Regulations & Compliance

by Phil Molé An employee at a popular chain restaurant recently died due to chemical exposures from a reaction between common, but incompatible, cleaning compounds. This incident, like many others before it, is disturbing because the chemicals used are so common, and tragic because it is avoidable. It’s an unfortunate reminder that HazCom management is […]

2019 is winding down, and if you’ve been cost-conscious about your EHS budget throughout the year, you might be fortunate enough to find yourself with some funding still available. Unfortunately, many businesses take a “use it or lose it” approach when it comes to their annual budgeting processes, and unused funding this year often translates […]

Do know your requirements for hazardous chemical safety and risk management under EPA’s General Duty Clause? If not, here’s what you need to know: Like the EPA’s Risk Management Plan (RMP) Rule, the EPA’s General Duty Clause is intended to help minimize the risk of chemical releases and chemical-related emergencies at facilities that store, process […]

On September 30, OSHA published a final rule representing the latest revisions to its evolving Beryllium Standard. The rule, which is effective immediately, retains the ancillary provisions of OSHA’s beryllium standards for construction and shipyards while setting new compliance deadlines and maintaining current exposure limits for beryllium. If you’re in the construction or shipyard industries, this final […]

OSHA recently released a new five-minute video that provides a general overview of what occurs during each of the three phases of its inspection process, including the opening conference, walkaround and closing conference. Those who have been through an OSHA inspection understand how stressful a situation it can be. During an inspection, OSHA’s certified safety […]

On October 1, 2019 the Ontario Ministry of Labour (MOL) announced it will begin an inspection blitz aimed at preventing work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This inspection blitz will target workplaces across Ontario, specifically those in construction, health care, industrial and mining sectors. The start of the blitz happens to coincide with October’s Global Ergonomics Month, […]

As one of the main pillars of OSHA’s Hazard Communication (HazCom) Standard, employee training is a critical part of your company’s workplace safety and regulatory compliance. Yet, HazCom training is also one of the most commonly overlooked elements of safety programs, as many employers struggle to make it effective, engaging, and relevant. In our article […]

Today’s workplace is far different than it was in the past. Workers from multiple employers are increasingly working side-by-side at the same worksites, and employers are sharing responsibility for worker safety more and more. When chemicals are involved, confusion can arise over who has obligations under OSHA’s HazCom Standard. We know that, because people often […]

VelocityEHS was in attendance Tuesday morning at the Society for Chemical Hazard Communication’s Fall 2019 Meeting in Arlington, Virginia. Representatives from OSHA and Health Canada, along with industry subject matter experts convened to deliver important regulatory updates, and lend their expertise on a wide range of hazard communication and chemical safety topics including OSHA’s Hazard […]

Job rotation is defined as a systematic procedure that relocates workers between two or more jobs in a workplace. One of the perceived benefits of job rotation is that it will decrease workplace musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) by reducing the operator’s exposure to high forces, awkward postures, and high frequencies. Today, many safety professionals rely on […]