Practical EHS Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
Housekeeping is a task that often takes a back seat to other jobs that seem more pressing and important. But good housekeeping is important, too. It helps ensure a safer workplace. Remember the old saying, "A place for everything and everything in its place"? Well, there’s a lot of truth to that dictum, especially at […]
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)] […]
Are you ready for a severe emergency? Many businesses aren’t adequately prepared and as a result 40% of businesses affected by a disaster never reopen. Fires and explosions impact some 70,000 U.S. businesses and cause 200 employee fatalities each year. Other emergencies such as natural disasters, chemical spills, and incidents of workplace violence also take […]
In order to use safety signs and tags effectively in your facility and remain in compliance with the OSHA regulations, be sure to take these 7 basic steps. Identify all hazards. The first step, of course, is to identify all the potential hazards in all parts of your facility. This includes office and industrial areas […]
Safety signage in the workplace prevents accidents and injuries. Make sure your signs and tags do the job. You’ve seen the signs—the ones that say important things like “Bridge Out” or “Wrong Way”—but somehow the cartoon and movie characters miss them because the signs are overgrown with brush, blown over by the wind, or otherwise […]
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 […]
Because of the many hazards associated with confined spaces and the potential for fatal accidents, OSHA requires employers to have a confined-space rescue procedure. Whether the rescue team is internal or external, members of the team must understand how to help victims inside the space during emergencies and get them out safely. Once the rescue […]