Practical EHS Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
A good spring cleaning can enhance safety in your workplace if it’s done with an eye to eliminating hazards. Spring cleaning is an annual ritual that coincides with warmer weather and the ability to open up homes that were tightly battened down against the winter’s chill. The idea of an annual cleaning binge is useful […]
OSHA’s flammable liquids standard (29 CFR 1910.106) explains what these substances are and how to store and use them safely Since the primary hazards associated with flammable liquids are explosion and fire, the standard emphasizes construction and location of storage areas for flammable liquids to prevent buildup of hazardous vapors as well as procedures to […]
Yesterday, we outlined the steps in the process of transitioning to safer chemicals. Today, we review reasons why using safer chemicals whenever possible is a good idea. American workers use tens of thousands of chemicals every day. While many of these chemicals are suspected of being harmful, only a small number are regulated in the […]
Safety audits help identify hazards, set safety and health goals, and prevent accidents. Before conducting an audit, though, you need to address some practical and legal considerations. How much will the audit cost?A comprehensive safety and health audit can involve a significant investment of resources. Control audit expenses by asking: Do I need a consultant?Unless […]
The importance of good housekeeping to your overall operation may not be incorporated into the company’s policy or work rules, but it should at least be firmly planted in everyone’s consciousness—from the CEO to the newest hire. A clean, neat, and orderly workplace not only contributes to the health and safety of employees but also […]
The design requirements for exit routes are found in 29 CFR 1910.36. Here’s a quick look at the basic requirements. Is each exit a permanent part of your facility? [1910.36(a)(1)] Do the construction materials used to separate exits have at least a one-hour fire resistance rating if the exit connects three stories or less? [1910.36(a)(2)] […]
OSHA has many requirements for confined spaces training, but compliance doesn’t have to be difficult. Permit-required confined space training must include three key issues: Nature of the hazards Actions to take when exposed to hazards How to arrange for a rescue So says Michael Lawrence, principal of Summit Safety Technologies (Long Beach, CA), accomplished safety […]
Some experts believe that more people may suffer from indoor air pollution than outdoor air pollution. How about your employees? Most Americans spend about 90 percent of their time indoors. Poor indoor air quality can cause all kinds of ailments and discomforts, including many that can mimic symptoms of allergies, stress, colds, and flu. Indoor […]
Falls are a leading cause of workplace injury and death. Fall protection also routinely makes OSHA’s Top 10 Violations list every year. Employees fall for many reasons: unstable working surfaces, improperly positioned ladders, misuse of fall protection, and unprotected sides and edges of working surfaces. OSHA says that you must set up your worksite to […]
Here’s a quick review of OSHA’s rulemaking plans for 2014 and what they might mean for you and your company The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) says that the regulations OSHA will be pursuing in 2014 are part of a plan/prevent/protect approach, "designed to ensure employers and other regulated entities are in full compliance with […]