Practical EHS Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
Asbestos fibers are tough, flexible, heat- and fire-resistant, and it provides effective insulation and soundproofing. Typically, it may be found in ceiling and floor tiles, insulation materials, in car brake and clutch linings, and in heat-resistant clothing. When the fibers stay bonded together, asbestos is safe. Make your employees aware of asbestos and its potential […]
According to OSHA, “Management needs to be receptive to potential concerns and complaints and train workers on how to identify and report air quality concerns.” If employees have issues, it’s the job of leaders to assess the situation and take corrective action. Building owners and managers should develop and implement an IAQ management plan to […]
What are the causes of unhealthful air? What are the effects on worker health and productivity? What can you do to reduce the risk? Would cleaner, greener building might also save you money? What Is IAQ? IAQ is the quality of the air inside buildings as represented by concentrations of pollutants and thermal conditions like […]
Many times it’s because workers in areas with many chemicals are tempted to store chemicals alphabetically by common name to make them easy to find—but this is very dangerous practice. Here are a few tips for safe chemical storage: Always store minimum quantities, as specified by OSHA. Purchase chemicals in smallest quantities needed. Inventory chemicals […]
OSHA likes the idea too–as long as employees have immediate access. “Immediate access” means that, in emergencies, the MSDS should be available during the workshift when it was requested. In nonemergencies, it should be available by the next workshift at the latest. Your electronic MSDS system should be: Reliable. Electronic systems must provide reliable access […]
Does EPA have any guidance for EPCRA Tier II reporting for tenant leased spaces? Who is responsible for reporting – the building owner or the tenant who has the hazardous chemicals in the leased space? We are not aware of any EPA guidance documents per se concerning Tier II reporting for leased spaces. However, EPA […]
Surprise! Don’t get caught without the necessary records in the event of a surprise EPA or state agency inspection. Here are some tips for getting and keeping your records organized. Employee training records should be filed by date and topic. In an effort to keep employee records organized, most supervisors put employee training records in […]
Dos DO talk to your legal counsel before destroying any records. Although federal and state law may require record retention for only a specific period (usually 3 to 5 years), DO talk to your legal counsel before destroying any records. For example, environmental experts advise that biennial reports be kept indefinitely as these reports provide […]
Notwithstanding the complexity inherent in the phrase closed container, managers must be confident that they understand what must be done with the hazwaste containers at their facilities to ensure that a state or federal inspector will have no doubt that the regulations are being met. Keep in mind that containers in which hazwastes are held […]
OSHA has cited contractor MJ Scoville Inc. for violations at a Binghamton, NY demolition site. The $52,500 in proposed fines stemmed from 9 violations, most of which were for fall and lead hazards. Employees at MJ Scoville worked in conditions that exposed them to falls of up to 40 feet without fall protection, reported OSHA […]