Chemical Management

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 […]

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 […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

OSHA unveiled a new tool today to help companies determine if employee injuries and illnesses are recordable or not. Called the OSHA Recordkeeping Advisor, it is powered by elaws®, interactive e-tools provided by the Department of Labor that provide information about federal employment laws. Essentially, the OSHA Recordkeeping Advisor is an optimized injury and illness […]

OSHA is planning on publishing a final rule in August that will align the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) with the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS). It’s not clear what affect (if any) that alignment will have on the NFPA and HMIS chemical hazard rating and labeling systems. One issue of […]

Staying compliant with OSHA and the EPA can be difficult and maddening. Still, the complexity of agency regulations and the opaque manner in which rules are sometimes published and enforced are not a reliable defense when it comes to compliance violations. Organizations must take responsibility for understanding the rules and regulations under which they operate. […]

Fire safety is an important consideration 24/7, 365 days year; nevertheless, the winter months and the holiday season warrant special considerations. As Christmas trees dry, space heaters come out of closets, extension cords and lights overwhelm electrical outlets and candles seemingly multiply overnight, fire hazards are everywhere. Luckily, there are a few simple rules we […]