This is an AWESOME database that will be helpful beyond anything we could have asked for from NIOSH!!!  It actually breaks down eleven (11) type of power tools from eighteen (18) manufacturers with 41 specifications. … HomeRead More »

Here are some interesting numbers from OSHA regarding their activities in fiscal year 2012 (ending 9/30/2012): OSHA’s free On-site Consultation Program conducted approximately 30,000 visits to small and medium-sized employers. 205 million visits to OSHA’s Web site 213,283 calls to the OSHA 800 number 19,590 Spanish-speaking callers to the OSHA 800 number 32,906 questions submitted by email...

UPDATED on 11/9/12 with standards for which OSHA assessed the highest penalties and links to OSHA pages for each of the standards listed The Top 10 cited standards and standards for which OSHA assessed the highest penalties in fiscal year 2012 (October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2012) are: … HomeRead More »

Does your facility use Ultra Low Sulphur Diesel (ULSD) fuel?  Are you using the same diesel tank for the ULDS fuel as you were with the diesel fuel from the old days?  Should you be?  Do you have a fuel storage tank that is “switch loaded” with gasoline and ULSD? Well, the debate rages on regarding the safety of ULSD fuel.  The fact is, ULSD fuel is NOT the same as our...

Type of Incident: FatalityLocation: Storm Water Drain (Process Area) Brief Summary of the Incident:A fire and explosion occurred at a Storm Water Drain (SWD) in Process Area. The First Intervention Team (FIT) immediately responded and managed to extinguish the fire within 32 minutes. The incident caused 1 fatality, 1 serious injury and 31 minor injuries. The immediate cause of the incident may have...

The title is NOT a type-o!  Yes, the EPA Office of Inspector General will audit the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board’s (CSB’s) investigation process.  The EPA OIG’s objective is to determine if CSB has an effective system for managing its investigative process. The OIG plans to conduct its work at CSB headquarters and Denver offices. The project will be conducted using...

      2012 Fatality Tracker Electrical 66 (2011 = 81) (2010 = 90) (2009 = 100) Forklift/Manlift Mobile Equipment 50 (2011 = 84) (2010 = 110) (2009 = 88) Mining 65 (2011 = 248) (2010 = 480) (2009 = 586) Explosions 232 (2011 = 218) (2010 = 246) (2009 = 302) Cranes 46 (2011 = 50) (2010 = 50) (2009 = 82) Falls 86 (2011 = 123) (2010 = 139) (2009 = 172) (2008 = 250) Work Zone 54  (2011...

An interesting look at OSHA’s perspective on the written documents needed for comply with PSM!  The information is used by employers to ensure that processes using highly hazardous chemicals with the potential of a catastrophic release are operated as safely as possible. The employer must thoroughly consider all facets of a process, as well as the involvement of employees in that process....

Date: November 5, 2012 Models Affected: GS-3390, GS-4390 and GS-5390 equipped with the Oscillating Axle System Serial Numbers Affected: … HomeRead More »

Millions of homes will enjoy a deep fried turkey this Thanksgiving and Christmas.  This method of preparing the traditional family meal(s) has gained much popularity, but every year hundreds will suffer injury and/or damage to their homes while deep frying their turkey!  Please watch and learn and don’t become a statistic this Thanksgiving or Christmas holiday.

OSHA cited a tank trailer cleaning business with 11 safety and health violations, including two willful violations, primarily for failing to protect workers in confined spaces. Upon receiving a complaint alleging hazards, OSHA opened an inspection of the company’s Lansing facility. Proposed penalties total $142,100. Here is a breakdown of the citations … … HomeRead More »

The study was commissioned by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) following an October 1989 explosion at a Phillips 66 plastics plant in Pasadena, Texas, that killed 23 workers and injured another 232. The accident involved an outside contracting firm that had experienced a fatality at the same site earlier in the year. These two incidents produced a Congressional hearing at which...