OSHA has cited a petroleum tank services contractor for exposing workers to chemical and respiratory hazards after an employee was fatally exposed to benzene and toluene when they entered a fuel storage tank in July 2025. Investigators cited the company with 12 serious violations for failing to develop and implement a written permit-required space entry […]
Question 1: To what extent does OSHA’s Respiratory Protection standard, at 29 CFR § 1910.134(e), require that the PLHCP’s medical evaluation for respirator use include consideration of factors beyond respiratory protection that affect fitness to safely perform the expected job tasks while wearing a respirator? Question 2: Is there a reasonable expectation that the employer
The Safety Champions Program (SCP) assists employers in developing and implementing a robust safety and health program (SHP). The main goal of safety and health programs is to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths, as well as the suffering and financial hardship these events can cause for workers, their families, and employers. The SCP is
OSHA has cited a Florida plumbing, heating, and air conditioning contractor for exposing workers to struck-by hazards after an employee suffered a fatal injury at a Bal Harbor Shops worksite in August 2025. OSHA found that on Aug. 28, 2025, a pipefitter installing a new air-conditioning system for a mall expansion construction project was fatally
Hearing protector fit testing (HPFT) is a critical advancement in workplace hearing conservation and is recognized as a best practice (OSHA et al., 2008; OSHA, 2017). HPFT is not required under OSHA’s Occupational Noise Exposure standards (29 CFR 1910.95; 29 CFR 1926.52), but can be a valuable training tool for workers. HPFT measures the amount
I have written about this incident a couple of times, as it is full of learning opportunities. The biggest of which is the practice of REDUCING PPE after the initial opening was uneventful, and we have “verified” our positive means of isolation is holding. This is a common practice for long-duration jobs and plays a
Episode 295 with Bryan Haywood focuses on how to manage complex lockout/tagout (LOTO)—the kind of hazardous‑energy control work that goes far beyond a simple disconnect. The episode highlights why complex LOTO requires deeper planning, stronger coordination, and more rigorous verification than standard procedures. https://www.podbean.com/pw/pbblog-tnwgq-bbdaf4
NOTE: Please read my posts on Car Seal Programs, as this incident could have been prevented with a properly implemented program. A production worker and USW member was found unresponsive by a co-worker shortly after beginning work in a powder coating spray booth. The co-worker called for first responders, who immediately removed the worker’s supplied-air
Many have seen a gauge such as the one below. It will be on an Acetylene Cylinder. But how many know why the gauge scale is RED in color from 15 psig and higher?
What PPE do you wear for a leak behind this door? What is the primary hazard that causes you the most concern? We see so many failures with the NFPA 704 Diamond. From them being applied as a square, rather than a diamond. We see them applied upside down. We see numbers larger than 4.
The prevention program requirements under 40 CFR Part 68, Subparts C and D, include hazard reviews and process hazard analyses. Is a hazard review synonymous with a process hazard analysis (PHA)? No. A hazard review is different from a PHA. A hazard review is part of the Program 2 prevention program (40 CFR §68.50).
Prayers and RIP After all the media reporting, it seems this was NOT a PRCS incident. OSHA mentions a “pump room” and they failed to issue any PRCS citations so my best guess is this was NOT a PRCS incident. But this was another H2S exposure incident which claimed six (6) lives. OSHA has cited
