MSHA has been made aware of a hazardous condition that may exist in 600 volt and 1000 volt circuit breakers. … HomeRead More »

IncidentWorker was in the process of checking gauges when suddenly he felt a pulling motion on his right hip and back side. His coveralls had become entangled in an unguarded shaft and were being sheared off. Unable to escape or break free of the drawing motion the worker was able to reach the motor clutch and disengage the equipment, thus ending the ordeal. In the period of time (approximately 15-20...

What is management leadership in safety and health? Management demonstrates leadership by providing the resources, motivation, priorities, and accountability for ensuring the safety and health of its workforce. This leadership involves setting up systems to ensure continuous improvement and maintaining a health and safety focus while attending to production concerns. Enlightened managers understand...

1.) What is a Safety Contact? Safety Contacts are a conversation between a “manager” and an employee that is focused exclusively on safety! 2) Who is considered a Manager? A “manager” is considered to be all levels of management (usually defined by “exempt” status), but also includes the Leadership Team such as Engineers, Shift leads/ Supervisors, and other’s designated by the Business Manager or Safety...

Measurement is a key step in any safety management process and forms the basis for continuous improvement. … HomeRead More »

Below are examples of “measurable” and “auditable” safety activities that have proven to be effective when properly implemented, managed and measured. A) Job Safety Analysis –   Each operation is required to perform _____(#) JSA’s a ________ (shift, day, week, month, quarter, etc.).  These JSAs are required to be signed off by the Department Manager and filed for retention. ...

Over the years, I have had opportunities to work with some of the best HAZMAT Teams in North and South America on some really large scale incidents and through these experiences I have learned more than I could ever teach.  But one thing that causes so many teams so many problems is their on-scene medical monitoring.  Here are some very easy and cheap methods to help rectify these potential...

To get a more clear answer we turn to OSHA’s Compliance Directive for HAZWOPER Enforcement (CPL-02-073-2007).  But first, let’s look at how the standard defines “emergency response”… “Emergency response” is defined in 29 CFR 1910.120(a)(3) as follows: “Emergency response . . . means a response effort by employees from outside the immediate release...

HAZMAT Teams will fall under 1910.120(q), but there are sections of section(q) that direct us to other sections of 1910.120. One of these sections is the medical monitoring requirements for the team members. In this article, I will try and layout exactly what OSHA requires for each team member. NOTE: Text from the 1910.120 and other OSHA standards discussed in this article will be italicized. Members...

Many THANKS to my NEW & RENEWING Corporate Partners in Safety! since 2005 since 3/2011 since 2007 since 3/2011 2011 Fatality Tracker Electrical 11 (2010 = 90) (2009 = 100) Forklift/Manlift Mobile Equipment  31 (2010 = 110) (2009=88) Mining 62 (2010 = 480) (2009 = 586) Explosions 72 (2010 = 246) (2009 = 302) Cranes 14 (2010 = 50) (2009 = 82) Falls 34 (2010 = 139) (2009 = 172) (2008 = 250) Work...

If your facility has a HAZMAT team (e.g. they respond to chemical spills and releases) then your facility, and more specifically your response team fall under Section (q) if 1910.120. … HomeRead More »

The new “program requirements” will apply to ALL Outreach Training Programs, with separate procedures for each specific program. … HomeRead More »