Tech Bulletins
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...
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...
Preparing for the Unthinkable: Tips for an Active Shooter Situation
We’re mourning the recent acts of violence in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, and the lives lost. While our country heals from these tragedies, we want to take a moment to make sure you know what to do if you are ever in an active shooter situation....
Improving Safety Culture, Moving Beyond Safety First
By Brian Basbagill, CSP, Project ManagerHow many times have you seen a “safety first” banner on a jobsite or heard a manager saying it? Whoever said it first likely had good intentions, however, we challenge you to move beyond this phrase if you want to...
Tech Bulletin: Lead is Lurking Where?
When you hear the term, lead poisoning, what is the first thing that comes to mind? Maybe an old building with lead-based paint? Or contaminated water pipes? Although these are rather common causes of lead poisoning today, there’s another source of lead poisoning you...
OSHA Trenching and Excavation Inspections: Coming Soon to A Job Site Near You
We’ve talked about trenching and excavation safety here before. However, there’s an update to OSHA’s National Emphasis Program (NEP) that everyone in the construction industry needs to know. The new OSHA directive, CPL-02-00-161, addresses an unfortunate resurgence in...
Tech Bulletin: Ready, Set, Post
You may still have New Year’s champagne leftover or if you’re like us, you keep typing 2018 instead of 2019. None-the-less, it’s time to start thinking about an important 2019 OSHA recordkeeping deadline.Ready? Employers with 250+ employees and employers...
Tech Bulletin: Safety in the Coffee Industry
Savoring that cup-o-joe is something many of us do each morning. But when you’re consuming your caffeine, do you ever think about how those coffee beans became the coffee in your cup? Making the drink is a laborious process that includes workers roasting...
Tech Bulletin: Bloodborne Pathogen FAQs
OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogen Standard (29 CFR 1910.1030) is designed to protect workers who may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens like Hepatitis B virus, Hepatitis C virus and HIV. We often get questions from clients about this standard. Here’s a quick FAQ...
Tech Bulletin: DOT Security Plans
Hazardous materials--you need them for your business--but you must be vigilant about shipping them. The US Department of Transportation (DOT) is concerned about the misuse, sabotage and diversion of hazardous materials during transportation. DOT has stepped up their...
Tech Bulletin: Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure Plan Types
Understanding Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure Plans and Regulations If you’re a business with oil onsite. Listen up! Being educated about Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure (SPCC) Plans may help you avoid EPA penalties. ...
Tech Bulletin: Silica Resources
Resources for Controlling Silica in Construction Hot off the press! OSHA recently released some new resources for controlling respirable crystalline silica in construction. To help loyal customers, like you, we’ve rounded up what we thought would be most...
Tech Bulletin: Final EPA Compliance Deadline for Refrigerant Rule Revision Nearing
When the EPA’s final rule on refrigerant management went into effect in 2016, the final phase for roll out and enforcement deadline of 2019 seemed so far away. January 1, 2019 is now just around the corner. It’s not too early to start planning for these...
Tech Bulletin: Working Safely in Hot Temperatures and Avoiding Heat Stress
Global warming has done a number to the Midwest this summer. With another month of hot temperatures expected, it’s important to know the signs of heat stress and how to prevent it.Your enemy: heat!Heat stress can take many forms including:Heat...