Safety & Health

AIHA Survey Highlights the Profession’s Attitudes

 in Safety & Health  tagged AIHA / Safety

AIHA recently conducted a survey to assess the attitudes pertaining to the profession of the membership base. Highlights include the following:

  • Most respondents expected to see an increase  in work related stress.
  • Many respondents expected to see work hours increase
  • A majority of respondents support/would support fines & penalties and as a result expect it to be more difficult to report problems as they arise
  • 50% have 25+ years of experience.
  • Respondents are seeking professional development and certification in multiple formats, including online programs and distance learning

Further information will be provided in OHShub.com’s 2010 Occupational Health & Safety Salary Survey.  Stay tuned for the results.

Source:  AIHA.org

2010 Occupational Health & Safety Salary Survey

 in Safety & Health  tagged Safety / Salary

Survey is now closed.  Results to be posted soon.

This officially unofficial survey (18 quick questions) will provide compensation information gathered from survey information received voluntarily from individuals holding the CIH certification, as well as those with the CSP, CHMM certifications and/or the designation of ASP. Additionally, we invite practicing health and safety professionals (including EHS practitioners) who do not have one of the aforementioned certifications/designations (or have a different certification/designation) to contribute to the survey. The larger and more relevant the survey population, the better the survey results!

Upon completion of the survey period, OHShub will compile the data and post the results and related statistics on our website. All entries are anonymous and no identifying data will be stored. While we do not guarantee the accuracy of the survey results, we ask that all contributors answer the questions as complete and accurate as possible. For questions or comments, please contact us.

OHShub.com
Health & Safety at the Center of Our World

Take the 2010 Occupational Health & Safety Salary Survey

NIOSH Updates List of Hazardous Drugs Used in Healthcare

 in Safety & Health  tagged Healthcare / NIOSH / Safety

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Alert: Preventing Occupational Exposures to Antineoplastic and Other Hazardous Drugs in Health Care Settings was published in September 2004. In Appendix A of the Alert, NIOSH identified a sample list of major hazardous drugs. The list was compiled from infor-mation provided by four institutions that have generated lists of hazardous drugs for their respec-tive facilities and by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) from the American Hospital Formulary Service Drug Information (AHFS DI) monographs. This update adds 21 drugs to the original list in the 2004 Alert. These additions are new drugs or existing drugs that had new warnings from 2004 to 2007.

To download a copy of this document, click HERE ().

Source: NIOSH.gov

OSHA Interpretations: 5 Responses to Scaffolding

 in Safety & Health  tagged Fall Protection / OSHA / Safety / Scaffolding

For information on fall protection, see OHShub.com’s Post , Fall Protection Guidelines.

Five popular Scaffolding interpretations from OSHA (29CFR1926.450, Subpart L).

Question 1: When may the space between scaffold planks or between scaffold planks and uprights exceed one inch in width?

Answer: The relevant standard, 29 CFR §1926.451(b)(1)(i), states:

Each platform unit (e.g., scaffold plank, fabricated plank, fabricated deck, or fabricated platform) shall be installed so that the space between adjacent units and the space between the platform and the uprights is no more than 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide,except where the employer can demonstrate that a wider space is necessary (for example, to fit around uprights when side brackets are used to extend the width of the platform).  (Emphasis added).

In addition, 29 CFR §1926.451(b)(1)(ii) states:

Where the employer makes the demonstration provided for in paragraph (b)(1)(i) of this section, the platform shall be planked or decked as fully as possible and the remaining open space between the platform and the uprights shall not exceed 9 ½ inches (24.1 cm).  (Emphasis added).



Question 2: Scenario: Employees are on a supported scaffold during erecting and dismantling. While on the scaffold they are using 100% fall protection by being tied off at all times. Under this scenario is there a requirement to have guardrails when on the scaffold’s wooden planks?

