Safety

Today, in a decision sure to send waves throughout the EHS space, OSHA published a long-awaited final rule strengthening permissible exposure limits (PELs) for respirable crystalline silica. The announcement comes on the heels of a March 21 approval by the OMB Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, and after an almost 3 year rulemaking and public […]

VelocityEHS is reminding chemical end users to file Tier II Hazardous Chemical Inventory Reports by the March 1, 2016 deadline. Any facility with hazardous materials present at or above threshold amounts established by EPA may be subject to reporting obligations. Visit our blog to learn more about how the VelocityEHS chemical management solution, streamlines the […]

OSHA has released a new guide intended to help businesses accurately identify and classify hazards associated with their chemicals, as required by HazCom 2012. The guide—Hazard Classification Guidance for Manufacturers, Importers, and Employers—is available for free on OSHA’s website. It provides review of the classification requirements under GHS, provides expanded definitions and distinctions, and also […]

Late last month, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit denied a challenge brought by the coal industry against the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and its recent final rule on coal dust regulation. The new rule,(75 FR 64412) Lowering Miners’ Exposure to Respirable Coal Mine Dust, Including Continuous Personal Dust Monitors, […]

As we move toward full adoption of GHS in the United States, OSHA continues to issue letters of interpretation (LOI) to clear up grey areas and answer questions posed by stakeholders. VelocityEHS regularly provides updates on these letters, and gives readers actionable information that companies can use to prepare for new guidance in enforcement policy […]

An explosion earlier this month at a Dow Chemical facility in North Andover, Massachusetts has renewed interest in the safe handling and storage of trimethylaluminum and similar compounds. Trimethylaluminum is used industrially in the manufacture of products ranging from semiconductors to plastics to solar cells to LED lights. It is also used to create primary […]

What is Multipurpose Lubricant? Available in a variety of brand names, multipurpose lubricant, also known as penetrant spray, has been used for over 60 years. The multiuse spray has a variety of uses in both home and commercial settings. This product is most commonly used to: Remove dirt, grease, grime, and residue from many surfaces […]

“Everyone can have an impact on safety”. You can’t spend much time with Dustin Rusch, chief safety officer at J. F. Ahern Co., without hearing those words. Dustin and his team are putting those words into practice with the launch of their safety impact program that encourages all employees to take actions that have a […]

OSHA is readying to publish a new Letter of Interpretation that provides a further explanation of labeling rules for importing and exporting hazardous chemicals under the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS 2012). OSHA issued the letter as a response to an inquiry from the American Coatings Association (ACA) around labeling best practices for goods that will be […]

The December 1, 2015 OSHA deadline has now passed for all distributors of hazardous chemicals to begin sending only GHS-labeled products and safety data sheets. What does this mean for American workplaces?  Well, theoretically, now every hazardous material that ships will feature the new GHS-compliant labels. However, in practice, it’s likely the case that many […]