This past week I worked with a client who’s safety contact is the HR manager and we had several discussions about OSHA’s revised recordkeeping requirements and all the recent reporting changes. One thing I noticed is that ALL MANUFACTURING facilities are considered “high risk” and are on the list of NAICS’s number that must report. So the […]
For years, NFPA 70, the “National Electric Code” has exempted Engine Rooms/Mechanical Rooms for refrigeration processes using Anhydrous Ammonia from having to be Electrically Classified Hazardous Locations (HAZLOC) as long as the room had “adequate ventilation”. The exemption in NFPA 70 has always been sort of vague and referenced the ventilation requirements in ANSI/ASHRAE 15-1994, Safety
Recently at a Compliance Assistance conference, OH-EPA presented on EPA’s Risk Management Plan and revealed some interesting data. One thing to state up front is that Ohio EPA is one of thirteen (13) states that has been delegated to enforce 40 CFR Part 68 within the state of Ohio. With that comes a snap shot
As part of the agency’s national emphasis program for chemical facilities, OSHA inspected the company on Feb. 6, 2016, and found multiple violations of federal process safety management regulations, including not developing set written procedures for maintaining process equipment, which resulted in repeat violations. In addition, OSHA issued citations for serious violations for the following:
EPA has announced it will increase efforts to prevent catastrophic accidents and explosions that threaten employees and emergency responders and release chemicals that threaten human health and the environment in neighboring communities. EPA selects National Enforcement Initiatives (NEIs) every three years to focus resources on national environmental problems where there is significant non-compliance with laws, and where
Holy cow batman, have we really come to this in the safety profession?!?!?! An apprentice is crushed to death while standing inside (or technically under) a “machine” looking at some fans he was going to be working on, while the facility technician was performing the LOTO on “the machine”. To get this “machine” to the
The state of IL has passed some Anhydrous Ammonia (NH3) regulations that will require retail Ag fertilizer businesses to:
In November 2015, Congress enacted legislation requiring federal agencies to adjust their civil penalties to account for inflation. The Department of Labor is adjusting penalties for its agencies, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA’s maximum penalties, which were last adjusted in 1990, will increase by 78%. Going forward, the agency will continue
With all pun intended, this is a REAL speed limit sign with solar panel and a digital readout that was run over, we are pretty sure intentionally, at a plant. Speed was a concern on this road within the facility so HR and management wanted to “provide feedback” so that people knew they were speeding.
