Tips & Updates about OSHA & Hazwoper Training Courses | Safety Tips

OSHA has recently cited the Best Buy Company on Pleasant Hill Road in Duluth for 5 various safety violations, following an incident where a worker suffered from severe head injuries from a fall. According to reports, the employee was stacking television sets on a storage rack while standing on an elevated industrial truck’s platform, when it suddenly shifted and caused the employee to fall about 12 feet. 2 repeat violations were found for failing to provide the employees with personal protective equipment and for not putting up guardrails for a 12 feet fall hazard. A repeat violation was found as well. 1 serious violation was found for allowing modifications to be made to a powered truck without seeking manufacturer’s approval by shutting the drive limit switch. 2 other-than-serious violations were found for failing to fill out the OSHA 300 log for workplace illnesses and injuries and for failing to certify the log in 2008 and 2009.

Most of us don’t even know that our water comes through pipes everyday; underground pipes that are necessary for the water to pass through from its source right to our kitchens and bathrooms – and away. Today, billions of gallons of water flow through underground pipes every day, thus resulting in corrosion every now and then. There is however, a new HDPE beveled edge that completely eliminates the possibility of erosion but also adheres to the OSHA safety standards. The Bevel-Sert helps connect underground ductile iron or PVC pipes together. And it really is as simple as that! What this HDPE tool really does is amazing! Currently, what most construction workers use is a cut-off saw to cut through piped and then using the same saw; grind a bevel onto the cut pipes so as to connect them. However, OSHA has now started prohibiting this due to various safety implications that may risk the workers safety if the tools are used incorrectly. Without this new tool, there have been many complain...

OSHA has recently announced a nationwide photography contest called “Picture It Safe Workplaces for everyone!” This contest challenges photographers to capture images of workplace safety and health practices and share it with OSHA. The goal is for OSHA to interact with the general public and rely on the talent and creativity out there to kick start a nationwide effort to raise awareness of the importance of workplace health and safety. This contest is a part of OSHA’s year-long celebration for its 40th anniversary and is open to anyone aged 18 and above. The contest ends on August 12th. Amateur as well as professional photographers are welcome to enter this contest. Photographers are entitled to interpret a photo of workplace safety and health in any manner that they choose to and are not restricted to specific subject matters and themes. The First, Second and Third place prizes will be given for the best portrayal of Occupational Safety and Healthy with regards to artistic value and i...

OSHA and NIOSH have come together to develop two new guidance documents for workers and for employers that describe the importance and usage of spirometry testing and how it helps reduce or prevent worker exposure to various respiratory hazards at the workplace. Spirometry is a standard pulmonary function test that helps to measure how well a person can move the air in and out of his lungs. Workers are generally exposed to a number of gases and dusts or contaminants in the air and over time can suffer from lung damage. This spirometry test will detect any breathing problems or changes in a worker’s lung function at an early stage. The information contained in these documents will help employers identify and eliminate the various workplace hazards and reduce or even prevent their workers from developing any kind of lung disease. These sheets will inform employers about spirometry, why it is needed, when it is needed and the important elements that an employer can use to determine the qu...

OSHA announced earlier yesterday that they have released the final rule for the protection of the safety and health of shipyard workers. The rule was published in today’s edition of Federal Register. The rule updates all the existing requirements and reflects the major advancements in the industry practices and technology. The rule also provides better protection from hazards that were not addressed previously, like control of hazardous energy. This new rule is expected to prevent nearly 350 serious injuries this year. OSHA collaborated with the maritime industry to make this final rule. Shipyard work is extremely dangerous and it is of immense importance to craft a rule that protects the health and safety of the workers while at the same time takes the employers concerns about implementation into consideration. This final addresses 14 workplace safety and health categories, and it also updates and clarifies all those shipyard employment standard provisions that have gone unchanged sin...

With residents just about recovering from the damage caused by the storms that occurred recently in the South, OSHA has begun urging workers and the public in general to be aware of the hazards that they may encounter during the cleanup activities. Emergency response to hazardous situations should not be dangerous to the cleanup workers. Storm recovery activities involve a wide range of safety hazards that can only be minimized if the workers are made aware of these hazards and are taught the right safety practices and how to use personal protective equipment. Cleanup activities involve restoring communications, electricity, food and water, sewer services, removal of floodwater, demolition work, entering flooded areas, trimming trees, cleaning up debris, repairing structures, repairing roads and bridges, using aerial lifts, cranes and lifting heavy equipment. Some of the hazards faced include illnesses caused due to exposure to contaminated food or water, downed electrical wires, expos...

OSHA is looking for feedback on its recent plans to alter the 300 Log, a form which contains all the details on various workplace illnesses and injuries that should be completed by most businesses in the United States on a regular basis. OSHA has been aiming to restore a column of the log that requires employers to fill in details on the various musculoskeletal disorders at the workplace. Many opponents of this decision to restore the column have complained that it is in reality an attempt to actually revive an ergonomics’ standards that was repelled a decade ago. Before this, OSHA’s injury and illness log consisted on a column that put the MSD’s and hearing together. OSHA had planned to separate these two columns, but the MSD column was removed entirely. Opponents to this have claimed that the new column might come as an unnecessary burden to most businesses. However, OSHA head, Mr. David Michaels has said that most small businesses will not be required to update the log, and only tho...