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.
Material-handling equipment is a boon to a busy workplace. These aids increase productivity and reduce injuries. But if used improperly, they can be accident-makers. Material handling is an important job in any facility. Items must be received, transferred, stored, removed from storage, and transferred again to the location in which they’ll be used. Practically everybody […]
It should come as no surprise that, in addition to specific PPE standards, many other OSHA regulations also require PPE. Here’s a complete list for general industry and construction. Here’s a quick review of some minimum PPE requirements. OSHA’s PPE general requirements standard (29 CFR 1910.132) says that all protective devices have to meet these […]
It should come as no surprise that, in addition to specific PPE standards, many other OSHA regulations also require PPE. Here’s a complete list for general industry and construction. Subpart I of the General Industry standards (29 CFR 1910) and Subpart E of the Construction standards (29 CFR 1926) contain requirements for specific types of […]
As we reported in yesterday’s Advisor, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recently recommended that states ban all drivers from using cellular technology—including hands-free and Bluetooth sets. Safety experts have been saying for a long time that the real safety issue is distracted driving, not hand-held versus hands-free phones. Drivers can be distracted by […]
A culture that promotes employee-driven safety changes safety attitudes and performance. When workers are taking risks when nobody’s looking, there’s a problem with the safety culture—one that can be cured with a shift to an employee-driven safety system. The goal of an employee-driven safety is to change employees’ perceptions, attitudes, beliefs, and values about safety […]
To really instill a strong safety culture you have to move to a system where employees are driving safety activities. That involves changes in perceptions, attitudes, beliefs, and values. Changing perceptions and attitudes lays the foundation for changes in beliefs and values. Perceptions: Changing employees’ perceptions about safety will not change their behaviors. But if […]
Here are some questions about PPE requirements, with answers provided by the safety experts at Safety.BLR.com. Does OSHA specify the frequency of replacement of PPE, especially hard hats? OSHA does not specify the frequency of replacement of PPE. It is up to the employer to determine when PPE needs to be replaced. OSHA recommends that […]
Check out some innovations in PPE and other safety equipment from 3M Company, designed to boost safety protection in the workplace and at the worksite. Along with management commitment and employee involvement, there’s another essential factor in keeping your workplace safe—stuff. The devices and equipment designed to protect employees from harm play a big role […]
A recent recommendation to ban all cell phone use while driving has many employers wondering about what they should do when employees drive on the job. In a move that surprised many, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently urged states to ban all drivers from using cellular technology—including hands-free and Bluetooth sets. The board […]
What stands in the way of a safer, healthier workplace? Supervisors and employees have identified these major obstacles. Supervisors who have participated in OSHA workshops identify these obstacles to workplace safety: Fear of losing my job No money for needed changes Risk in spending money for safety "What’s in it for me" attitude Many people […]