Practical EHS Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
No one wants it to happen, but an emergency, natural or manmade, can strike at anytime, 24/7. What’s more, it need not be a major, nationally-televised incident, such as a hurricane, earthquake, or act of political terror. An event as common as a local building fire can present just as large a challenge to you. These resources will help you create a plan for handling such crises, whatever their scope, and to carry it out in a way that best protects your employees and your company.
If there is a fall from height at your facility or construction site, would you know what to do? That was the question posed by Loui McCurley, CEO of Pigeon Mountain Industries, at her session “Rapid Response to a Fall Protection Emergency” presented at the American Society of Safety Professionals’ (ASSP) Safety 2018 Conference and […]
As have other organizations that advocate for healthcare workers, the Joint Commission is strongly urging healthcare organizations to take a comprehensive look at the occurrence of violence against their employees and take steps toward implementing protections that “look beyond solutions that only increase scrutiny.”
The EPA has issued a draft update of Planning for Natural Disaster Debris (Planning Guidance), the Agency’s main guidance for cities, counties, and tribes the EPA says should engage in comprehensive waste management planning before a disaster. According to the Agency, planning can help communities recover faster, spend less money on cleanup and debris/waste management, […]
When it comes to emergencies, you might ask yourself, how can I possibly prepare all of my employees for all possible disasters that can arise? Training for every conceivable emergency can seem daunting. How are you supposed to know what to train and at what frequency? Planning An emergency in the workplace is any situation […]
Providing a compliant emergency exit comprises more than installing a panic bar on an outward opening door and placing an exit sign above it. OSHA, in fact, favors the term exit route, which consists of three parts.
It’s a facility owner’s worst nightmare. Last night, the news covered a possible storm headed your way. Rain and hail were in the forecast, but the strong winds were not. After a tree falls on part of your facility, the power cuts out and dangerous chemicals spill. Now, in the heat of the moment, you […]
Following the deadly chemical explosion and fire at Verla International cosmetic factory in New Windsor, New York, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer pushed hard in January for a new federal protocol aimed to ensure local emergency responders are notified of serious violations involving flammable liquids and chemical hazards.
Will you be ready when disaster strikes? This infographic will help you prepare for potential emergencies at your business.
In yesterday’s Advisor, we discussed a recent Chemical Safety Board (CSB) report concerning a chemical release involving a delivery and inadvertent mixture of incompatible chemicals. Today we will review CSB recommendations for the facility, the delivery company, and the local emergency responders. These recommendations are widely applicable to all chemical facilities, delivery companies, and local […]
A chemical delivery truck drives up to your facility. The driver gets out and inadvertently connects to a tank containing incompatible material. The chemical reaction leads to a shelter-in-place order for thousands of nearby residents in your community. And at least 140 employees and members of the public need medical attention. Does this make you […]