Another major incident investigation finds serious cultural failures, poor training for operators and emergency responders, poor emergency planning, and technical failures in the Mechanical Integrity program. The crude oil pipeline company’s pervasive organizational failures caused a massive 2010 spill in Michigan, a National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) preliminary investigation has found....

Recently, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) received numerous reports of issues concerning SCBA respirators suspected of not meeting the necessary NIOSH performance requirements. We have observed that SCBA problems often can be attributed to a lack of, or improperly performed, preventative maintenance. Correct inspection, maintenance, and service procedures are all vital...

Nearly all foodstuffs and ingredients including grain, sugar, artificial sweeteners, starch, and flavours will burn with difficulty as a powder layer, but they can explode violently when ignited in the form of a dust cloud. Here Mike Weaver, Principal Specialist at Chilworth Global, looks at the extent and nature of the problem within the industry, the basis of safety, and protection and prevention...

This computer-based tool estimates of work/rest regimen during work in a hot environment according to 2007 ACGIH® “Documentation of TLVs®”. Parameters are: metabolic rate, WBGT temperature values at the workstation and the rest location, and the clothing worn by the worker. Click Here to download this EXCEL spreadhseet.

The American Industrial Hygiene Association® (AIHA) is proud to announce the American National Standards Institute’s (ANSI) recent approval of the revised ANSI/AIHA Z10 standard. The ANSI/AIHA Z10-2012 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems standard is comprised of management principles and systems to help organizations design and implement deliberate and documented approaches...

It was established in previous HSE research that safety hoops on fixed access ladders (alternatively rendered as caged ladders) could not provide positive fall-arrest capability. The working at height industry has anticipated this finding, which has led to the ‘upgrading’ of caged ladders by installing fall-arresting systems (FAS) inside the cage. The rationale is that a FAS can make good...

Date: July 03, 2012Model(s) Affected: GS-3232Serial Numbers Affected: GS3211A-110000 to GS3211A-110006; GS3212A-110007 to GS3212A-111473Subject: Machine StabilityAllowable Hours: 30 minutes Issue:Genie has determined that the control system utilized on the above referenced machines can malfunction. This malfunction allows the operator to lift and drive the machine with the platform raised...

Earlier this year, I wrote an article titled “What type of respirator do I need?” in which I explained how respirator users and administrators can use data to determine the proper type of respiratory protection that would be needed.  But this article was written under the assumption that the user/administrator had the most essential piece of data… the level of the contaminant....

The alert comes after investigations and additional research found SCBA facepiece lenses may undergo thermal degradation when exposed to intense heat.   … HomeRead More »

PRODUCT RECALL / STOP USE NOTICE3M™ Series Self Retracting LanyardsAFFECTED MODELS IDENTIFIED ON PAGE 2Manufacture Date Range on Products November 01, 2011 to June 25, 2012 … HomeRead More »

This article is meant to provide some guidance to mechanical refrigeration operators (e.g. ammonia refrigeration processes) as to when a “pressure test” is required and when a “leak test” is required and what are the specifics that have to be met in order to comply.  Not having performed a “pressure test” on field erected piping BEFORE the introduction of anhydrous...