OSHA Compliance Posts

Extension cords, UL label, and “portable equipment”

If there is one device that causes more electrical issues in workplaces, it has to be electrical extension cords.  There are few audits in our 20+ years of business where we did not find multiple concerns around the use of electrical extension cords. These issues generally center around either their IMPROPER use or the cords…...

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Prevent, Protect, and Mitigate through our Hierarchy of Controls (Mixer vs Shirt video)

So much to learn from this video.  OSH practices need to understand the concept of Layers of Protection:  Prevent, Protect, and Mitigate through our Hierarchy of Controls. GUARDING to PREVENT exposure to hazardous energy, NO LOOSE clothes around power transmission devices (even well-guarded devices) to PROTECT workers, E-Stop to MITIGATE the consequences when #1 and…...

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Thorough examination and testing of LEV (UK’s HSE)

Most of us have some form of “ventilation” used as an “engineering control” in our workplaces. This is sound advice from our friends “across the pond” in the UK… Note: although they are on a different continent and at a different latitude and longitude, airborne contaminants behave the same as in other countries on this…...

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ANTI SLIP GRATING SAFETY STAIR NOSING – STEEL & COMPOSITE

I challenged a product recently on a LinkedIn post. My challenge was based on a video advertisement and caused me to question the product and what it could do to OSHA and IBC codes related to steps/stairs. One of the company reps, Rick Corbin, contacted me and gave me more information, and I stand corrected…....

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The ins and outs of PPE training

There was some legal advice given today on a social media site regarding documenting our safety training with sign-in sheets, so if OSHA ever asked for records to show an employee was “trained”, the employer would be able to show the sign-in sheet.  The advice even contained the statement: Your safety training in this respect…...

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The Heat Index is a hell of a lot more than simply “what it feels like” outside

The heat index is based on the relative humidity.  When this relative humidity is HIGH, it significantly reduces the ability of our sweat to evaporate off our skin.  This sweating and evaporation process is how our bodies are cooled.  Our Heat-Related Illness Prevention Plan’s “action temperature(s)” MUST be based on the HEAT INDEX – not the…...

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Are your Volt Meters in a preventive maintenance (PM) program? (Sweating the small stuff)

The last article for my ESRWPs series.  As I have been focused on volt meters and their proper use, this last article will discuss the necessary maintenance on these meters.  Another reason why the meters need to be provided AND maintained by the employer.  Are the meters at your facility in preventive maintenance (PM) program?…...

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OSHA Plans to Convene Small Business Panel on Heat Injury and Illness Prevention

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has notified the SBA Office of Advocacy (Advocacy) that OSHA intends to convene a Small Business Advocacy Review (SBAR) panel (commonly known as an “SBREFA” panel) on a possible “Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings” rule in the next several weeks. OSHA’s possible…...

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Don’t be confused as to OSHA’s role in an accident investigation

They are NOT there to perform a causal analysis. They are there simply to determine if one or more of its standards were violated. And in some cases, they may even issue citations that had zero to do with the event that brought them on-site. So addressing OSHA’s citations is NOT the sole path forward…...

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Fatal fire extinguisher accident

Thailand: Exploding extinguisher kills student during fire drill I always use fire extinguishers as my example when trying to explain to management how safety devices that are not maintained properly can actually pose a HAZARD. Most of us have probably had a discussion when a manager blows off fire extinguisher inspections that are not being…...

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OSHA Should Determine How to Address Persistent Hazards Exacerbated by COVID-19

In 2016 and 2017, The General Accountability Office (GAO) reported that meat and poultry workers faced multiple occupational hazards. OSHA is responsible for ensuring worker safety and health, Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is responsible for ensuring the safety of meat and poultry products, and employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces. …...

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