Practical EHS Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
The California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (OSHSB), which sets workplace safety and health standards for the state, released revised text of its draft standard for heat illness prevention in indoor spaces. The board updated its draft standard in response to comments made in an earlier draft. Changes to the proposed regulation include: Comments […]
The American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) has published a revision to its voluntary national consensus safety standard covering the latest safety practices and training recommendations for the construction, demolition, modification, and maintenance of communication structures. The updated ANSI/ASSP A10.48 standard will be effective on January 1, 2024. The digital standard establishes minimum criteria that […]
On October 23, 2023, the EPA announced a proposed rule to ban all uses of trichloroethylene (TCE), an extremely toxic chemical known to cause serious health risks, including cancer, neurotoxicity, and reproductive toxicity. TCE is used in cleaning and furniture care products, degreasers, brake cleaners, and tire repair sealants. According to the EPA, a variety […]
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) recently announced the release of a new draft policy to implement the environmental justice provisions of the historic Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act). The proposed DEC Division of Environmental Permits policy, titled “Permitting and Disadvantaged Communities (DEP-23-1),” could serve as a template for […]
A pair of employers are facing six-figure Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) penalties following workplace explosions. Air Liquide Advanced Materials, Inc., of High Springs, Florida, a global manufacturer of industrial gas, faces $201,573 in penalties following a May 2023 explosion that severely injured several employees, OSHA announced November 16. The employer could have prevented […]
Dynamic Tool Co. Inc., an El Paso, Texas, machine shop and precision parts manufacturer, faces $596,221 in Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) penalties, the agency announced November 14. OSHA cited Dynamic Tool with 58 workplace safety and health violations, including two willful safety violations and one willful health violation. The agency determined that Dynamic Tool […]
Back to Basics is a weekly feature that highlights important but possibly overlooked information that any EHS professional should know. This week, we examine Prevention through Design. The goal of the safety professional is to minimize risk and reduce harm in the workplace as efficiently and effectively as possible. Leadership can eliminate hazards at each […]
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently launched a campaign to help reduce healthcare worker burnout and improve their mental health. In that spirit, the EHSDA Song of the Week is Metric’s “Help I’m Alive,” a 2008 indie rocker about overcoming stress. “Help I’m Alive” was the lead single on the Toronto-based […]
When Ashley Moore graduated with a Business Management degree in 2018, a career in construction was not even a thought for her. She started with MetroPower, Inc., an electrical contractor serving the greater Southeastern U.S., in an administrative role with no safety experience. Soon after, she became a safety coordinator, where, to this day, she […]
On November 9, 2023, the EPA announced SA Recycling LLC of St. Louis, Missouri, will pay $68,000 in civil penalties to resolve alleged violations of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA). According to the Agency, the company failed to adequately control stormwater runoff from its scrap metal recycling and processing facility. The EPA says these […]