Answer: No. Section 1926.451(g)(2) states in part:

… the employer shall have a competent person determine the feasibility and safety of providing fall protection for employees erecting and dismantling supported scaffolds. Employers are required to provide fall protection for employees erecting or dismantling supported scaffolds where the installation and use of such protection is feasible and does not create a greater hazard.

In this scenario fall protection is already being used. There is no additional requirement to have guardrails.

Question 3: Do the OSHA standards prohibit tying off to a scaffold?

Answer: No.

It is OSHA’s position that scaffolding can function as a suitable anchorage for fall arrest systems when the scaffolding section so used is erected and braced such that the criteria of §1926.502(d)(15) are met. This applies whether the scaffold is partially built (i.e., being erected or disassembled) or completely built.

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Control Banding: Qualitative Hazard Analysis

 in Safety & Health  tagged CDC / Control Banding / Hazard Analysis / Safety

“The majority of chemical substances in commerce have no established occupational exposure limits (OELs). In the absence of established OELs, employers and workers often lack the necessary guidance on the extent to which occupational exposures should be controlled. A strategy to control occupational exposures that may have value when there are no relevant OELs is known as control banding (CB). CB is a qualitative strategy for assessing and managing hazards associated with chemical exposures in the workplace. The question about the utility of the CB strategy for workplaces in the United States has been raised, warranting a critical review of its concepts and applications. This report is the result of a review of the published literature and related proceedings on CB.

In summary, this review and analysis have led to recognition of the following key messages:

  • Control banding is a potentially valuable tool for risk management of source chemical agents and other occupational hazards.
  • Despite limitations, in the absence of OELs, CB may be a useful strategy for assessing and controling occupational hazards as part of a comprehensive safety and health program.
  • CB is not meant to be a substitute for OELs.
  • The use of CB does not alleviate the need for environmental monitoring and industrial hygiene expertise.
  • CB strategies may be useful for providing hazard control guidance to small and medium size enterprises (SMEs); larger businesses may find CB strategies of greatest utility for prioritizing hazards and for hazard communication.

Additional development, evaluation, and discussion are required before widespread implementation of CB in the United States can be recommended. This document is intended to set the stage for that discussion. At this time, the existing toolkits for CB may not be appropriate for the United States and will need modification before being applied. Critical is the need for a dynamic system that incorporates changing factors over time for both control implementation and managerial oversight. It is recommended that a taskforce of safety and health professionals, labor and management, and government representatives be established to advance the research and development needs for CB in the United States.”

To download a copy of this document, click here ()

Source: CDC.gov

Difference Between Combustible and Flammable Liquids

 in Safety & Health  tagged Combustible / Flammable / Safety

Question #1: Why are the definitions for combustible liquids and flammable liquids different under OSHA’s construction and general industry standards?

Answer #1:

The terms “combustible liquids” and “flammable liquids” are defined in the construction standard at 29 CFR 1926 and in the general industry standard at 29 CFR 1910 as follows:

Construction General Industry
Combustible liquids §1926.155(c) §1910.106(a)(18)
“[A]ny liquid having a flash point at or above 140 °F. (60 °C.) and below 200 °F. (93.4 °C.).” “[A]ny liquid having a flashpoint at or above 100 °F. (37.8 °C.).”
Flammable liquids §1926.155(h) §1910.106(a)(19)
“[A]ny liquid having a flash point below 140 °F. and having a vapor pressure not exceeding 40 pounds per square inch (absolute) at 100 °F.” “[A]ny liquid having a flashpoint below 100 °F. (37.8 °C.), except any mixture having components with flashpoints of 100 °F. (37.8 °C.) or higher, the total of which make up 99 percent or more of the total volume of the mixture.”

The definitions in the two standards are different because the definitions were adopted from different sources. The definitions in the general industry standard originated in a national consensus standard, NFPA 30-1969, while the definitions in the construction standard were adopted from established federal standards under the Construction Safety Act. Because the two sources defined the terms differently, the construction standard and the general industry standard are not consistent.

