News & Information Blog

National Farmers Safety Week

Did You Know That We Are In the Midst of National Farmer Safety Week?

Well, we are and, frankly, no other occupation or employer needs a heightened awareness of the unsafe conditions on the average farm, whether a family farm or an industrial farm.  In the 1993, when the Agricultural, 1928, standards were written, there were fewer industrial farms (the really large farms of dairy or grain products) than there are at present.  The last change to these standards was in November of 2021, and before that it was in 2011.

Continue reading

Which Limit Applies When?

I recently reviewed a report from an Indoor Air Quality study for a residential client.  What caught my eye was the Volatile Organic Chemical, Carbon monoxide, and Carbon dioxide results were compared to Occupational Exposure Limits.  There are several reasons why this is...

Continue reading

For PPE, There Is No Such Thing as One Size Fits All

The first day of my Ergonomics course at the University of Michigan Professor Strong explained how chairs, mostly not adjustable in those days were built for a 6' tall male.  Which explained a LOT.  He went on to point out that 6' males were not the majority at the time so this...

Continue reading

Ten Tips To Surviving An OSHA Visit

Even though the number of OSHA Enforcement Officers as a ratio to the number of businesses is extremely small, one could show up at your door without notice.  In that case, you need a plan because, trust me, you don't want an Enforcement Officer to know your employees don't know who is in...

Continue reading

Are You Exempt From OSHA's Recordkeeping Requirements?

Some industries are exempt or partially exempt from complying with 1904, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA's recordkeeping standard.  The exempt industries are considered to be...

Continue reading

Talk is Expensive, Action is Cheap

Recently I was on the American Society of Safety Professionals discussion board.  It's a great place for new Safety Professionals to connect with their more experienced colleagues.  One frustrated member posted a request for assistance.  He stated:

"I have found in each...

Continue reading

OSHA Submits Proposed Rule for Improving Tracking of Workplace Injuries and Illnesses

In a previous blog article, we indicated that there will be more to come with regards to OSHA electronic reporting requirements.  They have now taken the next step in that direction.

In...

Continue reading

Personal Protective Equipment: The Weakest Link in Employee Protection

Look at the Big Picture and Follow Through

When Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is provided without training and oversight, the PPE itself can become the hazard.  The process starts with Hazard Assessment and Control. PPE is supposed to be a temporary protection...

Continue reading

OSHA's Purpose

Many people would state that the role of OSHA is to conduct inspections, write violations, take employers to court and collect fines, a similar description to a police force.  However, when you look at their budget and enforcement activities, it becomes clear that enforcement is not the...

Continue reading

Safety Observations and National Employee Appreciation Day

Have you ever been part of a group where you had a great idea and someone (or everyone) else got the credit?  How about the opposite, where that guy ignored a rule, say putting on his Fall Protection, and everyone had to sit through Fall Protection training again?

Did you...

Continue reading