OSHA Compliance Posts

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…...

This is a really good case to read.  It involves light-curtains and lasers as “guarding” and the fact that they were not functioning.  One of the machines had broken a manager’s foot when he/she entered to troubleshoot a problem (LOTO citation).  The facility had put tape on the floor as an indicator rather than fixing…...

On New Year’s Eve, I hope many safety pros will choose a 2024 resolution to end the regurgitation of OSHA standards as their “written programs.” I have always used the OSHA standard as my baseline, but these programs need to EXPLAIN HOW the facility will meet the requirements – not repeat the requirements. For example……...

WAC 296-880-20005 Fall protection required at four feet or more …… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...

A state Fire Marshal published their Top 20 Violations.  Many of these are learning opportunities:   Building Exterior Address – Address numbers should be plainly visible from the street side of the property. Fire Lanes – Fire lanes are designated by the Fire Code Official. Signage for fire lanes must contain the verbiage in the…...

A chicken business processes poultry on two machines called eviscerators at its Mississippi facility. On May 31, 2021, an employee tasked with cleaning chicken parts and viscera from the eviscerators and areas around them suffered fatal injuries when he was caught in one of the machines. Following an inspection and investigation by Compliance Safety and…...

OSHA has issued a 2022 LOI discussing the use of Transmitting bulk shipment labels by technological or other means.  In the letter, OSHA addresses the use of QR Codes, which has become a very popular means of conveying information to employees.  Here are the two (2) questions OSHA addresses in its letter: Question 1: Does…...

This is why I question society’s ability to manage Oxygen deficient atmospheres in warehouses as a means of fire protection.  At 10:00 a.m. on February 7, 2023, an employee was found unresponsive in the Control Atmospheric (CA) room. The typical oxygen level when the room is active is between 1.2% to 1.6%. The room has…...

An inside look at what OSHA proposes in their Heat Injury and Illness Prevention Program (HIIPP).  This is from the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) panel. This document is meant to outline potential options for the various elements of a proposed rule. OSHA envisions a programmatic standard that could require employers to create…...