OSHA Articles

Introduction to Shipping Container Labeling

Introduction to Shipping Container Labeling

Shipping container labels convey crucial information throughout the shipping process, contributing significantly to the safety and efficiency of the industry.

Labeling Practices for Power Generation Facilities

Labeling Practices for Power Generation Facilities

The power generation sector faces distinctive challenges, with hazards ranging from electrocution to arc flashes. Despite these risks, it remains one of the safer sectors due to stringent safety measures and regulations. Power facilities also incorporate redundancies to prevent outages, emphasizing the need for clear communication through labels, signs, and visual tools.

A Simple Guide to Transportation Industry Labeling Strategies

A Simple Guide to Transportation Industry Labeling Strategies

Make sure you understand the labeling requirements before shipping any hazardous materials with this simple guide.

NFPA 855: The Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems

NFPA 855: The Installation of Stationary Energy Storage Systems

NFPA 855 is an essential standard to follow to maintain worker safety while around stationary energy storage systems.

Understanding OSHA/ANSI First Aid Kit Requirements

Understanding OSHA/ANSI First Aid Kit Requirements

Everything you need to know about first aid kits, where they go, their contents, and why OSHA and ANSI requires them in every workplace.

OSHA Construction Safety

OSHA Construction Safety

Construction safety is all about picking out the right PPE, enforcing OSHA regulations, following consensus standards, and creating trust between you and your workers.

Improving Workplace Electrical Safety

Improving Workplace Electrical Safety

Choosing to improve worker knowledge and equipment for electrical safety creates a much safer workplace and improves overall productivity.

How to Practice Social Distancing in Manufacturing Facilities

How to Practice Social Distancing in Manufacturing Facilities

Social distancing and other protective measures have become a staple in occupational health and safety efforts due to COVID-19. New Social distancing guidelines from OSHA.

OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134)

OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134)

Respiratory protection is essential where toxic substances are present, without PPE employees may suffer from long lasting injury or illness and even death.got

An Introduction to Industrial Hygiene

An Introduction to Industrial Hygiene

OSHA claims industrial hygiene is the science of anticipating, recognizing, evaluating, and controlling workplace conditions that may cause workers' injury or illness.

Preparing the Workplace with Emergency Action Plans (EAP)

Preparing the Workplace with Emergency Action Plans (EAP)

An emergency action plan is a written document required by OSHA that details procedures carried out by employees during the event of an emergency.

Understanding the OSHA 300 Log and Other Incident Paperwork

Understanding the OSHA 300 Log and Other Incident Paperwork

The OSHA 300 log, 300A, and 301 forms are required by law if a company meets certain criteria. These forms enable the recognition of hazards that need to be eliminated.

Keeping Operators Safe with Machine Guarding

Keeping Operators Safe with Machine Guarding

Machine guards are essential for facilities where employees work in close proximity to hazardous moving parts. Properly safeguarding machines prevents severe injury and death.

Fall Protection in the Workplace: OSHA’s Guidelines

Fall Protection in the Workplace: OSHA’s Guidelines

Falls are among the leading causes of work-related injuries. Learn about the fall arrest equipment you need and best practices for a fall protection program in your workplace.

Floor Marking for Social Distancing

Floor Marking for Social Distancing

Using floor marking materials such as signs, tape, and other visual reminders is a highly effective way to implement social distancing and reduce the spread of illness in your facility.

OSHA's Guidelines to Protecting Employees from Coronavirus

OSHA's Guidelines to Protecting Employees from Coronavirus

Learn which OSHA standards apply to preventing exposure to illness in the workplace, how to determine level of risk, and which controls to implement to protect your workers.

Workplace Safety Inspections & Audits

Workplace Safety Inspections & Audits

Safety inspections and safety audits are two different methods of continuously improving health and safety in the workplace. Find out which one you need for effective safety management.

Quality, Health, Safety, Environment (QHSE) Management Systems

Quality, Health, Safety, Environment (QHSE) Management Systems

Quality, Health, Safety, Environment (QHSE) management systems help businesses achieve three main objectives: enhanced quality, worker safety, and environmental sustainability.

Guide to ANSI/ISEA Z358.1

Guide to ANSI/ISEA Z358.1

ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 is the OSHA-enforced standard for eyewash stations and other equipment used to treat the eyes, face, and body of workers who have been exposed to hazardous materials.

OSHA Incident Rates (Calculators + Formulas)

OSHA Incident Rates (Calculators + Formulas)

Calculating the OSHA Incident Rate and other safety rates is a useful tool for businesses to evaluate the frequency of onsite injuries and illnesses. The lower the rate, the safer the company.

Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

Safety Data Sheets (SDS)

Safety Data Sheets contain crucial information about the classifications and associated hazards of a chemical. They follow a standardized 16-section format and are required for any facility that handles, stores, or transports chemicals.

Fire Safety in the Workplace

Fire Safety in the Workplace

Fire safety is essential in every workplace. These are the principles that will help your facility prepare for fires and prevent them from occurring in the first place.

Mine Safety & Health [Expert Advice]

Mine Safety & Health [Expert Advice]

Miners face many hazards that put their safety at risk. By adhering to MSHA standards and providing training and appropriate equipment, employers can enhance mining safety.

Title 49: Shipping Hazardous Materials

Title 49: Shipping Hazardous Materials

CFR 49 notes the procedure for transporting hazardous materials safely in compliance with the HMR. Learn more about this important regulation.

What is Heat Stress?

What is Heat Stress?

Are your workers at risk for heat stress? Learn how to prevent this illness and the best plan of action.

Food Security

Food Security

With the 2011 passage of the Food Safety Modernization Act, considerable attention has been focused on the purity of our foods from the perspective of accidental contamination.

A Quick Guide to Underground Utility Labeling

A Quick Guide to Underground Utility Labeling

Underground utility labeling is an essential ingredient to every project that involves construction. This article outlines the step-by-step process of getting your site inspected for utilities, and how to label underground lines safely and accurately.

Your Guide to Pipe Labeling Standards

Your Guide to Pipe Labeling Standards

If you are looking to implement or update a pipe marking strategy for your facility it is important to gathering as much information as possible. Read More...

OSHA Sign Compliance: ANSI 1967 vs. ANSI 2011 [With 2017 Updates]

OSHA Sign Compliance: ANSI 1967 vs. ANSI 2011 [With 2017 Updates]

OSHA regulations require businesses to follow one of two safety sign standards to remain in compliance: ANSI 1967 and ANSI 2011. Take a look at these two styles and pick the one that best meets your needs.

What is HAZCOM? (Hazard Communication Definition + OSHA Standards)

What is HAZCOM? (Hazard Communication Definition + OSHA Standards)

Hazcom is designed to help employees to quickly identify hazardous chemicals. Learn more beneficial information about Hazcom.

A Guide to Pipe Marking Standards

A Guide to Pipe Marking Standards

For most industries, abiding by ASME/ANSI pipe marking standards is sufficient for staying safe and OSHA compliant. Some workplaces, though, are required to comply to more unique pipe marking standards due to the nature of the substance the pipes contain.

