Practical EHS Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
If you’ve ever had a cold, you know that terrible misery can come in microscopic packages. What you may not realize is that infectious biological agents like influenza and the cold virus are not the only extremely tiny hazards workers may face. Particles that fall into the “billionths of a meter” size—nanomaterials—may also be affecting […]
Yesterday, we looked at substances that can cause or aggravate asthma that are often found in the work environment—both where they are being manufactured and also at the point of use. We also identified some industries in which exposure to asthmagens—asthma-causing chemicals—might be of greatest concern. Today, we’ll look at strategies employers can use to […]
Every day in America, 30,000 people suffer an asthma attack. Five thousand of them go to the emergency room, 1,000 are admitted to the hospital—and 11 will die. Although those numbers include asthma sufferers of all ages—children are especially susceptible to asthma-causing chemicals—a significant number are workers. As many as 15 percent of adults develop […]
Methylene chloride (also called dichloromethane) is a solvent with many uses, including paint stripping, polyurethane foam manufacturing, and cleaning and degreasing. You might not think that a chemical you can buy at your local home improvement store for use at home would be all that dangerous, but don’t be fooled. Methylene chloride is hazardous enough […]
Today’s Advisor provides an inspirational example of the positive difference professional trainers can make on future generations in their communities and their industries.
Safety is serious business. So why has OSHA created a game about workplace hazards?
Here are four key questions about workplace safety and health programs, with answers provided by OSHA.
Yesterday, we describe eight elements that must be included in chemical hygiene plans. Today, we review more facts about the plans required under OSHA’s lab standard. OSHA’s Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories Standard (29 CFR 1910.1450) applies to all laboratories that use hazardous chemicals on a laboratory scale. A laboratory is defined as […]
When flammable liquids are involved, the risks are high, and everyone needs to be trained to follow required safety procedures. According to the hazard communication standard (29 CFR 1910.1200), you must train employees who are or may be exposed to flammable liquids to work safely with these substances. Supervisors should also be trained to maintain […]
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 […]