An authority having jurisdiction is a government entity responsible for making and enforcing public safety codes, such as chemical storage regulations. But this government agency’s responsibilities continue beyond chemical storage. While laws vary by town, an authority having jurisdiction also writes and interprets laws for community and employee protection. Although their oversight duties are not…
Three years ago, we were in serious conversations with a popular online retailer about securing an outdoor tornado shelter following a storm that killed six people. The workers met their demise when the warehouse’s roof collapsed after being struck by an EF-3 tornado. Many companies choose against onsite tornado protection because it’s not federally required.…
Syria is learning an important message about improper chemical storage. In the whirlwind of fallout following the rather impromptu dissolution of Assad’s long-beleaguered drive to stave off a decades-long civil war, several bad actors are descending on the nation’s capital to lockdown unprotected weapons supplies. Syria has been a battle lab for the world’s premier…
Understanding proper chemical segregation from incompatible materials is one of the most common questions we hear from customers. Proper chemical segregation requires a sharp, inquisitive mind. So, congratulations! You’re already thinking ahead of the learning curve in securing compliant protection for your chemical stockpiles. While reviewing OSHA-compliant storage regulations is tedious, commonsense prevails in solving…
Frozen industrial chemicals are the black ice of manufacturing. Although undisturbed steel drums and IBC totes appear unfazed by plummeting temperatures, unprotected contents can skid streamlined manufacturing off the rails before leaving workers scrambling for replacements for unusable products. Industrial chemicals will freeze and expand if left exposed to colder environments. Expansion leads to container…
Receiving an OSHA violation isn’t a permanent blemish on your company’s safety reputation. Although an OSHA violation is nothing to boast about during quarterly reports, understanding the violation and adopting preventive measures can mitigate further damage. Most OSHA fines cost more than $16,000 on average. While one citation won’t likely put the bottom line in…
We’ll save you the trouble of scrolling if you have a short attention span. No, the president does not control gas prices. Although the ubiquitous political discourse might tell you otherwise, the nation’s highest office doesn’t directly control prices at the pump. But this doesn’t mean the White House doesn’t have undue political influence on…
OSHA doesn’t have any love for repeat offenders. The federal agency tasked with regulating workplace safety nationwide admonishes manufacturers that create perilous working conditions for employees. Although most OSHA penalties range from $5,000 to $20,000, few approach egregious extremes. While OSHA penalties are administered to underscore worker safety, federal inspectors impose fines for corrective, not…
OSHA is again playing catch-up with emerging industries and niche markets. With the recreational cannabis movement gaining legislative momentum, federal regulators are now rolling out rudimentary metrics for new safety standards. Although OSHA intervention is limited, cannabis and CBD extraction facilities can expect intensified federal efforts to regulate this growing industry. Marijuana and cannabis operations…
Doctors always knew that soda is bad for your health, but they never imagined sugary drinks could be so deadly. While soda—or pop—depending on your regional dialect—is as American as bumble gum or cheeseburgers, the refreshing domestic elixir popularized during the Prohibition Era is more hazardous to your health than ever imagined. A chemical explosion…