What is a thermal printer? (direct transfer)

What is a thermal printer? (direct transfer)

Thermal printers are essential to printing in an industrial setting. Learn about the two types of thermal printing to determine which one suits your facility’s needs.

SVEP – Severe Violator Enhancement Program

SVEP – Severe Violator Enhancement Program

OSHA’s Severe Violator Enhancement Program (SVEP) was created to help ensure companies actually improve safety practices instead of just paying fines for violations. Learn how to avoid getting this designation by improving your workplace safety protocols and become a safe, efficient facility.

OSHA Accident Reports

OSHA Accident Reports

All companies want to avoid accidents, but an unfortunate reality is that work-related injuries happen. How a company reacts to the incident is crucial.

Compliance Audit

Compliance Audit

Compliance audits are intended to help improve safety both for employees of the company, and for the community as a whole. Learn more about compliance audits how to prepare for them.

Industrial Floor Marking Guidelines

Industrial Floor Marking Guidelines

OSHA doesn’t offer much guidance on how floor markings should be installed, so we’ve compiled some helpful tips and best practices to ensure your markings are useful, straightforward, and helpful to everyone in your facility.

Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS Labels)

Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS Labels)

Having a complete understanding of the Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS) is essential to keeping your employees safe when working with chemicals.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Get answers to the most common questions regarding Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

HAZWOPER [OSHA Hazardous Waste Standard]

HAZWOPER [OSHA Hazardous Waste Standard]

Crucial training for anyone who works with or near hazardous waste, the HAZWOPER standard seeks to keep workers safe and prevent environmental catastrophe.

OSHA Card [Program Requirements + Benefits]

OSHA Card [Program Requirements + Benefits]

The term OSHA Card refers to a type of certification that is issued from OSHA after completing authorized training that they provide.

Hazardous Waste Disposal

Hazardous Waste Disposal

Implementing proper hazardous waste disposal tools within the workplace is essential for keeping employees safe. Do you have these hazardous waste tools?

Short-Term Exposure Limit

Short-Term Exposure Limit

Short-term exposure limits are a guideline that employers can use for how long an employee can be exposed to certain chemicals before their safety is compromised. Find out more...

Safety Audit

Safety Audit

In a safety audit, information is gathered about one or more aspects of the workplace in order to evaluate the risk levels for health or safety issues including efficiency, reliability, and effectiveness of their health and safety systems.

Planned Maintenance

Planned Maintenance

Planned maintenance, also known as planned preventative maintenance or scheduled maintenance, is an activity where a company will schedule work done in order to avoid outages.

ANSI S3.19 – Noise Reduction

ANSI S3.19 – Noise Reduction

In most facilities there is no way to eliminate dangerous levels of noise, so it becomes necessary to wear hearing protection. Hearing protection is regulated by ANSI S3.19 standards.

Visual Factories

Visual Factories

Visual factories use signs, posters, charts, labels and floor marking to provide information that improves efficiency, safety and productivity in the workplace. This is a fairly simple concept that yields excellent results.

OSHA 10-Hour Card [Training Requirements]

OSHA 10-Hour Card [Training Requirements]

The OSHA 10 Hour Training program teaches those in attendance all about workplace hazards, the rights and responsibilities of employees and employers, workplace safety, and more.

NIST Certification / Calibration

NIST Certification / Calibration

NIST is a standards laboratory that is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce that certifies that the equipment used by labs or manufacturing facilities is properly calibrated according to the industry standards in place.

ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 Standard [Eye Protection + Safety Glasses]

ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 Standard [Eye Protection + Safety Glasses]

ANSI Z87.1 focuses on safety glasses and helps employers and employees make decisions that can help protect people’s eyes and face from a variety of threats.

Hazard and Operability (HAZOP Analysis)

Hazard and Operability (HAZOP Analysis)

When done properly, the HAZOP process will identify potential design or process flaws that were not discovered in the past.

OSHA General Duty Clause

OSHA General Duty Clause

The OSHA General Duty Clause is in place to require that employers provide employees with a workplace free from any recognizable hazards that could put them at risk of death or serious injury.

Ammonia Refrigeration

Ammonia Refrigeration

When using ammonia refrigeration, or ammonia for anything in the workplace, there are a variety of OSHA regulations that need to be followed.

Fire Prevention in the Workplace [OSHA 1910.39]

Fire Prevention in the Workplace [OSHA 1910.39]

Fire prevention safety is important for all employees and workplaces. This article explains fire prevention standards and provides helpful tips.

OSHA Safety Sign Requirements [1910.145]

OSHA Safety Sign Requirements [1910.145]

Understanding OSHA standards for warning signs and tags is an essential part creating a safe work environment.

ANSI Color Codes for Pipe Marking

ANSI Color Codes for Pipe Marking

When following the ANSI A13.1 standards, the most important thing is to understand the six most common color schemes.

OSHA Ear Protection Requirements (Standards for Hearing Safety)

OSHA Ear Protection Requirements (Standards for Hearing Safety)

Many people don't think about hearing protection when we talk about safety, but hearing injuries are one of the most common types of injuries that occur in the work place.

Typical Lockout Tagout Procedures

Typical Lockout Tagout Procedures

Find out how to use lockout tagout procedures for different kinds of energy including electrical, chemical, and pneumatic.

GHS Label Information

GHS Label Information

A closer look at OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard—1900.1200—and how it applies to your facility.

Confined Space Hazards

Confined Space Hazards

When is it safe to work in a confined space? Get the details in this article.

Safety Colors (OSHA Guidelines and Color Codes)

Safety Colors (OSHA Guidelines and Color Codes)

Using colors strategically makes communication in your facility more effective. Get the details about common color codes.

ANSI Z535 [Updated Guide to Safety Signs & Labels]

ANSI Z535 [Updated Guide to Safety Signs & Labels]

An in-depth look at ANSI’s standard for safety signs and labels in the workplace.

Floor Stickers – Your floors come alive and speak

Floor Stickers – Your floors come alive and speak

Improve safety in your workplace by using these 10 types of floor signs.

PPE: Personal Protective Equipment [Safety Standards]

PPE: Personal Protective Equipment [Safety Standards]

Get an overview of common PPE requirements for the workplace including breathing protection, eye protection, and more.

Valve Tags: Guide for Pipe Identification

Valve Tags: Guide for Pipe Identification

Tips and recommendations for labeling the valves on your pipe system.

Arc Flash Software helps improve Arc Flash Safety

Arc Flash Software helps improve Arc Flash Safety

A review of common software programs that will help you reduce arc flash hazards.

Aisle Marking Tape – 5 Strongest Tapes You have Ever Seen!

Aisle Marking Tape – 5 Strongest Tapes You have Ever Seen!

Learn the requirements for marking aisles and the best methods for doing so.

The Definitive Guide to Globally Harmonized System (GHS) Labeling

The Definitive Guide to Globally Harmonized System (GHS) Labeling

Implementing GHS has been an evolving process for many companies. Here's what you need to know.

