OSHA Compliance

Industry petitioned for review of five issues: whether substantial evidence supports OSHA’s finding that limiting workers’ silica exposure to the level set by the Rule reduces a significant risk of material health impairment; whether substantial evidence supports OSHA’s finding that the Rule is technologically feasible for the foundry, hydraulic fracturing, and construction industries; whether substantial…...

On February 8, 2017, @ 11:15 a.m.three (3) contractors were climbing down from an elevated pipe rack. As they were climbing down, the stainless steel “Foul Condensate” tank exploded, striking the workers and tossing their bodies 200 yards from the explosion. All three workers were killed.  OSHA issues five (5) Serious Citations releated to Hot…...

OSHA and a grain handling company have signed a comprehensive settlement requiring the company to implement safeguards, training, and audit procedures at its 20 grain handling facilities in six states. The agreement resolves contested citations issued by OSHA in April 2012 after six individuals were killed and two injured as a result of an Oct…....

Out of 250 inspections in 2016 where this was looked at, 1910.242 was cited 253 times for $589,704.  For something so simple, that is some crazy money!!!  So what does 1910.242(b) require: Compressed air used for cleaning. Compressed air shall not be used for cleaning purposes except where reduced to less than 30 p.s.i. and then…...

When OSHA adopted the UN’s Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) workplaces probably saw the biggest change in workplace safety that we have seen since the PSM standard.  One of the biggest changes came with the new Safety Data Sheet (SDS) format and for some reason, many “responsible parties” felt the need…...

One of the biggest myths of OSHA compliance over the past four years is that NFPA 704 and/or HMIS are no longer valid “secondary container” labels and that these “secondary containers” labels must contain pictograms, signal word, precautionary statements, etc. Companies and businesses have been sold a pile of @#$%! in order to spend millions…...

An IN automotive manufacturing facility has been fined $224,000 by the Indiana – OSHA for five alleged safety violations following the death of an employee in October. A female worker, 44, died after an incident with a machine at the plant on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017. The preliminary cause of her death was ruled multiple…...

I am curious to know how other facilities manage this situation.  Having been a FPE for several years in my career, I grew up learning that if there is one “sacred rule” regarding hot work it is that Hot Work is NEVER EVER done when the sprinkler system is out of service.  It was one…...

This week OSHA posted a new batch of 2017 propane/LPG accident summaries and investigations.  These are always handy when trying to raise awareness, educate, and change the hearts and minds of employees.  … Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...

Both the construction and general industry standards have identical requirements when it comes to storing oxygen cylinders and flammable gas cylinders. Here is the construction industry requirement: 1926.350(a)(10) Oxygen cylinders in storage shall be separated from fuel-gas cylinders or combustible materials (especially oil or grease), a minimum distance of 20 feet (6.1 m) or by a noncombustible…...

Last month I posted the annual OSHA enforcement activity regarding 1910.146, as well as I posted an update on the 2-year anniversary of OSHA’s 1926 Subpart AA – Confined Spaces in Construction.  Both posts got a lot of discussions started, but the update on the 2-year anniversary of OSHA’s 1926 Subpart AA – Confined Spaces in Construction and how…...