Safety

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 […]

The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has published its fall agenda for federal agencies, which includes over 70 proposed rules, prerules, or final rules for the Department of Labor and/or OSHA. (OSHA’s rulemaking process is a multi-stage affair that usually lasts several years, as this OSHA flowchart explains.) The new agenda contains timelines for […]

What is Ammonia? Ammonia is a colorless gas with a characteristically pungent odor. One of the most common industrial chemicals in the U.S., ammonia is used primarily as an agricultural fertilizer. Other uses for ammonia include: Potential Ammonia Health Hazards Ammonia gas reacts instantly with the moisture in the skin, eyes, mouth, and respiratory tract […]

OSHA’s annual February 1 deadline for posting injury and illness information is fast approaching, and to help get EHS professionals up to speed VelocityEHS is hosting a series of free webinars. Every year, as part of the OSHA Recordkeeping Standard, non-exempt employers are required to post OSHA Form 300A — a summary of injuries and […]

What is Xylene? Xylene is a colorless liquid chemical with a somewhat greasy consistency. This chemical is present in small quantities in gasoline and other fuels, comprising approximately 0.5-1% of crude oil. Millions of tons of xylene are produced each year, as the chemical is used as a solvent in the printing, leather, and rubber […]