OSHA Compliance

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One of the biggest myths of OSHA compliance over the past four years is that NFPA 704 and/or HMIS are no longer valid “secondary container” labels and that these “secondary containers” labels must contain pictograms, signal word, precautionary statements, etc.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…...

Here is a look at OSHA’s Permit-required confined spaces (PRCS) compliance activity in 2017 (October 2016 – September 2017). As you can see, OSHA did 149 LOTO inspections and issued 401 citations for a total of $2,333,696 in fines.  Here is a quick breakdown of activity:… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a...

Here is a look at OSHA’s Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) compliance activity in 2017 (October 2016 – September 2017). As you can see, OSHA did 1,487 LOTO inspections (↓) and issued 2,567 citations (↓) for a total of $13,467,038 in fines (↓). 2016 numbers were 1,780 LOTO inspections and issued 3,235 citations for a total of $16,611,253 in fines.  This is the…...

Here is a look at OSHA’s Hazardous waste operations and emergency response (HAZWOPER) compliance activity in 2017 (October 2019 – September 2017). As you can see, OSHA did 24 HAZWOPER inspections and issued only 41 citations for a total of $148,221 in fines.  This is the SETTLED amount and NOT the initial citations. Here is a quick…...