Hierarchy of Controls [Hazard Exposure + Prevention]

Hierarchy of Controls [Hazard Exposure + Prevention]

An explanation of the best ways to mitigate hazards: elimination, substitution, engineering controls, administrative controls, and PPE.

Material Safety Data Sheets [How-To Guide for Upgrading to SDS]

Material Safety Data Sheets [How-To Guide for Upgrading to SDS]

Learn the difference between the old material safety data sheets and the new GHS/HazCom safety data sheets.

Pipe Color Codes - ANSI/ASME A13.1

Pipe Color Codes - ANSI/ASME A13.1

The ANSI/ASME A13.1 pipe marking color code explained.

OSHA Facts

OSHA Facts

Everything you need to know about the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

What are ANSI standards?

What are ANSI standards?

The American National Standards Institute makes guidelines that could impact your workplace.

Arc Flash [Facts, Safety Requirements & PPE]

Arc Flash [Facts, Safety Requirements & PPE]

Arc flash can cause serious damage to people and property. Learn how arc flash works and how you can prevent it.

OSHA Floor Marking

OSHA Floor Marking

Find out what OSHA has to say about marking your facility's floors.

Process Safety Management

Process Safety Management

PSM is an OSHA standard developed for companies that handle hazardous chemicals.

Floor marking comprehensive research, education and training

Floor marking comprehensive research, education and training

Everything you need to know about marking your facility’s floors. Types of markings, practical tips, and more.


OSHA Questions and Answers

What are some examples of OSHA violations?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforces regulations designed to protect employees through safe working conditions. Violating the regulations can result in harm to employees or even fatalities, as well as risking significant penalties for business owners. In this article, we discuss some common examples of OSHA violations which can be learnt from. Electrical violations Electrical… 

What Does TRIR Stand For?

In the world of occupational health and safety, acronyms abound, each representing a critical aspect of workplace well-being. Among them, TRIR stands out as a pivotal metric, influencing decisions, policies, and assessments. In this article, we'll unravel the meaning behind TRIR, its significance in evaluating workplace safety, and how it contributes to fostering a culture… 

Why Does TRIR Matter?

In the realm of workplace safety and performance measurement, TRIR (Total Recordable Incident Rate) stands as a crucial metric. It serves as a key indicator of a company's safety performance, reflecting its commitment to the well-being of its employees. In this article, we'll explore why TRIR matters, its significance in assessing workplace safety, and how… 

What is an Occupational and Safety Officer?

An Occupational and Safety Officer, also known as an OSH (Occupational Safety and Health) Officer or EHS (Environmental Health and Safety) Officer, is a professional responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of workers in an organization. They play a critical role in preventing accidents and injuries, promoting a safe and healthy work environment, and… 

What is OSHA’s Motto?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a federal government agency that is responsible for ensuring the safety and health of workers in the United States. OSHA's primary goal is to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities by enforcing safety standards and regulations. To achieve this goal, OSHA has developed several initiatives, programs, and… 

What Does OSHA 30 Cover?

OSHA 30 is a training course that covers a range of topics related to occupational safety and health. It is designed to provide workers and supervisors with the knowledge and skills they need to identify and prevent workplace hazards, and to understand their rights and responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). The course… 

How Can I Report a Company to OSHA?

If you believe that your employer is violating OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) regulations, or if you have experienced a hazardous situation at work, you may want to report the issue to OSHA. Reporting a company to OSHA can help to ensure that the issue is addressed and that the company is held accountable… 

What is a Compliance Audit?

A compliance audit is a review of a company's operations to ensure that it is following all relevant laws, regulations, and standards. In the manufacturing industry, compliance audits are used to ensure that companies are adhering to safety, health, and environmental regulations, as well as industry-specific standards. During a compliance audit, an auditor will review the… 

How do I contact OSHA?

If you have questions about occupational safety and health, or if you need to report a hazard or violation in your workplace, you may want to contact the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA is a federal agency that is responsible for enforcing safety and health regulations in the workplace, and it offers a… 

What Does BBP (Blood Borne Pathogen) Stand For?

BBP stands for "blood-borne pathogen." A blood-borne pathogen is a microorganism, such as a virus or a bacterium, that is carried in the blood and can cause disease. Some examples of blood-borne pathogens include HIV, hepatitis B and C, and syphilis. Bloodborne pathogens can be transmitted through contact with infected blood or bodily fluids, such as… 

What is the NIST Certification?

NIST stands for the National Institute of Standards and Technology, which is one of the largest and most respected non-regulatory federal agencies. It operates under the Department of Commerce. This agency offers certifications for various products to confirm that they have completed a complete testing process and that the claims made about the product are… 

What are the OSHA Worker Rights and Protections?

Employers collect a lot of data on a lot of different things in the workplace. One of the things they need to keep track of is certain types of hazards. For example, if a company is using a specific type of known hazardous material, they need to fill out the proper documentation that they have… 

What is OSHA 10?

OSHA 10-hour training courses provide entry-level workers in construction and general industry authorized by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration basic safety and health information. Since the agency's Outreach Training Program was initiated in 1971, OSHA has been working to provide training for hazards and outreach classes to communicate workers' rights. OSHA 10 Certification At the end… 

What agency of government is OSHA in?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a regulatory agency of the United States Department of Labor, a cabinet-level department of the federal government headed by the U.S. Secretary of Labor. Their mission, as when signed into law, is to "assure safe and healthy working conditions for working men and women by setting and… 

What is TRIR?

TRIR stands for Total Recordable Incident Rate. Also known as Total Case Incident Rate, TRIR is a key metric for evaluating the organization’s safety performance from the past year. It is a lagging indicator created by OSHA and used additionally for comparing safety performances of organizations within a particular industry. With TRIR, the lower the… 

What does CFR stand for?

The Code of Federal regulations, also referred to as CFR, is a compilation of mandatory laws that have been created by several federal regulatory agencies. An example of one of those regulatory agencies is OSHA, one of the most familiar organizations to all those involved in the workforce. Currently, there are a total of 50… 

What types of businesses need to be OSHA compliant?

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, is an agency of the federal government that is dedicated to making sure employers in the United States are safe. They are best known for making regulations designed to ensure employees are safe at work, but they do much more than that as well. Just about all… 

Why is OSHA training important?

OSHA is best known for creating and enforcing a wide range of different rules and regulations that businesses in the United States need to follow. While this is certainly a major component of what they do, it is not the full picture. OSHA also offers training to employers, employees, and others who need to learn… 

What is the relationship between CDC and OSHA?

Business owners need to follow many rules and regulations to help keep their employees safe. When looking into various workplace safety requirements, it is not at all uncommon to see references to the CDC and OSHA. Both of these are government agencies that have a lot to say about keeping people safe, but they are… 

What does HAZWOPER stand for?

HAZWOPER is an acronym that stands for OSHA’s hazardous waste operations and emergency response standard. This standard, 1910.120, establishes safe practices for handling hazardous waste and preparing for situations in which a toxic chemical or other substance is accidentally released. These events are extremely dangerous for workers and may have a serious impact on both… 

How are violations reported to OSHA?

