Tech Bulletins
Preparing for the Forthcoming OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard
The Biden administration recently announced a new national strategy to combat COVID-19. One part of the plan requires employers with 100+ employees (company-wide, not per location) to ensure workers are vaccinated or tested weekly. OSHA will issue an Emergency...
Focus on Employees’ Mental Health This Month
In the world of occupational health and safety, physical safety is normally the priority. But what are you doing to support your workers’ mental health? Some new staggering stats show that 46%* of people now suffer from mental health issues (compared to 39% prior to...
Update on N95 Respirator Usage
The Food and Drug Administration is now recommending that N95s no longer need to be sterilized and reused. U.S. N95 manufacturers 3M, MSA and Honeywell are now generally able to meet the demands for healthcare workers. Unless employers are having trouble sourcing N95s...
6 things To Know About the Paris Climate Agreement
Earth Day is April 22 and this year we're celebrating by sharing 6 Things to Know about The Paris Climate Agreement. Contact us if we can help with your environmental questions.
Important News for Ohio Small Quantity Hazardous Waste Generators
If you are a Small Quantity Generator (SQG) in the state of Ohio, you may be required to update your RCRA Subtitle C Site Identification information by September 1, 2021 – and Safex is ready to help! According to OEPA: If the previous notification was prior to...
OSHA’s Releases COVID-19 National Emphasis Program
The U.S. Department of Labor’s new COVID-19 national emphasis program (NEP) aims to protect workers from the spread of COVID-19 and prevent retaliation against workers who complain about their working conditions. "This program seeks to substantially reduce or...
March is Ladder Safety Month
March is national ladder safety month. You likely won't find a card for this holiday, but it's still important. This observance is about ladder safety at home and work. We're sharing this tool box talk with you so you talk with your employees about working safely at...
Let’s Talk Trench Inspections – What Does OSHA Require?
Most people out there only worry about inspecting trenches and excavations when their employees are getting ready to work in a trench that is at least 5 feet deep, but that’s not the only time they should be doing it.
Biden Taps New OSHA Leader
OSHA has a new acting leader, and his name is Jim Frederick. Appointed by President Biden, Frederick will serve as OSHA’s deputy assistant secretary. In his role, he’s expected to lead occupational health and safety efforts, particularly against COVID-19, the largest...
What You Need to Know about Respirators Going Into 2021
Respirators became the hottest workplace accessory of 2020. And for good reason. They are designed to protect workers from potential workplace hazards, including COVID-19. At Safex, we fit tested more people in 2020 than any previous year. We helped droves of general...
OSHA Recordables Are Possible Even When Working From Home
Working from home seems pretty low risk. But did you know employers are still responsible for recording work from home injuries? It’s true, the same OSHA recordkeeping rules apply for workplace and work from home injuries. While injuries and illnesses must require...
How to Prepare for a COVID-19 OSHA Inspection
As a health and safety professional, you likely always have the thought of an OSHA inspection in the back on your mind. But how about OSHA COVID-19 inspection? The thought alone might spike your blood pressure but with Safex’s tips it doesn’t have to. OSHA area...
What To Do When an Employee Gets COVID-19
Managing COVID-19 cases in the workplace doesn't have to be difficult when you have the right resources. Our team of safety professionals has put together a tip sheet to help. It covers everything from how to communicate with affected employees to cleaning procedures...
Incentivizing Safety the Right Way
In the wake of a workplace incident, an incentive program sounds like an appealing solution to improve workplace safety. It worked for your children, why not your employees? Unfortunately, incentive programs that offer tangible rewards for safety compliance, often...
New Guidance on Face Coverings to Prevent the Spread of COVID-19
The CDC updated their guidance on August 7, 2020, to indicate that that N95 respirators with valves or vents do not prevent the person wearing the respirator from spreading COVID-19. These types of respirators are designed for dusty construction work and the valve...
