We visit 25-30 facilities each year, with about 15% of those being first-time and last-time visits! And man-o-man, we see some crazy things. I may have unreasonable expectations of safety, but complying with OSHA standards that have been on the books for 50+ years should not be a battle we are still fighting today. Take […]
On March 1, 2024, a miner died after a metal slurry pipe struck him. The miner was removing the last bolt connecting two metal slurry pipes when the pipe broke free and swung in his direction. Best Practices • Prevent miners from positioning themselves in a manner that will expose them to hazards while performing
Yes. OSHA’s standards at 29 CFR § 1910.212 and 29 CFR § 1910.219 apply to the safeguarding of machines and mechanical power-transmission equipment and require guarding to protect the operator and other employees in the area from hazards such as those created by ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips, and sparks. In regard to
NOTE: I have never managed a facility/workforce where we required Hi-Vis garments, except for Fire Watches and PRCS Entry Attendants, but those requirements were not for the user’s safety, so we did not get into all the ANSI requirements for these vests. However, I do equate this Hi-Vis effectiveness concern to what I dealt with
I will use one of the last tests when a facility has hit home runs in managing its Hazardous Communications program. They are great with their container labeling, pipe labeling, training, etc. They even could provide an SDS for all their significant chemicals; however, only a tiny percentage of these facilities can do this…
Yes, ASME B31.3 requires volumetric testing (like x-ray) for piping welds, but the specific percentage of welds that must be examined is determined entirely by the “Fluid Service Category” designated by the system owner. Examination Percentages by Category
This is an interesting “press release” from OSHA. Although OSHA has a “policy” not to use audits and inspections performed within the facility to issue citations against, when the employer does NOT address the hazards identified in the inspections and audits, OSHA can take issue with this failure to abate. This is what seems to
Your letter discusses concerns with the safety of compressed gas cylinders on some types of portable carts configured for “in use” or “connected for use.” Specifically, you mention that cylinders, which are top heavy and therefore can be unstable (unbalanced), are commonly found poorly secured to the cart and leave the cylinders susceptible to toppling
OSHA answers the following questions as they relate to 1910.178 Powered Industrial Trucks Does OSHA standard 29 CFR 1910.178 apply to the following equipment: A vehicle designed to convey both personnel and equipment, such as welding equipment (Pack Mule Industrial Electric Vehicle: Models covered: SC-775, SCT-7750); Motorized shopping cart trolley/collector (Dane Technologies, QuicKART: Models covered:
OSHA has posted a Letter of Interpretation (LOI) regarding “industrial markers containing liquid paint or ink. ” Here are the four (4) questions OSHA answers: Question 1: Can an industrial isopropyl alcohol (IPA) or ethyl acetate (EA) based marker containing 10 milliliters (ml) of liquid paint or ink be considered an article per paragraph 1910.1200(c)
As we have discussed many times in the SAFTENG social media groups, there seems to be an increase in catastrophic fires associated with large-scale construction. The IFC is attempting to address these devastating losses through some new code requirements in CHAPTER 33 FIRE SAFETY DURING CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION. The code requires a site safety plan
This weekend, we witnessed football helmets failing upon impact due to the frigid temperatures. Sadly, these failures were accepted, and play continued! But this brings about the logical question: How cold can it get before my hard hat (HH) fails when struck by a falling object? Most HH manufacturers will advertise the maximum temperature at
