Ergonomics

As we move forward into 2015, OSHA shows every sign of retaining its historically intense focus on protecting workers from carcinogens—that is, agents known to cause cancer. Carcinogens are addressed in specific OSHA standards for general industry, and also for shipyard employment and construction. According to OSHA, a special difficulty posed by carcinogens is that […]

As we bid goodbye to 2014 and settle into the new year, it’s important to stay focused on the issues that OSHA is likely to tackle in 2015 and to anticipate what the impact of any regulatory changes could be. Already on this blog, we’ve reviewed several areas in which OSHA looks likely to make […]

Earlier this month, OSHA announced that it has signed a two-year alliance with the National Service, Transmission, Exploration & Production Safety (STEPS) Network, an all-volunteer organization devoted to reducing injuries and fatalities among oil and gas producers, and also the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a federal agency that conducts research and […]

“This way to the Egress!” Back in the 1800’s, promoter P.T. Barnum posted these words on the walls of his museum in New York City to keep customers from lingering too long. Not knowing that “egress” was another word for “exit” many patrons hurried toward it, only to find themselves back outside. Egress is still […]

Acetic Acid Hazard Safety Tips Acetic acid may not be a household name to many, but it’s actually a quite commonly used hazardous chemical. As a vital chemical in industry, acetic acid is used for a variety of purposes in many countries around the world. Acetic acid hazards are often encountered in the workplace, and […]

What is Hexane and Where Can it Be Found? Hexane is a chemical commonly extracted from petroleum and crude oil. It is a colorless liquid that gives off a subtle, gasoline-like odor. Hexane is highly flammable, yet it can be found in many household products such as stain removers for arts and crafts projects. Because […]

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, fires and explosion accounted for 148 workplace deaths in 2013—or 3.4% of all fatal occupational injuries for the year. Despite industry and regulatory efforts to improve fire safety, this number (and percentage) has remained stubbornly constant since 2007. Despite this levelling off, it’s clear that OSHA intends that […]

According to a letter addressed to the American Coatings Association, OSHA has stated that it is willing to use its enforcement discretion to determine whether chemical manufacturers have made a good faith effort to obtain information necessary to comply with the June 1, 2015 chemical reclassification and safety data sheet authoring deadline. The deadline is […]

by Rick Barker, CPE Most ergonomists discourage the use of wrist braces as an injury prevention strategy. There is no compelling evidence that braces help prevent musculoskeletal injuries. In many jobs, introducing a brace actually increases awkward shoulder and elbow postures as the employee uses different arm positions to compensate for the lack of wrist […]

You may not have heard of toluene, but you’ve almost certainly encountered household products that contain this potentially harmful chemical. Toluene & Its Chemical Uses Toluene is a colorless, water-insoluble liquid with a sweet, pungent odor. This chemical (previously known as toluol) can be produced industrially or in a laboratory, and it also appears in […]