Practical EHS Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
On March 9, 2022, the U.S. Congress passed the fiscal year (FY) 2022 Omnibus Appropriations Bill (H.R. 2471) and sent it to President Joe Biden’s desk, where it was signed into law on March 15, 2022. The bill reflects a 3.3 percent budget increase for the EPA. After years of budget cuts under the Trump […]
Is fit testing required for all respirators? Are there circumstances where fit testing is not required?
Don’t get caught short by a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) roadside inspection. In its most recent data for fiscal year (FY) 2016, DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) had performed 26,570 roadside inspections of trucks targeting compliance with hazardous materials transportation regulations. During these inspections, DOT inspectors found 5,894 violations. The top violation […]
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) new beryllium standard, employers have until March 10, 2020, to implement engineering controls if they are needed to control beryllium exposure. OSHA has recommended some minimum exposure control strategies for specific operations that involve beryllium. Let’s take a look.
No longer deferred The 1988 UST regulations deferred several types of USTs from regulations. Under the 2015 amendments, three types of tanks were removed from the referral list and must comply with the 2015 UST regulations. USTs for emergency power generators. The new UST amendments removes the deferral for USTs solely to store fuel for […]
Amazon failed to provide adequate medical treatment for traumatic and chronic injuries at a fulfillment center in Castleton-on-Hudson, New York, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The agency cited the Amazon warehouse for a serious violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act’s General Duty Clause (§5(a)(1)) and is seeking a proposed […]
There may be a point at which a worker cannot do a job safely because of a disability. A worker with an intellectual disability will probably never be qualified to run heavy machinery. But how can you determine when a worker and a job combine to create a significant risk of substantial harm to the […]
In a 2016 settlement agreement with 10 environmental groups, the EPA committed to providing funds to the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NAS) to convene a committee to study the effectiveness of the Agency’s Multi-Sector General Permit (MSGP). The NAS has now published its final report, which includes recommendations to put the MSGP […]
John McHugh’s journey began over three decades ago in the construction industry, where he was immersed in the world of constructing scenery for the Hollywood film industry. Throughout his career, he contributed to the production of numerous feature films, including The Fugitive, Home Alone 1, 2, and 3, as well as U.S. Marshals, among many […]
OSHA and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently issued a joint hazard alert about protecting workers from significant crystalline silica exposure during manufacturing, finishing, and installing natural and manufactured stone countertops. Protect workers in this and other industries from silica exposure with the safety measures outlined below. Preventing Silica Exposures Because […]