"CARE, PROTECT, GROW": THE U.S.COMPLIANCE BLOG

Man in yellow helmet and gloves using a tool to cut through metal

Ensuring Safety in Metal Fabrication: Common Industrial Hygiene Testing Needs

Metal fabrication is a cornerstone of modern industry, playing a vital role in sectors ranging from automotive to construction. This process, which includes cutting, welding, brazing, and assembling metal, poses numerous health risks to workers due to hazardous substance exposure. Industrial hygiene testing is essential in identifying and mitigating these risks, ensuring a safe and compliant workplace. This blog post delves into the common industrial hygiene testing needs associated with metal fabrication, offering a detailed guide to fostering a healthy work environment.

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Barrels of Hazardous Waste

Announcing the EPA’s e-Manifest Final Third Rule

The EPA Administrator finalized an amendment to hazardous waste manifest regulations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) with the e-Manifest Third Final Rule. This amendment is designed to encourage hazardous waste generators to adopt the electronic Hazardous Waste Manifest system (e-Manifest) to enhance compliance monitoring and improve access to information availability.

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A woman sitting with a laptop showing the EHS Gateway

Leveraging Technology for Safety Hazard Management

In today’s fast-paced industrial environment, ensuring workplace safety is a top priority. Companies must navigate an intricate landscape of regulations, hazards, and risks to protect their employees and maintain operational efficiency. Traditional methods of managing hazards, often relying on paper-based systems, can be cumbersome, inefficient, and prone to errors. Enter the EHS Gateway’s Safety Action Item List—a digital tool designed to streamline the management of safety hazards, mitigate risks, and foster a culture of safety. The Safety Action Item List, along with our EHS Gateway platform, is included in your Compliance as a Service (CaaS) program at no additional cost.

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Two factory workers wearing respiratory protection

How to Select the Right Respiratory Protection

Across all facilities, ensuring the safety and health of workers in environments with potential airborne contaminants is paramount. Respiratory protection is a critical component of workplace safety, designed to protect employees from inhaling harmful substances that can cause severe health issues. This comprehensive guide covers the basics of selecting the right respiratory protection, from identifying air contaminants to choosing the appropriate respirator.

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A stack of oil bins

Toxic Release Inventory Reporting Process and Considerations

If you manufacture, process or otherwise use EPCRA Section 313 chemicals, then the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) report may apply to your facility. In this article, we will cover the reporting criteria and process, exemptions, how to gather information, common pitfalls, EPA and state reporting, and penalties.

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Understanding the Unpreventable Employee Misconduct Defense in OSHA Inspections

As a business owner or employer, prioritizing workplace safety is crucial. However, despite best efforts, accidents or violations can still happen. In such instances, understanding your rights and defenses under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations becomes critical. One such defense is the Unpreventable Employee Misconduct Defense. In this article, we’ll explore what the defense entails, the criteria for application, and how you can use the defense to avoid certain citations issued by OSHA.

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Man wearing red ear muffs in factory

Strategies and Considerations for Noise Reduction in Manufacturing

In the dynamic world of manufacturing, where productivity is paramount, noise often becomes an overlooked concern. However, in the realm of occupational safety and health, noise reduction plays a pivotal role in safeguarding the well-being of workers. In this article, we will explore various facets of noise reduction in manufacturing, ranging from understanding work-related noise exposure to implementing effective control measures.

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A business man's hands typing on a computer

Managing OSHA’s Electronic Submission of Workplace Injury Data

In the ever-evolving landscape of workplace safety, OSHA’s Electronic Submission of Injury and Illness Data, also known as the ITA (Injury Tracking Application), plays a crucial role. This article aims to guide businesses through the intricacies of electronically submitting OSHA logs, focusing on who must submit, what to submit, and how to navigate the OSHA ITA website.

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Factory Workers Wearing Hard Hats and Red Safety Vests

Elevating Safety Standards: Effective Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Management

A safety professional’s primary purpose is to identify, analyze, and eliminate hazards before the risk of potential employee exposure. While many of these hazards can be controlled through means of workplace design and modification, some hazards are not as easily controlled and can remain even after thorough process improvements. For the hazards that continue to exist, the last line of defense in the safety arsenal is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

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A storm drain with water running out of it

The Importance of the New EPA Storm Water Permit in Illinois

When it comes to protecting the environment and ensuring regulatory compliance, the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IL EPA) plays a crucial role. As part of their efforts, the IL EPA issues storm water permits to industrial sites. These permits, authorized under the Clean Water Act, are essential for maintaining water quality and preventing pollution. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the significance of EPA storm water permits in Illinois and take a look at the new permit put into place on July 1, 2023.

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Man worker with protective mask and suit disinfecting industrial factory with spray gun.

Industrial Hygiene: A Guide to Frequently Asked Questions

By implementing policies and procedures that reduce or eliminate common risks, workplace hygiene measures keep employers accountable for potential workplace hazards and maintain the safety of their employees.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines industrial hygiene as the process of recognizing, evaluating, and controlling potentially harmful hazards in or around the workplace that may impact employees by causing injury or making them ill.

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