Food & Beverage

Although it’s not the most-dangerous chemical you might find in the workplace, proper handling of benzoic acid is a must to avoid injuries and health risks while on the job. Benzoic acid is a white, crystalline powder with a faint, non-offensive odor. It is a compound naturally found in many plants and is an important […]

OSHA has repealed Arizona’s state-specific residential fall protection regulation put forth by the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) — Arizona’s state OSHA plan. Because of this change, Arizona homebuilders will now be required to implement fall protection for workers in construction activities at heights of 6 feet or more. The repealed standard […]

Here are 5 stories, with 5 lessons, that illustrate why chemicals in the workplace, no matter the size of the company or the number of employees, are serious business. As demonstrated below, how chemicals are used, stored, labeled, and disposed of, and how employees are trained on chemical hazards, affects workers, customers, and in some […]

Used many years ago in soaps, sodium hydroxide – also known as lye – is still a widely used chemical today. Its uses range from food processing to petroleum refining, but it can be a very dangerous chemical. Here we’ll examine its usual uses, and the specific properties that make sodium hydroxide a threat to […]

We have all heard of ethanol, somehow, somewhere. But what is it, exactly? How is it used? And most importantly – how can ethanol be dangerous in the workplace and beyond? (Photo: Corn and Cornier by Seth Anderson) In this information post from the experts at VelocityEHS, we’ll take a look at what ethanol is, […]

In 2012, I traveled to a remote community in the Buikwe District in Uganda, Africa to help build a sustainable clean water system for the maternity ward of the local hospital. This experience was absolutely amazing and rewarding! Since we had an abundance of volunteers, we were also able to repaint the interior offices and […]

“Solutions to Control Hazards” by OSHA contains information relevant to the implementation of control hazards in a variety of environments. There are three main groups of control hazards (engineering, administrative work practices, and PPE) that lead to the reduction of exposure to risk factors. This site provides examples, success stories, case studies, and guidelines in […]

Here are some recent – and not so recent – OSHA activities we’ve been tracking. As well as a couple of news headlines that have caught our attention. RECENT NEWS New Websites and Safety Guides Announced by OSHA In the last couple of months, OSHA has promoted several new websites and guides intended to educate […]

OSHA Director, Dr. David Michaels, started 2012 off promising an increased focus on whistleblowing. News out of OSHA last week suggests Dr. Michaels is making good on his promise. In an October 2 news release OSHA announced the formation of a new alternative dispute resolution (ADR) program that is designed to bring complainants and employers […]

Yes, it’s that time of year, when the sweltering heat of summer begins to set in and brings with it a host of additional safety and health concerns for employers and workers across the country.  Being able to identify and respond to the warning signs of heat stress can truly become a life or death […]