British Columbia’s new First Aid Amendments to the Occupational Health and Safety Regulation relating to occupational first aid took effect November 1, 2024. These new rules/approaches to first aid are something we should all celebrate. They are a true “performance-oriented” approach to establishing the level of first Aid needed, as well as the level of…...
An investigation into an industrial explosion at an oil and gas facility has led to significant fines being laid by WorkSafe BC. A contractor who handles oilfield waste, has been ordered to pay just over $42,000 for safety violations. Two welders, working directly above a fluid tank, were injured after an explosion inside a shaker…...
What GAO Found Three (3) major hazards caused most of the injuries and illnesses in general warehousing (which includes e-commerce warehouses) and the companies that deliver these orders to consumers (“last-mile delivery”), according to Bureau of Statistics (BLS) data. Overexertion and bodily reaction, the most common hazard (see figure), can cause musculoskeletal disorders, such as…...
The following is a brief description of the collection of information requirements contained in the 13 Carcinogens Standard: Further, employers must retain worker medical records for specified time periods and make them available upon request to OSHA and NIOSH…. Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log...
13 Carcinogens Standard (29 CFR 1910.1003) specifies several paperwork requirements Read More »
In a 2024 LOI, OSHA reiterated its position that an Eyewash (EW) station must be capable of delivering 15 minutes of water flow. This means these EW bottles are NOT an “approved” EW station. Even the double barrel wall mount with two (2) squirt bottles does not meet the minimum flow rates. However, OSHA has…...
OSHA reiterates the 15-minute flow requirement for eyewash stations Read More »
OSHA will not issue citations to an employer that properly uses a non-metal guard so long as the guard is constructed of a substantial and suitable material. OSHA standard, 29 CFR § 1910.219(m)(1)(i) states: Standard conditions shall be secured by the use of the following materials. Expanded metal, perforated or solid sheet metal, wire mesh…...
To be clear, I can’t entirely agree with Alaska OSHRC’s decision to dismiss the OSHA citation. But I am also tired of the blanketing workplaces with hi-vis gear that is NO LONGER “highly visible” or “reflective.” These vests and other HI-VIS gear are used WAY beyond their intended life cycle, making safety a highly visible…...
Are “reflective vests” a piece of PPE covered by 1910.132? Read More »
October 15, 2024 MEMORANDUM FOR: REGIONAL ADMINISTRATORS STATE DESIGNEES THROUGH: AMANDA L. EDENS, Deputy Assistant Secretary FROM: SCOTT C. KETCHAM, Director Directorate of Enforcement Programs SUBJECT: Inspection Guidance for Animal Slaughtering and Processing Establishments This memorandum establishes guidance for inspections conducted in all animal slaughtering and processing establishments, North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 3116,…...
Inspection Guidance for Animal Slaughtering and Processing Establishments Read More »
A Proposed Rule by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration on 08/30/2024 OSHA is proposing to issue a new standard, titled “Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings”. The standard would apply to all employers conducting outdoor and indoor work in all general industry, construction, maritime, and agriculture sectors where OSHA…...
OSHA proposed Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings Read More »
One of the quandaries I find with the “Safe HW Area” approach is those areas that are actually set up as weld shops with all the bells and whistles we want in welding shops, such as ventilation to control exposures resulting from welding, cutting, and grinding. For example… 1910.252(a)(2)(viii) Ducts, requires that any ducts and/or…...
Do you have long-term authorized Hot Work areas? Read More »
Sometimes, this government wears me out. A friend and I had this discussion last week about Chemical Container Labeling. The standard is VERY CLEAR (for those who take the time to read it). It comes down to the following: 1910.1200(f)(1) Labels on shipped containers vs 1910.1200(f)(6) Workplace labeling So the first sentence in OSHA’s newest…...
OSHA’s newest Quick Card on HAZCOM labeling is WRONG Read More »
OSHA’s current age-correction table, Appendix F, discontinues at age 60. More people are working into their sixties instead of retiring, and there is no adequate way to assess presbycusis (age-related hearing loss) in these workers using the current OSHA table. OSHA’s age-correction tables were based on a small sample size and research from the 1970’s…....
