Tag: BLR

SPCC Violations Underscore Importance of Facility Response Plans

SPCC Violations Underscore Importance of Facility Response Plans   In December 2014, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a settlement with an Alaska-based oil field services company for multiple violations of the SPCC rule, including failure to submit an FRP. Under the SPCC regulations, there are two scenarios that require preparation and submission of […]

Considering Cross-Generational Mentoring to Tackle Workplace Bullying: Part 1

January is National Mentoring Month (www.nationalmentoringmonth.org), so each Friday this month, we’ll explore different aspects of mentoring and how this form of training can benefit your organization. Today, we hear from mentoring experts, Beth N. Carvin and Kerrie Main, in an article they wrote that first appeared on HR.BLR.com®.

Waiter, There’s a Finger in My Rice Cake: Preventing Amputations

In the fall of 2014, OSHA inspected a manufacturer of rice cakes and other healthy snack products after a worker suffered an electrical injury in August 2014. While OSHA was on-site, the Agency discovered that another worker had missed 20 days of work and spent another 22 days on restricted duty after part of his […]

Healthy Products, Unhealthy Electrical Safety Work Practices

A 20-year-old employee at a manufacturer of rice cakes and other snack products was shocked while performing service work on an electrical panel on August 18, 2014. The employee missed 2 days of work. After hearing of the injury, OSHA inspected the facility and identified several problems with the employer’s electrical safety work practices.

Prevent Chemical Releases with Inherently Safer Systems

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 […]

Are You Prepared to Respond to a Chemical Release?

On November 15, 2014, workers at a pesticide plant in Texas were trying to restart the methomyl production line after a 5-day shutdown. They were having problems: A line was plugged and the building ventilation wasn’t working properly. Around 4 a.m., workers opened a drain valve in the vent system to release pressure, without realizing […]

Green Planning Tips for Large Events and Conventions

Green Planning Tips for Large Events and Conventions   1) When considering different sites and venues, take into account the following before making the decision: Travel—Think about how attendees will get there and what public transportation is available on-site or nearby that is easy to use for attending the event and for getting around for […]

Mentoring Agreements Make Meaningful Training

January is National Mentoring Month (www.nationalmentoringmonth.org/), so each Friday this month, we’ll explore different aspects of mentoring and how this form of training can benefit your organization. Today, we hear more from mentoring expert, Lois Zachary.

Improving Worker Health and Safety by Design

Improving Worker Health and Safety by Design   NIOSH broadly defines “green” jobs as those “that help to improve the environment.” These may include jobs related to renewable energy like solar and wind, jobs in recycling, jobs in the manufacturing of cleaner more sustainable products, and jobs where workers use these greener products such as […]

Climate Change and Worker Health—Rising Risks

Climate Change and Worker Health—Rising Risks Employers in the United States have long been governed by laws and regulations designed to provide a safe and healthy environment for workers. But climate change presents a new set of worker risks that are just beginning to be understood. Although many of the actual risks are the same […]