ISNetworld: The Top 10 Items You Need for Compliance

ISNetworld: The Top 10 Items You Need for Compliance

Apr 1, 2024

Contractor/vendor prequalification is becoming more and more the norm. ISNetworld is an online contractor safety prequalification program and just one among a crop of other programs like it, including Avetta, PEC Safety, Browz, Veriforce, ComplyWorks, First Verify and others.

Contractor prequalification programs give companies a way to limit the liability risks that onsite contractors can bring.   If you want to work for clients who use these programs, you must pay the cost to be a member and then take the time and effort to enter your company information into the system.

The number of clients for whom we have been asked to complete prequalification paperwork or join these types of systems has exploded in the last couple of years.  Some of our clients used to have teams of people tracking this information from contractors (and some didn’t track this stuff at all.).  These programs allow them to turn that responsibility over to someone else, and it puts a lot of the tracking responsibilities back onto the contractors themselves.  Sometimes this is seen as a way to narrow the field of potential contractors to just the serious ones who have good policies and performance.

Although there are lots of programs out there, we’re going to focus on ISNetworld because they are one of the leaders in this industry and they are one of the ones who ask for the most information.  At first glance, ISNetworld setup can be a daunting task. To help get you prepared, we present the Top 10 items you’ll need to gather for ISNetworld compliance (and just about any other safety prequalification program).

  1. General Company Information

You will need to know basic information about your company such as date established, structure, addresses and contacts, special codes and numbers (NAICS, Tax ID, DUNS, etc.), number of employees, financial and project references and more.

  1. Safety Policies and Procedures

You will be asked a number of questions about your safety policies. How is your safety program set up, how is it built and who’s responsible?  What’s the management structure and is company leadership involved?  Are hourly employees involved and do you have full-time safety personnel?  What training do supervisors get? Do you do audits, who does them and how often?  

Also included are questions about safety meetings, training, documentation, observations, stop work policies, hazard reporting, policies for new hires, incident investigation and communication.

  1. Written Safety Programs

If you’re following OSHA compliance, you should already have written safety programs for the hazards your employees can be exposed to. Depending on the services you say you provide, ISNetworld and your client will generate a list of the individual written safety programs that you need. There will be specific elements that you’ll be required to incorporate into your written programs, so it’s likely you’ll need to update your programs. Be very mindful what your revised program commits your company to. If it’s written in your program that your company will do something, you need to do it. If not, you could expose yourself to fines from OSHA for not following your own plan.

ISNetworld will ask you every 3 years to revalidate these programs to ensure they are still current.

  1. Training Programs

For many of the written programs, you’ll be asked to upload corresponding training sign-ins and information from those classes, so you may need to conduct additional training on a variety of topics. Be prepared to answer questions related to what kind of training you provide to new hires and routine employees, how often and how they are documented.

  1. Regulatory Data

You will need to track OSHA injury and illness data on a quarterly basis. This information is required to be input both quarterly and annually. You’ll also need 3 years of historical data. In ISNetworld you are graded on your 3-year average safety numbers and how they compare to industry standards. Thus, if you have a bad year, your grades may suffer for 3 years.

If you have commercial vehicles, you may need to enter DOT numbers and annual stats for number of drivers, miles driven, number of units, owner operators and violations. You’ll also need to enter in information about your company vehicle/driver programs and policies.

  1. Insurance

Individual insurance certificates will need to be uploaded for each client, and each will have specific requirements.  Be mindful of what the insurance requirements are for each client and know ahead of time what policies you have and what that covers.  Sometimes clients will require specialized policies or varying levels of coverage for certain items that can end up costing thousands of dollars if you agree to that.  However, sometimes these things can be negotiated down, depending on what you’re going to do onsite.  It just depends on the client and the situation.

Check with your insurance company to see if they’re a member of ISNetworld. If so, you can assign them to your account and they can upload certificates and deal with the nuances and negotiations for you. You will also need to enter 3 years of experience modification rate data and upload those documents as well.

  1. Employee and Contractor Data

Some clients will require you to track the number of hours that you and/or your subcontractors spent on the site each month.  These reports are required at the beginning of the month and are often required per site location.  Among the data you may need to report (depending on client requirements) will be hours spent onsite, number of employees onsite, number of miles driven, number of incidents (accidents, fires, spills), subcontractor hours, subcontractor numbers, subcontractor travel data, etc.  Some companies need to keep track of this information for PSM purposes and some like to keep track of contactor activities onsite.

  1.  Human Resources-Type Information

You’ll be asked to input your drug and alcohol policies and procedures.  Some owner clients will require you to have individual employees tested for drugs and alcohol through one of their approved vendors who shares the data directly with the program so that they can see if employees are in a green “OK” status or a red status.  They may also require background checks for each employee who will come onsite as well.   You may also need to provide employee personal information separately to your client to comply with Department of Homeland Security checks as well.  Pandemic preparedness programs are required from many clients, so what are your procedures and policies with that?  Thus, you may need to pull in some of your HR department to help you accomplish some of these requirements and get some answers.

  1. Other Procedures — Sustainability and Cyber Security

Within the past year we’ve seen questions pop up in ISNetworld and throughout multiple programs about our corporate sustainability and social responsibility programs.  One program (not ISNetworld) required us to write a separate written policy statement against human trafficking and a written policy on our stance on child and forced labor.  ISNetworld has also started getting into cyber security policies. There is an extensive questionnaire regarding computer systems and cyber security measures.  Several owner clients required us to develop a written cyber security program.  So besides HR personnel, you may need to bring in your IT people and anyone responsible for sustainability programs.

  1. Individual Training

More and more clients are requiring individuals to do the facility-specific safety orientation training ahead of time before ever stepping onsite.  Thus, if you have a specific project that you’re getting ready for, you may need to know exactly who is going to be involved in the project so that you can assign this training to them.  This would include subcontractor employees too.  Some clients will let you do the training all at once in a group, but more and more are requiring individuals to be given separate logins so that they can complete the training themselves.  So you may need to eventually gather email addresses for individuals who may not have a company email address and budget for time for those employees to take that training.

A Plan for Management and Completion

This isn’t a requirement, but certainly a best practice. You will need to identify a person(s) on your team who’s going to be responsible for managing sites such as ISNetworld. There can be a number of time-sensitive items which need to be managed. Not maintaining them will make your grades drop, hindering your ability to get further work with them, or even issue invoices.

The initial setup may require the assistance of a number of people in your company, or the help of an outside firm. You may need a combination of compliance personnel and administrative staff to handle the day-to-day management. Please note that if you do involve administrative staff, please keep in mind that policy questions and program creation are best completed by someone with a compliance background. You need to be very careful on how you answer the questions and what you commit yourself to. It could make all the difference between an “A” and an “F”.

Other Considerations

ISNetworld automatically uploads any OSHA citations for your clients to see, and these will likely affect your grade. You may also be required to have your own subcontractor management program, that is, a procedure for vetting your own subs.

We’ve found that ISNetworld is one of the most detailed prequalification sites. The silver lining is if you can get through ISNetworld, you have a good head start on some of the others.  However, every single site will ask for something new that one of the others didn’t, so don’t get too frustrated.  For example, some sites want you to upload your entire safety manual, some require specific procedures such as JSAs, and some will require much more if your employees perform specific tasks that require additional “operator qualifications” for each.

Resources

Make sure you keep your information stored in one central place so that it’s easy to access when you need it because it’s likely there will be information you’ll need to input a number of times.

iSi helps companies get setup in ISNetworld by providing policy and procedure guidance, written programs and training.  We also manage ISNetworld day-to-day compliance for companies.

Our sister company SafetyPlans.com has a number of ISNetworld-related program templates that will help you get a good start on developing a new plan if needed.

What can we do to help make the process smoother for you? Contact us today!

Need Help?

Need an extra hand to get this done? How about policies/programs developed or training conducted?

Get Help Here

Need Help?

Need an extra hand to get this done? How about policies/programs developed or training conducted?

Get Help Here

Contractor/vendor prequalification is becoming more and more the norm. ISNetworld is an online contractor safety prequalification program and just one among a crop of other programs like it, including Avetta, PEC Safety, Browz, Veriforce, ComplyWorks, First Verify and others.

Contractor prequalification programs give companies a way to limit the liability risks that onsite contractors can bring.   If you want to work for clients who use these programs, you must pay the cost to be a member and then take the time and effort to enter your company information into the system.

The number of clients for whom we have been asked to complete prequalification paperwork or join these types of systems has exploded in the last couple of years.  Some of our clients used to have teams of people tracking this information from contractors (and some didn’t track this stuff at all.).  These programs allow them to turn that responsibility over to someone else, and it puts a lot of the tracking responsibilities back onto the contractors themselves.  Sometimes this is seen as a way to narrow the field of potential contractors to just the serious ones who have good policies and performance.

Although there are lots of programs out there, we’re going to focus on ISNetworld because they are one of the leaders in this industry and they are one of the ones who ask for the most information.  At first glance, ISNetworld setup can be a daunting task. To help get you prepared, we present the Top 10 items you’ll need to gather for ISNetworld compliance (and just about any other safety prequalification program).

  1. General Company Information

You will need to know basic information about your company such as date established, structure, addresses and contacts, special codes and numbers (NAICS, Tax ID, DUNS, etc.), number of employees, financial and project references and more.

  1. Safety Policies and Procedures

You will be asked a number of questions about your safety policies. How is your safety program set up, how is it built and who’s responsible?  What’s the management structure and is company leadership involved?  Are hourly employees involved and do you have full-time safety personnel?  What training do supervisors get? Do you do audits, who does them and how often?  

Also included are questions about safety meetings, training, documentation, observations, stop work policies, hazard reporting, policies for new hires, incident investigation and communication.

  1. Written Safety Programs

If you’re following OSHA compliance, you should already have written safety programs for the hazards your employees can be exposed to. Depending on the services you say you provide, ISNetworld and your client will generate a list of the individual written safety programs that you need. There will be specific elements that you’ll be required to incorporate into your written programs, so it’s likely you’ll need to update your programs. Be very mindful what your revised program commits your company to. If it’s written in your program that your company will do something, you need to do it. If not, you could expose yourself to fines from OSHA for not following your own plan.

ISNetworld will ask you every 3 years to revalidate these programs to ensure they are still current.

  1. Training Programs

For many of the written programs, you’ll be asked to upload corresponding training sign-ins and information from those classes, so you may need to conduct additional training on a variety of topics. Be prepared to answer questions related to what kind of training you provide to new hires and routine employees, how often and how they are documented.

  1. Regulatory Data

You will need to track OSHA injury and illness data on a quarterly basis. This information is required to be input both quarterly and annually. You’ll also need 3 years of historical data. In ISNetworld you are graded on your 3-year average safety numbers and how they compare to industry standards. Thus, if you have a bad year, your grades may suffer for 3 years.

If you have commercial vehicles, you may need to enter DOT numbers and annual stats for number of drivers, miles driven, number of units, owner operators and violations. You’ll also need to enter in information about your company vehicle/driver programs and policies.

