Here is the next in my series where I examine the effect the loss of Chevron deference could have on OSHA standards and workplace safety, this week we are reviewing PPE. OSHA 1910.132, which covers personal protective equipment (PPE), often contains ambiguities that necessitate further clarification. Here are some of the common areas of ambiguity […]
In a significant departure from precedent, the Supreme Court overturned the Chevron doctrine in a 6-3 decision. Established in 1984’s Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council, the doctrine instructed courts to defer to reasonable agency interpretations of ambiguous laws. Chief Justice John Roberts’ 35-page opinion deemed the Chevron doctrine “fundamentally misguided” and rejected its application […]
There are two methods often used to assess business risks, quantitative and qualitative. According to research, most businesses utilize the quantitative assessment model in order to identify and categorize probable problems with their business practices. A quantitative risk assessment approach means that numbers are used to calculate and predict hazards. Each hazard is then prioritized […]
A safe working environment is a condition or state, it is not necessarily an event like an incident of an accident. This means that the low number of incidents or accidents doesn’t mean that the workplace is particularly safe. What really counts is the process of safety because it is an integral part of everyday […]
Creating a safe workplace is not just about the employees who work there regularly. It extends to all individuals who enter the premises, including contractors, visitors, and the public. Ensuring their safety is as crucial as safeguarding those familiar with the environment. Recognizing the potential hazards within a workplace is vital, especially for individuals who […]
The OSH Act of 1970 requires the Secretary of Labor to produce regulations that require employers in certain industries to keep records of occupational deaths, injuries, and illnesses. The records are used for several purposes. Injury and illness statistics are used by OSHA. OSHA collects data through the OSHA Data Initiative (ODI) to help direct […]
A Written Workplace Safety Program is a management approach for identifying, analyzing, and controlling workplace safety and health issues. This includes developing systematic policies, and practices in creating and maintaining a safe and healthy working environment. The implementation of a written safety plan is a proven and effective method for reducing the number of accidents […]
Not all work environments are the classic 4 walls work environment, many employees work on the road traveling, work from home, or in other special situations, how do these unique work situations effect recordability of injuries? Work Environments While Traveling Work in the interest of the employer. Injuries and illnesses that occur while an employee […]
The universal waste regulations at 40 CFR 273 are less burdensome alternatives to the RCRA requirements of 40 CFR 260–270 that apply to regular hazardous waste. Part of US EPA’s reason for creating universal waste rules was that small and conditionally exempt (now called “very small”) generators create a high volume of universal waste. Without […]
There is a preoccupation in most industries for measuring safety using the frequency or severity of lost time accidents and incidents. Regrettably, there is only a very tenuous link between safety in the workplace and the number of lost time accidents. The reasons for this are many and varied but it is becoming fairly obvious […]