If you see a hazard on your worksite that isn’t being addressed, or believe that your employer is violating a standard that has been established by OSHA and is applicable to your workplace, what can you do about it? OSHA has protections in place to help you report these types of violations so hazards can… 

What is OSHA's General Duty Clause?

The General Duty Clause from OSHA identifies several requirements that employers must provide for their employees related to a safe work environment. These are all general requirements that are intentionally vague so that OSHA can use them to enforce workplace safety standards in many situations. Three Clauses This section of OSHA’s requirements is 29 USC 654,… 

How are OSHA cards obtained?

Employers often require their employees hold OSHA cards. This is a card that is given out by OSHA after a person completes their Outreach Training Program’s 10-hour and 30-hour safety courses. Getting the required training, and the OSHA card, from only authorized locations is essential for ensuring everything is valid. It is also the only… 

What is HAZWOPER?

HAZWOPER is an acronym that stands for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response. Proper HAZWOPER safety and training is essential for a wide variety of industries, as hazardous waste is commonly generated and you don’t necessarily have to work at a waste site to come into contact with hazardous substances. These substances include batteries, paints,… 

What kind of Spanish resources does OSHA offer?

OSHA has compiled a number of compliance assistance resources for Spanish-speaking workers. Resources include dictionaries, Spanish publications, OSHA standards in Spanish, training resources, and more. Below are some of their featured resources which you can find on their Spanish-Language Compliance Assistance page. eTools for Construction: This eTool was developed to provide helpful safety information to… 

Why is it important to offer Spanish resources?

The majority of workplaces across the country must maintain a safe workplace according to standards and regulations set forward by OSHA. It is OSHA’s mission to “assure safe and healthful working conditions for working men and women by setting and enforcing standards and by providing training, outreach, education and assistance.” OSHA has also issued a… 

Can OSHA eliminate hazards in the workplace?

The firs way OSHA works to eliminate hazards in the workplace is by developing standards regarding fire hazards, chemical hazards, etc. that employers have to adhere to in order to be in compliance. OSHA has recommended practices for safety and health programs, including effectively reducing hazards in the workplace with the Hierarchy of Controls. The… 

What OSHA training is required?

There are a handful of trainings that is required to all employees, no matter their job or sector they are working in. All employers are required to train workers on accident prevention signs and tags, the facility’s emergency action plan, and the fire prevention plan. All new employees also must be trained for these as… 

How does OSHA affect a business?

All employers need to thoroughly understand the applicable regulations and standards that will affect their workplace. The following are a handful of ways that OSHA can affect a business. Inspections: Inspections are a way for OSHA to enforce their regulations and standards. These inspections are not random but rather the agency conducts inspections based on… 

Who is OSHA meant to protect?

OSHA is an agency under the United States Department of Labor, responsible for occupational safety, wage and hour standards, and reemployment standards just to name a few. The primary focus of OSHA is to protect employees in the workforce and to reduce the number of deaths, injuries, and illnesses in the workplace. OSHA works to… 

What records does OSHA require an employer to have on hand?

Employers are required to keep a record of serious work-related fatalities, injuries, and illnesses. OSHA requires these records (the OSHA 300 Log, the privacy case list, the annual summary and the OSHA 301 Incident Report Forms) to be maintained at the worksite for a minimum of five years. Find OSHA’s general recording criteria here. There… 

What does it mean to be OSHA compliant?

Being compliant with OSHA means to adhere to all applicable regulations that have been developed. The following is a list of standards that must be followed by employers in order to keep the workplace safe and reduce the number of illnesses/injuries of workers. These standards are pertinent to most private sector employers as well as… 

What OSHA posters are required?

The main poster required to be displayed in a workplace is the mandatory OSHA poster. OSHA offers this poster for free as well as a high-resolution printable document. The poster is titled “OSHA Job Safety and Health: It’s the Law” and goes into detail regarding an employee’s rights and the employer’s obligations to a safe… 

How does OSHA work?

Under the agency of OSHA, workers have the right to a safe workplace free from serious hazards. OSHA has set and developed regulations to ensure workers are kept safe while on the clock. These standards are primarily enforced through inspections. During these inspections, compliance officers will tour and evaluate the facility as well as review… 

What are OSHA's requirements when it comes to PPE?

Personal protective equipment is essential to keeping workers safe from hazards on the job. Employers are required, by OSHA law, to provide properly fitting and effective PPE to workers at no cost to them. OSHA considers PPE be to be used as a “last line of defense” in the hierarchy of hazard control but requires… 

What is an OSHA card?

Did you know companies that have their employees get an OSHA card are more likely to have reduced accidents and injuries? An OSHA card refers to the card an employee will receive upon completing either a 10-hour or 30-hour Outreach Training Program, course focused on learning about improving safety in the workplace. This training may… 

How does OSHA conduct inspections?

OSHA inspections are conducted by a compliance safety and health officers and are often unannounced visits. The following is a usual procedure of an OSHA inspection: Preparation and presentation of credentials: Before the inspector conducts the inspection, he or she will research inspection history of the worksite and review the operations and processes in use.… 

Why is OSHA such an important association?

Did you know thousands of employees die from workplace hazards every year, and millions of workers suffer from an occupational illness or injury? And this is with OSHA! OSHA’s mission at its core is to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for workers all across America. They work to achieve this mission by setting standards,… 

What happens if you violate an OSHA standard?

OSHA enforces their standards through inspections and assessing fines for the violations found upon inspection. Enforcing standards through citations and fines are a part of OSHA’s core mission to reduce workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. The following are levels of violations with the corresponding penalty amounts as most recently updated by OSHA: De Minimis Violation:… 

Are OSHA inspections random?

OSHA enforces their regulations primarily through compliance safety and health officers conducting inspections in workplaces. These inspectors are experienced and trained industrial hygienist professionals that assures compliance with OSHA requirements. OSHA states that the majority of inspections conducted without advanced notice. Because there are more than seven million workplaces in OSHA’s jurisdiction, it is impossible for… 

When was OSHA developed?

President Richard Nixon signed the Occupational Safety and Health Act on December 29, 1970 effectively establishing OSHA as a governmental agency. The act and OSHA itself became effective April 28, 1971 and OSHA was officially formed. Between May 1971 and May 1972, OSHA adopted the existing national consensus and established Federal standards as a baseline… 

Are OSHA regulations considered the law?

Workers are entitled to a safe workplace under federal law, and in turn employers must comply with OSHA standards and provide employees with a workplace that does not have any serious hazards. OSHA can enforce their regulations by conducting scheduled inspections or inspections following a serious injury or fatality in the workplace. Regulations that are… 

What does OSHA stand for?

