OHS January 2014 issue

January 2014

  • HAND PROTECTION: Applying Ergonomics to Industrial Glove Design
  • FALL PROTECTION: Keys to Preventing Ladder Falls
  • FALL PROTECTION: Update Your Fall Protection Program Now
  • INDUSTRIAL HYGIENE: GHS: Perception vs. Reality
  • YEAR IN REVIEW: Ending with a Bang
  • OIL & GAS SAFETY: Silica, Spills, Lawsuits & Rules
  • OIL & GAS SAFETY: Safely Aloft
  • DISASTER PREPAREDNESS: Preparing for the Worst
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Cover Story

Some OSHA regions helped to organize safety stand-downs with oil and gas industry partners and STEPS organizations during 2013.

Silica, Spills, Lawsuits & Rules

By Jamie Friedlander

The safety challenges of a booming industry were met on many fronts in 2013, from training and recruitment to regulatory changes and safety stand-downs.


Features

While an ANSI standard on proprietary horizontal lifeline systems has not been formally published, it will soon become available to provide guidance. (LJB Inc. photo)

Update Your Fall Protection Program Now: Apply New ANSI Z359 Equipment Standards

By Thomas Kramer

Time, money, safety, productivity, and even employee morale are on the line when implementing equipment-based solutions.


Two of the fall protection systems are installed at Intergulf

Safely Aloft

By Kristina Harman

The height and cylindrical shape of tanker trucks can pose a real safety risk to workers who have to climb around on top of them.


OSHA asked for comments on its Process Safety Management standard, potential changes to PSM enforcement policies, and potential updates to its Explosives and Blasting Agents, Flammable Liquids and Spray Finishing standards.

GHS: Perception vs. Reality

By Tom Jacques

Here's what OSHA's Dec. 1, 2013, training deadline should mean to you.


Companies in all industries can look to FEMA, the American Red Cross, and other local and federal organizations for information on how to begin creating an emergency preparedness plan.

Preparing for the Worst

By Jamie Friedlander

Natural disasters are not falling by the wayside. In fact, they seem to be more frequent than ever before. Here's why it is important to be prepared.


A new category of climbing equipment called aerial safety cages has recently hit the market. (Little Giant Ladder Systems photo)

Keys to Preventing Ladder Falls

By Dave Francis

What do you do about a problem that is never going away? I think you have to design around it.


DOL issued a rule making direct care workers -- those who provide long-term care for the elderly or disabled -- eligible for overtime and minimum wage protection.

Ending with a Bang

By Jerry Laws

Two significant OSHA rulemaking actions took center stage in late 2013, which may be remembered as a milestone year for recordkeeping changes. Also, DOL issued a rule that makes direct care workers eligible for overtime and minimum wage protection.


While it is important that PPE manufacturers continue to utilize technolgoy to meet industry standards, it is important for the future of the industry that they also pay attentio to what matters to the end user.

Applying Ergonomics to Industrial Glove Design

By Scott Corriveau

Poorly designed gloves force workers to compensate for lack of support, thereby placing unnecessary stress on their muscles and joints.


Departments

Cross-Generation Motivation & Safety

By Robert Pater

It's critical that strategic leaders bridge, not create nor perpetuate, the initially apparent gulf between older and younger workers.


Inspections Matter

By Jerry Laws

No certified inspector ever performed an internal inspection of the failed vessel during the six years it was in use, according to CSB's video.


Artificial Intelligence