OSHA has published criteria for removing employers from the agency’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program (SVEP). SVEP has been in effect since June 18, 2010, and is intended to focus agency resources on employers that demonstrate indifference to their responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act with willful, repeat or failure-to-abate violations.  On August 16, 2012, OSHA...

TURN UP YOUR VOLUME for this one – the sounds are as telling as the sights! For those who may not be familar with a “vent and burn” scenario, here are the guidelines from the Frederal Railroad Administration. This product-removal method involves the placement of explosive charges to cut a hole (or holes) in a tank car tank, allowing the contents to flow into a pit for burn-off. The...

Changes to 1910.106 These changes are not very subtle and in fact I have to take my hat off to OSHA and the NPRM process for working this out.  As many of us know, the new HAZCOM standard was a significant change; so significant that it impacted several other OSHA standards in both general industry and construction.  But 1910.106 (1926.152) were seriously revised with an entire revamping...

  MANY THANKS to my NEW & RENEWING “Partners in Safety” for their support!  since 2011 since 2012 since 2012 since 2009 2012 Fatality Tracker Electrical             50 (2011 = 81) (2010 = 90) (2009 = 100) Forklift/Manlift Mobile Equipment 38 (2011 = 84) (2010 = 110) (2009 = 88) Mining 49 (2011 = 248) (2010 = 480) (2009...

Atlanta city workers could lose their jobs if they are caught using cellphones behind the wheel. … HomeRead More »

PLEASE BE ADVISED – this video is REAL and may be upsetting to some.  It is not shown to disrespect anyone, but a painful reminder of what happens around forklifts!  I want those who view this video to pay close attention that the deceased was a truck driver and he was wearing his high visibility vest; however, when PIT drivers can NOT see where they are going these vest do little to...

This is UNREAL!  The lengths the human race will go to save $ over their own personal safety.  This is NOT a joke and was posted to an autobody shop forum as a way to help other painters using Isocyanates protect themselves!  You just can’t make this stuff up!  Many thanks to Gary from down under for sharing with us. … HomeRead More »

Reason (1997) has identified a number of characteristics that go to make up such a safety culture. These are: … HomeRead More »

The Utah Olympic Park agreed to pay a $7,000 fine this month after an EPA inspection found violations with the nonprofit’s documentation for handling anhydrous ammonia, a regulated, toxic chemical used to refrigerate the bobsled track over the winter months.  PLEASE NOTE there appears to be some inaccuracies in this news paper article.  CLICK HERE to see the “official inspection...

The 2012 Memorial Day explosion and fire at a Minnesota paper mill that killed an employee and injured several more was caused by an overheated air compressor that ignited oil vapors in the compressor and an air receiver.  The report states the cooling water supply to the compressor was severely reduced in the hour before the explosion and that two other compressors had already shut off because...

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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) completed 38 enforcement actions from April 1 through June 30, 2012 to ensure individuals, businesses, and governments comply with the nation’s laws that protect public health and the environment.  Of the 38 actions: – 2 were RMP related to Anhydrous Ammonia refrigeration processes for a total of $47,633 – 2 were EPCRA related to...