We receive inquiries almost weekly regarding whether or not you can repair extension cords.  Below is a Letter of Interpretation addressing this question.

April 12, 2010

Letter # 20090606-9144

Re: Whether an employer can repair an extension cord under 29 CFR 1926, Subpart K.

Question: Under what circumstances may an employer located in Minnesota repair a damaged extension cord under 29 CFR 1926, Subpart K? (more…)

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, issued a directive (CPL 03-00-006) that became effective on 10/18/07 initiating a Combustible Dust National Emphasis Program (NEP). This program requires OSHA offices to begin inspections of sites that handle combustible dusts specifically targeting dust explosion hazards. (more…)

Providing an adequate number of properly maintained portable fire extinguishers and training your employees to use them could save your organization from experiencing dramatic losses from a fire.

The requirements of OSHA’s portable fire extinguisher standard (29 CFR 1910.157) apply to all employers, with two exceptions. The first exception applies if you have a written fire safety policy that requires all employees to evacuate immediately when the fire alarm sounds, and you have met the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.38/39 (emergency action and fire prevention plans). (more…)

Most nonmelanoma skin cancers develop on sun-exposed areas of the body, like the face, ears, neck, lips, and the backs of the hands. Depending on the type, they can be fast or slow growing, but they rarely spread to other parts of the body.

Melanoma skin cancers account for over 8,000 deaths a year. (more…)

Q. Who is covered by the standard?

A. The standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) applies to all employees who have occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials. Occupational exposure is defined as “reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that may result from the performance of the employee’s duties.”

Q. We have employees who are designated to render first aid. Are they covered by the standard? (more…)

WASHINGTON – “Introduction to OSHA,” a new training component emphasizing workers’ rights, is required content in every OSHA 10- and 30-hour Outreach Training Program class. OSHA developed the information in support of the Secretary of Labor’s goal of strengthening the voice of workers. (more…)

Beginning June 30, 2010 OSHA has made important changes to the 10 Hour & 30 Hour training program.

Changes have been made to the Introduction to OSHA module.  This is to align the program with the Secretary of Labor’s vision of ensuring that all workers have a voice in the workplace. (more…)

The strategy of pumping up fear for better safety rarely works as planned.

If you’re aiming for sterling results in safety performance and culture, it’s high time to promote No Fear Safety. Sure, on a basic level, Safety is about reducing fears — such as anticipating losing something you currently have or being blocked from getting what you’d want in the future. (more…)

The below information comes from OSHA’s website.

This guidance document is advisory in nature, informational in content, and is intended to assist employers in providing a safe and healthful workplace. The document does not serve as a new standard or regulation. It creates no new legal obligations.

Introduction

Portland cement is a generic term used to describe a variety of building materials valued for their strong adhesive properties when mixed with water. Employees who work with portland cement are at risk of developing skin problems, ranging from mild and brief to severe and chronic. (more…)

When the ambient temperature of the surrounding air is 95 degrees F or higher, radiation, convection, and conduction stop working. Evaporation is all that is left to cool the body.

NIOSH notes in its publication “Occupational Exposure to Hot Environments,” (1986) that although workers can acclimatize themselves to different levels of heat, each worker has an upper limit for heat stress beyond which that worker can become a heat casualty. (more…)