  1. Insurance

Individual insurance certificates will need to be uploaded for each client, and each will have specific requirements.  Be mindful of what the insurance requirements are for each client and know ahead of time what policies you have and what that covers.  Sometimes clients will require specialized policies or varying levels of coverage for certain items that can end up costing thousands of dollars if you agree to that.  However, sometimes these things can be negotiated down, depending on what you’re going to do onsite.  It just depends on the client and the situation.

Check with your insurance company to see if they’re a member of ISNetworld. If so, you can assign them to your account and they can upload certificates and deal with the nuances and negotiations for you. You will also need to enter 3 years of experience modification rate data and upload those documents as well.

  1. Employee and Contractor Data

Some clients will require you to track the number of hours that you and/or your subcontractors spent on the site each month.  These reports are required at the beginning of the month and are often required per site location.  Among the data you may need to report (depending on client requirements) will be hours spent onsite, number of employees onsite, number of miles driven, number of incidents (accidents, fires, spills), subcontractor hours, subcontractor numbers, subcontractor travel data, etc.  Some companies need to keep track of this information for PSM purposes and some like to keep track of contactor activities onsite.

  1.  Human Resources-Type Information

You’ll be asked to input your drug and alcohol policies and procedures.  Some owner clients will require you to have individual employees tested for drugs and alcohol through one of their approved vendors who shares the data directly with the program so that they can see if employees are in a green “OK” status or a red status.  They may also require background checks for each employee who will come onsite as well.   You may also need to provide employee personal information separately to your client to comply with Department of Homeland Security checks as well.  Pandemic preparedness programs are required from many clients, so what are your procedures and policies with that?  Thus, you may need to pull in some of your HR department to help you accomplish some of these requirements and get some answers.

  1. Other Procedures — Sustainability and Cyber Security

Within the past year we’ve seen questions pop up in ISNetworld and throughout multiple programs about our corporate sustainability and social responsibility programs.  One program (not ISNetworld) required us to write a separate written policy statement against human trafficking and a written policy on our stance on child and forced labor.  ISNetworld has also started getting into cyber security policies. There is an extensive questionnaire regarding computer systems and cyber security measures.  Several owner clients required us to develop a written cyber security program.  So besides HR personnel, you may need to bring in your IT people and anyone responsible for sustainability programs.

  1. Individual Training

More and more clients are requiring individuals to do the facility-specific safety orientation training ahead of time before ever stepping onsite.  Thus, if you have a specific project that you’re getting ready for, you may need to know exactly who is going to be involved in the project so that you can assign this training to them.  This would include subcontractor employees too.  Some clients will let you do the training all at once in a group, but more and more are requiring individuals to be given separate logins so that they can complete the training themselves.  So you may need to eventually gather email addresses for individuals who may not have a company email address and budget for time for those employees to take that training.

A Plan for Management and Completion

This isn’t a requirement, but certainly a best practice. You will need to identify a person(s) on your team who’s going to be responsible for managing sites such as ISNetworld. There can be a number of time-sensitive items which need to be managed. Not maintaining them will make your grades drop, hindering your ability to get further work with them, or even issue invoices.

The initial setup may require the assistance of a number of people in your company, or the help of an outside firm. You may need a combination of compliance personnel and administrative staff to handle the day-to-day management. Please note that if you do involve administrative staff, please keep in mind that policy questions and program creation are best completed by someone with a compliance background. You need to be very careful on how you answer the questions and what you commit yourself to. It could make all the difference between an “A” and an “F”.

Other Considerations

ISNetworld automatically uploads any OSHA citations for your clients to see, and these will likely affect your grade. You may also be required to have your own subcontractor management program, that is, a procedure for vetting your own subs.

We’ve found that ISNetworld is one of the most detailed prequalification sites. The silver lining is if you can get through ISNetworld, you have a good head start on some of the others.  However, every single site will ask for something new that one of the others didn’t, so don’t get too frustrated.  For example, some sites want you to upload your entire safety manual, some require specific procedures such as JSAs, and some will require much more if your employees perform specific tasks that require additional “operator qualifications” for each.

Resources

Make sure you keep your information stored in one central place so that it’s easy to access when you need it because it’s likely there will be information you’ll need to input a number of times.

iSi helps companies get setup in ISNetworld by providing policy and procedure guidance, written programs and training.  We also manage ISNetworld day-to-day compliance for companies.

Our sister company SafetyPlans.com has a number of ISNetworld-related program templates that will help you get a good start on developing a new plan if needed.

What can we do to help make the process smoother for you? Contact us today!

iSi can help you with contractor safety prequalification programs — Contact us today!

Get Pricing
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Example General Duty Clause Citations to Look for in Your Workplace

Example General Duty Clause Citations to Look for in Your Workplace

Mar 25, 2024

OSHA has a number of regulations that govern many aspects of the workplace. When there is not a specific regulation reference, they will often cite the General Duty Clause.

What is the General Duty Clause?

The General Duty Clause is found in Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The General Duty Clause requires an employer to furnish to its employees “employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.”

Employers can be cited for violation of the General Duty Clause if a recognized serious hazard exists in their workplace and the employer does not take reasonable steps to prevent or abate the hazard.   The General Duty Clause is used only where there is no OSHA standard that applies to the particular hazard. The following elements are necessary to prove a violation of the General Duty Clause:

1. The employer failed to keep the workplace free of a hazard to which employees of that employer were exposed;
2. The hazard was recognized;
3. The hazard was causing or was likely to cause death or serious physical harm; and
4. There was a feasible and useful method to correct the hazard.

OSHA cannot just cite anything under the clause, but there is a lot of room for interpretation of the effects of the hazard. The hazard needs to be recognized by that industry, another industry or another entity as a hazard. It can be something that would be considered a common sense hazard or is something that could cause or likely cause serious harm or death. It must be correctable, and if injuries have been documented related to it, it can be cited.

Examples of Common General Duty Clause Citations

While OSHA has issued citations under the General Duty Clause for a wide variety of issues including risk of lightning strikes to employees, there are a number of situations OSHA has cited that have been consistent and steady over the years.

Some common violations where OSHA would use the General Duty Clause:

  • Boilers not inspected and maintained
  • Cell phone use while driving
  • Combustible dust hazards
  • Ergonomic hazards
  • High visibility clothing not provided where struck by hazard exists with vehicular traffic
  • Industrial storage racking not:
    • Having maximum permissible load amount posted,
    • Not secured in place where there is potential to be tipped over, or
    • Significant damage
  • Personal fall protection equipment not inspected on annual basis
  • Powered Industrial Truck (forklift) drivers not wearing a seat belt while operating
  • Respiratory hazards from an air contaminant that is not covered by an OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL)
  • Safety latch not in use on crane
  • Storing incompatible chemicals together
  • Structural damage to building causing struck by hazard
  • Thermal stress (high heat and cold)
  • Workplace violence risk that goes unmitigated

Do you have any of these issues at your facility?  iSi’s team of safety professionals can help through safety audits, safety inspections, issue corrections, training and program development.  Contact us today!

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Safety Inspections and Corrections

iSi’s safety auditors can help you identify and prioritize the areas where potential violations may exist.  We can also help you correct any issues that have already been found by inspectors. Contact us today!

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Curtis Leiker, CSP
Curtis Leiker, CSP

Contributing:

Curtis Leiker, CSP

Certified Safety Professional |  ISO 45001 and 14001 Lead Auditor

Curtis Leiker, CSP is a project manager at iSi Environmental. Besides assisting companies with ISO 14001 and 45001 implementation, Curtis manages environmental and safety programs, reporting and compliance issues for aviation, general industry and agricultural facilities. He’s able to see the big picture, but focus on the details and enjoys working to solve EHS issues.

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What is PSM?

What is PSM?

Feb 26, 2024

Process Safety Management, or PSM, is an OSHA regulation that is concerned with processes at your facility that use highly hazardous chemicals.  PSM provides a compliance framework to evaluate each process with the end goal of no spills, fires, explosions, reactions, releases or other incidents arise from their use.  The official standard can be found at 29 CFR 1910.119.

PSM applies to

  • Processes which involve certain threshold quantities of chemicals listed in the standard’s Appendix A
  • Processes where there are 10,000 lbs. or more of a Category I flammable gas (per 1910.1200(c)) or flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100 degrees on site in one location
  • Manufacturing explosives or pyrotechnics in any quantity

Exceptions to these include retail facilities, hydrocarbon fuels for workplace consumption of fuels, oil or gas well drilling or servicing operations and unoccupied remote facilities.  Facilities with flammable liquids with a flashpoint below 100 degrees that are stored in atmospheric tanks or that are transferred below their normal boiling point without being refrigerated are also exempt.

The 14 Elements of Compliance

There are 14 elements to a Process Safety Management compliance program.  These include:

 1.  Employee Participation

Those who are most familiar with the process need to be involved.  Facilities must have a written plan of action on how they’re going to incorporate employees into the process hazard analyses and development of other elements of PSM.  Both operations and maintenance personnel and any other employees that play a heavy role in facilities operations must be involved.  Employees must be represented at meetings and teams should include persons involved in the process being used.

2.  Process Safety Information

Facilities must first compile written process safety information before they can do their hazard analysis.  Process safety information looks at the hazards involved with the processes at the facility.  Information should include:

  • Toxicity
  • Permissible exposure limits
  • Physical, reactive and corrosivity data
  • Thermal and chemical stability data, especially the hazards in mixing different materials
  • Flow diagram of the process
  • Process chemistry
  • Maximum intended inventory
  • Safe upper and lower limits for temperatures, pressures, flows, compositions
  • Consequences of deviations

Facility equipment must be evaluated for its compliance with engineering standards, including:

  • Materials of construction
  • Piping and instrument diagrams
  • Electrical classification
  • Relief and ventilation system designs
  • Design codes and standards
  • Material and energy balances
  • Safety systems

3.  Process Hazard Analysis

Process hazard analysis should identify, evaluate and determine ways to control hazards involved within the process.  OSHA lists some suggested methods you can use to do your process hazard analysis.  The analysis needs to be updated, revalidated and documented every 5 years.  It’s suggested that not only persons knowledgeable in the specific processes be involved, but engineering and maintenance experts need to be involved as well.

Some of the items to be evaluated:

  • The hazards of the process
  • The identification of any previous incident that had a potential for catastrophic consequences
  • Engineering and administrative controls applicable to the hazards and their interrelationships, like detections to provide early warning of releases
  • Consequences of failure of engineering and administrative controls
  • Facility siting
  • Human factors
  • A qualitative evaluation of a range of the possible safety and health effects if a failure of controls occurs.

Facilities are required to develop and document a system to address the findings and get them resolved in a timely manner.

4.  Operating Procedures

Written operating procedures need to be developed with safety in mind.  Some of these include procedures for:

  • Initial startup and startups after turnarounds
  • Normal operations
  • Temporary or emergency operations
  • Shutdowns
  • Operating limits
  • Precautions to prevent exposures
  • Safety systems
  • Quality control for raw materials
  • Safe work practices

5.  Training

Initial PSM training is required for new employees or persons assigned to new processes.  Refresher training is required every 3 years.