OSHA’s Recommendation on Cloth Face Coverings At Work
Cloth face coverings mandates are popping up all around the country. Face coverings are intended to prevent wearers who have COVID-19 but are asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic from spreading the virus. What do employers need to know about cloth face coverings for...
Working with Concrete: Hazards and Resolutions
Covering the Basics: With the summer months well under way, we can expect concrete pours to take place all over the Central Ohio Area. We all (should) know the required safety precautions to by which OSHA requires us to abide during a concrete pour: gloves, safety...
Welding Fumes Are Now A Group 1 Carcinogen
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) recently classified welding fumes as a Group 1 carcinogen. This is an increased rating from the last time welding fumes were evaluated in 1989. There are more than 11 million welders worldwide and more than 110...
Heat Stress Tips During the Pandemic
It's the season for heat stress and facial coverings to protect against COVID-19 are creating some unique challenges. Watch this video to learn more.Get a quote.
Utilizing Standard Interpretations for Tricky Situations
You’ve likely been in a situation when you’re looking for more guidance from OSHA related to a unique workplace situation. Maybe you’re diluting a solution and need to know if a separate safety data sheet is now necessary or if the original suffices? Or perhaps you’re...
Alert about Counterfeit Respirators – Buyer Beware
Personal protective equipment is a hot commodity and counterfeiters are aware and trying to take advantage of the market. In the last week, we’ve heard several stories from clients who’ve fallen victim to purchasing what they thought where NIOSH-approved N95s or...
Tips for Safely Using Powder Actuated Tools
What are powder actuated tools? Powder actuated tools (PATs) are fastening devices used to connect material to hard surfaces such as steel, masonry and concrete. PATs have three key components: The fastener which is manufactured with special steel and heat treated...
Think You Know Ink (As a Universal Waste)?
Inks play an important role in the operations of many businesses. If you’re operating in Ohio and have waste inks, did you know you may be able to dispose of them as universal waste? Having this knowledge may save you time and resources. The 2017 Ohio EPA rule change...
Coronavirus: Know the Facts and How to Protect Yourself and Others
Updated 2/28/20 Learn the latest from the CDC (updated daily). The buzz of coronavirus is real but it’s important to know that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration states that “There is no evidence of ongoing transmission of COVID-19 in the United States...
Tech Bulletin: Do You Need a Department of Transportation Hazmat Security Plan?
Shippers, receivers or carriers of certain types and quantities materials are required to have a Department of Transportation (DOT) security plan to protect shipments from security risks, such as theft or sabotage. Security plan requirements are spelled out in 49 CFR...
Tech Bulletin: Fleet Safety
Have vehicles and will travel? If your company has a fleet, follow these tips to mitigate risk on the road.Have vehicles and will travel? If your company has a fleet, follow these tips to mitigate risk on the road. Curb Distracted Driving A study done by the...
Tech Bulletin: Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Rule
**The rule is effective as on October 2020. Read the latest here. Ohio is currently in the rule making process of adopting federal Generator Improvements Rule. Ohio EPA has come out with a draft version of the rule (along with other rules) for Interested Party...
Tech Bulletin: Microlearning for Environmental, Health and Safety
Have you ever heard of microlearning? Maybe not, but it would be a safe guess to say that at some point in your life, possibly even today, you participated in a microlearning session. Have you ever watched a short how-to video on YouTube? Or do you get a word of the...
Tech Bulletin: Improving Your Safety Culture with Leading Indicators
What do: Safety committee participation; The percentage of monthly safety inspections completed; and The number of workers wearing hearing protection All have in common? They’re all examples of leading indicators that can be used to improve your company’s culture of...
Tech Bulletin: What is an “Empty” Container?
It doesn’t matter if you’re a glass (ahem) container half empty or half full person. This article about “empty” containers will help everyone better understand EPA and DOT hazardous materials/waste shipping regulations.Shipping and disposing of hazardous...