Environmental Health and Safety - Articles - Page 346

The biological leash on organizations

Corporate behavior faces hard-wired constraints

November 4, 2013

Starting in the 1960s, a growing body of evidence began to strongly support the view that all organisms, including us, are biologically prepared for certain behaviors

Who runs the rule mill?

The best bet is when workers create the rules

Timothy Ludwig Ph.D.

November 4, 2013

Rules are designed to keep us safe and are made by well-meaning folks thinking through potential risks in the face of hazards.

Remote monitoring in real time

Analyze threat data, controls & alarm signals

John Mccreadie

November 4, 2013

Relevant data helps make better decisions faster. Analyzed data can pinpoint small threats before they become big incidents that shut down operations.

Handwashing: A corporate activity

November 4, 2013

Handwashing is an easy, inexpensive, and effective way to prevent the spread of germs and keep employees healthy. Handwashing gives people the opportunity to take an active role in their own health. Most handwashing studies have focused on child care or health care settings.

OSHA

The truth that sickens and kills

Michaels admits PELs are outdated, dangerous

Dave Johnson

November 1, 2013

In this case, it does much more than merely hurt. “This case” refers to last Thursday’s (October 24, 2013) rather extraordinary admission by OSHA chief Dr. David Michaels that hundreds of OSHA’s permissible exposures limits (PELs) are far out of date, basically useless, and in fact dangerous.

Chemistry industry says OSHA safety tools are “too narrow”

ACC urges agency to get stakeholder input

October 31, 2013

The American Chemistry Council (ACC) is taking issue with an online tool developed by OSHA to help employers assess the relative safety of potential alternatives for hazardous chemicals. While the ACC said it welcomed OSHA’s recent launch of a website making it easier to access up-to-date information on Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) for the workplace, it feels more input is needed.

Industrial hygiene

Five steps to successful exposure assessments

Jerome Spear

October 31, 2013

The better our understanding of exposures and the risks they pose, the more assurance we have that we are controlling the most important (highest risk) exposures first. Control efforts (such as engineering, work practice, or personal protective equipment) are often costly to implement and maintain.

Recent North Dakota oil spill raises alarms about Keystone XL pipeline

“It’s not a question of if, but when”

October 29, 2013

Organizations opposed to the Keystone XL pipeline are pointing to a September oil spill that leaked 865,000 gallons of oil (at least 20,600 barrels) across seven acres a North Dakota farm as an example of what a spill of the same magnitude would mean for landowners along the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline route.

Most common hand and wrist injuries

October 28, 2013

While hand and wrist injuries are very common, some athletes and workers never seek treatment. But, delaying the diagnosis and treatment may result in long-term problems or even a permanent disability. Here is a list of some of the most common injuries that those who use their hands regularly experience.

National Safety Council accepting submissions for 2014 Robert W. Campbell Award

Most prestigious EHS honor given to an organization

October 28, 2013

The National Safety Council (NSC) is inviting organizations from around the globe to apply for the highest honor in environmental, health and safety – the 2013 Robert W. Campbell Award. Presented annually, the Campbell Award is given to an organization that integrates EHS management into the very core of its business operations.