Practical EHS Tips, News & Advice. Updated Daily.
Safety is a process, and as such, needs to be managed. This section offers resources to create a viable safety program, sell it to senior management, train supervisors and employees in using it, and then track and report your progress. Look also for ways to advance your own skills in these areas, both for your current job, and those that follow.
Surface or ground conditions are an important part of safe powered industrial truck operation. In today’s Advisor we focus on hazardous conditions in your workplace that can lead to forklift accidents. Physical conditions in the workplace that can lead to forklift accidents include slippery conditions, obstructions and uneven surfaces, flooring and load limits, overhead clearances, […]
Yesterday, we introduced you to Marvin Windows’ safety program. Today, we talk about another company that is forging a successful safety and health effort with a variety of effective strategies. Indiana-based Bremen Castings, Inc. is known worldwide for iron machined castings and operates its own machine shop and foundry. The company, which employs 300, was […]
Today and tomorrow, we go inside the safety departments at two companies that share a top-down commitment to worker protection, employing a combination of big ideas and small strategies. At Marvin Windows and Doors (Warroad, Minnesota), Corporate Safety Manager Greg Peterson explains some of the key strategies his company uses in its nine manufacturing sites […]
Yesterday, we talked about drug-free workplace programs, issues to consider when creating a program, and federal laws that might apply to such programs. Today, we focus on another important aspect involved in curbing alcohol and drug abuse on the job—alcohol and drug testing. If you implement a drug and alcohol testing policy, the policy should […]
April is Alcohol Awareness Month and an opportunity to review the risks for your workers and your business. For many employers the place to start controlling risks is with a drug-free workplace program. The Drug-Free Workplace Act is a federal law that requires federal contractors or grantees to have and distribute a written policy explaining […]
What makes a successful safety committee member? Find out. Safety committee members must: Set a good example. Committee members must set a good example! Committee members must be above average in their safe work habits and their positive attitude about safety. Be visible. Names of safety committee members should be posted prominently in their departments. […]
If you have a safety committee or are thinking of starting one, you should watch out for some missteps that can derail your committee’s effectiveness. Here’s how to avoid a few of them. Don’t turn it into the safety police: While you may have a few employees who enjoy "bossing" people around when it comes […]
What will an OSHA inspector be looking for concerning PPE in your workplace. Find out. In 2011, the most frequently cited general industry PPE standards were: 1910.132, General requirements 1,830 citations and total of $3,217,665 in fines 1910.133, Eye and face protection 565 citations and total of $886,023 in fines 1910.138, Hand Protection 247 citations […]
There is an inherent risk in many workplaces of injury or illness from respiratory hazards such as oxygen deficiency and the presence of toxic gases. Detection technology and products exist to minimize such risk. Properly verifying the accuracy of gas detection instruments before each day’s use will help to ensure that each worker finishes the […]
The U.S. Steel case about pay for doffing and donning PPE has attracted a lot of attention, now including that of the Supreme Court. The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to consider Sandifer v. United States Steel Corporation,the case concerning pay for doffing and donning PPE. The case will be taken up during the October […]