clothes or other personal items can now be seen as more than just a best practice. An influential state Supreme Court recently ruled that employers are responsible and liable under a “general duty of care” for injuries to household members affected by […]
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has no specific standards concerning mold and fungus exposure in indoor environments. However, visible mold growth or strong mold odors should not be present in the workplace. Today we will look at ways to protect your workers from exposure to mold.
After a flood or other serious water damage, concerns about mold might not be top on your list. Or, you may have a mold problem that is not immediately apparent. But with increasing evidence that some molds can have serious health effects, it is important to prevent mold growth and to remediate/clean up any existing […]
Yesterday we looked at the looming compliance deadline for agricultural employers and handlers to protect their workers from pesticide exposure under the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Pesticide Worker Protection Standard. How important is it to have standards in place to protect employees who work with or around pesticides? Today we will review the implications […]
The deadline for compliance with certain elements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) amended Pesticide Worker Protection Standard (WPS) is this upcoming January. Today we’ll take a look at what you need to have in place to hit the ground running at the beginning of the New Year to comply with the WPS amendments […]
Until recently, most environment, health, and safety (EHS) professionals thought of dust primarily as a housekeeping or nuisance issue—with the exception of health hazards, like coal dust and asbestos, that can cause chronic lung disease or cancer. But in 2008, when a sugar dust explosion killed 14 people and injured 36 others at the Imperial […]