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featured-09102021

Hazard Training: Safety Data Must Be 24/7

September 21, 2021

By: Maureen Paraventi, Chief Editor, Workplace Material Handling & Safety It’s not enough to have a safety data sheet (SDS) for each hazardous chemical in your workplace—one that describes the physical, health and environmental health hazards of the substance and provides information about how it should be safely handled and stored. Employers must make sure…

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The Amazing Hazard Awareness Advisor

September 21, 2021

By: Edward Stern, Contributor Overview The Amazing Hazard Awareness Advisor (webapps.dol.gov/elaws/oshahaz.htm) is a very bold title. I would not say it, if it were not true. The official name, OSHA Hazard Awareness Advisor, does not reveal its power. Imagine if I could arrange for a panel of occupational safety and health (OSH) professionals and doctors,…

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ANSI 105/EN 388 Standards for Hand Protection Cut Resistance

September 21, 2021

Important to Know: Two global standards are used to evaluate the protection levels of work gloves: the ANSI/ISEA 105 (U.S.) and EN 388 (EU). EN 388 is also commonly cited in other parts of the world (i.e., Canada, AUS/NZ and South America). A cut is usually considered to be a wound caused by a sharp…

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Industrial Hygiene and Job Planning During Turnarounds

September 21, 2021

By: Doug Niemtschk, CIH, CSP, Contributor I graduated with a master’s degree in industrial hygiene in 1997. My first job out of school was working for a small consulting firm doing industrial hygiene monitoring at a turnaround in the Houston area. It was in the dead of summer, and the heat was unbearable, but I…

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Good Communication is Critical to Confined Space Safety

September 21, 2021

By: Bob Henderson, Contributor Confined space entry is a team effort, and good communication is central to confined space safety. Since 1993, OSHA 1910.146, “Permit-Required Confined Spaces,” has made this clear. Entry supervisors, attendants, entrants, rescue team members, employers, contractors and management all need to understand their duties and follow the rules. What is the…

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How to Use Gas Detection Data to Your Advantage

September 21, 2021

By: Dave Wagner, Contributor If you use gas detectors on your worksite but only look at the data they collect after an incident, you may be missing out on critical insights about your work environment; behaviors of those wearing the monitors; and the health and performance of the gas detectors themselves. Here are a few…

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Protecting Workers from Welding Hazards

September 21, 2021

By: Barbara Nessinger, Editor-in-Chief According to the American Welding Society, an estimated 50% U.S. gross national product is affected by welding. Anything made of metal, no matter how big or small, can be welded. Welding is the most common method used to join metal parts in large structures and equipment, due to its strength. Soldering…

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Breathe Easy: A 10-Step Respiratory Protection Training Plan

September 21, 2021

By: Mark Stromme, Contributor Employees depend on a respirator to keep them safe and healthy when working in a hazardous atmosphere. Make sure they understand how to safely use the equipment. Overview Before you can require employees to wear respirators, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires you to take steps to prevent the…

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Age “Correction” in Hearing Conservation Programs

September 21, 2021

By: Gregory A. Flamme and Kristy K. Deiters, Contributors Employers may elect to adjust observed hearing threshold changes as an attempt to account for typical age-related change. However, there is no guarantee that age “correction” correctly represents the influence of age, and adjusted threshold shifts are not interpretable for individuals or small groups—because age-related changes…

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Plugging the Knowledge Gap in Hearing Protection

September 21, 2021

By: Tim Turney, Contributor Approximately 22 million workers are exposed to hazardous occupational noise each year1. Prolonged exposure to excessive noise levels can cause life-changing damage, because the harm to the sensory cells and other structures within the ears is irreversible—often resulting in permanent noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). NIHL is more common than diabetes or…

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