I challenged a product recently on a LinkedIn post. My challenge was based on a video advertisement and caused me to question the product and what it could do to OSHA and IBC codes related to steps/stairs. One of the company reps, Rick Corbin, contacted me and gave me more information, and I stand corrected…....
ANTI SLIP GRATING SAFETY STAIR NOSING – STEEL & COMPOSITE Read More »
At 11:09 a.m. on December 19, 2022, an HVAC contractor was installing a heating unit when a coworker operating a scissor lift struck a NH3 pipe/valve that caused a release of ammonia. The contractor, 68, was overcome by ammonia and died. The lift operator was hospitalized for treatment for his exposure to ammonia…. Membership Required...
HVAC Contractor’s Scissor Lift causes NH3 release & fatality Read More »
One of the audit findings that we believe to be an essential requirement certainly raises many folks’ blood pressure. We get accused of “piling on” when we write up findings in our OSH and PSM/RMP audits regarding the incorrect testing of a facility’s employee alarm system(s). And we use OSHA’s requirements, which are actually quite…...
Testing your unsupervised fire alarm (sweating the small stuff) Read More »
Between May and November 2020, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) issued limited, temporary Public Health Emergency (PHE) approvals for N95 filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) and powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) to address respirator supply shortages during that time. In July 2021, NIOSH published NIOSH CA 2021-1036 to remind PHE approval holders that these…...
There was some legal advice given today on a social media site regarding documenting our safety training with sign-in sheets, so if OSHA ever asked for records to show an employee was “trained”, the employer would be able to show the sign-in sheet. The advice even contained the statement: Your safety training in this respect…...
The ins and outs of PPE training Read More »
Today’s MSHA Fatality Report made me wonder how many LOTO programs require the SECONDARY SECUREMENT of large objects, even after the power source that normally moves the equipment has been locked out. For example, cooling towers and condenser fan blades. I have experienced firsthand a piece of equipment two times involved were very large fan…...
LOTO programs and the SECONDARY SECUREMENT of large objects Read More »
The heat index is based on the relative humidity. When this relative humidity is HIGH, it significantly reduces the ability of our sweat to evaporate off our skin. This sweating and evaporation process is how our bodies are cooled. Our Heat-Related Illness Prevention Plan’s “action temperature(s)” MUST be based on the HEAT INDEX – not the…...
The Heat Index is a hell of a lot more than simply “what it feels like” outside Read More »
The Chlorine Institute has updated its A, B, and C Kit manuals with some significant revisions. Unfortunately, these manuals are no longer free to non-members, but if you utilize these kits in your emergency response program, they are a MUST-have. Luckily they cost only $40. Here is a peek at the B-Kit Manual revisions:… Membership...
Chlorine Institute has updated its A, B, and C Kit manuals Read More »
Today I saw our local Natural Gas service provider discussing installing an Excess Flow Valve with my neighbor. So naturally, that caught my ear, so I mossed over to learn more. It seems that most Natural Gas service providers are offering the installation of an Excess Flow Valve on the feed to homes. Of course,…...
Natural Gas Excess Flow Valves on Residental Feeds Read More »
It has become fashionable to claim that human error is implicated in 80-90 percent of all major accidents. While probably close to the truth, this statement adds very little to our understanding of how and why organizational accidents happen. In the first place, it could hardly be otherwise, given the range of human involvement in…...
I have seen some toxic workplaces. Lessons learned: When things go bad, good people leave, eventually followed by people who thought they could change things but got buried because too many good people left. Those left are toxic people or hostages to their job (usually by their years of service and how much $ they…...
The last article for my ESRWPs series. As I have been focused on volt meters and their proper use, this last article will discuss the necessary maintenance on these meters. Another reason why the meters need to be provided AND maintained by the employer. Are the meters at your facility in preventive maintenance (PM) program?…...
