5 safety myths debunked
May 12th, 2010
Here is a group of common questions that are asked so often that they have become “safety myths.”
Myth #1: “We use respirators on a voluntary basis so I don’t need to meet any requirements of the OSHA respiratory protection program (29 CFR 1910.134).”
Wrong. Even though you are using the product voluntarily and the use is below Permissible Exposure Levels (PEL), you are still required to follow OSHA’s written respiratory protection program (1910.134(c)(1)). This is to ensure that:
| • | any employee using a respirator is medically ables to use one. |
| • | the respirator is cleaned, stored and maintained so that future use does not present a health hazard. |
| • | voluntary respirator users have received the information contained in Appendix D of 1910.134 |
For example, If employees choose to wear a non NIOSH approved mask (nuisance level dust mask) on a voluntary basis those employees are not required to be included in written respiratory program bu still must be provided Appendix D.
| If you need a written program, SWMS can help. We develop respiratory programs that exceed the OSHA standards. |
Myth #2. ” My flammable liquids safety cabinet has vent plugs on it so that must mean I have to vent the cabinet.”
Not necessarily. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Code 30 2008 edition handbook 9.5.4 states that “storage cabinets shall not be required by this code to be ventilated for fire protection purposes.” In fact, venting could compromise the ability of a cabinet to adequately protect its contents from fire, since cabinets are generally not tested with any venting.
Section 9.5.4.1 of the handbook states, “If not ventilated, storage cabinet vent openings shall be sealed with the bungs supplied with the cabinet or with bungs specified by the cabinet manufacturer.” Venting may be required or desirable for other reasons, such as company policy or local authority requirement. Therefore, always check with a local authority like a Fire Marshall to determine if venting is required in your area or for your application.
Myth #3. “Since my hardhat fits backwards, it’s ok to do so?”
Maybe. Check the helmet for the “reverse donning arrow” 
marking. The current American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Hardhat standard Z89.1-2009 edition addresses the issues of the reverse wearing of hard hats. The standard now provides a non-mandatory test protocol that will allow manufacturers to test and mark hard hats with the “reverse donning arrow” . This means the helmet can be worn frontward or backward in accordance with the manufacturer’s wearing instructions. If the helmet does not have the reverse donning arrow always follow the manufacturer’s wearing instructions.
Myth #4: “I wear prescription eyewear. If I add side shields I’ve converted them to safety glasses, right?”
Wrong. Protective eye and face devices purchased after July 5, 1994 must comply with the American National Standard Practice for Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection Devices (ANSI Z87.1-2003). Merely attaching universal side shields to non-ANSI compliant eyewear is not acceptable for tasks that require safety glasses. The ANSI Z87.1-2003 standard details various performance tests that safety eyewear must pass; standard prescription eyewear does not meet the performance requirements.
Myth #5: “My eyewash flushing bottles count as an OSHA compliant eyewash.
Wrong. The small (typically 16 and 32 oz.) hand-held size eyewash bottles are considered “personal” eyewashes according to the ANSI Z358.1-2009 standard. This standard spells what is needed to comply with the OSHA regulation.
Personal eyewash units can provide immediate flushing when they are located near the employee’s workstation or hazard, however they do not meet the 0.4 gallon per minute flow rate and 15 minute time duration requirements of ANSI Z358.1-2009. So a personal eyewash cannot be used as a substitute for a 15 minute eyewash required by the ANSI standard.
