OSHA Smackdown: $1.4 million in Fines to CES

One January 4th OSHA issued citations against Chemical & Environmental Services LLC, a Houston-based waste management and transportation services company for a series of incidents dating back to December 2008 involving several fatalities at the company’s Griggs Road and Port Arthur facilities.

Clean Room Spill Control Options

A clean room presents a particular type of spill control issue that also ties in to the need to protect the environment in question from external contaminants. Quite simply, the floor of a clean room, whether the room is used to put together computer components or perform lab work with biological organisms or chemicals needs to be protected in order to maintain the integrity of the workspace.

OSHA Releases Regulatory Priorities for 2010 – Part 2

Continuing our examination of the Occupational Health and Safety Administration’s (OSHA) Fall 2009 Regulatory Priorities, we now turn our attention to several of the more targeted initiatives that the Administration plans to set in motion in 2010.
Several hazardous materials – specifically, how they are handled in the workplace and how to control employee exposure to [...]

OSHA – Fit Test Respirators Video

After the H1N1 reports on ways to combat the virus, many healthcare organizations are realizing that it may be time to consider respirators.  Typically, healthcare organizations are known for using surgical masks.  Yet, respirators offer greater protection for staff and patients.  If you are considering respirators for staff within the healthcare industry, it is important [...]

Air Quality In Enclosed Spaces – Tips For Dealing With Low Oxygen Environments

Working in enclosed spaces can bring a host of unseen hazards to the table that most workers might not think about in the course of their day to day activities. In particular, welders and metal workers are vulnerable to finding themselves in situations where their lives are on the line despite no visible indication of danger.

OSHA and Silica Control

Recently OSHA published a 72 paged guide on controlling silica exposures on construction worksites. This guide breaks down several aspects of dust control, from the best control measures to housekeeping tasks that stir up dust. Though tips were laid out for each task, there were a few common themes echoed in each situation.

OSHA Issues Grain Handling Safety Reminder

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has been forced to reiterate the policies outlined in their Grain Handling Facilities standard, due to a rash of recent injuries and fatalities in the industry. The reminder serves to draw attention to section 1910.272 of the standard[2], which outlines a comprehensive safety policy that can help to save lives and prevent the type of accidents which have recently grabbed headlines.

Identifying Dust Explosion Risks – An Overview for Risk Managers

Controlling the risk of dust explosions in the workplace involves an understanding of the specific elements that go into creating a hazardous situation. Risk managers are already familiar with the Fire Triangle, which is the combination of elements that together form the necessary building blocks for fire: an ignition source, oxygen and fuel. However, a dust explosion introduces two other elements into the equation.

OSHA Releases Hazard Communication Guidance for Dust Explosion Risk

Risk managers are often aware of the dangers that excessive dust at a job site or facility can pose to the respiratory health of workers. However, there are other, less obvious dangers also related to dust buildup, which can pose a serious hazard not only to the safety of employees, but also to the integrity of a building itself. Specifically, the single largest of these concerns with regards to dust is the increased risk of explosion that can occur in areas that are most heavily affected by buildup.