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Because faces come in many shapes and sizes, workers may need to try on a variety of models and/or sizes for their PPE in order to find a combination that is acceptable. (3M Personal Safety Division photo)

Understanding Requirements of an OSHA Respiratory Protection Program

If there is no way through engineering or administrative controls to get exposure to acceptable levels, respiratory protection must be provided.

This photo from the final report of the Major Incident Investigation Board shows the Buncefield depot after the explosion. (Photo is © Chiltern Air Support)

Texas City and Buncefield: Will We Ever Learn?

These incidents evoked a paradigm shift in organizational behavior and influenced the creation and enforcement of new legislation to prevent similar situations from happening.

Reducing the hazards of working at height starts with the correct personal fall protection equipment, combined with the proper training, risk assessment, and safety culture required to form a complete fall protection safety system for both the work application and environment. (Honeywell Industrial Safety photo)

Working at Height: Fall Protection Safety Starts with the Correct Equipment

Tempting as it may seem in the “real world,” fall protection choices should never be influenced by convenience alone.

Avery

Six Tips for Health Care Facilities and Labs to Ensure GHS Compliance

Flexible, lower-cost options enable printing durable, appropriately-sized GHS, HMIS, NFPA, or hybrid labels on demand for smaller “down-packed” chemical container labels.

NTSB Schedules Roundtable on Hazard Rail Shipments

The July 13 event is planned for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with representatives from the railroad industry, railcar manufacturers and owners, and industry associations attending to discuss the progress of moving to a new and stronger rail tank car, the DOT 117.

The July 2014 explosion of a propane tank on a food truck in Philadelphia prompted passage of the new Washington state permit and inspection law.

Washington State's Food Truck Permit Law Now in Effect

Beginning June 21, 2016, food trucks in the state need to have a permit and inspection from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.

FDA Wants More Data on Hand Sanitizers

"Today, consumers are using antiseptic rubs more frequently at home, work, school and in other public settings where the risk of infection is relatively low," said Dr. Janet Woodcock, M.D., director of FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "These products provide a convenient alternative when hand washing with plain soap and water is unavailable, but it's our responsibility to determine whether these products are safe and effective so that consumers can be confident when using them on themselves and their families multiple times a day. To do that, we must fill the gaps in scientific data on certain active ingredients."

Dr. David Michaels outlined several regulatory initiatives still coming from OSHA during his final months as the the assistant secretary, during his June 28 plenary session speech at ASSE

OSHA Civil Penalties Rising in August

OSHA Assistant Secretary Dr. David Michaels on June 28 outlined several more regulatory initiatives he said it will address during his final months as the agency's chief.



OSHA's Temporary Worker Initiative Outlined at Safety 2016

Robert Lewellen and Scott DeBow, CSP/ARM, together discussed temporary workers in health and safety and the relationship the American Staffing Association has with OSHA.

The Top 10 Misuses of Fall Protection Equipment

Craig Galecka, P.E., CSP, for LJB Inc., along with Shawn Smith, CSP, U.S. Navy, led an afternoon session at day two of the ASSE Safety 2016 show discussing fall protection. In classic Letterman-style, the duo organized the presentation into a top ten list, discussing the most common fall protection equipment misuses.

OSHA Hammers Ohio Auto Parts Manufacturer in Guarding Case

The agency has penalized Sunfield Inc., an auto parts manufacturer based in Hebron, Ohio, a total of $3,426,900 and cited it for 46 egregious willful, two willful, one repeated, and eight serious safety violations.

Little Love for Some Atlanta Attractions

The city's daily newspaper reminded readers June 27 that Travel + Leisure panned seven of Atlanta's most popular tourist attractions.

Reducing Worker Exposure to Hydrocarbon Vapors in the Oil & Gas Industry

Wayne Vanderhoof led a discussion on protecting oil & gas workers in the onshore industry from getting exposed to tank hazards.

Change the Rules, #Safety2016 Keynoter Urges

Frans Johansson, author of "The Medici Effect" and founder of Medici Group, was the opening general session keynote speaker at ASSE's conference and expo.

NIOSH’s Howard: 'Plenty to Do' on Workplace Issues

NIOSH Director Dr. John Howard listed four key areas where the agency's working to have an impact and summed up his answer this way: "There's plenty to do."

Views from the Floor of Safety 2016 Day 1

The first day of exhibiting featured a number of diverse and innovative products.

OSHA Reminding Employers to Prepare for Heat Hazards

Rising temperatures across the country are putting workers at risk of heat-related illnesses and injuries, particularly workers who may not have become acclimatized to the heat, and Assistant Secretary Dr. David Michaels will highlight efforts by employers to protect them June 27.

FRA Determines Track Maintenance Failures Caused Columbia River Gorge Derailment

FRA's preliminary investigation determined the derailment was caused by broken lag bolts leading to a wide track gauge. Investigators found multiple lag bolts in the track section were broken and sheared, leading to tie plates loosening from ties and allowing the rails to be pushed outwards as trains moved across them.

The container vessel COSCO Shipping Panama sets sail June 11 from the Greek Port of Piraeus to make the first transit of the Expanded Panama Canal on June 26, 2016. (Canal de Panama photo)

Panama Finally Opens Expanded Canal

Called a "risky bet" by The New York Times because of questions about the design and whether enough steel and concrete are in its new locks, it is a colossal bet by the country of Panama. The COSCO Shipping Panama, a Chinese container ship, made the first transit of the new canal June 26.

WorkSafeBC Planning Safety Committee Changes

The proposed changes were developed following two fatal explosions in early 2012 at sawmills in the province.

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