OSHA is an acronym for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a governmental agency part of the United States Department of Labor. The agency was established under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, an act signed into law by President Nixon in 1970. The majority of private sector and employers are covered by the OSHA… 


Before President Nixon signed the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, workers were not afforded the right to a safe workplace, often leaving them with the difficult choice of risking their health working in hazardous conditions or leaving a job with a steady paycheck. In the decades since, OSHA has transformed the landscape of workplace safety – dramatically reducing the number of workers killed on the job and holding employers accountable for safe jobsites.

So, what does OSHA do?

  • Rights & Responsibilities: Employees are guaranteed the right under OSHA regulations to working conditions that do not pose a risk of serious harm. Employers on the other hand, are responsible for a workplace “free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm.”
  • Health & Safety Standards: OSHA’s standards are law, and Businesses must comply with all applicable OSHA standards to protect their employees from workplace hazards.
  • Inspections + Enforcement: OSHA inspections are an important component of reducing workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities; in 2018 alone, OSHA conducted more than 30,000 inspections. A compliance officer shows up to facilities, typically unannounced, tours the workplace, and at the end issues any citations for violations found. Penalties can be hefty and ongoing until the hazard has been properly addressed.
  • Whistleblower Protection: Employees are protected from retaliation under OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection Program. Anyone who files a complaint with OSHA is protected from any negative consequences brought upon by their employer (firing, demoting, reducing pay, etc.).

At Creative Safety Supply, we are dedicated to helping organizations meet compliance and improve safety. Below we have gathered our expert resources on all things OSHA, from deep dives into the most frequently cited standards to free OSHA inspection checklists. A safe and compliant workplace is a productive one, and we’re here to help.

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OSHA Blog Posts

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OSHA Infographics

Top 10 OSHA Violations in 2019

Top 10 OSHA Violations in 2019

Most common OSHA violations of 2019 This infographic includes the top ten safety violations OSHA observed during inspections in 2019. Many… 

Top 10 OSHA Violations in 2018

Top 10 OSHA Violations in 2018

Most common OSHA violations in 2018 This illustrated list covers the most frequently cited OSHA standards compiled from the thousands of… 

Eye Injuries in the Workplace

Eye Injuries in the Workplace

Eye Injuries in the Workplace 1000 eye injuries occur every day in U.S. workplaces, according to OSHA estimates. Injuries range from eye… 

OSHA Top 10 Violations of 2015

OSHA Top 10 Violations of 2015

Top 10 OSHA Violations of 2015* Fall Protection (1926.501) - 6,721 Violations Hazard Communication (1910.1200) - 5,192 Violations Scaffolding (1926.451) - 4,295 Violations … 

Stay on Top of Ladder Safety

Stay on Top of Ladder Safety

How to stay on top of ladder safety Each day ladder-related accidents cause: 2000 Injuries 1 Fatality In the workplace, 20% of… 

The Importance of Industrial Label Printers

The Importance of Industrial Label Printers

The Importance of Industrial Label Printers in the Workplace Safety 2.8 million workplace injuries occur every year in the US alone.This equates… 

Pipe Marking 101: Why is Pipe Marking Important?

Pipe Marking 101: Why is Pipe Marking Important?

Pipe Marking 101 - Why is pipe marking important? Safety - Eliminate accidents by minimizing identification errors. Efficiency - No wasted time… 

Surprise OSHA Inspection? What to Expect

Surprise OSHA Inspection? What to Expect

Surprise OSHA Inspection? What to Expect. Inspections have four main parts Presentation of Credentials The inspector will present credentials, which contain a… 

GHS Timeline: What's Next?

GHS Timeline: What's Next?

GHS: What's Next? The timeline of GHS Compliance The GHS Mission: To internationally standardize classification and labeling of chemicals with pictograms, signal… 

Forklift Accidents: Causes and Prevention

Forklift Accidents: Causes and Prevention

Forklift Accidents: Causes and Prevention There are approximately one million active forklifts in the United States. It is estimated that 11%… 

Lockout/Tagout Safety

Lockout/Tagout Safety

Lockout/Tagout Safety Lockout/Tagout regulations are based on OSHA 29 CFR 1910.147 “Control of Hazardous Energy” standard Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) refers to the specific… 

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OSHA Podcasts

Safety programs work best by consulting workers. EHS expert Lori Siegelman of W&M Environmental tells how to involve employees to build safety programs. Lori says a worker doing a task is the best person to ask about safety for that task.… 

Behavior observation means workers watch out for each other. Safety expert Marc McClure shatters myths, tells of reducing incidents with his staff by 80 percent. Marc manages 350 people as Divisional Safety Manager at electrical contractor IES Commercial & Industrial in… 

Forklifts vs. pedestrians. Who has to stop? People on foot technically have the right-of-way. But some say powered industrial trucks should hold sway. Safety expert Jonathan Jacobi, of Underwriters Laboratories, tells how some companies ask walking workers to cede their right-of-way… 

HazCom labels and SDSs are confusing - until now. Two OSHA industrial hygienists explain what is happening right now with the Hazard Communication Standard. Hear about HCS 2012 changes in chemical labeling and Safety Data Sheets. OSHA’s Lana Nieves and Sven… 

Front-line workers shouldn’t be fired for blowing the whistle on safety. Their observations need to be taken seriously by managers, says Dr. Sidney Dekker. Employees in the middle of the action know real-world safety, according to Dr. Dekker. As front-line workers,… 

Safety kickoffs can alienate experienced workers. Learn how to bring these staffers into new, safer realms with John Drebinger, Jr., expert safety speaker. John also lists the five reasons to watch out for other people’s safety. In this podcast, Dan Clark… 

OSHA inspections are a breeze if you’re ready. An OSHA Consultation Manager tells how OSHA can help your company be safe and ready for inspection. For FREE. An OSHA consultation visit cannot trigger an OSHA inspection. Consultation and Enforcement divisions operate… 

Fall prevention requires employer planning and employee training. Listen to Matt McNicholas of OSHA discuss the annual Construction Fall Safety Stand-Down May 4-15, 2015. Matt says employers need to do three things to keep employees safe from falls: 1. Plan ahead to… 

Fall prevention saves lives. Hear Dr. Christine Branche of NIOSH talk passionately about the annual Construction Fall Safety Stand-Down May 4-15, 2015. Dr. Branche explains that companies are asked to pause work on job sites to review fall prevention with employees.… 

HazCom labeling changes are here. OSHA’s new standards finally match GHS labeling. Expert Chuck Paulausky, CHMM, explains hazard communication labeling. Chuck says the new labels are a big safety improvement from previous systems. He explains the new rules, and their similarities… 

NFPA 70E electrical standards see a major shift in the 2015 edition. Hear Bill Burke of the NFPA explain the change in risk assessment. Bill urges non-electricians to be aware of NFPA 70E. It will help them understand the potential for… 

Electrical safety at work kicks up a notch with strong advice from OSHA trainer Jon Koppari. Hear Jon’s tips for safety managers, owners and workers. In 13 short minutes, Jon covers lockout/tagout; arc flash PPE, arc flash labeling, NFPA 70E regulations… 

