Do you know that OSHA has four specific standards related to ladder safety – 29 CFR 1910.24 Fixed Industrial Stairs, 29 CFR 1910.25 Portable Wood Ladders, 29 CFR 1910.26 Portable Metal Ladders, and 29 CFR 1910.27 Fixed Ladders? These standards are specific to general industry, and 29 CFR 1926 Subpart X applies to construction ladder safety.
On March 28, 2016, OSHA announced that they have published a final rule to update requirements for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for workers in general industry, shipyards, marine terminals, longshoring, and construction.
All of the fume hoods at your facility need to be certified on an annual basis. The certification process verifies that the fume hoods are all operating as they should be and are therefore providing adequate protection for the workers utilizing a fume hood.
OSHA maintains an interactive map of enforcement cases with initial penalties above $40,000, which is updated on a weekly basis. Keep your facility off this map!
Have you ever walked through a biological lab and seen so many disinfectants readily available that you questioned how the scientists could keep them straight?
The Massachusetts Department of Public Health Radiation Control Program regulates the use of lasers through 105 CMR 121.000. Lasers that are classified as 3b or 4 must be registered with the Radiation Control Program by submitting a laser registration application.
Have you ever felt like you are spinning your wheels and can’t make any progress, even for something as basic as obtaining compliance with your personal protective equipment policy?
Everyone should be familiar with the hierarchy of hazard control – elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and personal protective equipment. When selecting appropriate engineering controls, it is critical to install the appropriate equipment to control the hazards present in the work place.
Life Science companies are regulated at the Federal, State, and Local level by various regulatory agencies having jurisdiction over the site and activities conducted. At the local level, many towns and cities have their own ordinances that are enforced by various departments within the city or town government.
The Department of Transportation (DOT) regulates the transport of hazardous material via highway, air, railroad, and vessel. There are numerous regulations stipulated by the DOT for the transport of hazardous materials, including identifying and training hazmat employees.
This story is included in the inaugural 2014 edition of Safety Partners’ publication, “Incidents, Accidents, and Near Misses in Laboratory Research.”
If your facility was registered as a Large Quantity Generator (LQG) of hazardous waste at any time during calendar year 2015, remember that 2016 is a reporting year for Biennial Reports. Treatment, Storage, or Disposal Facilities (TSDFs) are also required to file biennial reports by March 1st of each even-numbered year.