Question #2: Are there any plans to make the definitions consistent?

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Statistical Analyses for Occupational Exposure Results

 in Safety & Health  tagged CIH Exam Prep / CSP Exam Prep / Safety / Statistics

NIOSH released a guide, Occupational Exposure Sampling Strategy Manual (1977), that describes statistical analyses for occupational exposure results in a clear and concise manner. Included are discussions and examples on:

  • Confidence Limits (CL’s)
  • CL’s and Compliance / Non-compliance Classifications
  • Statistics and Classifications for: full period sampling, partial period sampling, consecutive sampling, grab sampling, comparison to ceiling standards, and more.

If you are looking for a (free) guide that details “real world” occupational exposure statistical analyses, download NIOSH’s guide HERE ().

Guide to Developing a Hazardous Materials Training Program

 in Safety & Health  tagged DOT / HAZMAT / Safety

This guidance document (A Guide to Developing A Hazardous Materials Training Program – link at the bottom of this post) explains the training requirements in the Hazardous Materials Regulations, identifies those employees who must be trained, and provides a tool to help hazmat employers determine what type of training and training environment may be best for their employees.

Hazardous materials transportation is a process that involves people performing functions related to handling, packaging, storing, moving, loading and unloading of hazardous materials, and responding to emergency situations while such materials are in transportation. It includes employees responsible for the safe transportation hazmat. The process also incorporates functions to design, manufacture, fabricate, inspect, mark, maintain, recondition, repair, or test a package, container or packaging component used in transporting hazardous materials. With such a complex process, the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) has identified human error as a contributing cause for most hazmat transportation incidents.

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OSHA to Hold Combustible Dust WebChat on June 28, 2010

 in Safety & Health  tagged Combustible Dust / OSHA / Safety / Webinar

OSHA invites interested parties to participate in a Web Chat on June 28, 2010 at 1 pm ET on the workplace hazards of combustible dust. OSHA plans to use the information gathered in response to this Web Chat in developing a proposed standard for combustible dust.

Participants are requested to provide their name, affiliation, and e-mail address so OSHA can respond to comments or seek clarification.

Participants can access the Web Chat at http://www.dol.gov/dol/chat.htm. The Web Blog will remain accessible for additional feedback through July 7, 2010.

ACGIH and AIHA Continue Alliance Discussions for OELs

 in Safety & Health  tagged ACGIH / AIHA / Safety

The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) and the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) announced that they continue dialogue regarding the proposed strategic alliance announced in May 2009 to develop occupational exposure guidelines. With the originally proposed alliance, AIHA would be an industrial hygiene member professional organization, and ACGIH would be a non-member scientific organization. This would most effectively leverage our efforts and resources to protect worker health, while ensuring that all professionals have an opportunity to be involved in supporting and developing the science and practice of industrial hygiene.

Late last year, ACGIH introduced an alternative alliance approach in which ACGIH receives funding from each of several professional occupational health and safety associations whose members have an interest and stake in the development and use of occupational exposure guidelines. More recently AIHA participated in ACGIH®’s direct discussions with key professional associations to gauge interest. These discussions are expected to continue over the next few months.

Source: Thomasnet, AIHA, ACGIH

Average Salaries: Industrial Hygienist, Certified Safety Professional, EHS Manager

 in Safety & Health  tagged CIH / CSP / EHS / Safety / Salary

(Be sure to check out OHShub.com’s Occupational Health & Safety Professional Salary Survey here for detailed salary information provided by professionals like you!)

Below are the average salaries for occupational health and safety professionals (industrial hygienists, certified safety professionals, and environmental, health, and safety managers) in the US.  The salaries are based upon the average salaries for nationwide  job postings and are a good representation of the salaries available.  Please note that the salaries can have a significant range and depend upon industry, experience and position.

Industrial Hygienist Salary


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