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The air regulatory agencies and industries of many states have been frustrated by EPA’s decision to revise its National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone in 2015. One of the major complaints is that the 2008 ozone NAAQS are still in effect. Therefore, states now face the prospect of implementing two different ozone standards […]
A new study indicates that workplace inspections save lives, reduce workers’ compensation claims, and do not cost jobs. Research published in Science magazine in May sheds light on a hot-button political issue: the role and effectiveness of government regulation. In this study, the issue was the impact of government safety inspections. The study, entitled "Randomized […]
Three recent OSHA enforcement actions provide cautionary tales concerning serious and willful violations of various standards and a apparent inclination on the part of the agency to go after repeat offenders. Serious and Repeat Violations An automotive parts manufacturer in Alabama was cited by OSHA with six safety violations, including two repeat violations. The citations […]
E-learning is a versatile and highly effective form of training. What is e-learning? It is training that is delivered electronically via the Internet or an intranet. Unlike traditional training, the trainer and the trainees do not need to be in the same room. E-learning can be self-directed, with trainees working alone, scheduling their own training. […]
OSHA has stepped up enforcement of worker training requirements, especially for non-English-speaking workers. OSHA says employers have to provide training in a format these workers understand. OSHA’s requirement that training be comprehensible to employees is nothing new. What is new, however, is the enforcement angle. Says Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, “OSHA compliance officers will […]
The attorneys general (AGs) of 20 states have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to stay EPA’s Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (MATS) because the Agency had no legal authority to promulgate them. The AGs base their argument on the Supreme Court’s ruling in Michigan v. EPA (2015), in which a 5–4 majority ruled that the […]
Given the risks of working with asbestos, safety must always be a priority. Effective employee training and other precautions such as engineering controls and personal protective equipment (PPE) are necessary to keep workers safe. OSHA’s asbestos standard (29 CFR 1910.1001) requires you to inform employees who might be exposed to asbestos about the hazards and […]
There is growing interest in which chemicals the EPA will select for its initial risk evaluations under the reformed Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) signed by President Obama June 22, 2016. Under the law, one of the Agency’s first tasks is to designate 10 chemicals for evaluation no more than 180 days after enactment. The […]
The EPA has issued what it calls “narrow” amendments to two provisions of the Agency’s 2016 Clean Air Act New Source Performance Standards (NSPS) for the oil and natural gas (O&G) sector (June 3, 2016, FR). The provisions affect delay of repair requirements when emissions leaks or fugitive emissions are detected as well as emissions […]
To get the best results from valuable training time, make sure your safety trainers are using effective training strategies and techniques. Here is some expert advice on how to achieve your goals. Q. How can trainers make the most efficient use of classroom training time? A. Trainers are under constant pressure from management to decrease […]