Osha regulations - Articles - Page 5

2020 Top Standards: National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

NFPA 652 standard on fundamentals of combustible dust

January 1, 2020

As defined by OSHA, combustible dust is “a solid material composed of distinct particles or pieces, regardless of size, shape or chemical composition, which can present a fire or deflagration hazard when suspended in air or some other oxidizing medium over a range of concentrations.”

How do I ship a lithium battery?

Start with these four questions to simplify your compliance responsibilities.

December 16, 2019

Lithium battery regulations are complex and constantly evolving. If you’re just starting out with lithium battery shipping, answering the four questions in this guide will help you determine how stringently your shipment will be regulated and where to find the rules you need to ensure compliance.

Editor's Note

OSHA – the good, the bad, the future

“Our Savior Has Arrived” once said safety pros. That was long ago.

Dave Johnson

October 1, 2019

We’re coming up on an anniversary: in 1970 Congress passed and President Richard Nixon signed into the law the Occupational Safety and Health Act, creating the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA.

Recent OSHA Enforcement Cases

September 13, 2019

OSHA cited Graphic Packaging International LLC – an Atlanta, Georgia-based paper product manufacturer – for exposing employees to hot steam, and failing to ensure the use of proper hazardous energy control methods. The company faces $211,400 in proposed fines.

Neglect leaves OSHA short-staffed and leaderless

Desperate hours at the agency?

Dave Johnson

June 18, 2019

In OSHA’s 48-year-old history, the agency has experienced desperate hours on a regular schedule. The agency opened its door in 1971. Before the decade was out a “STOP OSHA” lobbying movement was underway. In 1979, Republican Senator Richard Schweiker of Pennsylvania proposed an “OSHA Improvements Act” which would have exempted from inspections all employers, large or small, regardless of industry, with good safety records. It was defeated in 1980.

Health policy legislation shifts to the states

The U.S. lags behind competing nations. Where there is no critical mass for action, states are filling the void.

Ilise L. Feitshans JD, ScM and DIR

May 13, 2019

We have a swamp of occupational safety and health theory and practice currently. Lack of nationwide clarity undermines what should be unequivocal reproductive health protections, whether preconceptual, post-childbearing for target reproductive organs, or during pregnancy.

occupational carcinogens, fear of cancer

Managing fear of carcinogens

Emotional distress can burden your workplace

Dan Markiewicz MS, CIH, CSP, RMP

March 15, 2019

In 2019, 1,762,450 new cancer cases and 606,880 cancer deaths are projected to occur in the United States1. It is statistically improbable for someone in America not to know someone close who had or has cancer.

A Confined Space blog post

OSHA weakens workers’ protections against retaliation for reporting injuries

OPINION

Jordan Barab

October 16, 2018

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued a memo Thursday weakening workers’ protection against employer retaliation for reporting injuries and illnesses. Section 1904.35(b)(1)(iv) of the Obama administrations 2016 “Electronic Recordkeeping Rule” told employers that “You must not discharge or in any manner discriminate against any employee for reporting a work-related injury or illness.”

Fixed ladder safety: What to know before OSHA 2018 deadline

Don’t fall behind

Anne Osbourn

June 18, 2018

If you could prevent 29 worker deaths and 5,842 lost-workday injuries each year1, would you? Those estimates were a major reason OSHA updated 1971’s General Industry CFR 1910 regulations for Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal Fall Protection Systems at the end of 2016.