6.  Contractors

PSM applies to contractors conducting maintenance, repair, turnaround, major renovation or specialty work adjacent to a covered process.   Facilities are responsible for gathering contractor safety performance and programs, informing contract employers of known fire, explosion or toxic release hazards, explaining the emergency action plan, developing and implementing safe work practices to control the presence, entrance and exit of contract personnel and maintaining contractor injury and illness log information.

7.  Pre-Startup Safety Review

Safety procedures must be reviewed in a pre-safety review before a new facility starts up or modified facility starts up again.

8.  Mechanical Integrity

Mechanical integrity requirements apply to pressure vessels, storage tanks, piping systems, relief and vent systems and devices, emergency shutdown systems, controls and pumps.

Written procedures must be developed to ensure ongoing integrity of process equipment is   maintained and routinely inspected using good engineering practices.  Any deficiencies found must be corrected before further use.

9.  Hot Work Permit

Hot work permits are required to be issued for work on or near a covered process and kept on file until completion of the work.

10.  Management of Change

Any change to a process must be thoroughly evaluated for its impact on employee safety and health.  Written procedures must be developed to discuss the change’s:

  • Technical basis
  • Impact on employee safety and health
  • Modifications to operating procedures
  • Time period
  • Authorization requirements

Any affected employees must be informed of and trained in the change prior to startup.  Any changes that affect process safety information will mean changes in operating procedures or safety procedures as well.

11.  Incident Investigation

Each incident that resulted in, or could have reasonably resulted in, a significant release of highly hazardous chemicals must be thoroughly investigated to identify the chain of events that led to it. The investigation needs to be held no later than 48 hours from the incident and must include at least one person knowledgeable of the process and any contractors involved.  An investigation report needs to be developed and kept on file for 5 years.

12.  Emergency Planning and Audits

An Emergency Action Plan must be developed for the entire plant in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.138(a).  The plan needs to include procedures for small releases and may need to also follow HAZWOPER (Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response) regulations 29 CFR 1910.120 (a), (p) and (q).

13.  Compliance Audits

Compliance evaluations must be conducted every 3 years to verify PSM practices are adequate and being followed.  A report of these evaluations need to be certified and the most recent 2 reports need to be kept on file.

14.  Trade Secrets

Some companies didn’t want to disclose PSM information to their employees because of trade secret concerns, so OSHA added that they must make compliance, emergency and operational procedures information available anyway, as well as incident information available to investigators.  A company can, however, ask an employee to sign a confidentiality agreement to protect trade information.

####

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Steve Hieger
Steve Hieger

Contributing:

Steve Hieger

Consulting Services Manager

Steve manages and oversees all of iSi’s environmental, health and safety consultants and provides as-needed technical support for all environmental and safety client projects.  A former plant manager for chemical manufacturing facilities, Steve brings a vast knowledge in process hazard analysis, process safety management, facility safety and environmental issues.  

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OSHA Electronic Injury and Illness Reporting Due March 2

OSHA Electronic Injury and Illness Reporting Due March 2

Feb 23, 2024

OSHA’s final rule on electronic injury and illness reporting that passed in 2023 took effect on January 1, 2024.  The new rule added some new companies and increased some of the reporting requirements.  Electronic reports for 2023 injuries and illnesses are due March 2.   Make sure you know what your company’s responsibilities are – do you need to report electronically?

What’s New in Electronic Reporting Standard

Companies with 20-249 employees whose NAICS codes were listed on Appendix A of the standard were required to submit their 300A electronically.  This did not change, however a new appendix, Appendix B, was created for companies with 100 or more employees.  This requires many more industries to report electronically.  In addition to submitting the 300A, the 100+ employee companies who fall under Appendix B will also now need to submit their 300 and 301 forms.

As with 300A information, data from the 300 and 301 logs will be published on the OSHA website.  Personally identifiable information from the 301, such as fields 1, 2, 6 and 7: employee name, employee address, physician name, and treatment facility name and address will not be collected.

The rules did not change for all companies with 250 or more employees.  All companies, regardless of NAICS code, will need to submit their 300A forms.  Those with 19 or fewer employees will still not be required to report.

Another change includes making inclusion of your company’s legal name required.  Previously, only the Tax Identification number was required.

See Appendix A Here

See Appendix B Here

Industries Moved from Appendix A to Appendix B

Some NAICS codes were moved from Appendix A to Appendix B due to increased fatalities or increases in DART (Days Away; Restricted; Transfer) rates.  Those companies with 20-249 employees who had been submitting only the 300A are now required to submit the 300 and 301.  These include:

  • NAICS 1133-Logging
  • NAICS 1142-Hunting and Trapping
  • NAICS 3379-Other Furniture Related Product Manufacturing
  • NAICS 4239-Miscellaneous Durable Goods Merchant Wholesalers
  • NAICS 4853-Taxi and Limousine Service
  • NAICS 4889-Other Support Activities for Transportation

Why They Are Requiring the 300 and 301 Log for Some Industries?

Besides finding additional industry data on increased injuries, DART rate and fatalities, OSHA’s intent is to collect more accurate and detailed information for injuries and illnesses to help ultimately make workplaces safer.  The detailed information is meant to help make statistics more accurate and to help identify trends that are relevant to industries and types of workers.  The only time OSHA was able to get detailed information was through inspections.  The type of data they will be gathering allows for different kinds of statistical analyses and to help determine where initiatives are successful, are failing, or need to be developed.

OSHA sees gathering 300 and 301 information as a benefit not only to themselves, but by posting it online it can be beneficial information to industries, employers, employees, safety consultants like iSi, and to the general public.

Some examples of this that they used in their final rule document include:

  • 300A information only tells how many of each type of incident on that form are occurring. Now they will be able to see the different kinds of injuries and what they are.  For example, “respiratory conditions” could mean as a result of chemical exposure, COVID, TB, or Legionnaires.
  • Now data can be pulled by roles within any type of company. For example, injuries for nurses aides vs. nurses vs. doctors in medical facilities.
  • The Presidential directive on climate change has OSHA them focused on heat hazards. The new information will help them figure out what kinds of injuries and illnesses are attributed to heat.
  • This will help give employers another resource to consult besides industry groups and insurance to benchmark themselves against others in their industry. For example, the state of Michigan independently researched and found that bath refinishing contractors had 13 deaths in the span of 12 yrs.  From that information, they found it was because of the chemical strippers that were being used. As a result, safety guidance and training was sent to those companies to help improve safety and to alert them of those hazards in order to reduce the deaths.
  • Another employer in New York researched all injuries from their multiple worksites and found that there had been 11,000 lost workdays because of ladders. To reduce those numbers, they increased training in that area, making injuries drop to close to none.  With publicly available information, research like that can be done by multiple parties to help find ways to strengthen workplace safety.

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Safety Boots: What You Need To Know

Safety Boots: What You Need To Know

Oct 20, 2023

Many types of jobs require the use of boots for safety purposes.  Some jobs just need regular boots while others require steel or composite toes.

Toe Composition

Steel toe boots have a steel cap over the toe to prevent your feet from being crushed by objects falling on them or rolling over them.  Composite toe boots can have toes made of Kevlar, carbon fiber, fiberglass or carbon nanocomposites (composite cylinders arranged in beehive pattern mixed with fiber resin).  Composite toes don’t conduct heat, cold, nor electricity, and are thicker but lighter weight than a steel toed boot.  They are not as impact-resistant. There are also alloy toe boots such as aluminum or titanium.  These are a little less protective but lighter weight than steel toe boots.  They can be a little more expensive as well.

Best Practices

  • Always buy boots that meet ASTM standards for impact and compression and always buy the types of boots your company recommends or requires. Your company has conducted formal PPE assessments to determine the safest types of boots for the work you do.
  • Always wear the proper socks. Moisture wicking socks are better than cotton socks because cotton socks will tend to create moisture  leading to uncomfortableness, foot pain and faster damage to the inside of your boots.
  • Keep the insides of your boots dry and maintain the waterproofing on the outsides of them.
  • Remove mud, dirt, clay, and gunk—they’ll dry out the leather.
  • You can increase the life span of your boots by using premade orthotic insoles.

Checking the Wear

Worn out boots not only are uncomfortable, but they are unsafe.  Not replacing them when they’re worn out can cause foot/back/leg pain, foot stress and ingrown toenails and can increase your chances of falling, especially in slippery environments. Check for wear by looking at:

  • Soles, outsides of the heels, and balls of the shoe for wear. Are soles separating?  Sole separation can cause instability, reduce shock absorption and let moisture or chemicals in.
  • Tears, holes, cracks and external damage—Damage like this can make them less electrical and chemical resistant and more susceptible to foot punctures
  • Internal damage-Look at the inside, the tongue and look for the stitching. Torn insulation can let in moisture and chemicals. The instep shouldn’t be bunching up.

Finding and Trying on Boots

  • Wear the socks you’ll be wearing with the boots when you try them on
  • Your heel shouldn’t come up out of the boot or rub on the back. It shouldn’t move more than a quarter of an inch. As leather conforms to your foot, it will mold to your heel and slight slippage will reduce.
  • You should have an inch of room in your toes but your toes shouldn’t slide forward when you walk.
  • The boot should be secure on the sides and top of your foot but not be painful.
  • Make sure the inner stitching nor the tongue rub on your foot.
  • When trying them on put them through their paces because you want to make sure they’re right for you: walk, run, hop, do knee raises, stand in place, flex your foot, and carefully roll your ankles and stand on the sides of your foot to test ankle support. If you have red spots on your feet after trying them on, those are the places where the shoe will rub.
  • Always try on boots on both of your feet. Your feet change sizes throughout the day, so try boots on in the afternoon when your feet tend to be bigger.
  • If your feet are two different sizes, purchase the boot to fit your larger foot and wear a heel insert for your smaller foot.
  • If you have flat feet, taller boots with stronger insoles may fit better.
  • Boot companies traditionally have you order 1/2 size smaller than your sneaker size. For steel toe boots, you may need to order the same size as your sneaker size, or even a 1/2 size larger than your normal shoe size. If you wear thick socks, the larger boot sizes will be needed to accommodate those.

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What’s the Difference Between OSHA’s General Industry and Construction Standards on Asbestos?

What’s the Difference Between OSHA’s General Industry and Construction Standards on Asbestos?

Sep 22, 2023

With so many entities regulating asbestos – EPA to OSHA to State Governments to even City and County Governments – we see a lot of confusion.  These regulations cross over and intertwine with each other and it’s sometimes difficult to remember which rule is required by which agency.  In this article, we will tackle OSHA’s side.

OSHA has two separate regulations regarding asbestos.  The General Industry Standard is at 29 CFR 1910.1001 and the Construction Standard is at 29 CFR 1926.1101. Unlike other regulations that are shared between 1910 and 1926, these are NOT a carbon copy of each other.

Which One is For You?  Well….It Depends.

