Key changes to the 2024 IFC
Today, we get a glimpse of the key changes to the 2024 International Fire Code (IFC):… Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...
20 COMMON FIRE CODE VIOLATIONS CHECKLIST
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…...
The State of OH updates it’s “Battery Storage” Code
A useful baseline for any business that is in the charging and storage of batteries. Storage Batteries Ohio Administrative Code (4123:1) Effective: September 1, 2023 (A) Battery charging areas will be designated for that purpose. (B) Employees will be instructed that: (1) When charging batteries, acid will be poured into water; water will not…...
Dangers of Turkey Fryers
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Fatality @ chicken processing plant confirms the application of 1910.145 and 1910.212 (OSHRC)
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…...
Taking the “Leap of Faith” from TRIR/DART into Leading Indicators
WOW, my article earlier this week on the flaws of the TRIR formula stirred a passionate debate among several SAFTENG members/clients/friends. But from that debate, they now can see what their future safety metrics could look like. I always get the following response (and it is a very legitimate response)… If measuring the TRIR and…...
Total Recordable Injury Rate (TRIR) calculation flaw – Don’t drink the Koolaid!
As 2023 draws to an end, businesses across this great nation will be tallying their injury rates for bragging rights compared to other business locations, competitors, etc. It is a 50+ year tradition for many of these businesses. However, I wonder if this tradition would continue if they genuinely understood how flawed their calculation is. …...
CPSC Proposes Rule to Establish Safety Standard for Residential Gas Furnaces and Boilers
On October 25, 2023, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published a proposed rule to establish a safety standard for residential gas furnaces and boilers. In the proposed rule, CPSC announces its preliminary determination that these products pose an unreasonable risk of injury and death. Therefore, CPSC’s proposed rule would require all residential gas…...
Managing Risks from trichloroethylene (TCE)
In October 2023, EPA proposed to ban the manufacture (including import), processing, and distribution in commerce of TCE for all uses, with longer compliance timeframes and workplace controls (including an exposure limit) for some processing and industrial and commercial uses until the prohibitions come into effect. The rule would protect consumers, workers, occupational non-users and…...
Types of Information Relevant for Response Planning
The Risk Management Program emergency response coordination activities require the owner and operator of a stationary source to provide to the local emergency planning and response organizations: the stationary source’s emergency response plan if one exists; emergency action plan; updated emergency contact information; and any other information that local emergency planning and response organizations identify…...
Safety Thought of the Week… we need a sympathetic attitude towards people
If we wish to find out why accidents occurred and find ways of preventing them from happening again, we need a sympathetic attitude towards people who have committed so-called violations, have made slips, had lapses of attention, or not learnt what their training was supposed to teach them. It is a small price and is…...
OSHRC discusses LOTO application on cord-and-plug equipment and the difference between “troubleshooting” and “cleaning”
NOTE: I totally disagree with this ALJ decision; however, I give him much credit as I listened to the witnesses and followed the evidence he had presented. This amputation injury was a LOTO violation in my eyes, and I would have argued this case differently. But here are the facts presented to the Judge: what…...