Ladder safety increases with tips from expert Dave Francis. 3 points of contact/control, fiberglass vs. wood, correct footwear and more are discussed. Dave Francis works for Little Giant Ladder Systems as their National Safety Director. Dan Clark asks Dave 10 ladder… 

Earthquake safety at work? A quake could happen while employees are on the job. Prep with workplace emergency supplies, equipment and evacuation drills. American Red Cross staffer Melinda Davis says doorway thresholds are unsafe. Previous emergency protocol advised people to stand… 

Safety Management. Has it helped workplace safety improve? Safety management systems expert Maureen Johnson, of IBM, rates 30 years of safety. As the Integrated Health Services Program Manager for IBM, Maureen describes strides made in safety management systems since she entered… 

Safety recognition programs that cost the least work the best. Hear a former OSHA trainer explain how to have a better recognition program inexpensively. Steve Geigle worked for 16 years with OSHA, Oregon. He’s seen safety recognition programs fail miserably. Hear… 

OSHA inspections can create panic in every safety manager. Relax. An OSHA Enforcement Manager responds to 18 questions on inspections, revealing the facts. Gary Beck, Enforcement Manager of Oregon OSHA, explains what any company owner or safety manager should expect during… 

Combustible dust explosions can happen in a confined workspace without notice. Hear dust and flammability expert Dr. Ashok Dastidar discuss a Go/No-Go test, and how to collect a sample of dust in your facility. Fine metal or organic particles can burst… 

Safety observers don’t have to be safety managers. You can count on regular employees to monitor safety. Hear about the research which backs up this claim. Cary Usrey of Predictive Solutions started his career in the U.S. Navy's Nuclear Power Program.… 

Safety resources for free? Former OSHA inspector, Dave Weber, explains why he offers the goods. Listen, be inspired, and find safety content at no cost. Dave says “My father and my uncle were both seriously hurt in on-the-job accidents…I get a… 

10 Rules For Forklift Safety can keep drivers and pedestrians safe on the job. Some forklift safety tips are obvious, some not-so. New drivers and experienced pros can benefit from this podcast. Brandon Nys interviews Antonio Ferraro, one of the blog… 

Eye and face protection must be worn correctly by the worker and provided by the employer. Hear OSHA’s answers to important questions in this podcast. There are so many workplace hazards affecting eye and face safety. 1. When do companies have to… 

Chemical hazards can lurk, unseen. The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) says we should learn from the West Fertilizer Company explosion in Texas. Listen for their study results. The CSB recently released its investigation findings into the 2013 explosion at the… 

Safety signs help companies be OSHA compliant based on ANSI Z535 safety sign and tag standards. Hear about four categories of workplace safety signs. OSHA adopted sign standards from American National Standards Institute, ANSI. OSHA also incorporates sign requirements from the… 

Portable containers for hazardous chemicals in the workplace can have NO labeling in only two situations, according to OSHA's HazCom 2012 standard. In less than three minutes, Dan Clark explains how a worker may transfer a hazardous chemical from an HCS… 

Permit-required confined spaces aren’t just sewer pipes. Semi-trailers can be hazardous too. Hear about hazards in three trailer types, empty and loaded. In this 3½ minute podcast, Dan Clark describes OSHA’s standard on PRCS (permit-required confined spaces) for big-rigs. Dan also defines… 

Storm cleanup done by company employees can cause them injury. Listen for tips on how to protect workers from the four major dangers of storm cleanup. Slips, trips and falls, water hazards, electrical hazards, and debris hazards all need to be… 

First aid kits in the workplace are mandated by OSHA. Hear about the minimum standard changes in 2015 and if a trained person is necessary. If a company’s work location is far from emergency services, OSHA requires that a person be… 

OSHA 300A is a safety form most employers need to display in the workplace by February 1 annually. Hear how to fill out the form and who is exempt. An OSHA 300A form is an employer’s report to employees on recordable… 

Temporary wiring (like an extension cord) gets the thumbs-up from OSHA in just four settings. In only a couple of minutes, Dan Clark lays out the details. In this podcast, hear about OSHA’s temp wiring standard in workplace remodeling, experimentation, holiday… 

Ladder safety begins with both the boss and the worker. Hear tips on how they can increase safety on freestanding and self-supporting ladders. Ladder safety rules are important for companies to establish and post. They should provide properly maintained ladders made… 

Trench sloping at a safe angle prevents cave-ins and saves lives. Trench Right is the free mobile app designed to calculate safe slopes in all soil types. Trench collapses needlessly kill workers every year. In this podcast, Dan Clark describes the… 

Safety goals in the workplace can be implemented or refined at year’s end to ensure a safe start to the new year. Hear about five targets of safety growth. Dan Clark says reviewing the current year and looking ahead to expected… 

OSHA Inspection At Santa’s Workshop is a song. It’s a gift to listeners of The Safety Brief podcast and a tip of the hat to OSHA employees. Merry Christmas! Our podcast crew concocted this original piece and you’re welcome to share… 

Arc flash can melt synthetic underwear right to your skin. Wear arc-rated base layers, socks and briefs beneath an arc-rated jacket. An arc-rated coat may seem like an all-protective shield, but don’t be fooled. Thermal hazards are just waiting to overheat… 

Respirator fit tests are required by OSHA. But the employer must also do a medical evaluation of an employee before they wear a respirator on the job. A worker does not need to see a doctor, but he or she must… 

I2P2 is shorthand for Injury and Illness Prevention Programs. Even though OSHA doesn’t have a standard, they’re still a good idea. Dan Clark explains how to start an I2P2, including mandatory management and worker involvement. Look in the transcript for links to… 

Slips, trips and falls. Who would think they cause 15 percent of on-the-job deaths? Hear about prevention and OSHA’s proposed new walking-working surfaces rule. Good footwear, guardrails and housekeeping are just a few of the tips Dan Clark offers to avoid… 

Scaffolding collapse can be dangerous and expensive. Avoid it with trained personnel and proper equipment. Hear the four elements of constructing scaffolds. Do you need a Competent Person, a Qualified Person or an Engineer? Dan Clark explains the difference between the… 

Oil and gas extraction can knock a worker on his butt. Or much worse. Hear about the on and off-site hazards of this high-risk job and how to avoid them. Vehicle, struck-by and fall accidents are some of the seven hazards… 

Whole-body vibration is dangerous for workers, but OSHA has no standard on vibration limitation. Hear what safety managers can do to reduce worker risk. An employee sitting, standing or reclining on a vibrating machine or vehicle is susceptible to WBV, whole-body… 

Workplace amputations are in the spotlight at OSHA. They’ve updated their National Emphasis Program on Amputations. Hear about best practices to avoid them. Some industries have over double the number of amputations compared to industry norms. In this podcast, Dan Clark… 

Power line safety must be checked and double checked when working with lines overhead or underground. Observe the 10 foot Circle Of Safety at any work site. Dan Clark describes the hazards of equipment or vehicles making contact with power lines.… 

Confined spaces need a portable gas monitor if there is a chance of low oxygen, high carbon monoxide, or other hazardous atmospheres. Hear about a bump test. A confined space with a hazard, or potential hazard, is called a permit-required confined… 

