ISHN E-NEWS, Vol. 4, No. 4, Friday, April 15, 2005

While a whole range of PPE is available to address every need, the challenge comes in understanding which gloves to use and when to use them.

OSHA will continue to take strong enforcement actions to address combustible dust hazards.

Many fires reported could have been prevented or reduced in scope had flammable or combustible items been properly stored in approved flammable storage containers.

Frequently asked questions address the most important safety considerations when making an informed dust collection decision.

Even excellent safety programs suffer if there isn’t a periodic survey to make certain that correct procedures are being followed and PPE is being used.

According to OSHA, there have been at least 350 combustible dust explosions in the United States since 1980, resulting in more than 130 fatalities and 800 injuries. In many of these incidents both the employers and the employees were unaware that a hazard even existed or that their workplace was considered a high-risk environment.

In the past, the most widely recognized occupational exposure limits for hydrogen sulfide (H2S) have referenced an 8-hour TWA of 10 ppm, and a 15-minute STEL of 15 ppm. In February 2010, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH®) adopted a new threshold limit value (TLV®) recommendation for H2S, lowering the 8-hour TWA to 1.0 ppm, and the STEL to 5.0 ppm.

What constitutes a safe transfer system for chemicals or any other fluids? A safe transfer system is one that protects both the operator and the environment.

As the Fourth of July weekend approaches, the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) is reminding air travelers that fireworks – even small sparklers – are illegal, and can pose a tremendous fire risk to aircraft.