Ensuring Safety in Metal Fabrication: Common Industrial Hygiene Testing Needs

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

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.

Announcing the EPA’s e-Manifest Final Third Rule

Barrels of Hazardous Waste

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.

Leveraging Technology for Safety Hazard Management

A woman sitting with a laptop showing the EHS Gateway

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.

How to Select the Right Respiratory Protection

Two factory workers wearing 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.

Toxic Release Inventory Reporting Process and Considerations

A stack of oil bins

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.

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.

Strategies and Considerations for Noise Reduction in Manufacturing

Man wearing red ear muffs in factory

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.

Managing OSHA’s Electronic Submission of Workplace Injury Data

A business man's hands typing on a computer

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.

Navigating Tier II Reporting: A Comprehensive Guide to Compliance

White chemical tank containers

Navigating Tier II reporting under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) is crucial for industries dealing with hazardous chemicals. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the essentials of Tier II reporting, offering practical insights and guidance for compliance.

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

Factory Workers Wearing Hard Hats and Red Safety Vests

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).