During a recent safety training session the subject of famous last words came up. The favorite last words turned out to be, “Hey! Watch this!” We can all imagine any number of ways that this ends with someone getting hurt. In fact, telev...

The question arises from time to time about the need for acquiring and maintaining safety data sheets for household cleaning products such as Windex and Glass Plus. OSHA’s revised Hazard Communication Standard (2012) requires “all employe...

This is the second post in a three-part series reviewing OSHA’s final rule for beryllium. In the first part of this series, we covered the exposure assessment, work areas, and written exposure control requirements.  This post covers the re...

In prior posts, we covered the new exposure limits for beryllium and the requirements for exposure assessment, work areas, written exposure control plan, engineering controls, respiratory protection and personal protective clothing and equipment.&nbs...

Got an OSHA Question?  It can be hard to keep track of all the recent regulatory changes (like OSHA’s respirable crystalline silica standard, severe injury reporting program or automatic post-accident drug testing clarification) and ...

OSHA’s latest top 10 list of violations was announced at the National Safety Council’s 2013 Congress and Expo in Chicago. OSHA’s fiscal year is from Oct. 1, 2012 to Sept. 30, 2013. The following table details the top 10 standards v...

Take a moment to think about the people who have influenced you: Your parents, friends, or the sports teams that you follow. These are the people that you have looked to for leadership at one point or another in your life and as a result, their actio...

According to a seventeen-year study appearing in the January 2011 issue of the American Journal of Emergency Medicine, injuries and medical emergencies from shoveling snow average 11,500 per year.  The study reveals soft tissue injuries were the...

When did tans become fashionable? Centuries ago, tans were looked down upon by the upper classes, and fair, pale skin was considered the most beautiful. Tans were the mark of the working class laborer, while the wealthy stayed indoors, keeping their...

Stepladders are used by many workers and companies due to their convenience and relatively low cost.  They quickly help create different work heights and are easily moved and setup.  However, misuse and neglect can result in hazards and ris...