In my line of work, I deal with a lot of fire departments. It almost never fails that I am told at least once while on scene that “all that OSHA stuff don’t apply to us”. In many cases this is a true statement; however, EPA has adopted OSHA’s Hazwoper standard (1910.120) and will enforce…...
A fundamental requirement of using respirators is NO facial hair that could interfere with the respirator’s operation or the respirator’s fit. OSHA states: 1910.134(g)(1)(i) The employer shall not permit respirators with tight-fitting facepieces to be worn by employees who have: 1910.134(g)(1)(i)(A) Facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the facepiece and the face…...
Does your workplace use the handi-wipes for cleaning respirators? Do you feel this is compliant? After all it is a very common practice and how could it be so widely used if it is not compliant?????… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...
Several recent accidents with fatal outcomes occurring during the discharge of logs and wood chips from ships in Swedish ports indicate the need to understand better the atmospheric conditions in holds and connecting stairways. The principal aim of the present study was to assess the air levels of oxygen and toxic gases in confined spaces…...
A post I made on another board about a discussion on what makes an ATM hazardous…… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...
It appears we may be blending 1910.146(c)(5) and (c)(7) in our attempt to reclassify a PRCS to a non-permit status. We must follow (c)(7) in our reclassification efforts. It does sound as if our PRCS may be able to be reclassified; however, I am not familiar with the type of space or specific situation. OSHA…...
A space is a CONFINED SPACE when ALL THREE (3) of the following characteristics are true about the space: Once you have determined the space is a CONFINED SPACE, the next step is to determine if your CONFINED SPACE has at least ONE (1) of the following hazards that would elevate it to the status…...
A post I made in regards to “Fall hazards being part of a hazard making a space a PRCS” Falls are NOT considered to be a hazard for consideration in evaluating a “confined space” for hazards that would make it a Permit-Required Confined Space. See the MEMORANDUM FOR:… Membership Required You must be a member...
OSHA does have an exception to “consumer products” in regard to what has to be in the HAZCOM program. For example, Windex would be excluded if the quantities used on site are that of what a consumer would use. So, if you have a few bottles of Windex in janitorial closets, you do not need…...
Each year, HAZCOM is OSHA’s most often cited standard, and many of us would agree that a HAZCOM program is like the “A” of the ABCs of safety. However, we often see programs that are not up to 100% compliant. Here are the OSHA requirements for our written program. Does your program meet these? In…...
OSHA has clearly established that hotwork can not take place in the presence of combustible dusts. 1910.252(a)(2)(vi) Prohibited areas. Cutting or welding shall not be permitted in the following situations:… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...
We continue to see facility’s struggling with the basics of hot work safety. Most of these businesses are self insured and therefore do not have the extra set of eyes from their insurance carrier from time to time. But all do have catastrophic insurance and I am amazed that these carriers do not expect more…....
