The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries has adopted a rule amendment to WAC 296-45 based on recommendations from the Electric Utility Safety Advisory Committee. EUSAC recommended that the Department adopt a “Safety Watch”, which entails direct supervision of a qualified person when a nonqualified employee approaches exposed energized electrical equipment in substations or switch yards....

The purpose of this document is to describe the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS), why it was developed, and how it relates to the sound management of chemicals. The full official text of the system is available on the web at:http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/ghs/ghs_rev00/00files_e.html. The GHS is an acronym for The Globally...

Some may think this is crazy, I do; but I have had many debates with businesses during audits and serious accident investigations around this argument.  There are a lot of mind-sets in plants that have many presses that LOTO does not apply to this task as it would slow production too much and put them out of business.  I am floored each time, as you will see in this analysis, their argument...

Scenario: An employer requires ordinary safety-toe footwear throughout their facilities and pays for the first $100 of the footwear cost. As part of a recent company-wide static electricity control program, employees working with flammable liquids and products are now required to have static dissipative safety-toe footwear.  Question 1: Would the static dissipative safety-toe footwear be considered...

This report considers the effectiveness of hearing protectors in everyday work situations. The study reported here was undertaken in two parts. The first consisted of interviews with employers to discuss management of noise and hearing protector use, and on site observation of hearing protector use. The purpose of these visits was to see: how well hearing protection was used; the training provided; the...

This NPRM would update the SDO standards referenced in the three paragraphs that comprise the Acetylene Standard. The Compressed Gas Association (CGA) published several editions of these SDO standards after OSHA adopted them in 1974, and one of these standards (i.e., Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet G-1.4-1966), is no longer available for purchase from CGA. Therefore, to ensure that employers have...

These computer-based tools were produced to support OHS practitioners in managing hot periods in the work environment. 1) Utility and guide for preventing heatstroke (In French only) This computer-based tool proposes means for preventing heatstroke and discusses steps to be taken if a worker presents symptoms or signs of discomfort caused by heat. It is accompanied by an electronic version...

Here are two of my favorite videos: 1) a FREE video (.wmv) that does an excellent job showing the different forces needed to break glass lenses, plastic lenses, and high impact polycarbonate lenses.  I am making this 3 minute video part of my annual PPE training just so they can see it for their own eyes.   2) Click Here (.wmv) to see a WA-OSHA eye safety video where they...

The Department of Labor and Industry’s Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) Program and the Virginia Safety and Health Codes Board have adopted a final regulation for: Reverse Signal Operation Safety Requirements for Vehicles, Machinery and Equipment for General Industry and the Construction Industry, 16 VAC 25-97.  The final regulation will take effect September 18, 2009, and the text...

Seven states now have laws on the books that require construction workers to complete the OSHA 10-hour construction safety training course before they can work on certain construction projects. The states with an OSHA law already in effect are Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New York, and most recently, Missouri. The state of Nevada OSHA training law becomes effective January...

Could wood chips and logs in a ship container hold produce an IDLH atmosphere? AMAZING STUDY! … HomeRead More »

An innovative self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) that will allow First Responders more mobility and less fatigue while responding to emergencies, as well as increasing accessibility to confined spaces. The SCBA will be compatible with current systems.  Benefits to First Responder: Reduction of cylinder weight (7.48 pounds) Reduction of profile (1.95 inches)  That’s right...