OSHA Reform Bill Back in Congress

Democrats have introduced a revised version of the OSHA reform bill to congress.

At stake, among other things, is:

The breadth of OSHA’s jurisdiction. While there is little doubt that OSHA’s efforts have saved many, many lives since the Occupational Safety and Health Act was put into effect some thirty years ago now, there are also many, [...]

IPAF issues challenge to harness manufacturers

If you are a woman and you have to wear a fall protection harness in the course of your work, and there are an increasing number of you out there, than I’ve got some great news for you.

The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) feels your pain! They understand that there is a serious problem with [...]

Straight Talk about Swine Flu

The swine flu has, in record time it seems, become all that anyone is talking about anymore and with it has given birth to a lot of misconceptions, misunderstandings and speculation, some of which is fuelling panic and irrational thinking. Let’s try to sift through all the rumors and misinformation to get to a sensitive [...]

Swine Flu and sick days

Unless you’ve been living under a rock somewhere in death valley, you’ve been hearing a lot about the potential outbreak of the swine flu. They tell us that it could be really bad and that it could claim a lot of lives before it’s all over. Among the recommendations to protect yourself and others are [...]

Did you get your letter from OSHA?

If you did it means that you’ve got some changes to make.

OSHA apparently notified some 13,500 companies whose injury and illness rate was higher than the national average in an effort to encourage them to make necessary changes before OSHA has to come visit and possibly assess fines and warnings.

While some would view such a [...]

Spring Cleaning Hazards to be aware of

Last weekend was beautiful, sunshine, warm weather… That meant open windows, gardening and spring cleaning at my place.

Yesterday we talked about the health hazards involved in getting back outside when the weather turns nice in the spring and today we are going to look at the health hazards involved in staying indoors when you decide [...]

Nice weather means different safety issues

As I type this, the temperature outside is in the high 60s. It’s supposed to go up to the low 70s today. Yesterday, here in Seattle, we got a record high of 74 degrees (a record high for the 20th of April). Hard to believe that it was snowing here just 3 weeks ago. Needless [...]

The Basics of Confined Space (Part 10)

Appendix Three

Oxygen levels and Concentration levels of typical gases potentially present in a confined space

Contaminant
Alarm Concentrations

Oxygen
<19.5% or >23%

Carbon Monoxide
35 ppm

Carbon Dioxide
5000 ppm

H2S
10 ppm

Nitrogen Dioxide
3.0 ppm

Chlorine
0.5 ppm

Methane
>10% LEL

Ozone

ppm

Combustible Gases
10% LEL

Particulates
>10% LEL

Final Note: Because of the complexity and variety of factors inherent in confined space issues as well as the seriousness of the injuries and [...]

The Basics of Confined Space (Part 9)

Appendix Two

 
    CONFINED SPACE ENTRY PERMIT

This permit must be completed prior to entry into the confined space. Entry cannot be performed if any boxes are marked “No.” This permit is valid for only 8 hours only.

Date of entry:      Time of Entry:     

Location: ________________________________ Type of space:_________________________

Equipment to be worked on: _____________________________________________________

Work to be [...]

The Basics of Confined Space (Part 8)

Appendix One

Definition of Terms (Taken from the 1910.146 OSHA Standard)

 
Acceptable entry conditions – means the conditions that must exist in a permit space to allow entry and to ensure that employees involved with a permit-required confined space entry can safely enter into and work within the space.
Attendant – means an individual stationed outside one [...]