Are You Asking the Right Questions about Your Safety Programs?
Here are four key questions about workplace safety and health programs, with answers provided by OSHA.
Tag: manufacturing
Facts about OSHA’s Lab Standard and Chemical Hygiene Plans
Yesterday, we describe eight elements that must be included in chemical hygiene plans. Today, we review more facts about the plans required under OSHA’s lab standard. OSHA’s Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories Standard (29 CFR 1910.1450) applies to all laboratories that use hazardous chemicals on a laboratory scale. A laboratory is defined as […]
Flammable Liquids Safety Training: Who and What
When flammable liquids are involved, the risks are high, and everyone needs to be trained to follow required safety procedures. According to the hazard communication standard (29 CFR 1910.1200), you must train employees who are or may be exposed to flammable liquids to work safely with these substances. Supervisors should also be trained to maintain […]
Flammable Liquids: Don’t Forget the Basics
OSHA’s flammable liquids standard (29 CFR 1910.106) explains what these substances are and how to store and use them safely Since the primary hazards associated with flammable liquids are explosion and fire, the standard emphasizes construction and location of storage areas for flammable liquids to prevent buildup of hazardous vapors as well as procedures to […]
3 Requirements for OSHA-Compliant Confined Spaces Training
OSHA has many requirements for confined spaces training, but compliance doesn’t have to be difficult. Permit-required confined space training must include three key issues: Nature of the hazards Actions to take when exposed to hazards How to arrange for a rescue So says Michael Lawrence, principal of Summit Safety Technologies (Long Beach, CA), accomplished safety […]
Pitfalls of Noncompliance: Part 2
Yesterday, we reviewed some recent OSHA enforcement cases that resulted in multiple citations and six-figure penalties. Today, we wind up with some additional reports on the cost of failing to comply with OSHA standards. Workers Exposed to Anhydrous Ammonia OSHA inspected a Region 7 food storage facility under its national emphasis program for process safety […]
The Risk of MSDs from Tasks That Add No Value to the Product
Yesterday, we looked at the potential ergonomic pitfalls of lean manufacturing. Today, we look at the flip side: “non-value-added tasks.” What if you could reduce your manufacturing costs, improve productivity, and prevent ergonomic injuries all at once? Sound too good to be true? It may not be, according to Chris Shulenberger, Certified Professional Ergonomist with […]
Lean Manufacturing: When More Efficiency Leads to Aching Backs
“Don’t let your lean manufacturing become anorexic,” says Certified Professional Ergonomist Chris Shulenberger, M.S. Engr., and Technical Director for Ergonomics with Bureau Veritas North America. If you do, you’ll pay the price. Over the last decade, many manufacturers have embraced “lean manufacturing,” a strategy to eliminate wasted time, motion, and storage by streamlining production, altering […]
Electrical Safety FAQs
In today’s Advisor we focus on some frequently asked questions about electrical safety, with answers provided by OSHA. What causes electrical shocks? Electricity travels in closed circuits, normally through a conductor. But sometimes a person’s body—an efficient conductor of electricity—mistakenly becomes part of the electric circuit. This can cause an electrical shock. Shocks occur when […]
Combustible Dust Standard Is CSB’s First ‘Most Wanted Safety Improvement’
As of now, no federal combustible dust rule has been released, and the CSB is taking steps to increase pressure on OSHA to issue one. In 2006, in the wake of a series of deadly major explosions and fires caused by combustible dusts, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) issued a set of recommendations for […]