

US Air Force Safety Center Offers Recreational Swimming Safety Guidance
The US Air Force Safety Center offers guidance to airmen for off-duty recreational swimming. Very commendable for the AF Safety Center to be thinking with on-duty and off-duty mindset toward airmen safety. Published by AirForceTimes.com. Article: http://www.airforcetimes.com/…/heres-how-stay-saf…/30838443/ The Air Force Safety Center urges airmen to follow these water safety guidelines when they go swimming. Use the buddy system; swim with a friend. Know your swimming abilit

OSHA to Publish Proposed Rule on Recordkeeping Obligations
OSHA will be publishing its proposed rule on 'Clarification of Employer’s Continuing Obligation to Make and Maintain an Accurate Record of Each Recordable Injury and Illness' in tomorrow's federal register. This rulemaking stems from the 2012 "Volks Case" regarding the 6mo statute of limitations on Recordkeeping violations. (I'll post reference links as well in the comments). If finalized this rule would make it a 5 year "lookback" for the OSHA 300/300A/301 instead of the


Teacher in Indiana Describes the Impact that CareerSafeOnline OSHA Safety Training has on his Classr
If you're not familiar with CareerSafeOnline, they focus on providing young workers / students with #OSHA 10hr training and certification. Most of the training is provided through what amounts to public-private-nonprofit partnerships so that cost is not an impediment for a student to recieve safety awareness training. In fact, they've partnered with countless schools across the country where its been integrated as part of their curriculum.The teachers even submit testimoni


NIOSH Releases New Guidance on Diacetyl / DAPORS
NIOSH releases new guidance on Diacetyl (And Possibly Other Related Substances - DAPORS). This is an issue that first came to light about 10 years ago after a number of employees in the microwave popcorn industry contracted the irreversible lung disease, bronchiolitis obliterans. OSHA implemented a NEP on this topic about 7-8 years ago as well. Engineering Controls, Work Practices, and Exposure Monitoring for Occupational Exposures to Diacetyl and 2,3-Pentanedione: http://

OSHA Issues Guidance Memo on PSM Retail Exemption
OSHA releases yet another PSM enforcement memo related to process safety management (psm 29 CFR 1910.119). This one redefining what the standard means by "retail exemption". OSHA seems to be putting a lot of its faith in expanding the interpretation of the recent Perez v MBA Supreme Court decision. All while the agency is in the midst of rulemaking on the same issue. Will be interesting to see how this plays out. I suspect there will be some surprises along the way. (Update:
CSB Nominees - Confirmation Process
Senate held its confirmation hearing for Kristen Kulinowski yesterday as part of her nomination process for the CSB. Update: Kulinowski was confirmed by the Senate and will now join the Chemical Safety Board (CSB) as one of its newest Board Members. http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/248037-chemical-safety-nominee-receives-praise
OSHA Issues Temporary Enforcement Guidance for Confined Space in Construction
OSHA issues temporary enforcement policy regarding the new standard for Confined Spaces in Construction. The Agency is extending the effective day by 60 days to Oct 2 in order to give employer additional time to comply with the new requirements. According to the press release, "During this 60-day temporary enforcement period, OSHA will not issue citations to employers who make good faith efforts to comply with the new standard. Employers must be in compliance with either the

Insightful Article About OSHA and Search Warrants
Worth reading!!! Employer, Safety Consultants Fined for Refusing OSHA Inspection What are your rights for refusing OSHA entry? A federal judge cited an employer and three safety consultants working for him for criminal contempt for refusing to allow a court-ordered federal health inspection. Martin Foundry Co. Inc. owner Darrell Stone and representatives of Compliance Professionals Inc., all based in Kansas City, Mo., were found in criminal contempt after turning away Occu


New OSHA PSA Video Focuses on Young Worker Safety
Link to the PSA video. Washington – OSHA has released a video emphasizing that young workers have the right to a safe workplace. The short video features several young workers stating that they have the right to refuse work that appears hazardous, report an unsafe workplace and be trained to be safe. Young workers also must be paid fairly, given breaks and supplied safety equipment, the video notes. All workers have these same rights, even if they are young, working their fir
OSHA Sends Final Rule on Walking Working Surfaces to OMB for Review
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (#OSHA) has sent its new final rule for walking and working surfaces to OMB for final review. This can take a few months, if not longer. The new requirements are expected to focus mostly on fall protection, but it will certainly address other issues as well. This new standard has been 25+ years in the making! ** Article ** Washington – After more than two decades in development, OSHA’s final rule on walking/working surfaces t