In many standards, a company follows either the standard in 1910 or the standard in 1926 based on what type of facility you are.  If you’re a manufacturer, fixed facility, traditionally the 1910 general industry standard applies to you.  If you’re a construction company who moves from site to site, the 1926 construction standards typically apply to you.  However, for asbestos regulations, the one that applies to you depends on what’s going on at your site and what your workers are doing.

A general rule of thumb is daily management of asbestos at your facility falls under the general industry standards.  When you are intentionally disturbing asbestos, then you follow the construction standards.  So a “general industry” facility could be subject to both the general industry and the construction standards if they have a renovation going on.  It’s important that you know the difference between the two distinctions.

The Similarities

We’ll first take a look at the similarities between the two standards.  Remember that OSHA’s goal is the safety of the worker so regulations are focused on worker protection.

Notifying Employees of the Hazards of Asbestos

Both regulations require that you notify workers of the hazards of asbestos and you can do this for everyone through your compliance activities for the hazard communication standard or you can do it through separate training.  This includes informing workers of the presence and location of asbestos in their workplace as well as the health hazards caused by asbestos.  Housekeeping personnel are required to be notified of asbestos-containing areas they could be cleaning.  Outside contractors and project bidders who could work in areas where asbestos could be disturbed are required to be notified where it is.  If asbestos is to be disturbed, such as a removal projects for a renovation, those people working in areas adjacent to those work areas are to be notified of the project.  Tenants of buildings are required to be notified by the owner of the building.

Signage/Labels

Warning signs are to be posted on regulated areas where removal is being conducted or asbestos is being disturbed.

Warning labels should be on raw materials, mixtures, scrap, waste, debris, bagged protective clothing, and other products containing asbestos fibers, or be placed on their containers. Entrances to mechanical rooms or mechanical areas where employees could be exposed should have labels attached where they will clearly be noticed by employees.

Exposure Limits and Medical Surveillance

Each standard sets limits for the amount of asbestos a worker can be exposed to.  If there’s the potential that a worker will be exposed past the limits in the standards, then respiratory protection is required and certain PPE is as well.  If that limit is exceeded, then the worker also needs to be placed in a medical surveillance program to monitor the health effects of their potential exposure.

Training

Each standard lines out required training. The level of training required depends on what the worker will be doing and whether or not they’ll be disturbing asbestos.  Training could range from an awareness class to a full week of intense training.  Most asbestos training is required to be repeated annually.

The Differences

General industry standards have a section on suggested work practices for housekeeping personnel to follow, but the construction industry standard dives into detailed work practices for those personnel intentionally disturbing asbestos-containing materials to follow.

In the construction standard is where we find the terms Class I, Class II, Class III and Class IV work.  The specific practices that workers are to follow are spelled out in detail for each class of work.

Class I work is for workers at the highest risk of exposure.  These are the one who will be removing friable asbestos materials.  Friable asbestos materials are those that when dry, can be easily crumbled or pulverized to powder by hand, making the potential for its fibers to be released even greater.  Class I work is the large-scale abatements of thermal systems insulation from pipes, boilers, tanks and ducts as well as removal of sprayed-on insulation, “popcorn ceiling” texture or acoustical plaster and vinyl floor covering.   This work requires specialized asbestos removal/abatement training of up to 40 hours with annual refreshers.

Class II work is the removal of non-friable asbestos.  Non-friable asbestos cannot be easily crumbled or pulverized to powder by hand and its asbestos fibers are usually bonded into other materials. If a non-friable material remains in good condition, it poses little hazard. Because of its strength, incidental contact will not usually release a fiber.  Class II work includes removal of vinyl asbestos floor tile, lay-in ceiling tile, Transite roofing panels, window glazing, asbestos siding and any non-friable materials.  This work requires specialized asbestos removal training that can vary from full 40 hour courses to specialized training for the specific material to be removed.

Class III work is the intentional disturbing of asbestos for repair and maintenance of other items.  For instance, if one needed to cut away a small amount of asbestos to fix a leaky pipe or to potentially disturb some asbestos in order to access an electrical panel for repair, that would fall under this class of work.  This type of work can often be done by in-house maintenance personnel or even maintenance contractors.  However, it’s still an intentional disturbance and so the workers who do these activities are required to take specialized asbestos removal training as well.  Class III work only allows workers to remove a certain quantity of material before it crosses the line and become Class I or II abatement work.  Specialized training to remove these small quantities is required, typically a 16-hour initial class with annual refresher training.

Class IV work is for those who will be conducting maintenance and custodial activities after a removal is completed, that is, cleaning up after Class I, II or III work.  This level has its own specific training requirements with specific content requirements.

Questions?

Asbestos regulations can be hard to interpret and confusing as actually 4 entities can get involved in regulating it: EPA, OSHA, State Governments and City/County Governments.  If you have any questions regarding this article or asbestos in general, contact us.

 

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Making Changes to Equipment or Operations? Do You Need a Construction Air Permit?

Making Changes to Equipment or Operations? Do You Need a Construction Air Permit?

Mar 3, 2023

What Are Construction Air Permits and How Do We Determine If We Need One?

Whenever you plan on making changes to equipment or operations, before you ever get started, your company should always determine whether or not you will need to obtain a construction air permit from your state (or local) environmental agency.

Air Permit Regulations

The Clean Air Act sets standards to prevent significant deterioration (PSD) of the air quality for an area.  This is a federal regulation and EPA has the regulatory authority to enforce it, but it can also delegate authority to individual states by approving the state’s plans to enforce these regulations.

Air permits are required any time a company will exceed criteria for six different criteria pollutants (sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, particulate matter, lead, nitrous oxides, and ozone (volatile organic compounds)) or from a list of 187 hazardous air pollutants. Permits outline the emission sources at a facility and can include emission limitations, equipment maintenance requirements, and reference applicable Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT) standards and New Source Performance Standards (NSPS).

What Kinds of Activities May Need an Air Permit?

Some examples of equipment or processes that may produce emissions that may require an air permit may include:

  • Compressors
  • Paint Booths
  • Degassing Vessels or Lines
  • Engines
  • Generators
  • Ovens
  • Incinerators
  • Boilers

Some activities that may produce emissions to require an air permit may include:

  • Loading/Unloading Operations
  • Material Storage/Transfer
  • Painting
  • Solid Wastes
  • Tank Loading/Unloading
  • Truck Loading/Unloading
  • Valves, Vents, Vessels and Tanks
  • Wastewater Treatment
  • Welding
  • Asphalt Mixing/Rock Crushing

Operating Permits vs. Construction Permits

Air permits required for regular operations are called operating permits.  They are applicable to the entire facility.  There are different types of operating air permits based on whether or not you are located in an EPA area of nonattainment, how you much you will be emitting, and what you’ll be emitting.

Air permits can also be required for specific projects where you’re going to be making changes or additions, and these are called construction permits/approvals.  Even though the word construction is used, you don’t have to technically be doing “construction” activities.  In this instance, it means the process of making any change to an operation.  Once the change has been made, that change then becomes part of the operating permit because it becomes part of the facility operations.

Depending on the state, sometimes operating and construction permits are done at the same time to prevent time loss between making the change and getting the new operation up and running.  Some states do them separately.  Some states require construction permits be incorporated into the facility’s operating permit, and other states will issue combined construction/operating permits.

Construction Permits/Approvals

Except in limited situations, air construction permits must be received BEFORE your construction or change can commence.

Some changes to your facility that could require a construction permit include:

  • Installation of new process equipment;
  • Modification to existing process equipment;
  • Installation of or change in an emission control device;
  • Debottlenecking of a process that allows for increased production; or,
  • Increases to throughput or operating hours (if currently limited by an operating permit).

Determining If You Need a Construction Air Permit

As with operating permits, for a construction air permit one of the first things you’ll need to do is determine how this change will affect your Potential to Emit (PTE).  This is the maximum design capacity of a stationary source to emit a pollutant under its physical and operational design.  Calculate the PTE for each pollutant associated with this source.  There are several different ways to do this calculation and your state may have a preference on which one you use to determine your PTE.

Once the PTE for the project or modification has been calculated, compare it to the construction permitting thresholds.  Please note that in some cases, you may still need to have a construction air permit even if potential emissions are lower than the construction approval thresholds.  For examples, what type of equipment it is or what type of process it is may affect its status.  Check your state’s rules on what their guidelines are.

Obtaining the Permit

If your calculations tell you the project requires an air construction permit, the customary application must be submitted for approval.  If a project is going to make such a difference that it will now trigger Major Source or Major Modification thresholds, you may need to obtain a Federal Air Permit.  This is a lengthy application, and approval can take quite a long time, from several months to well over a year or two, depending on your state and the workload.  So, it’s very, very important you try to do this well ahead of the time you plan on making the change.

If you already have an operating permit, be aware that your change that you are looking at getting permitted under the construction permit may cause changes to your operating permit at the same time.  Know exactly what the conditions of your operating permit are and see how these changes will affect it so that if you are in a state which does operating and construction permits separately, you can get started on making changes to your operating permit now so that you can operate the results of the construction.

Some states have a streamlined construction permit application process for certain equipment such as emergency generators or boilers.  These applications are short and sweet and typically receive agency approval quickly.

If the project meets the exemption from air construction permitting, retain all documentation for your files.  Even if exempt from permitting, state or federal regulations may have requirements for the source, and you still may need to complete some state paperwork.

With all air permits, both construction and operating permits, once you have turned in your application, be prepared to wait.  The state agency will check for the completeness of your application and may have questions.  Once any issues have been resolved, you should receive a draft of your permit to review and comment on. If it’s not in your state’s policy to send a draft, ask for one, especially if it’s a combined operating/construction permit.

Make sure you read this draft!  You will be held to what this permit says.  Make sure everything about the permit is correct, including any equipment details, inconsistencies, unclear language, typos, etc.  Remove or clarify any ambiguities to make the conditions as broad as possible. Any errors could cause you issues later when being inspected, leading to an inspector thinking you are doing something differently than what’s allowed in the permit.

Once the draft has been approved, there may be a public notice period depending on state policy, and then after that you should receive your permit.

Please note, your construction permit could take several months to be approved, so make sure you plan accordingly.  And also remember…construction permits must be obtained BEFORE construction can be started.

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What is a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment?

What is a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment?

Feb 17, 2023

What is a Phase II?

A Phase II Environmental Site Assessment (ESA) is an in-depth procedure conducted by a environmental professional to confirm the presence or absence of suspected contaminants.

This assessment typically follows a Phase I ESA and involves more intensive methods such as soil, groundwater, or building materials sampling and laboratory analysis.

Phase II ESAs are essential when dealing with properties that may have been affected by hazardous substances. The environmental site assessment process provide a detailed understanding of the environmental conditions at a site and act as a critical tool in managing potential liabilities associated with contamination. Conducting an environmental site assessment is a staple of a companies environmental due diligence.

What’s the Difference Between a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment and Phase II Environmental Site Assessment?

While both assessments aim to evaluate potential environmental risks associated with a property, their methodologies differ significantly.

