Tech Bulletins
Tech Bulletin: OSHA Now Enforcing General Industry Silica Standard
General Industry Silica Standard Now in Effect By now you likely know what crystalline silica is and why it’s a danger to human health (think silicosis, lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and kidney disease). But did you know that OSHA is...
Tech Bulletin: Legionella and Legionnaires Disease Quick Reference Guide
What is Legionella and Legionnaires’ disease? Legionella is a type of bacterium which is found naturally in fresh water. Legionnaires’ disease is caused when the legionella bacterium infects the lungs and cause pneumonia. The bacteria can also cause a less...
Tech Bulletin: Did You Hear…Otoxicants Can Cause Hearing Loss
Preventing Occupational Hearing Loss So, you’ve got your ear plugs and your noise hazard signs in place, but could there be other things in your workplace affecting your employees’ hearing? (And no, we’re not talking about headphones.) Chemicals that...
Tech Bulletin: All About Toxics Release Inventory
If not properly controlled, handled, shipped, disposed, etc., many chemicals can be nasty to humans and the environment. As part of the EPA’s Community Right-to-Know Act, the EPA requires U.S. businesses to annually report certain chemicals they are...
Tech Bulletin: In-Person Learning Has Its Advantages
"What we learn with pleasure we never forget." - Alfred Mercier Learning is an important part of developing and advancing in your career. Sometimes specific training is required by an employer or OSHA, and other times you may be looking to expand your...
Tech Bulletin: Interpreting Silica Sampling Results
Interpreting silica lab results can be a bit overwhelming, so let’s break it down to make it easy. Doctorates look great on resumes but certainly aren’t needed to interpret silica sampling results. First things first. Conduct sampling and send your...
Tech Bulletin: Handling Emergencies on the Job
On the job emergencies are no laughing matter. Before we dive into a serious topic, we thought you might enjoy a chuckle. Before Chuck Norris gets involved, it’s important that your internal team has a plan for emergencies. Be sure to train your staff...
Tech Bulletin: Fall Hazards and OSHA Standards Associated with Scaffolding
Working with scaffold can be dangerous work. In fact, scaffold citations were the number three most cited standard by OSHA in 2017. Follow these simple tips to keep your workers safe: Tip 1: Safely Use A Ladder to Access Scaffold If a scaffold platform is more than...
Tech Bulletin: Be a Cold Weather Safety Champion
Thank goodness it’s not as cold in Ohio as it is in PyeongChang. While winter Olympians train in freezing conditions to prep them for cold weather performance, you can prepare by being informed. Knowing common cold stress injuries is key to keeping workers...
Tech Bulletin: Silica Safety Tool Box Talk
They say nothing in life is free. Whoever the proverbial they is - surely hasn’t met Safex. Today we’re sharing something for free—a tool box talk about silica. Feel free to use this video on your job site as a starting point for silica safety education....
Tech Bulletin: Silica Table 1
Quartz, cristobalite, and tridymite walk into a bar... Sorry, we haven't figured out the punchline yet, but now that we have your attention, it's time to talk about silica. If you aren't already aware, OSHA is now enforcing most provisions of its...
Winterize the Job Site
The only time employees can be on scaffolding during snowy or icy conditions is if all the snow or the ice is removed
Tech Bulletin: Universal Wastes – Ohio Rule Change
Tech Bulletin: Universal Wastes - Ohio Rule Change The Ohio EPA has a gift for you this holiday season. Yes, you read that right. Their new rule adopted December 8, 2017, and effective December 21, 2017, adds three waste types to the universal waste list. Unlike many...
Extension Cord Safety Tech Bulletin
Tech Bulletin: Extension Cord Safety Extension Cords Mr. Mustard, in the library with an extension cord. Yep, an extension cord can kill and cause destruction. Exposed wiring. Missing ground prongs. Bad placement. Daisy chaining. Take your pick - all are common...
Traffic Safety: Traffic Control Plans and Training
Traffic safety can be confusing for everyone – even the CSPs at Safex! That’s why we called in a local expert and our friend, Mr. Parr Peterson, of the Paul Peterson Company, to help us better understand safety on the roads! During our interview, Mr. Peterson discussed a lot of details revolving around pre-planning traffic and road work. Major points, aspects or elements? included traffic control plans, the Ohio Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices (or OMUTCD for short), and municipalities that require traffic control plans.
Scaffolding – What You Need To Know
Scaffolding…what’s that? A scaffold is an elevated temporary work surface that supports employees or materials. What are the different types? Suspended Scaffolds: A plaform suspended from overhead. Supported Scaffolds: One or more platforms supported by poles, legs,...
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...
OSHA Recordkeeping Updates and Electronic Submissions
The OSHA Recordkeeping online electronic submission application will be accessible on August 1st and employers required to report must do so by Dec. 1st.
Let’s Talk About Heat Exposure
Who’s in the Hot Seat? Lots of people are exposed to heat on the job, either outdoors or in hot indoor environments. Factors like high air temperatures, radiant heat sources, high humidity, direct physical contact with hot objects, or strenuous physical activities can...
Let’s Talk Cranes and Rigging!
Whoa! First things first… Don’t just jump into that crane and start driving! OSHA 1926.1427: Operator Qualifications and Certifications says that employers must ensure that operators are qualified or certified before operating any equipment. So how do I get legit? You...
Let’s Talk Silica
Silica is a major component of sand, rock, and mineral ores—materials that are used on job sites all over the world. Respirable crystalline silica refers to airborne particles containing the minerals quartz, cristobalite, and/or tridymite that can be inhaled.
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.
Proper Extension Cord Use on Job Sites – What’s the Big Deal?
So what’s the problem? The problem is citations, specifically construction ones. In recent months, electrical citations are increasing. And you could be next. Daisies are for lazies: Turns out, Compliance Officers aren’t in the spring mood like the rest of us and...
Hazardous Waste Generator Improvements Final Rule (RCRA)
The EPA recently published an update to the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) hazardous waste generator regulations. These rules go into effect on May 30, 2017
OSHA Beryllium PEL Getting Lowered? Why That Makes Sense
OSHA released a ‘Notice of Proposed Rulemaking’ in August 2015 regarding beryllium. Basically, OSHA wants to significantly lower the Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) & add additional requirements.
Incident Investigation Technical Bulletin
It’s not enough to simply say, “Incidents happen!” By following the proper procedures, you can prevent workplace incidents from happening again in the future!
Department of Transportation Hazardous Materials Definitions and Regulations
The Department of Transportation has specific definitions for hazardous materials and how they required them to be transported and shipped.