At 3:40 a.m. on November 29, 1988, the Kansas City, MO Fire Department received an alarm indicating there was a fire at a highway construction project. The dispatcher directed Pumper 41 to respond to the truck fire. He added: “Pumper 41, use caution on your call. There’s information there may be explosives. It’s in a…...
Why Does OSHA Require Retention of Placards? (1910.1201) Read More »
I have to admit that this transition from the old HAZCOM to this Globally Harmonized Hazcom Standard has been a bumpy ride over the past 4-5 years. I have had to correct postings a couple of times with some help from my friends at OSHA and NFPA. But there is one thing that I…...
This is a very good case on machine guarding (1910.212) application. Employees routinely reached under a set of doors that were interlocked to clear a jam. One day and employee reached too far and lost his finger tip. OSHA cited 1910.212(a)(3)(ii) and the commission upheld it. The reason why this case is so solid for…...
OSHRC upholds citation for employee(s) reaching under interlocked doors/guards Read More »
November 10, 2016 MEMORANDUM FOR: REGIONAL ADMINISTRATORS STATE DESIGNEES THROUGH: DOROTHY DOUGHERTY …...
On December 19, 2016, OSHA issued a final rule titled, “Clarification of Employer’s Continuing Obligation to Make and Maintain an Accurate Record of Each Recordable Injury and Illness.” See 81 FR 91792. The final rule, which became effective on January 18, 2017, resulted in various amendments to OSHA’s recordkeeping regulations clarifying that the duty to make…...
I normally do not follow or write about Construction related safety matters as it is not an area I have a lot of experience, but this decision caught my attention because next month (May 2017) OSHA’s new General Industry Fall Protection standards take hold and some of the issues in this case will be dealt…...
U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 4,440 structure fires involving hot work per year. These fires caused an average of 12 civilian deaths, 208 civilian injuries and $287 million in direct property damage per year. From 2001-2015, five firefighters were fatally injured in four unintentional fires started by torches. Forty-two percent of the fires…...
HOT WORK Statistics (NFPA Research) Read More »
The purpose of this instruction is to continue a Regional Emphasis Program to reduce workplace exposures to safety hazards associated in the Auto Parts Supplier Industry. The Notice applies to Atlanta East, Atlanta West, Birmingham, Jackson, and Mobile Area Offices. During FY-16, Region IV conducted 46 inspections coded under the REP. One hundred and forty-three…...
Here is an EXCEL spreadsheet with the “Severe Injuries” reported to OSHA from 1/1/2015 through 9/30/2016. These reports make great content for safety discussions and awareness efforts. You can sort by Hospitalized, Amputation, Injury Nature, Part of Body, Source, Secondary Source. You can also download the full data sheet from OSHA. CLICK HERE (.xls) to download my revised spreadsheet…. Membership Required You...
Severe Injury Reports from 1/1/2015 through 9/30/2016 (OSHA) Read More »
Much like the Emergency Action Plan (EAP) requirements, a WRITTEN FPP is ONLY required when your business/facility falls under some other OSHA standard. And in the case of FPPs, there are ONLY three (3) OSHA standards requiring a FPP: Ethylene Oxide, 1910.1047 Methylenedianiline – 1910.1050 1,3-Butadiene – 1910.1051 Here is a nice flowchart from OSHA…...
Am I required to have a Fire Prevention Plan (FPP)? (1910.39) Read More »
On April 11, 2014, OSHA promulgated a final rule revising the general industry and construction standards for work on electric power generation, transmission and distribution installations. On February 13, 2015, OSHA entered into a settlement agreement with the Edison Electric Institute, the Utility Line Clearance Coalition, and the Tree Care Industry Association resolving legal challenges…...
This case is yet another example of how “legal” and “safety” can be so far apart from each other. This case was won by the company because OSHA did a horrible job in defending their citation; and yet, it will become ammo for companies to use in future cases. Let’s not fool ourselves into believing…...