Phase I environmental site assessments are essentially a preliminary study. It involves a detailed review of historical records and a visual inspection of the property to identify potential environmental risks. This phase does not involve any physical testing or sampling.

Instead, it focuses on identifying ‘Recognized Environmental Conditions’ (RECs) that indicate the possible presence of contamination on the site.

On the other hand, a Phase II assessment is a more detailed and hands-on investigation. It is triggered when RECs are identified during the Phase I assessment. Phase II involves actual sampling and testing of soil, groundwater, or building materials to confirm if suspected contaminants exist at concentrations above regulatory limits.

When Do I Need a Limited Phase II ESA?

A Limited Phase II ESA is often required when the Phase I ESA identifies potential environmental risks, but the suspected contamination is localized to specific areas of the site.

This more focused assessment is less extensive — and thus less costly — than a full Phase II ESA but still provides valuable insight into potential environmental liabilities. It involves targeted sampling and analysis based on the findings from the Phase I ESA.

Who Pays For A Phase 2 ESA?

Typically, the party who stands to benefit from the information generated by a Phase II ESA is responsible for its cost.

This could be a prospective buyer who wants to ensure they are not acquiring contaminated property, a current property owner seeking to understand their liability, or a lender requiring assurance on the environmental status of a property before approving a loan.

In some cases, the cost may also be negotiated between the buyer and seller as part of the property transaction process.

How Long Does a Phase 2 ESA Take?

The duration of a Phase 2 ESA can vary depending on several factors. These include the size and complexity of the site, the number of samples taken, and laboratory turnaround times for sample analysis. On average, a Phase II ESA can take anywhere from a few weeks to a couple of months to complete.

How Much Does a Phase 2 Environmental Study Cost?

The cost of a Phase 2 ESA varies widely based on the scope of work required. Factors influencing the cost include the size and complexity of the site, the type and number of samples, and the analytical methods used. It can range from a few thousand dollars for a Limited Phase II ESA to tens of thousands for a more complex site.

What Is The Final Goal of a Phase 2 Assessment?

The ultimate goal of a Phase 2 Assessment is to provide a clear understanding of the environmental conditions at a site. The findings from a Phase II ESA can significantly impact property transactions, lending decisions, and redevelopment plans.

If contamination is confirmed, it may necessitate remediation under local, state, or federal regulations. By identifying these issues early, businesses can proactively manage potential liabilities and avoid unexpected costs and delays.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, a Phase II Environmental Site Assessment is a critical tool in managing environmental risks. This environmental assessment provides a detailed understanding of the recognized environmental condition at a site, helping stakeholders make informed decisions and potentially avoid significant future liabilities.

Although the process may seem daunting, it is a crucial step towards ensuring the safe and responsible use of land.

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We will take the time to understand your unique needs and develop tailored solutions that address those needs. For facilites looking for help navigating the often perplexing regulatory landscape, contact us today!

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OSHA Injury Posting Requirements

OSHA Injury Posting Requirements

Jan 30, 2023

It’s that time of year again when employers need to post and submit last year’s injury and illness data.  Here is a list of timeframes and more information about which companies this affects:

Posting Injury and Illness Data

All employers who are required to maintain OSHA logs must post a copy of their OSHA 300A log from February 1 through April 30.  This needs to be placed in a common area where an employee can easily see it.  Make sure you have a company executive sign and certify it before posting.


Electronic Submittals to OSHA

osha injury reporting recordkeeping compliance chart for 2023

Employers with more than 250 employees and employers with 20-249 employees under certain NAICS codes are required to submit their 300As to OSHA’s Injury Tracking Application (ITA) website.  Here’s a list of those special industries covered by the recordkeeping rule:  Covered Industries.

In order to post to the website, you’ll need two separate accounts.  First is an account with the Injury Tracking Application website.  The other, new as of October 2022, you’ll have to have an account at Login.gov, a secure website the federal government uses for many different applications.   You need to make sure you use the same email address for both so that the records can be connected.

Information can be manually uploaded, uploaded via a CSV file (available as a template from the OSHA ITA website), or transmit it electronically through an API.

If your company has multiple locations, or establishments as they are referred to, you need to report for each establishment, but can use the same ITA account to do it.  A third party can help do this for you, but accuracy and completeness of data is still your company’s responsibility.

Even if you have 0 recordables, you still need to report, and if you miss the March 2 deadline, you can still submit at any time of the year.  Just be aware you’re not compliant until you do.  If you submit early and find out there was an injury last year that became recordable, they would like for you to update the information, but it’s not required.

What’s Recordable, What’s Not?

If you have questions or need help in determining what’s recordable and what’s not, iSi can help.  We can advise on a case-by-case basis, and we have conducted presentations that cover some of the trickier examples that we can provide through our training program.  Contact us for pricing on either of those.

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Mastering the Essential EHS Audit Checklist: A Comprehensive Guide

Mastering the Essential EHS Audit Checklist: A Comprehensive Guide

Oct 16, 2022

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When it comes to environmental health and safety (EHS) audits, having a comprehensive checklist is essential. Audits are designed to show the effectiveness of an organization’s existing EHS management system as well as identify any areas that need improvement. A good audit will be comprehensive in scope and include elements such as environmental compliance, risk assessment, occupational safety, air quality monitoring, and emergency preparedness.

The challenge for many organizations is creating or finding an EHS audit checklist that covers all the necessary elements. To help get you started, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to mastering the essential EHS audit checklist. This guide will provide you with everything you need to know about best practices and key components of successful EHS audits.

First, you’ll want to make sure that your EHS audit checklist is aligned with the organization’s goals and objectives. A comprehensive checklist should include all of the basic elements that are required by law or identified within the scope of an organization’s operations. This includes ensuring compliance with national and local environmental regulations, assessing workplace safety risks, monitoring air quality on site, and preparing for emergency situations.

Next, you’ll need to consider how often audits will be conducted. Depending on the size and complexity of the organization’s operations, this could range from once a year to multiple times per year. It may also be necessary to conduct periodic follow-up audits in order to ensure that any changes or improvements made since the last audit are still in place.

Finally, when conducting an audit it’s important to document everything that is found. This includes any potential hazards and exposures, compliance issues, and recommendations for improvement. Having a comprehensive audit report is essential for making sure that all corrective actions are properly implemented and tracked over time.

By following the above steps and having a detailed EHS Audit checklist in place, you can ensure that your organization is meeting all of the necessary standards for environmental health and safety. With the proper preparation and planning, you can have confidence that your audits will yield accurate results and provide you with the actionable insights needed to make improvements where necessary.

EHS Audit Checklist Templates

EHS audit checklists are an invaluable tool for organizations to ensure their health and safety processes are in line with industry standards. They help organizations identify potential risks, areas of improvement, and areas that need additional attention. EHS audit checklist templates provide a consistent structure for conducting audits and allow the organization to easily evaluate compliance across multiple departments and locations.

With the use of these templates, organizations can quickly identify which areas require further action or review. In addition, using an EHS audit checklist template ensures that all essential elements required for a successful safety program are included in the assessment process. This helps to ensure that any issues identified during the audit can be addressed in a timely fashion and prevents any unnecessary delays that could put workers at risk.

Who needs to use a health and safety audit?

A health and safety audit is necessary for any workplace, no matter the size or industry. It is important to make all employees aware of what measures need to be taken to reduce risks in the workplace.

Employers and business owners should use audit findings to ensure that their employees are safe from potential hazards. Additionally, supervisors and managers should also regularly monitor the implementation of safety protocols as part of a comprehensive risk management plan. The ultimate goal is to create an environment where everyone can work productively with minimal risks and hazard exposure. This includes providing appropriate protective gear for all employees as well as have all employees trained on safety policies.

By conducting regular audits, employers not only make sure their workers are well protected but also demonstrate good corporate citizenship towards regulatory authorities. Furthermore, these reviews may help identify areas of improvement so that effective preventive measures can be put in place. In sum, anyone with a stake in the safety and well-being of employees should incorporate health and safety audits into their overall risk management strategy.

EHS Audit Software:

EHS Audit Software is an essential tool for Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) professionals to monitor and ensure compliance with regulations. It automates the auditing process, providing insight into risk areas and helping organizations improve their processes.

EHS Management Software provides a comprehensive interface to facilitate efficient data collection, tracking and reporting of regulatory compliance-related activities. This makes it easier to identify deficiencies in safety protocols, quickly address potential hazards, and take proactive steps to mitigate future risks.

With the help of this software, organizations can ensure that they provide a safe workplace environment for all employees while minimizing both environmental impacts and financial costs associated with non-compliance.

EHS Audit Management Software Benefits

EHS Audit Management Software Benefits provides organizations with powerful tools to streamline their environmental, health and safety auditing processes. It helps them save time and resources while ensuring compliance with local regulations, industry standards, and best practices.

The software allows for automatic scheduling of audits and tracking of results, which can help identify gaps in safety protocols more quickly. This ultimately helps to reduce the risk of accidents, environmental damage, and costly fines. With centralized data storage and reporting capabilities, it also enables organizations to track their compliance progress over time, enabling them to continually strive for excellence in safety.

EHS Audit Management Software Benefits is a powerful tool that can help organizations protect their employees, customers, and environment while ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations.

Pre-Audit Phase

The Pre-EHS Audit Phase or audit planning is an important part of the overall Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) audit process. During this phase, a company will assess its current EHS operations and compliance in order to identify any areas that may present possible risks or noncompliance issues.

This helps ensure the organization meets all applicable regulations and safety requirements, and helps reduce potential liability risks when an EHS auditor arrives. During the Pre-EHS Audit Phase, organizations often review their compliance records and processes, evaluate current systems, develop new procedures and protocols as needed, and produce a detailed report of findings.

This helps ensure the organization is properly prepared for the actual EHS audit itself. The Pre-EHS Audit Phase is essential to ensuring organizational safety and compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.

An effective Pre-EHS Audit Phase also helps an organization identify potential risks and areas of improvement before the actual audit begins. Through this assessment, organizations can develop specific strategies to improve their safety and compliance operations going forward, as well as develop plans for problems that may arise during the EHS audit itself.

What should be included in a health and safety audit checklist?

A health and safety audit checklist should include items that are relevant to the particular work environment being audited. This can vary depending on whether the workplace is an office, factory, warehouse, or other premises.

Generally, items that should be included in a health and safety audit checklist would be physical hazards such as trip/slip risks, poor lighting conditions, inadequate ventilation, and hazardous substances. Additionally, potential health risks such as noise levels, temperature/humidity levels, ergonomics, and the availability of safety wear should be considered.

All employees should also have access to first-aid kits and emergency procedures in case of accidents or incidents. Finally, employers should consider if necessary protective measures are in place to protect employees from violence or harassment. By including these items in a health and safety audit checklist, employers can ensure that their workplace is safe and compliant with relevant regulations.

What is a health and safety audit?

A health and safety audit is an independent assessment of a workplace to assess how well it complies with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards. It evaluates existing practices and procedures in the workplace to make sure they are working properly and efficiently.

