Eye and face protection must be worn correctly by the worker and provided by the employer. Hear OSHA’s answers to important questions in this podcast. There are so many workplace hazards affecting eye and face safety. Here are some of the questions and answers from OSHA’s Eye and Face Protection eTool. 1. When do companies have to provide eye and face protection for workers? A: Whenever eye injuries might happen at work and engineering controls …
Chemical hazards can lurk, unseen. The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) says we should learn from the West Fertilizer Company explosion in Texas. Listen for their study results. The CSB recently released its investigation findings into the 2013 explosion at the West Fertilizer Company in Texas. In this podcast, Dan Clark describes what caused the April 2013 chemical disaster in West, Texas. The CSB determined a combination of zoning laws, storage conditions, and lack of …
Safety signs help companies be OSHA compliant based on ANSI Z535 safety sign and tag standards. Hear about four categories of workplace safety signs. OSHA adopted sign standards from American National Standards Institute, ANSI. OSHA also incorporates sign requirements from the National Fire Protection Association, NFPA. In this three minute podcast, Dan Clark spells out the requirements for: • Hazard Warning signs: ○ Danger – White text on red background. The most serious danger. ○ …
Portable containers for hazardous chemicals in the workplace can have NO labeling in only two situations, according to OSHA’s HazCom 2012 standard. In less than three minutes, Dan Clark explains how a worker may transfer a hazardous chemical from an HCS 2012-labeled container to a container with no warning labels whatsoever. Seems odd, doesn’t it? The current Hazard Communication Standard allows an employee to use a hazardous chemical in an unmarked container if (1) they …
Permit-required confined spaces aren’t just sewer pipes. Semi-trailers can be hazardous too. Hear about hazards in three trailer types, empty and loaded. In this 3½ minute podcast, Dan Clark describes OSHA’s standard on PRCS (permit-required confined spaces) for big-rigs. Dan also defines confined spaces (CS), and offers tips on CS and PRCS programs for safety managers. TRANSCRIPT: (:00) intro music and effects (:04) Dan Clark: When you think of confined spaces in the workplace, a …
Storm cleanup done by company employees can cause them injury. Listen for tips on how to protect workers from the four major dangers of storm cleanup. Slips, trips and falls, water hazards, electrical hazards, and debris hazards all need to be avoided if a company chooses to do its own cleanup after a storm. Dan Clark details each of the hazards and how employees can prepare for them. TRANSCRIPT: (:00) intro music and effects (:04) …
First aid kits in the workplace are mandated by OSHA. Hear about the minimum standard changes in 2015 and if a trained person is necessary. If a company’s work location is far from emergency services, OSHA requires that a person be qualified. For the workplace, OSHA refers to ANSI’s standard. Hear about the two types of kits in ANSI’s standard, Class A and Class B, and which is right for your company. ANSI revised its …
OSHA 300A is a safety form most employers need to display in the workplace by February 1 annually. Hear how to fill out the form and who is exempt. An OSHA 300A form is an employer’s report to employees on recordable injuries for the previous year. In this podcast, Dan Clark explains what counts as a recordable injury. Some businesses are exempt from posting the form. In 2015, classification of many businesses changed, requiring them …
Temporary wiring (like an extension cord) gets the thumbs-up from OSHA in just four settings. In only a couple of minutes, Dan Clark lays out the details. In this podcast, hear about OSHA’s temp wiring standard in workplace remodeling, experimentation, holiday lighting and emergencies. We also list considerations when selecting and using extension cords and other flexible wiring. TRANSCRIPT: (:00) intro music and effects (:04) Dan Clark: Sometimes you have to use temporary wiring such …
Ladder safety begins with both the boss and the worker. Hear tips on how they can increase safety on freestanding and self-supporting ladders. Ladder safety rules are important for companies to establish and post. They should provide properly maintained ladders made from material appropriate for the job. Workers should inspect a ladder before each use. They must know how to properly use a ladder, including leveling, placing it at the correct angle and staying centered. …
