A lot is going on with HAZCOM this year and the biggest activity is the conversion from the old MSDSs to the new 16 section format for the SDSs. OSHA recently issued a LOI to clarify the the compliance date… Question: When is an employer required to replace their MSDS collection with revised SDSs in…...
OSHA’s Clarification on effective date of SDSs replacing MSDSs Read More »
OSHA issued a memorandum to its Regional Administrators and State Designees on 12/242014. The memorandum provides Area Offices with guidance on when an on-site inspection is warranted. OSHA has divided injury and illness reports into three categories. OSHA will inspect facilities that report an injury or illness that falls into one of the first two…...
OSHA Hospitalization, Amputations Reporting Inspection triggers Read More »
UPDATED with another week of data… Have you ever wondered just how busy is OSHA? How many inspections does OSHA do in a single month? What are they working on? Who are they visiting? Why are they visiting certain workplaces and not others? Are they “picking on any one”? etc. Well I have a look…...
Whats OSHA been up to for the past month? Read More »
Last year (2014) SAFTENG was asked to perform an assessment on several brewers to ensure compliance with OSHA standards, specifically in regards to Permit Required Confined Spaces. This review was brought on largely due to the 2013 confined space accident in Mexico which claimed the lives of seven (7) workers. We still do not know…...
ATTENTION BREWERS… Check your PRCS and HAZCOM practices! Read More »
3/10/2015 UPDATE: The Edison Electric Institute (EEI), the Utility Line Clearance Coalition (ULCC), and the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) have negotiated a settlement with OSHA on the compliance dates for this new standard. CLICK HERE for the official agreement. OSHA has revised the construction standard for electric power line work to make it more consistent…...
In a previous article I posted the Fire Watch requirements found in OSHA, NFPA, and some state Fire Codes; however, the one critical path that is high on our list of findings during audits is the method of extinguishing the fire watch is provided. We have, on many occasions, found fire extinguishers that had not…...
Does it matter what type and size fire extinguisher my Fire Watch is equipped with? Read More »
Fire watches are usually the youngest and lowest paid crew member on the job. But why is this? After all they are the difference between a job done safely and the potential loss of an entire business. Most people think hotwork fires are rare – and they would be WRONG! Anyone who subscribes to my…...
When is a Fire Watch actually required? Read More »
In just about all our audits, we get this question. We all know that OSHA requires us to maintain our PRCS Entry Permits for one year to be used in our annual program review, but they do not mention HW permit retention. We always advise maintaining HW permits on a rolling 12-month schedule; however, at…...
How long do you keep your hotwork permits? Read More »
Facilities that have qualified electrical workers MUST have glove testing/replacement program and most do; however, there is always the question as to “when does the clock start on the testing frequency”? Gloves that have been issued AND removed from their packaging the clock starts right away; however, gloves that remain in the manufacturer’s packaging the…...
Rubber insulating gloves periodic electrical tests – REQUIRED frequency Read More »
There have been millions of dollars spent over the past decade on Arc Flash Analysis. And although I am one who spent some of that money because I believe in their value, I am asked often if this costly analysis is actually required. Most facilities have hired an electrical expert to perform a very detailed…...
We have been seeing a lot of companies requiring all workers to wear high visibility vests in all areas of their facility. Most of these vests are made of synthetic materials and this brings about my concerns. SAFTENG has recently been at three different facilities where we have witnessed welders and electrical workers wearing these…...
High Visibility Vest – Hotwork & Electrical Work Read More »
Mere months after two employees were injured by dangerous machines, the facility again put workers at risk. Acting on a complaint, OSHA found workers unjamming and servicing machines without proper safeguards during an Aug. 25, 2014, inspection. This is the fourth time in the past year that the facility has been cited for hazards at…...
OSHA LOTO Citations @ food box manufacturer ($122,500) Read More »
