New Confined Space in Construction Standard is the Law. Are You in Compliance?
OSHA’s new confined space standard for construction has been in effect since August.
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Cal/OSHA: Fall Through Skylight Was an Accident Waiting to Happen
A Riverside electric company was cited by California OSHA (Cal/OSHA) for serious and willful safety violations after a worker installing solar panels fell 30 feet through a skylight. Was this employer unaware of the law or just terribly irresponsible? Get details here.
Streamlined CWA Permitting Final Rule Issued
On December 27, 2021, the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) issued a final rule for the reissuance and modification of nationwide permits (NWP), which authorizes “certain activities under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA) and Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act (RHA) of 1899 that have no more than minimal individual […]
Report Reveals Environmental Violations Top Federal Crimes List
Surprisingly, the most common federal crime committed by an “organizational offender” in Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 was environmental, according to a recent report from the United States Sentencing Commission. The average fine for an organizational offender was almost $23 million. Let’s take a closer look at the report and draw a couple of takeaway points […]
Q&A: Anhydrous Ammonia Leaks
Recently, we received the following question from a subscriber: What does OSHA say about initial entry into an area with a suspected gas leak of anhydrous ammonia of unknown quantity and the use of an SCBA?
Industry Group Examines the Challenges of Reopening During COVID-19
The Massachusetts High Technology Council, a regional industry group, recently examined issues involved in reopening businesses and asking employees to return to work in the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. A new report in the New England Journal of Medicine summarized their conclusions.
Ozone Delay: Pruitt Backs Down
Facing legal action, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt did a quick reversal of an earlier decision to delay by one year the statutory deadline for initial designation of areas under the 2015 national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS) for ozone.
Aquifer Exemptions Explained
Since the early 1980s, the EPA has permitted aquifer exemptions under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). An aquifer is an area of underground rock that contains or can transmit groundwater. Underground Injection Control (UIC) regulations the EPA has developed allow the Agency to separate certain aquifers from drinking water requirements provided the aquifers do […]
NSC Congress & Expo Highlight: Electrical Safety a Shared Responsibility Between Employers and Contractors
How many times has your company asked a contractor to work on energized equipment? How many times has an electrician chosen to not turn a circuit off because it was an inconvenience? Have you ever worked with a contractor who has an attitude of, “Yes we can work it hot since our competition won’t do […]
EPA Proposes New Carbon Pollution Standards
On May 11, 2023, the EPA announced proposed new carbon pollution standards for coal and natural gas-fired power plants that will protect public health, reduce harmful pollutants, and deliver up to $85 billion in climate and public health benefits over the next two decades. “The proposal for coal and new natural gas power plants would […]