Tag: BLR

Inspected in Poughkeepsie, Enforced in Peoria? OSHA Claims Authority to Enforce Abatement Across Multiple Facilities

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has long had enforcement guidance in place enabling it to enter into settlements that affect the operations of an entire corporation, rather than just a single facility. But these were mutually negotiated agreements; they were not something OSHA considered itself statutorily empowered to impose and enforce. That may […]

Webinar Wrap-Up: Enhance Your ESMS Core Elements

How do you best conduct an environmental and safety management system (ESMS)? BLR’s webinar, Environmental and Safety Management System Excellence: How to Engage, Involve, and Exchange Information, explains how to exchange and demonstrate environmental and safety values through an effective environmental and safety management system within your company.

Making the Match: EHS Job Trends

There is a concern in the environmental and safety industries that a dearth of qualified employees is expected because many workers currently employed in the industry are approaching retirement and that fewer younger people are seeking degrees in areas that would lead them to jobs as EHS professionals. In today’s article we will take a […]

Does Your Hazmat Shipment Qualify for a Special Permit?

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) recently issued a final rule codifying the provisions of nine special permits for companies that transport certain bulk explosives. What are special permits and what kind of flexibility do they offer for transporting hazardous materials? How is training handled under special permits? How is PHMSA moving toward […]

Lack of Registration Number Tops in Hazmat Violations

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 […]

Q&A: Fume Hood in a Small Room

Is it OK to place a fume hood that is 78” by 29” in a small room 113” by 131”? This room has a front and back door that leads to another room. It’s like a holding room. There seems to be enough room for someone to walk through and exit. I’m concerned about safety […]

Ramped Up to RMP Program Level 3? Here’s How to Get Started

As discussed in yesterday’s Advisor, thousands of retail facilities face stricter requirements under the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Risk Management Program (RMP) because of a controversial Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) interpretation of a retail exemption under the Process Safety Management (PSM) standard. Here’s how to get started in RMP Program Level 3. Beginning […]

Tougher RMP Requirements for Retail

Thousands of retail facilities face stricter requirements under the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Risk Management Program (RMP) because of a controversial Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) interpretation of an exemption under the Process Safety Management (PSM) standard. Today we will review EPA’s reaction to OSHA’s narrowing of the retail exemption. Beginning in July 2016, […]

Are Your Workers Becoming Complacent? Four Ways to Keep Workers in the Safety Game

When your safety program is working well, your workers may develop a bad case of overconfidence. For sports teams, overconfidence can come before a season-changing loss. Are your workers keeping their heads in the game? Or, are they in danger of losing their next outing? Here are some strategies for making sure that your workers […]

Are Your Workers Becoming Complacent? Three Deadly Distractions and How to Address Them

When workers become complacent about safety—when they stop feeling that they are at risk—they can be less aware of safety in the workplace. A complacent worker is more easily distracted than one who’s aware of danger. Any task can be subject to distraction-related errors, but some errors will cost more than others—and some mistakes are […]