OSHA Top 10 Violations 2015 are a snapshot of safety in the United States. Employers should use this list as a guide to find hazards in their own workplace. The OSHA Top 10 is the most frequently cited standards after inspections… 

Safety data sheet compliance is hard when suppliers don’t update. Hear OSHA experts answer five important questions on SDSs required in Hazard Communication. The SCHC OSHA Alliance hosted OSHA’s Lana Nieves and Sven Rundman of The Directorate of Enforcement Programs in… 

Hazcom label rules are confusing. Get chemical labeling answers direct from OSHA on their Hazard Communication Standard, HCS, implemented June 1st. Hear important information about pictograms, labeling bulk shipping containers, refillable containers, secondary containers and more. In this podcast, we bring you… 

Eyewashes can injure the eyes if the water is allowed to stagnate. OSHA issued a reminder about flushing and cleaning eyewash stations. Listen for details. It seems crazy that eyewashes could HURT the eyes. In this podcast, Dan Clark explains how… 

Wind energy safety is a careful blend of fall protection, electrical hazard awareness and much more. Hear the best practices for working on wind turbines. Working 30 stories up can a challenge for a worker. Add in unpredictable weather, high voltages,… 

CONFINED SPACES IN CONSTRUCTION gets a 2 month deferral. OSHA won’t issue citations for violations of its new rule until Oct. 2nd, if there's good faith. Employers get extra time to train employees in confined space hazards and acquire equipment needed… 

[resp-player width="50%" mp3=“https://traffic.libsyn.com/thesafetybrief/Hearing_Protection-Muffs_Plugs_And_NRR.mp3"] Hearing protection for workers comes in two varieties, earmuffs and earplugs. Hear selection tips for both, including their Noise Reduction Rating (NRR). In this podcast, Dan Clark outlines the benefits of both muffs and plugs. Dan also explains the NRR,… 

Safety Data Sheets must be kept current. Every company with employees exposed to hazardous chemicals is required to keep an SDS on each chemical, says OSHA. OSHA's new Hazard Communication Standard requires employers to follow new guidelines modeled after GHS, the… 

Heat safety is easier with OSHA’s updated smartphone app in your pocket. Their Heat Safety Tool calculates the current heat index—how hot it feels—on your phone. Free. Local temperature and humidity greatly affect workers. High temperatures and humidity can make the… 

Work zone safety near live traffic is critical. Hear advice on keeping your workers safe with a traffic control plan, work zone barriers and more. In this podcast, Dan Clark offers eight ways to protect employees near moving vehicles. Dan describes… 

Fall prevention is up to the employer. Hear OSHA’s Matt McNicholas and NIOSH’s Dr. Christine Branche talk about the National Fall Safety Stand-Down. Protecting construction employees from falls is job 1. Contractors and companies are required to provide equipment, training, and… 

OSHA issued a confined spaces in construction rule. It’s about time. After noodling with it for over 20 years, the new standard goes into effect on Aug. 3, 2015. The confined spaces rule for general industry, initiated in 1994, never fully… 

OSHA standards vary state to state. For the first time, a database accurately compares state and federal OSHA laws and regulations. On a website. For free. In additional to federal OSHA standards, 25 states have their own OSHA laws and regulations.… 

Workers’ Memorial Day 2015 should be observed by focusing on workplace illnesses caused by hazardous chemicals. Listen for the reasons. Employers need to take the safety bull by the horns, especially with chemical safety. This Workers' Memorial Day, honoring people killed… 

Workplace violence prevention should be the sober goal of every company. Hear how to keep workers safe from the public, clients and each other. With April designated National Workplace Violence Prevention month, it’s a good time to review precautions needed for… 

Flammable liquids safety can change quickly when workplace temperatures rise. Listen for four ways to avoid flashpoint fires and explosions. Find out the difference between flammable and inflammable. Hear about volatile liquid chemicals, and how their vapors can ignite at a certain… 

Nail gun safety increases with modern, well maintained equipment. Keep nail gunners from getting an injury with these six tips. The right nail gun trigger is just one of the items that will help save workers from a trip to the… 

Texting and driving will get you a ticket in the DOT’s national crackdown April 10-15, 2015. Companies can be fined if workers text and drive on the job. Police across the United States are enforcing Department of Transportation’s first-ever campaign against… 

Who pays for temp PPE? Not the worker. The host employer or the staffing agency are ultimately responsible for keeping temporary workers safe with the right gear. OSHA’s Temporary Worker Initiative clarifies the hot potato of personal protective equipment (PPE) for… 

Incident reporting increases when workers don’t fear losing their jobs. That’s one of six ways to encourage incident reporting, and improve safety. In this podcast, Dan Clark goes into detail about employee fears of reporting accidents and near misses. Trust of… 

Rooftop snow removal by workers is so dangerous, OSHA just released a Hazard Alert. Listen for a list of 8 best practices of rooftop snow removal. Winter is still hitting hard, prompting OSHA to warn companies about the perils of working… 

Permit-required confined spaces, PRCS, are simply confined spaces with an added hazard. But who issues the permit? Listen to hear about the hazards and permits. In this podcast, Dan Clark describes the hazards that can complicate work in a confined space.… 

Compressed air comes out of a nozzle at a bazillion miles an hour! Don’t let this dangerous air pressure hurt you or a co-worker. Listen for 9 safety tips. Pressured air tanks, hoses and nozzles can be a dangerous combination if… 

Silica Dust Hazard Alert out from OSHA and NIOSH about stone countertops. Hear about the new warning for fabrication shops or in-home work. OSHA and NIOSH jointly released a Hazard Alert on Silica Dust Exposure on February 18th, 2015. This notice… 

Avoid the Fatal Four construction dangers. They kill more workers on job sites than any other. Listen and hear how to avoid them. Over 58% of construction fatalities in 2013 resulted from Caught-in/Between accidents; Electrocutions; Struck-By Object accidents; and Falls. In… 

Trench and excavation hazards are higher than general construction. Cave-ins kill two workers every 30 days. Hear how to keep workers safe in your big digs. In this podcast, Dan Clark describes trenching protective systems, including sloping, benching, shoring, and shielding.… 

Hot work, such as welding, by storage tanks is obviously dangerous. But even tanks which are seemingly empty or contain normally non-flammable substances are risks for explosions. In this podcast, Dan Clark tells the story of how a storage container of… 

The deadline for OSHA’s new HazCom labeling standards, based on GHS, is June 1st, 2015. Are you compliant? OSHA has new requirements for labeling chemicals. In this podcast, HazCom industry expert Chuck Paulausky details these new standards, based on the Globally… 

Hard hat selection and care is critical to safety. It’s your brain. Keep it in a good bucket. Hear about the Types and Classes of safety helmets and hard hats in this podcast. Dan Clark describes Type I and Type II,… 

Forklift violations can be dangerous to workers, and lead to costly OSHA citations. Listen for some of the top forklift safety violations, and how to avoid them. Lack of operator training is the most cited forklift violation. Once trained, a worker… 

