There’s one golden rule of construction we don’t have to repeat: jobsites are full of hazards. Heavy machinery, loud and harried environments, and a general penchant for the mayhem that comes with so many moving parts create an environment conducive to accidents and injuries. Although federal OSHA regulations address most of the concerns, there’s one…
When it comes to chemical incidents and environmental incursions, there are no such things as isolated events. While accidental pollution and contamination of any magnitude are always a cause of concern, spills that occur during transit take on a more sinister moniker. Waterways are particularly vulnerable to widespread contamination as microscopic toxins can infiltrate groundwater…
Failure to invest in compliant temporary pesticide storage can cause irreparable damage from the roots up. Pesticides are complex chemical compounds used commonly to eradicate damage from insects, fungi, rodents and invasive flora. More than 100 different types of pesticides can be found on the market with various uses and countless associated risks. With spring…
Are your dangerous stockpiles of toxic chemicals safe from tornadoes? With a terrifying increase in tornadoes nationwide, heavy industries and manufacturing are particularly susceptible to tornadoes. Chemical storage inventories and manufacturing equipment fall into the dubious category of static collateral. This differentiation in terminology means products and supplies largely stay unmoved unless arduously relocated by…
Travesty was narrowly averted last week when a chemical leak in Allenstown, Pa. sent 54 people to the hospital. Authorities responded to the factory following reports of an overpowering chemical odor making people sick. Acting in an abundance of caution, the entire plant was evacuated while dozens of employees were sent to the ER for…
Preserving worker safety should be a top priority for every industry. Every year, jobsites around the globe experience catastrophic incidents injuring thousands of workers. While heavy industry and construction bear the brunt of the carnage, no sector of the economy is safe from unsafe working conditions. But what causes such wanton destruction in the age…
A Wisconsin ice cream plant finds itself in a sticky situation following a series of alleged OSHA violations. According to the federal safety regulator, an investigation into the frozen treat confectionary began after a concerning report. Federal authorities claim workers were being exposed to anhydrous ammonia, which is a hazardous chemical used in refrigeration. Unprotected…
For the first time in nearly three decades, OSHA is releasing new guidance for the interpretation of process safety management pertaining to dangerous chemicals. While primarily intended for uniformed enforcement guidance of existing regulations, the 103-page document gives companies handling dangerous materials new insight on how federal agents interpret storage guidelines. The new directive requires…
Compliant petroleum storage is one of the most pressing threats to our vulnerable ecosystems. According to the Department of Energy, every year, about 1.3 million gallons of petroleum products find their way to U.S. waterways by inadvertent discharge or accidental spillage. Most of these unintended discharges result from mismanaged or leaky pipelines and maritime vessels.…
OSHA’s got beef with a Midwest food manufacturer after a forklift incident led to the amputation of a worker’s fingertip last year. An investigation by the federal agency reveals the worker’s fingertip got caught in a forklift attachment while positioning materials. The worker’s finger was medically amputated a few weeks following the incident. Unsurprisingly, OSHA…