OSHA will extend its temporary enforcement measures in residential construction for three (3) more months. The temporary enforcement measures, now extended through March 15, 2013, include: priority free on-site compliance assistance, penalty reductions, extended abatement dates, measures to ensure consistency and increased outreach … HomeRead More »

OSHA has cited the company with three repeat and four serious violations following a June inspection as part of the agency’s Process Safety Management Covered Chemical Facilities national emphasis program (NEP). Proposed penalties total $99,000. The repeat citations issued for the process safety management standard violations include failing to inspect and test process equipment consistent with...

Most everyone knows that electrical panels must be kept clear at all times and last year I wrote an article explaining the “why’s” of this clearance requirement.  Well now, NFPA is driving home the importance of these clearance requirements with a REVISION to the NEC, Sections 110.26(A) and 110.32.  These PROPOSED revisions would more clearly define the space that...

My hi level interlock just tripped on my vessel – can I count this trip as the scheduled quarterly/annual PM test?  This question is maybe in the top 10 questions we get from PSM/RMP clients and friends and without a doubt one of the top 5 MI questions of all time.   There is no argument to the logic that we just tested our safety system and it worked; but from a process safety...

12/13/12 – I uploaded the full video (1:45) to my YOUTUBE account rather than the members’ area.  This full version includes a 2nd view from a different camera and shows the full impact and size of the explosion and the tank fires resulting from the blast. WARNING!  This video will be UPSETTING to many, especially the few seconds after the explosion has occurred.  But...

A retired safety professional I am a friend with on Facebook shared this video with me and it made me think (as most safety pro’s will)… would this approach work in stopping unsafe acts?  I think it will, but what do you think?  How can we go about utilizing this approach, I call “self reflection”.  Those that oppose it claim the approach is nothing short of embarrassing...

OSHA’s “official” definition is… Fit factor: A quantitative estimate of the fit of a particular respirator to a specific individual and typically estimates the ratio of the concentration of a substance in ambient air to its concentration inside the respirator when worn. … HomeRead More »

Jordan Barab, Deputy Assistant Secretary of OSHA, gives an OSHA UPDATE at the COSH conference.  He covers OSHA compliance efforts to improving the integrity of the VPP effort.  A nice update on what OSHA has been doing and the direction they are going.  

Gas detection systems are required to detect leaks in many uses and hazardous operations as regulated by BOTH the IBC and IFC. Gas detection systems are required in: … HomeRead More »

An Electrician and an Apprentice were making 3-phase, 415-Volt connections on a junction box. The electrician received an electric shock when the back of his hand brushed a “live” conductor. It was later discovered that the wrong isolations had been applied for the task. The conductors had been tested and confirmed as “de-energised” prior to commencing the task. Independent...

    Many THANKS to my newest and RENEWING Corporate Partners in Safety… since 2007 since 2012 since 2012 since 2012 2012 Fatality Tracker Electrical 67 (2011 = 81) (2010 = 90) (2009 = 100) Forklift/Manlift Mobile Equipment 52 (2011 = 84) (2010 = 110) (2009 = 88) Mining 68 (2011 = 248) (2010 = 480) (2009 = 586) Explosions 239 (2011 = 218) (2010 = 246) (2009...

The PA Department of Environmental Protection has announced that underground coal mines will soon be required to install automated external defibrillators on the surface near the mine entry and underground in each working mine section. The requirement comes as part of a regulatory rulemaking that will appear in the Dec. 8 edition of the Pennsylvania Bulletin and take effect March...