The aim of a health and safety audit is to identify any potential hazards or risks that could lead to injury or illness, as well as any areas where improvement is needed. A health and safety audit can help organizations meet their legal obligations and ensure the workplace remains safe and healthy for everyone.

It can also provide important data that can be used to develop effective strategies to reduce accidents, incidents, and other risks in the workplace.

Deficiencies and Corrective Actions

EHS corrective actions are an important part of creating a safe and healthy working environment. These corrective steps involve identifying workplace health and safety hazards, addressing the risks associated with those hazards, and taking steps to eliminate or mitigate any potential harm to workers and the environment caused by these hazards.

Corrective actions can include changing procedures, providing additional training, implementing new rules or regulations, or carrying out engineering modifications to equipment and machinery.

It’s important for employers to take corrective steps in order to protect their workforce, comply with regulations, and ensure a safe working environment. By taking corrective actions, employers can reduce the risk of injury and illness caused by workplace hazards.

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Workplace Safety Audit Guides

Workplace Safety Audit Guides

Sep 19, 2022

Work Site Safety Audits

A Work Site Safety Audit is an important part of any workplace. It helps to identify potential hazards and risks, and ensures that all safety protocols are being followed. The audit includes a comprehensive review of the environment, as well as any equipment or materials used in the area. It can also include interviews with employees and other stakeholders to assess their understanding of safety policies and procedures.

Safety Audits vs. Safety Inspections: What’s the Difference?

Safety audits and safety inspections serve different purposes. Safety audits are more comprehensive and review the overall safety program of an organization, while safety inspections focus on specific worksites or processes.

Audits evaluate compliance across multiple areas such as employee training, equipment maintenance, hazardous materials management, accident investigation/reporting procedures, emergency response plans, etc., whereas inspections are conducted to ensure that existing regulations and requirements are being met in a particular area (e.g. confined space entry, machine guarding).

Safety audits provide organizations with valuable feedback on their current safety practices and allow them to identify any potential risks before they become significant issues. Inspections can help find violations quickly and lead to corrective actions when needed. Both types of assessments are important components of an effective safety management system.

3 Types of Safety Audits

There are three primary types of safety audits: administrative, environmental, and personal protective equipment (PPE). Administrative audits assess compliance with safety policies and procedures; environmental audits evaluate the physical environment for conditions that may pose a risk to personnel; and PPE audits review the effectiveness of an organization’s PPE program in providing adequate protection for workers.

All three types of safety audit provide valuable insight into the overall safety performance of a company, helping to ensure that it is meeting its commitment to providing safe working conditions.

How to conduct a safety audit?

Conducting a safety audit is an important step in improving the safety of any workplace. It allows organizations to assess their current protocols and identify areas for improvement. When conducting a safety audit, it is important to consider all potential hazards and develop safety regulations and safety procedures to eliminate or control hazards.

This can include everything from evaluating how equipment is used and maintained, to reviewing employee training programs and procedures. Additionally, health and safety audit companies should pay attention to the environment around the facility, ensuring that employees are working in safe conditions with reasonable access to emergency exits.

After identification of risk areas, action plans should be developed and implemented in order to make sure that all necessary steps have been taken in order to provide a safe working environment for everyone involved. Finally, employers should regularly review their safety audit report and audit data and make adjustments to ensure that the workplace remains safe for all workers.

By doing this, businesses can prevent major accidents from occurring and create a safer work environment for everyone. Through consistent safety audits, organizations can be sure that they are taking every measure to ensure the wellbeing of their employees.

The Steps of a Successful Safety Audit

A safety audit is an important part of any successful workplace safety program. It helps to identify risks and implement controls that protect workers and facilitate compliance with relevant legislation.

The steps involved in a successful audit include planning the review process, conducting interviews, collecting data, analyzing results, revising policies and procedures as needed, and finally reporting findings to key stakeholders. To ensure optimal results, it’s important to consult experts who have knowledge of applicable regulations and industry best practices.

With audit findings, workplaces can create safer environments for all personnel. Doing so will go a long way towards preventing accidents or injuries from occurring. Ultimately this leads to increased productivity and improved morale among employees.

The benefits of conducting regular audits are clear and there are many resources available to help employers ensure their workplace safety programs meet or exceed standards. With the right approach, any organization can benefit from a successful safety audit process.

By taking the steps necessary to conduct an effective safety audit, companies can have peace of mind that they are putting their employees first while complying with relevant laws and regulations. Additionally, an audit helps organizations identify areas of potential improvement in order to strengthen existing policies and procedures and create a more secure environment for workers.

This is essential to creating a culture of safety within any organization. Conducting regular audits helps ensure safe working conditions and ultimately better outcomes for everyone involved.

Prepare for the Audit

It is important to thoroughly prepare for an audit, as it will help ensure that the process runs smoothly. Start by gathering all relevant documents and financial statements in one place. It is also beneficial to have a checklist of items that need to be addressed during the audit.

Additionally, make sure you are aware of any applicable laws and regulations related to your industry and business operations.

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What are the Benefits of Performing a Safety Audit?

Performing a safety audit is an essential part of any workplace safety program. Regularly performing safety audits helps to identify potential risks, ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations, minimize accidents and injuries, and keep workers safe. Safety audits also help to reduce costs associated with legal fees, insurance premiums, medical expenses, lost time due to injuries or illness, and other related costs.

In addition to this financial benefit, regular safety audits can increase employee morale by demonstrating the commitment of management towards workplace safety. Overall, the benefits of performing a safety audit are clear – improved worker health and reduced potential liability for employers.

How frequently should safety audits be conducted?

When it comes to safety audits, the frequency of their execution can vary depending on a variety of factors. Generally speaking, these audits should be conducted at least once a year. However, this timeframe may need to be adjusted depending on the industry, environment and context of the business in question.

What Are the Best Practices in Conducting Safety Audits?

Safety audits are essential for any work environment, and there are best practices that should be followed when conducting them. First, safety audits should be conducted regularly to ensure all areas of the workplace are up-to-date on safety standards.

It’s also important to involve personnel who can provide a fresh perspective and spot potential hazards. Additionally, auditors should document their observations as they conduct the audit, which allows for an objective assessment of safety practices.

Finally, it’s important to take any corrective actions needed following the audit in order to ensure a safe and healthy work environment. Following these best practices can help create an effective safety audit that ensures all areas of the workplace are up-to-date on standards and that potential hazards are identified and addressed quickly.

What is a Compliance audit?

A Compliance audit is a systematic review of an organization’s policies, procedures, and operations to ensure that they are in alignment with legal and regulatory requirements. It is a comprehensive evaluation of the effectiveness of internal controls across all areas of the business.

The main goal of this audit is to identify potential risks or weaknesses in the processes so that corrective action can be taken accordingly.

Use Competent and Objective Auditors

Competent and objective auditors play an essential role in ensuring the accuracy of financial documents. Auditors are responsible for evaluating the accuracy of financial records, assessing internal controls, analyzing transactions to detect errors, and providing assurance that the financial statements present a fair view of the company’s performance.

They must have expertise in accounting principles and be able to assess potential risks with objectivity. Auditors must also be able to clearly communicate their findings and recommendations in a way that is understandable to management.

An effective auditor will use a range of different techniques, such as reviewing documents, interviewing staff, using electronic data analytics tools and performing testing procedures, to ensure accuracy and completeness of the financial records.

What Are the Key Elements of a Safety Audit?

A safety audit is an essential tool for any organization that wants to ensure the health and safety of its employees. The key elements of a safety audit are identifying potential hazards, assessing the risk associated with these hazards and determining how best to reduce or eliminate them. To do this, workers must be trained in hazard identification, risk assessment methods, and prevention techniques to control risks.

Additionally, policies and procedures must be created and enforced to reduce the chance of harm or injury occurring in the workplace. Finally, safety audits should include regular follow-up reviews to ensure that any changes have been effective in improving safety. By using a comprehensive approach to safety management through a safety audit, organizations can help protect their staff from potential hazards and prevent accidents from occurring.

What is the difference between an auditor and assessor?

The main difference between an auditor and an assessor is the purpose of their respective roles. An auditor is responsible for verifying that financial information or systems are accurate and in compliance with laws, regulations, and standards.

An assessor’s role is to measure or evaluate a system, process, project, or organization against a set of criteria. Additionally, auditors are usually outside third-party professionals, while assessors can be internal staff employed by the organization they are evaluating. Ultimately, an auditor is interested in determining the truth of a situation, while an assessor is focused on understanding how well it meets standards or criteria.

Both roles play a valuable role in ensuring that financial and operational information is accurate and meeting legal requirements.

Does OSHA require safety audits?

Yes, OSHA does require safety audits for employers to ensure that their workplaces are safe and in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). By conducting regular safety audits, employers can identify potential hazards and take measures to reduce them.

This helps protect employees’ physical health by reducing the risk of workplace injuries, as well as their mental health by creating a positive working environment. OSHA safety audits allow employers to identify potential hazards and make sure that their workplace is in compliance with the OSHA standards, thus protecting both employees’ physical and mental well-being. Additionally, regular safety audits can help employers save on costs by reducing liability in case of an accident or injury.

Need Help?

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What Is Compliance Reporting & Why Is It Important?

What Is Compliance Reporting & Why Is It Important?

Sep 13, 2022

What is a Compliance Report?

A Compliance Report is a document that details the adherence to laws and regulations in a particular organization or industry. It outlines the measures taken by an entity to ensure that it is in compliance with all applicable rules and regulations. It can include information on audits performed, corrective action taken when violations are found, and the overall effectiveness of an entity’s compliance program. The report can be used by internal stakeholders to assess the company’s level of compliance, as well as by external stakeholders to ensure that the company is meeting all requirements. In the entire compliance process, compliance Reports are essential for any business or industry seeking to protect itself from liability and ensure its operations are compliant with industry best practices.

Regulatory Compliance Reporting vs. Internal Compliance Reporting

Regulatory compliance reporting and internal compliance reporting are both important parts of a business’s operations. Regulatory compliance reporting is the process by which organizations report data to various government agencies and other third parties, while internal compliance reporting is used to track an organization’s own policies and procedures. Regulatory compliance reports are required for certain industries, such as banking, healthcare, and finance, and must adhere to certain government regulations. Internal compliance reports are used within an organization in order to track it’s own internal procedures and ensure that they are being followed.

Both types of reporting can help a business stay organized and on top of their compliance obligations. However, it is important to remember that regulatory compliance reports must always be up-to-date and accurate in order to avoid potential fines or other legal repercussions. Internal compliance reports, while important, are not subject to the same regulations and can be used as a way to ensure that an organization’s policies are being properly followed. A thorough compliance report is important to a successful business, and understanding the differences between them is essential.

Why Compliance Reporting Is Important:

Compliance reporting is an essential part of any modern business. It ensures that organizations are abiding by the laws and regulations in place to protect consumers, workers, investors, and the environment. Compliance reporting allows companies to demonstrate their commitment to safety and sustainability, while also giving them a competitive edge in the marketplace. Additionally, it helps organizations identify potential risks before they become significant issues.

