1910.134(c)(3) requires employers to designate a person as the respiratory protection “program administrator” and to ensure that this person is qualified to perform the responsibilities of this position. The person can be qualified either by appropriate training or experience or both. The administrator is also the person responsible for evaluating the program, as stated in paragraph (c)(3). The training...

A new ASTM International standard will be used to provide a uniform international method for recording occupational injuries and illnesses, in order to make global performance comparisons of companies in keeping workers safe. ASTM E2920, Guide for Recording Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, was developed by Subcommittee E34.80 on Industrial Health, part of ASTM International Committee E34 on Occupational...

Scott Safety introduced the Scott Extended Life (SEL) 30-year Cylinder into its range of cylinder options for the Air-Pak product.  Offering a service life of up to 30 years and approved with both the Air-Pak 75 and Air-Pak X3 SCBA, this cylinder offering will provide customers with the opportunity to extend service life beyond that of a traditional carbon composite cylinder, thus extending cost...

MANY THANKS to my RENEWING Partners in Safety 2014 Fatality Tracker Electrical 16 (2013 = 32) (2012 = 68) Forklift/Manlift 14 (2013=62) (2012 = 52) Mining* 19 2013=87*) (2012 = 92*) *no longer includes China Explosions 39 (2013=194) (2012 = 241) Cranes 7 (2013=51) (2012 = 52) Falls 37 (2013=106) (2012 = 99) Work Zone 6 (2013=42) (2012 = 62) Trenching 4 (2013=25) (2012 = 44) LOTO/Guards 12 (2013=31)...

 

The Emergency Preparedness Issue Team has released the latest versions of:  Instruction Booklet: Chlorine Institute Emergency Kit “B” for Chlorine Ton Containers (IB/B). Instruction Booklet: Chlorine Institute Emergency Kit “C” for Chlorine Tank Cars & Tank Trucks. Instructions on how to apply both the current and previous kit devices of Emergency Kit “B” and “C” are included....

OSHA’s HAZWOPER (1910.120) divides emergency response into three separate areas. First, OSHA is regulating emergency response by employees at uncontrolled hazardous waste sites.  Second, OSHA is regulating emergency response at RCRA facilities.  Third, OSHA is regulating emergency response to hazardous substance releases by employees not covered by paragraphs (l) and (p)(8) in paragraph...

Ok, I think most of you would agree we have seen some pretty bad unsafe acts @ SAFTENG over the past 19 years, but I must say this one just climbed to the top of the list for the DUMBEST and most UNSAFE act I think I may ever see in my lifetime.  Although, the failure here is NOT an individual’s unsafe act, but rather this is a CLEAR FAILURE of proper training as is evidence by those still...

The Incident Command System (ICS) is an organized way to respond to emergencies using standard job roles, forms, and terminology. This method of organizing an emergency response is used across the government, industry, and private sector, both within the U.S. and internationally, to create a common structure that everyone understands to ensure fast and efficient emergency response.  The U.S. Coast...

I have written a number of articles on the “Limitations of Combustible Gas Indicator, especially about the limitations of the LEL sensors and the “correction calculations”. I thought this piece in OSHA’s Technical Manual was well written and explains the limitation well. So if you did not believe me or understand what I was trying to say, here it is from OSHA. … HomeRead More »

  Louisa Nara, Technical Director for the Center for Chemical Process Safety, sat down with Jordan Barab, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Mr. Barab spoke at the 10th Annual GCPS in New Orleans giving an overview of Executive Order 13650, which aims to improve chemical facility and security. In this video, Mr. Barab discusses the Executive...

The majority of OSHA’s Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) were adopted in 1971, under section 6(a) of the OSH Act and only a few have been successfully updated since that time. There is widespread agreement among industry, labor, and professional occupational safety and health organizations that occupational safety and health organizations that OSHA’s PELs are outdated and need revising...