Many THANKS to my NEWEST and RENEWING Corporate Partners in Safety… since 2005 since 1/2013 since 2011 since 2006 since 2011 2013 Fatality Tracker Electrical 3 (2012 = 68)  (2011 = 81) (2010 = 90) (2009 = 100) Forklift/Manlift 8 (2012 = 52)  (2011 = 84) (2010 = 110) (2009 = 88) Mining* 19 (2012 = 92*)  (2011 = 248) (2010 = 480) (2009 = 586) *no longer includes China accidents...

 

Have you ever worn an SCBA in temperatures below freezing?  Are any of your SCBA’s (or any SARs) stored outside in freezing temperatures? If you answered YES to either of these questions and you have never heard the phrase “Low Temperature Operation Instructions”, you may want to sit down before reading further.  You will not find any specific OSHA requirements on these...

A food distribution warehouse in Michigan was cited by EPA for RMP defeciencies.  On September 13, 2010, the facility submitted an RMP for the refrigeration process, which indicated the process is subject to the Program 3 eligibility requirements.  On March 23, 2011, an authorized representative of U.S. EPA conducted a compliance inspection at the facility to determine compliance with the...

Today, no one would consider challenging the idea that noise exposure causes deafness. In fact, hearing losses caused by industrial noise represent one of the main occupational diseases in Québec and in many industrialized countries. It is slightly more surprising to learn that exposure to certain industrial chemicals may lead to hearing loss. These substances are said to be ototoxic. The ear, like...

Flammable liquid storage tanks that operate at gauge pressures above 1 psig (6.9 kPa) are considered either low pressure or pressure vessels. (See Coffee Break Training FP-2013-1 for a definition.) In those cases where liquids are stored above ambient pressure, additional attention must be paid to the emergency venting requirements.  The vent designer has three options — depending upon tank size...

PHMSA’s Hazardous Materials Safety Assistance Team (HMSAT) will be conducting training presentations across the country to assist those million-plus firefighters who may be missing opportunities to receive training on the Emergency Response Guidebook.  Understanding that time and money are often deciding factors when seeking new/refresher training, we are eager to host these sessions to...

Five years after a combustible-dust explosion killed 14 workers in Georgia, legislators are again demanding that federal safety regulators set standards for such hazards.  The ‘‘Worker Protection against Combustible Dust Explosions and Fires Act of 2013’’ (H.R. 691) would require that OSHA issue a standard for regulating combustible industrial dusts.   The bill was introduced Tuesday...

  Many THANKS to my NEWEST and RENEWING Corporate Partners in Safety… since 2005 since 1/2013 since 2011 since 2006 since 2011 2013 Fatality Tracker Electrical 3 (2012 = 68)  (2011 = 81) (2010 = 90) (2009 = 100) Forklift/Manlift 8 (2012 = 52)  (2011 = 84) (2010 = 110) (2009 = 88) Mining* 19 (2012 = 92*)  (2011 = 248) (2010 = 480) (2009 = 586) *no longer includes China accidents...

Fire-resistant garments are provided to the select few who voluntarily risk life and limb and go into harm’s way. They do it to ensure the safety and security of the rest of us. In this group are members of the all-volunteer military and first responders, from firefighters to the riot control units and SWAT team in any local police force. A government agency sets requirements for the use of fire-resistant...