Compliance reports also provide stakeholders with a clear understanding of the company’s operations and performance and can be used to determine whether further action is necessary. Ultimately, compliance reporting helps organizations stay in line with government regulations while ensuring that their reporting practices are ethical and responsible.

What are the different types of compliance reports?

Compliance reports made by a compliance officer are documents that organizations use to document their adherence to regulations and laws. They provide insight into the procedures and processes in place to ensure legal compliance. There are many different types of compliance reports, including financial statement audits, environmental health and safety (EHS) audits, information security assessments, privacy impact assessments, and more.

Depending on the industry or type of organization, there may be additional types of compliance reports that are reviewed and issued. Companies with a well-documented compliance program should make sure that all types of compliance reports are up-to-date and accurate. By doing so, they can minimize the risk of non-compliance and any potential legal penalties.

What industries are often subject to compliance reporting?

Compliance reporting is a requirement for many industries, including but not limited to financial services, healthcare, and government agencies. Financial service providers are typically subject to compliance regulations related to banking and investing practices, while healthcare organizations must adhere to strict laws surrounding patient privacy and security. Government entities have their own set of rules that need to be followed in order to comply with local or federal laws.

All of these industries must adhere to certain standards in order to remain compliant with the law and protect consumer interests. Compliance reporting is also important for companies that handle sensitive data, such as customer information or confidential employee records. By adhering to compliance regulations, businesses can ensure their data is properly protected and not used for any malicious purposes. Additionally, it helps them remain transparent and accountable when it comes to how they use customer information. Compliance reporting is an important part of making sure businesses are operating fairly and ethically.

Benefits of Effective Compliance Reporting

Effective compliance reporting offers many benefits to businesses and organizations. Compliance reporting helps companies stay abreast of regulations in their industry and keep up with the constantly changing legal landscape. Having effectual compliance reporting also ensures that organizations are in line with local, state, and federal laws. It also allows for greater transparency, better communication between management and employees, and improved risk management.

With compliance reporting, businesses are better able to identify areas of risk and then take action accordingly. Additionally, effectual compliance reporting and compliance initiatives can help protect an organization from legal liability and minimize the risk of costly fines or penalties. By taking the time to develop a comprehensive compliance program, organizations benefit from increased efficiency, improved customer satisfaction, and higher employee morale.

What should a compliance report include?

A compliance report should include a summary of the organization’s activities to ensure it meets legal obligations, regulatory requirements, and contractual obligations. It should identify any current or potential gaps in compliance and provide recommendations to mitigate risks. The report should also highlight any changes that may have occurred since the last reporting period that could affect compliance. Additionally, the report should assess the effectiveness of existing processes and procedures and recommend actions to improve them, as well as describe any corrective actions taken in response to non-compliances.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is an important piece of European Union legislation that sets out strict data protection rules for businesses. It provides a framework for individuals to have control over their personal data, and gives them the right to access, delete, or amend this information at any time. The GDPR also requires organizations to inform people about how their information will be used, how long it will be used and who it may be shared with. Furthermore, it imposes strict rules on organizations to ensure that they protect the data of their customers. With these measures in place, organizations can build greater trust in their services by demonstrating a commitment to respecting people’s privacy.

How to develop a robust compliance reporting process?

The development of a robust reporting process is essential for any organization that needs to comply with the law and adhere to internal policies. Such a process should include the regular review of existing compliance procedures, training on those procedures, adequate communication channels, and periodic audits or assessments. Additionally, organizations need to ensure they have sufficient resources in place to monitor all aspects of their compliance processes and report any non-compliance.

This should include a system of tracking changes in regulations or other requirements that could affect compliance, as well as procedures for reporting instances of non-compliance to the appropriate authorities. Finally, organizations or your chief compliance officer must invest in continual learning and development of their staff to ensure they are up-to-date on the latest compliance regulations and can effectively communicate them within the organization.

What are 3 financial reporting risks?

Financial reporting risks refer to the uncertainty that investors and creditors may face when trying to assess the performance of an entity. The risk of inaccurate reporting can arise from a variety of sources, including accounting errors, fraud, misstatements or omissions in documents and financial statements, inadequate internal control mechanisms, or incorrect assessment of market conditions. The three main financial reporting risks are 1) accuracy risk, 2) materiality risk, and 3) fraud risk.

Accuracy risk pertains to the possibility of accounting errors or incorrect statements made in financial documents. Materiality risk involves the potential for disclosures not being properly defined or presented in a meaningful way by management that could lead to an inaccurate assessment. Lastly, fraud risk is associated with intentional misstatements or omissions which are made to mislead investors or creditors. It is important to understand these financial reporting risks in order to make the right investment decisions and ensure a successful understanding of an entity’s performance.

What is misleading reporting?

Misleading compliance reporting is a practice where organizations act as if they are following applicable laws and regulations, but do not actually meet the required standards. Compliance reports aim to assess whether an organization has taken measures to ensure that it is adhering to pertinent legal rules and regulations. Unfortunately, there are cases in which these reports can be inaccurate or even deliberately misleading about the level of compliance achieved by the organization. In these cases, organizations may be falsely representing their compliance efforts to stakeholders, regulators, and other interested parties.

Misleading reporting can have serious repercussions, including legal ramifications and financial losses due to failure to meet standards or false representation. It is important for companies to ensure that all compliance-related information is accurate and up-to-date, to avoid any such issues. Failure to do so can result in significant penalties and other sanctions. Therefore, organizations must take measures to ensure that all compliance-related information is accurate and up-to-date in order to maintain an accurate record of their compliance efforts.

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Lithium Batteries: Safety Hazards and Their Impact on Businesses

Lithium Batteries: Safety Hazards and Their Impact on Businesses

Aug 12, 2022

More lithium and lithium-ion batteries are being used in products today and just like any material, if we understand how to use it safely, it should not pose any problem. (Note: Lithium batteries are single-use batteries and lithium-ion batteries are the rechargeable kind.)

Lithium-containing batteries, when damaged. defective or used improperly, can present a fire and/or an explosion hazard.  Small items such as a laptop can typically have 6 lithium cells in them, while an electric vehicle can use 7,000 lithium-ion cells. This change in size greatly increases the risk and effects of a fire. If an electric vehicle catches on fire in your garage, you most likely do not have a way to deal with a 3,632° F fire.

Should I Really Worry About My Battery Catching on Fire?

If your battery stays intact, and does not allow moisture to get inside, or as long as there is not an issue with overcharging where the temperature runs away, you should be fine. The issue is that lithium and water don’t like each other. In fact, in its pure form, water causes lithium to react, sometimes violently, creating sparks and lots of heat, as well as hydrogen gas.

Lithium-ion batteries are a little different than the pure form of lithium in that they are filled with a lithium compound, and not pure lithium. Because of this, the material in many batteries are not quite as active with water. But when you have 7,000 cells in one place, if one catches on fire, a chain reaction can occur that you cannot control. Also fighting that fire with water may not be the best solution when water can cause it to react more.

This can be the same for industry. Lithium-ion batteries are being used in everything from pumps and instruments, to cars and equipment, hand tools, computer servers, and so many more products. Even your wireless mouse may have lithium-ion batteries.

If you just throw that away in the trash, not only are you potentially violating waste regulations and DOT shipping regulations, you may also be creating a fire hazard for the waste removal truck the landfill that it goes to.

DOT Issues Advisory Warning for Lithium-Containing Batteries

Recently DOT has found the issue with shipping lithium-containing batteries for recycle or waste has gotten out of hand. The Pipeline Hazardous Materials and Safety Administration (PHMSA), which is the HazMat division of the DOT, has issued a safety advisory on the dangers to help people out. The advisory warns that shippers and carriers need to take extra (and sometimes different) precautions when shipping damaged, defective or recalled lithium-containing batteries.

During recent compliance inspections, DOT inspectors have been finding improperly packaged and shipped lithium-containing batteries for disposal or recycling.  Some examples include:

  • Not packaging to prevent short circuiting
  • Mixing damaged batteries with others in the same packaging for recycling/disposal
  • Shipping pallets of batteries in boxes and drums with inappropriate package identifications

From a hazardous waste perspective, EPA recommends that lithium batteries be managed under the Universal Waste regulations.

Battery Disposal Rules – for Consumers

Regular citizens should take used, damaged, defective or recalled lithium-containing batteries to recycling facilities geared for accepting them, or your local household hazardous waste collection point. Do NOT throw them away with your other garbage.  If there is an item that’s recalled that has the battery in it, follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions and disposal instructions. Pay attention to any warnings.

Find an authorized provider to ship any lithium-containing batteries because they are considered to be hazardous materials.  When the post office asks if you are shipping hazardous materials, lithium-containing batteries makes that answer yes.

Battery Shipping and Disposal Rules – for Businesses

If you are a business, there are a number of regulations you need to follow to properly deal with lithium-containing batteries.  First, they can only be shipped by ground methods, so that’s by truck, rail or vessel. Overnight shipments or any shipment that could potential go via air methods are out of the question.

There are also specific regulations and procedures you need to follow to properly package, label and ship them.  There are regulations about the type of box you send them in because those packages must have special permits for this role.   There are special labels and markings that need to go on the packages and special ways they need to be packaged. Workers who will be participating in any function of the process are required to have proper training specific to their role, and that training is required every 3 years.  Emergency response information must also be included in the package process.

Training and Consulting Resource

iSi conducts hazardous materials shipping for businesses as well as conducts training to properly ship hazardous materials via ground, air, and vessel.  If you are a business that has question about how to deal with your lithium-containing batteries or if your workers need training, contact us today!

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Keith Reissig
Keith Reissig

Contributing:

Ryan Livengood

International Hazardous Materials Logistics Manager | EHS Regulatory Trainer

As a former corporate environmental, health and safety manager, Ryan has a vast experience in working with both environmental and safety compliance issues in multiple states.  His specialties include national and international dangerous goods transportation, hazardous waste, environmental compliance, industrial hygiene and safety compliance. He is also an ISO 14001 Lead Auditor.

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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): The Basics

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): The Basics

Jun 21, 2022

What is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

PPE is essential in protecting workers from potential harm and is mandatory in many industries. Employers must provide PPE to all their employees free of charge if they are likely to be exposed to hazards during work. The different types of PPE used depend on the risk assessment carried out by the employer, which will determine the level of protection needed for each individual employee.

Common examples of PPE include safety helmets, gloves, safety goggles, ear defenders and respirators. In some cases, employers may also need to provide fire retardant clothing or specialist footwear such as steel toe capped boots.

It is important that employers follow guidelines set out by regulatory bodies when providing PPE, as failure to do so could result in serious injury or even death. It is also important that employees use the PPE provided correctly and understand the associated risks of not doing so.

What different industries require PPE?

Transportation

The most common type of PPE used by truck drivers are:

  • Safety glasses or goggles
  • Steel toe boots
  • High visibility clothing

It is important to be aware of any hazardous materials that you may come into contact with while making a delivery and to make sure that you are wearing the appropriate PPE. In some cases, full-body suits may be necessary to protect against hazardous materials.

