OSHA has announced the date for the second annual safe and sound week, which will be held August 13-19, 2018. This national event is intended to promote the value of workplace health and safety programs. Employers are encouraged to hold events and activities that highlight the elements of their health and safety program during this week.
The MA DEP is now using a state version of the federal Notification of Hazardous Waste Activity form #8700-12. All generators of hazardous waste and waste oil must use this form going forward. Prior to this form being rolled out, there were two separate forms for generators to use to notify the DEP of hazardous waste and waste oil generation depending on the volume of waste generated per calendar month.
What would happen if a regulator showed up at your doorstep this afternoon? Would personnel working at the entrance to your facility be prepared, know who to contact, and how to proceed in order to get the inspection started off on the right track?
The holiday season is here! If your company is participating in any kind of seasonal activities, remind employees to continue to comply with the established PPE policy. Hopefully the policy requires certain personal attire while working in the labs in addition to the use of personal protective equipment appropriate for the hazards present.
Safety Partners is celebrating our 25th Anniversary today, October 24, 2017! Having been with the company for over half of those years, this celebration makes me reflect on how important is it to be curious, creative, and practical when implementing EHS programs.
When was the last time you conducted a thorough review of the hazardous material processes occurring at your facility, in accordance with 527 CMR 60.8? This review should be conducted at least annually, and lab workers need to be reminded that they should keep EHS informed of changing processes.
When was the last time you conducted a gap analysis of your EHS program, either by using an outside consultant or an internal resource? If you have never conducted a gap analysis or if it has been some time since the last one, consider investing in this invaluable process.
Celebrate National Nanotechnology Day next Monday, October 9, 2017! This second annual event is intended to raise awareness around nanotechnology, including the challenges and opportunities it presents.
OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogen Standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030, needs to be reviewed in detail when establishing a bloodborne pathogen protection program. This standard applies to all occupational exposure to human blood, human blood components, products made from human blood, and other potentially infectious material as defined in the standard.
The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) publishes a personal annual radiation dose calculator, which can be used to estimate an individual’s average annual radiation dose based on risk factors. If you have not used this calculator before, it may be interesting to see what your projected annual dose is from natural and man-made sources of ionizing radiation.
Certified wastewater operators in MA are required to renew their certification every two years, with renewals due by December 31st of odd-numbered years. Active operators are required to obtain twenty training contact hours (TCHs) over the two-year renewal period. If you are like many other operators, you might be scrambling to complete your TCH criteria by the end of the year.
Almost every facility utilizes contractors in some capacity, whether it is on a routine basis or a sporadic agreement for a specific project. Whenever you hire contractors, be sure to consider the contractor safety program that needs to be implemented.
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