Regulations & Compliance
708 results
From MSDS to SDS – GHS Brings Big Changes to Safety Data Sheets
For decades, the material safety data sheet (MSDS) has been the back-bone of OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS). As most safety professionals know by now, the Hazard Communication Standard has been revised by OSHA to align with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), the result of which will include substantial […]
OSHA’s View on Stretching and Injury Prescription
by Jeff Sanford, CPE At the recent SESHA Conference, I heard a speaker discussing stretching as a method to control MSD’s. During the talk, there was a ‘point-counterpoint’ type discussion on how stretching can be both a positive and a negative. One of the key takeaways for me was a strong message from OSHA that […]
Three Things to Know about a Physical Demands Analysis
by Greg Cresswell, CPE What is a Physical Demands Analysis? A Physical Demands Analysis (PDA) is a document that describes the physical and environmental exposures that are required by employees in order to complete job tasks. They come in many forms and take on many different names. For example, your company may call them “Physical […]
OSHA and EPA Related News for January 2012
This round up of news from OSHA and the EPA includes updates on GHS, I2P2, Silica Standard, the Mercury Standard and the new Greenhouse Gas Map. OSHA OSHA’s GHS Adoption Delayed at OMB — OMB has extended the review of OSHA’s revised Hazard Communication Standard. Best guess for OMB’s final action on GHS is February. […]
OSHA Form 300A Posting Date Approaching: February 1, 2012
February 1 is right around the corner which means it’s almost time for many companies to post OSHA Form 300A. Form 300A is a summary log of all work-related injuries for 2011. From February 1 through April 30, non-exempt companies are required by the OSHA Recordkeeping Standard to post a log. Forms 300, 300A, 301 […]
Ergonomics of Airplanes: What Makes Us Comfortable?
By Mike Hoonhorst, AEP Due to the nature of our jobs as consultants, we often find ourselves on an airplane, traveling across the country, and even across the world. And with the holiday season in full swing, you too may find yourself flying soon. Almost all of us have probably said, “I cannot wait to […]
Calculating The Cost of Workplace Stretching Programs
by Blake McGowan, CPE In this month’s e-newsletter, I explained how many health and safety professionals underestimate the cost of site-wide workplace stretching programs. Here’s a way to calculate the cost of your organization’s stretching program. Step 1: Calculate the recommended workplace stretching activity time (in minutes) per week (Equation 1), based on the following […]
Web Resource: NIOSH
Most of us use the NIOSH Lifting Equation on a regular basis, but when was the last time you visited the NIOSH website to read current articles? As a division of the CDC, the NIOSH has a web page dedicated to ergonomics and musculoskeletal disorders. Current topics posted on this page include: Scientific Support from […]
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) Fail Leads to OSHA Fines and Other September News
OSHA is proposing penalties of up $49,200 for two manufactures and two distributors in Florida for failure to protect employees from exposure to formaldehyde and failure to communicate hazards of products to downstream users. According to the news release issued on September 8, 2011, OSHA inspected the Florida firms based on a referral from Oregon’s […]
MSDS – Safety Training Thursday
An MSDS or material safety data sheet is the backbone of a compliant hazardous chemical management system. Unfortunately, MSDSs rarely get the respect they deserve, at least not until the day it is urgently needed in an emergency or is requested by an OSHA inspector. By that time it is often lost in a sea […]