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The EPA recently announced a proposed rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) that would protect workers and consumers from exposure to the solvent n-methylpyrrolidone (NMP). The “EPA’s 2020 risk evaluation found that this chemical causes serious health effects, including miscarriages and reduced fertility, as well as damage to the liver, kidneys, immune system […]
Safety Matters, a one-hour educational program, can raise the workplace safety and health knowledge and attitude scores for young workers (aged 15 to 24), new research has found. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) highlighted the new findings in the July edition of its eNews online newsletter. Young workers are injured at […]
Back to Basics is a weekly feature that highlights important but possibly overlooked information that any EHS professional should know. This week, we examine how to comply with OSHA’s lockout/tagout standard. Lockout/tagout, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) standard that’s more formally known as “control of hazardous energy,” addresses the hazards posed by equipment […]
On July 2, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) released text of a proposed heat injury and illness prevention standard. The proposed regulation would contain requirements for water, shade, paid breaks, heat acclimatization, and training. Heat injury and illness prevention requirements would be triggered by a National Weather Service heat index of 80° Fahrenheit […]
In United States of America v. Denka Performance Elastomer LLC and DuPont Specialty Products USA LLC, Denka recently told a federal appeals court that it will have to permanently close its Louisiana facility if it’s forced to comply with an EPA mandate to reduce emissions within 90 days. Background Denka operates a chemical manufacturing plant […]
A worker dies every 96 minutes in the United States, according to the National Safety Council (NSC), but the increased use of emerging technologies like risk management software, proximity sensors, and drones may help mitigate those risks. The NSC’s Work to Zero initiative announced on June 27 the release of a new report, “Safety Technology […]
Introduction In high-risk industries, maintaining a robust safety program is paramount. At KPA, we understand the critical role that Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) play in enhancing safety and compliance. KPIs are not just numbers; they are powerful tools that help organizations measure, manage, and improve their safety performance. I’d like to share some insights I’ve […]
Back to Basics is a weekly feature that highlights important but possibly overlooked information that any EHS professional should know. This week, we examine how to maintain safety in a highway construction work zone. Highway and street construction workers face the risk of fatal and serious injury while on jobsites from passing motor vehicles, the movement of […]
The weather around the U.S. has been heating up in recent weeks, which means hotter working conditions. On June 20, the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board approved an indoor heat standard to protect indoor workers from heat illness. Appropriately, the Song of the Week is Kool & the Gang’s smooth 1979 R&B hit “Too Hot.” […]
Johns Creek, Georgia, contractor NOR-D LLC faces a $61,065 OSHA fine after a 54-year-old laborer on a five-man crew removing tar and stone from metal roof panels of a Macon warehouse stepped on a skylight and fell about 19 ft, the agency announced June 25. Investigators determined that an employee stepped on the skylight after […]