Chemical

  • Face shields/Face mask
  • Respiratory protective equipment
  • Chemical splash goggles
  • Gloves
  • Aprons/Overalls

PPE should always be used where there is a risk of exposure or contamination of corrosive liquids. It is important to ensure that PPE is appropriate for the task, fits properly, and is maintained in good condition. To determine appropriate types of PPE, it may be necessary to have a qualified person assess the nature and extent of potential hazards.

Food

  • Gloves
  • Safety glasses
  • Face shields
  • Hairnets

PPE is an essential part of any restaurant, cafe, or bar staff’s uniform and should be worn at all times while on the job. Employees who don’t wear the right PPE can easily get injured from sharp knives or hot dishes, increasing both their risk of harm and the potential liability of their employer.

Healthcare

  • Gloves
  • Gowns
  • Eye protection
  • Disposable N95 respirators, surgical masks, face shield

PPE for healthcare workers is essential for occupational safety. The CDC (Center for Disease Control) recommends gloves, gowns, eye protection, and face shields/masks as the basic requirements for any and all healthcare workers.

Wearing PPE such as basic respiratory protection, protective clothing, a surgical mask, protective eyewear, and lab coats, when worn correctly, can significantly help prevent workplace hazards and biological hazards, thus helping protect workers and health workers.

Oil and Gas

  • Eye protection
  • Hearing protection
  • Hand/Foot protection
  • Flame-resistant clothing
  • Gas detection monitors

Essential PPE for oil and gas workers significally reduce employee exposure to physical hazards present as well as notify them on things they cannot see.

Automotive

  • Peripheral safety goggles
  • Cut-resistant gloves

Peripheral eye protection is especially important in the Automotive Industry, as liquids like fuel and oil can drip down the face, and working in dusty environments with fiberglass, or metal fragments can work their way around non-sealed safety glasses.

Sealed glasses and goggles provide the best protection against such hazards while allowing unrestricted vision to perform service tasks. Motor vehicle technicians and mechanics should always wear proper eye protection whenever doing repairs, as the risks of serious injury or permanent vision damage are simply too great to ignore.

It is also important for anyone working in an automotive environment to get regular vision exams to ensure that any issues can be caught and treated early. Cut-resistant gloves will help prevent skin damage and skin hazards.

Construction

  • Protective gloves
  • Hearing protection to prevent occupational hearing loss
  • Full face shields when cutting, grinding, or chipping
  • Goggles for chemical splashes
  • Proper respiratory equipment and protection
  • Fall protection equipment when working above 6 feet

In addition to these PPE requirements, all construction site employees must be aware of the site-specific health hazards associated with working on a construction or renovation site. Employees should know what types of hazardous substances are present and how they can protect themselves.

Appropriate PPE such as respirators, gloves, boots, and chemical protective clothing may need to be worn depending on the particular job site. Make sure that you understand all safety procedures before beginning work and follow them at all times.

It is the responsibility of each employee to take appropriate steps to protect themselves from any potential harm.

Finally, make sure that you report any unsafe conditions or practices immediately to your supervisor or the project manager in charge of the site. Safety first – always!

Manufacturing

  • Gloves
  • Hard hat
  • Goggles
  • Full-body suits
  • Face shields

When working in a manufacturing facility, it is important to wear the proper personal protective equipment (PPE) to protect yourself and protect employees around you.

This includes gloves, protective hearing gear, hard hats, goggles, respirators, and full-body suits. Wearing PPE can help protect you from various hazards in the workplace. Some facilities may require using a self contained breathing apparatus or powered air purifying respirators as well as other equipment designed for a specific purpose.

What are some examples of PPE?

Masks and Respiratory Protective Equipment

When choosing a respirator, it’s important to understand the differences between APRs and ASRs. Air-purifying respirators (APRs) filter out contaminants from the air that is breathed through them. These types of respirators are most effective when used in environments with low levels of contamination, since they are unable to protect against high concentrations of airborne contaminants. Some examples are:

Protection for the Face and Eyes

Eye and face protection is important in any workplace setting to not only protect against eye injuries, but also for ensuring optimal employee productivity. Depending on the work environment and tasks that need to be completed, there are four primary types of eyewear available to help minimize risk.

General safety goggles are designed with side shields that provide a greater area of coverage, and some models may even include a wraparound frame. They are suitable for most workplace conditions, including those with light debris or dust particles in the air. Another example of safety goggles is laser safety goggles.

Head and Shoe Protection

Wearing a hard hat with a chin strap is the best way to ensure that an employee’s head remains protected when working in hazardous situations. The chin strap will keep the hat secured and prevent it from falling off in case of a fall or other accident. Hard hats must also be inspected regularly for any cracks, dents, scratches, punctures or other signs of damage.

Damaged hard hats must be replaced immediately to ensure an employee’s safety. Employees should also check the fit of their helmet before beginning work. A well-fitting hard hat will provide maximum protection and comfort for employees working in hazardous conditions. Safety equipment can only help you if you use it properly.

Gloves

Different types of gloves include: Leather, Canvas or Metal Mesh Gloves, Fabric and Coated Fabric Gloves, Chemical- and Liquid-Resistant Gloves, and Insulating Rubber Gloves. Gloves are used in many different scenarios and provide protection against anything from infectious materials, contaminated body fluids, bloodborne pathogens, and bacterial contaminants, to physical hazards such as cuts and abrasions.

What is required for OSHA standards for PPE?

Employers should assess the workplace to determine if PPE is necessary. If it is, employers should provide employees with appropriate protective equipment and ensure its use. Employers must also make sure that the protective equipment is well-maintained and kept clean.

Additionally, employers must train employees on how to properly wear and care for their eye and face protection in order to ensure its effectiveness. Employees should also be informed about potential hazards in their work environment, as well as any limitations of the protective equipment they are using.

If an employee needs prescription lenses while wearing safety glasses, employers may have additional requirements to meet OSHA standards. It is important to note that non-prescription safety glasses do not provide adequate protection against hazardous materials.

Employers should ensure that employees who require prescription lenses have access to appropriate protective equipment and can safely perform their job duties without endangering themselves or others.

If an employer has determined that protection is necessary, they must also provide employees with a copy of OSHA’s standard 1910.133 which outlines the requirements for protection in the workplace.

This document contains detailed information on types of hazards, selection criteria, performance requirements, instructions for use and care, as well as other helpful information employers need to know when providing appropriate face protection to their employees. The World Health Organization and OSHA reiterate that employees must wear PPE and proper equipment in order to protect them properly.

Why do you and your employees need PPE?

  1. Liability

  2. Long-term issues

  3. Keep what you got!

  4. Increase quality work environments

Conclusion:

When it comes to workplace safety, personal protective equipment (PPE) is an essential piece of the puzzle. PPE protects workers against hazards in the environment that could cause physical harm or injury. Industries such as manufacturing and mining are particularly hazardous, and effective use of PPE can help prevent accidents and injuries from occurring.

To ensure maximum protection, it is important that workers always wear the correct type of PPE for the job they are doing. This could include safety glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats and other items that are designed to protect against specific hazards.

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Incorporate Sustainability Action Plans Into Your Preconstruction Submittals

Incorporate Sustainability Action Plans Into Your Preconstruction Submittals

Jun 15, 2022

How to Incorporate a Sustainability Action Plans Into Your Preconstruction Submittals

A Sustainability Action Plans (SAP) is a critical part of any successful sustainable construction project and sustainable business. By creating and implementing a SAP, you can ensure that your construction project will be environmentally responsible and meet or exceed all applicable environmental sustainability standards. These action plans are designed to help both the environment and your build in the present and future. A few issues that it can aid is renewable energy, air pollution, climate change, as well as many other environmental issues. In this article, we will discuss how to incorporate Sustainability Action Plans into your preconstruction submittals.

If you’re a construction project manager, then you know that preconstruction submittals are a critical part of the process. If you are working on a federally funded project, then you have probably been asked to include Sustainability Action Plans and Sustainability eNotebooks.

Incorporating a sustainable action plan into your preconstruction submittals can be a challenge, but it’s worth the effort. Here are six tips to help you get started:

  1. Define what sustainable features are required to include in your project (ie. Sustainability performance, energy usage, etc.)
  2. Do your research on which sustainable materials are available and how they can be used (ie. recycling bins)
  3. Work with your architect and engineers to see how these materials can be incorporated into the design
  4. Make sure that the contractors you hire are aware of your sustainability goals and are willing to work with you to achieve them
  5. Be prepared to make some sacrifices – not all sustainable materials are going to meet project specifications, be prepared to clarify why they won’t work
  6. Remember that a sustainable project is an investment in the future, both for yourself and for the planet

By following these tips, you’ll be on your way to creating a more sustainable construction project!

Define what sustainable features are required to include in your project

Guiding principles and requirements for a viable project are essential and include elements of energy efficiency, bioswales, green roofs, renewable sources, and an effective waste management plan.

These guiding principles should be woven in with the initial design and planning stages of any project to ensure that it is both efficient and environmentally conscious. Any development must maintain the guiding principles set out as required by law. In addition, developing a waste management plan that can be implemented during construction and throughout the life-cycle could be beneficial from a cost perspective as well as from an environmental one.

Sustainable features should always factor into any project if you are looking to keep your operations on track, make your customers happy, and show you are a green business.

Do your research on which sustainable materials are available and how they can be used

If you’re looking to create a sustainability plan, one of the keys to success is researching and finding sustainable materials that can be used to reduce overall waste.

With a wealth of options available today, it pays off to put in the effort to find the viable and suitable sustainability initiatives that can be incorporated into your projects. Sustainable products come at various prices and have different strengths and energy efficiency profiles, so it’s important to evaluate them thoroughly for each project.

Doing your research upfront will ensure you are making informed decisions about incorporating sustainability into your operations. Time spent now creating a sustainability plan will pay off big time in the future!

Work with your architect and engineers to see how these materials can be incorporated into the design

Working with your architect and engineers is the key to successfully incorporating new materials into the design. It’s important to have a well-thought out plan for how best to use these materials so that you get the most out of them without wasting resources.

Take advantage of the insight, knowledge and experience available from your team of professionals – clearly communicate your vision and objectives, then take their advice on board to ensure a successful outcome. Time spent discussing with your architect and engineers upfront is much more profitable than trying to figure it out yourself later down the track.

Make sure that the contractors you hire are aware of your sustainability goals and are willing to work with you to achieve them

If you’re serious about sustainability, you need to make sure that the contractors you bring on have the same commitment. It’s not enough for them to just say they support your goals; they need to also be willing to put in the work and effort.

Do a thorough vetting process and make sure that any personnel working with you are willing to do their part in meeting environmental objectives. If not, it defeats the purpose of having those goals in the first place.

Don’t let anyone slip through the cracks — be vigilant and ensure contractors are up-to-speed on your sustainability plans or else keep looking until you find someone who is.