According to OSHA statistics, 5,333 people died on the job in 2019 alone due to a workplace accident. With numbers like these, addressing accessibility and safety concerns in industrial spaces is vital.
The hazardous metals that first come to mind related to welding and cutting are lead, chromium, zinc and perhaps beryllium. Manganese doesn’t have the same recognition in terms of risk in the general population.
NIOSH is featuring a series of special events and products that highlight the contributions NIOSH has made to the nation’s workforce
April 29, 2021
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) hit 50 years of existence and entered its golden era this week. To commemorate this milestone, NIOSH is featuring a series of special events and products that highlight the contributions NIOSH has made to the nation’s workforce.
Wastewater plants are full of confined spaces, like recirculation pits, clarifier tanks, and wet wells. These spaces alone can be hazardous, and the danger only increases when you consider the gases that can permeate the air at wastewater treatment facilities.
Companies in the market for personal protection equipment (PPE) should look for products that are UL classified where this is applicable. These items have been subject to specific relevant tests and passed inspections for either personal or industry use.
Lingering asbestos persists as a threat to homeowners, construction workers, and even agricultural workers. However, in industrial settings, newly manufactured materials and products may also contain asbestos, as the U.S. limit is at one percent.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its 2019 Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) National Analysis earlier this year, and companies across the nation are actively working to reduce their chemical footprint. Despite a minor increase in the Pacific Southwest Region, the overall release of TRI chemicals was down by 9 percent in 2019.
Testing for hazardous gases can be a challenge in the workplace. Invisible, odorless gases can be difficult to detect, which is why it’s important to test the air before entering the space.
For more than a decade, OSHA has placed an emphasis on combustible dust hazards, which have resulted in numerous deadly incidents over the years. While no OSHA standard directly addresses combustible dust, this has not hindered OSHA enforcement.
Employees working at water treatment plants face danger every day. The work is inherently treacherous, as water makes every step potentially hazardous, and sometimes even life-threatening.