Machine guarding is one of OSHA's top 10 most-cited safety violations. Workers should respect these devices that protect them from moving parts. In this podcast we cover the types of machine guards, including barrier guards, light curtains, and two-handed tripping devices. It… 

Stretch breaks for employees have big benefits. You lose a little production time, but make bigger gains in productivity. Workers doing the same task all day need to occasionally loosen up to prevent stiffness and workplace injuries. Company scheduled stretch breaks… 

Cleaning chemicals can be as dangerous as other workplace chemicals. Be aware of potential health hazards, even with “green” products with less odor. In this podcast, we talk about less toxic fumes of green chemicals used for cleaning, and their harsh… 

Lockout-tagout (LOTO) is not just for major equipment repairs. Do it for maintenance, cleaning, and even retrieving stuck items, or it could be fatal. In this podcast we discuss the importance of not taking shortcuts. Workers and managers should always “do… 

Powered industrial trucks, also known as forklifts, need clear labeling to keep operators and pedestrians safe. This podcasts details the three main types of labels, CAUTION, WARNING and DANGER. We also discuss the factory-supplied nameplate, and what’s on it. Good labeling increases… 

Cooling shirts are a water cooled PPE for working in heat. They are used by industrial workers, athletes and medical professionals for comfort and to avoid heat illness. The shirts have a system of narrow tubes which circulate cool water through… 

Exit route violations are very common in OSHA inspections. Make access to unobstructed, well marked workplace exit routes a priority. We detail the finer points of exit routes in this podcast. We discuss the three parts to an exit route: exit… 

OSHA 10 training is a 10 hour course on standards for safety in the workplace. In this podcast, we give an overview of the program. OSHA 10 training courses are offered in four categories. They are specialized for General Industry, Construction,… 

Combustible dust is a major workplace danger. If you can write your name in the dust, and it’s combustible dust, you could have a dust explosion. Wood and food processing can create combustible dust. But so can the processing of some… 

Fall protection is critical. Falls are the leading cause of death and injury in construction. In residential construction, risks can sometimes be underestimated because heights aren’t as great as in commercial construction. But short falls can be fatal. If a worker will… 

OSHA teaches hazard identification by engaging employees with their new, game-based Hazard Identification Training Tool. It makes hazard identification interactive. And it's free. There are three game elements: OSHA visual inspection training. You investigate tools or structures to see if… 

Safety apps put important information at your fingertips. A mobile device with a free safety application can be a convenient planning reference, or save precious minutes in an emergency. OSHA Safety gives you the complete text of OSHA regulations for general… 

A fireproof workplace and personal protective equipment are critical for safe welding. Welding is a hot work process due to a gas flame, an electric arc, a laser, or other dangerous heat source. Employees must be properly protected from the high… 

Silica dust is common in worksites, can scar the lungs and cause cancer. Symptoms sometimes don't appear for 10 years. The source of silica dust is the element silicon, which is common in quartz and other rocks. The rocks themselves aren’t… 

An OSHA inspection can happen without notice, but with preparation, facilities can be ready for scrutiny. Prepare the employees so they are used to working while being observed. The safety planning team should know who will meet with the inspector, and… 

It’s a myth! It’s a myth that employees are bad at hazard reporting. They are actually good safety observers. Having a diversity of watchful eyes—including regular workers—increases workplace safety. A safety observer program is critical in getting widespread employee involvement to… 

This is a surprise! OSHA does NOT have requirements for safety color coding in the workplace. But ANSI does. The American National Standards Institute suggests labeling areas with seven colors for safety or organizational categories. Use the same color scheme throughout… 

They are so familiar, workers ignore ladder safety. Misuse accounts for tens of thousands of at-work accidents, and 100 deaths or more annually in the U.S. Here we review the two types of ladders, freestanding and self-supporting, and how employees can… 

One million people have back injuries in the workplace every year, according to OSHA. And most of those injuries are from lifting below the knees or over the shoulders. Storage of materials above 1.5 ft and below 5 ft could… 

It’s a killer you can’t see, taste or smell. Carbon monoxide poisoning can happen due to gas powered tools running in a confined space. But with common sense precautions, workers can stay safe. Carbon monoxide (CO) is the invisible gas given… 

This is the story of tragedy that could have been avoided with better safety housekeeping. Here, we detail a fatal accident at a sugar refinery in Wyoming, and review of the OSHA citations. A Gemba walk by managers, or a safety… 

Dan has compiled the 10 most common signage and labeling questions asked about keeping workers safe and avoiding fines. These questions are from a wide range of industries. The answers are a good starting resource for any professional concerned about… 

An eyewash station is something you may need, but hope you will never use. But if there’s an emergency, it’s there to flush out the eyes fast to prevent injury or blindness. If you have hazardous substances, you may be OSHA-required… 

Will universal safety standards cause more problems than they solve? Implementing rules across cultures and languages will have benefits, but also potential issues. GHS, the Globally Harmonized System of labeling hazardous chemicals is one example of standardized visual warnings being adopted… 

Helmets, ear protection, eye protection are all important. However, safety managers must ensure foot protection is a priority too. The foot is susceptible to many dangers at a jobsite. OHSA warns of punctures, crushing, sprains, slips, trips and falls. Feet can… 

Summer brings a new set of workplace hazards. Workers will be affected by heat and humidity, in and out of the sun. Plan ahead in the spring for hot weather supplies and facility adaptation. Ventilation and liquids are important to keep… 

Scaffolding safety is often hard to achieve, due to the structure’s temporary nature. Just like any other work at-height, it is dangerous. But, because it is a temporary structure, more can go wrong with scaffolding. Avoid slip and fall hazards… 

In this podcast, we are going to talk about a less-known fact on construction sites in the United States - “Struck-by Accidents” are the number one cause of injuries at construction sites and the number two leading cause of death.… 

ALL injuries equal, or add up to, a loss of money for every company. And imagine how much money. The U.S. Centers For Disease Control And Prevention says there are 3.6 million work-related injuries treated in emergency rooms each year. These… 

Safety labels from an industrial label maker can help you pass an OSHA inspection, and keep employees safe. An inspection from OSHA could come at any time. Inspections often focus on signs and labeling. Follow along with this short radio-cast from Dan… 

Choosing the right safety label maker for your facility's safety program is an important job. Many safety managers are given the hard task of updating their facility but are given a very limited, if any, budget to do it with. Because… 

Lockout-tagout is the #1 cited violation for general industry by OSHA, but they estimate the lockout-tagout standard prevents 120 fatalities and 50,000 injuries annually. LO/TO is being adopted industry-wide and on a global scale as a best practice for increasing… 

[resp-player width="50%" mp3="https://traffic.libsyn.com/thesafetybrief/Safety_Podcast-What_Is_This.mp3] Safety podcast? This is The Safety Brief, dedicated to industrial and construction safety. Episodes are always less than 5 minutes, posted twice weekly (most of the time). OSHA standards. Fall protection. Drones at construction sites. If it deals with… 

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