Practical EHS Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
The EPA announced November 19 it is “indefinitely extending COVID-19 activation of the emerging viral pathogens (EVP) guidance for antimicrobial pesticides. EPA’s EVP guidance for antimicrobial pesticides is a part of the federal government’s pandemic preparedness, allowing manufacturers to provide the Agency with data, even in advance of an outbreak, demonstrating that their products are […]
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly one third of the world’s population is infected with tuberculosis (TB), which kills almost 1.5 million people per year. In 2013, 9,582 TB cases were reported in the United States, and 383 of those cases were among healthcare workers. On July 13, OSHA updated […]
What is EPA proposing? Currently EPA requires secondary containment and interstitial monitoring for hazardous substance tanks only. EPA is proposing UST owners and operators install secondary containment and interstitial monitoring for new and replaced tanks and piping installed after the effective date of the final UST regulation. The secondary containment must be able to contain […]
A draft risk assessment published by the EPA reveals the potential for elevated cancer risk from radiation from the use of coal ash as fill material in building sites. Coal ash is the residual “leftover” from burning coal for energy, and it contains many toxic metal contaminants like mercury, cadmium, and arsenic. “Coal ash … […]
Wisconsin roofing contractor Overhead Solutions LLC faces $180,469 in proposed Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) penalties for fall protection violations, the agency announced November 27. Federal workplace safety inspectors observed the company’s employees working about 30 feet above ground on a Menasha apartment complex roof without adequate fall protection. Thirteen days later, an inspector […]
Find out how UPS, the world’s largest package carrier, has built a more effective safety process and reaped the rewards of their effort in 40 percent fewer injuries. BLR’s OSHA Compliance Advisor recently spoke to Debbie Gehricke, director of global safety and health at UPS, and Emilio Lopez, director of fleet safety, to find out […]
On August 6, 2012, a fire at a refinery in California shut down the facility for months and sent more than 15,000 nearby residents to local hospitals with breathing problems. The fire occurred when a 52-inch section of pipe leading from a crude oil distillation tower began leaking flammable hydrocarbons that formed a vapor cloud […]
Therapist and author Marianne Clyde says providing employees with quality mental health training is not just a compassionate move. It’s also a strategic business decision. Clyde points to research suggesting that happy employees are more engaged and more productive than other workers. University faculty members who meditated showed improvements in memory related to a reduction […]
Today we look at the training requirements of OSHA’s bloodborne pathogens standard, and at a tool that can help you meet those training mandates. Yesterday’s Advisor reviewed the surprisingly large number of occupations and tasks that entail risks from bloodborne pathogens (BBPs). We looked at measures you can take to limit your employees’ exposure to […]
Here are some questions about PPE requirements, with answers provided by the safety experts at Safety.BLR.com. Does OSHA specify the frequency of replacement of PPE, especially hard hats? OSHA does not specify the frequency of replacement of PPE. It is up to the employer to determine when PPE needs to be replaced. OSHA recommends that […]