During a late 2013 inspection, OSHA’s area office in Concord, New Hampshire, identified a dolly-type roller device that must not be used for spreading flammable liquid adhesives. The device does not meet the agency’s requirements for dispensing a flammable liquid because its use creates a fire hazard for workers. The dolly-type roller device and the adhesive are manufactured by different companies and sold separately. The device is designed to spread the liquid adhesive directly onto the roof from a 5-gallon metal container. The manufacturer of the device instructs users to lay the adhesive container horizontally on its side, punch a row of holes along the center, clamp the container to the dolly and turn it over so that the adhesive flows through the holes to the roller to be spread onto the roof. This dolly-type roller must not be used to dispense flammable adhesives as currently designed because: Flammable liquids must be dispensed from a closed system or an ap ... [...]

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Electrical panels can be found in just about every business. However, because they are not typically out in the open or inspected daily, it’s easy to overlook electrical panels and the potential risks associated with them. Without the proper precautions, things like exposed wires, faulty components and improper grounding create a host of exposures—exposures that can severely disrupt or harm an organization. But of all the concerns associated with electrical panels, one common and often overlooked issue relates to maintaining proper clearances. This Risk Insights provides a general overview of the dangers associated with improper electrical panel clearances and the related Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and National Electrical Code (NEC) requirements. Why Maintain Proper Clearances? Simply put, businesses must maintain proper clearances around electrical panels to promote ease of access during service, repair and operational procedures. The ... [...]

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Each year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) tracks and shares its most frequently cited standards. OSHA hopes that by releasing this enforcement data, businesses will take steps to identify and address potential safety issues. For the 2019 fiscal year, the 10 most frequently cited standards from 2018 all remained on the list, although their order changed slightly. The following list includes more information on the most common citations during the 2019 fiscal year. Top 10 OSHA Violations 1. Fall Protection (29 CFR 1926.501) Fall protection topped the list of most frequently cited OSHA standards for the ninth consecutive year. Falls from ladders, roofs and other heights continue to be the leading cause of injuries at work, so identifying fall hazards and making sure that you are doing everything in your power to protect your workers should be a top priority. Some safety precautions that you should always consider implementing include guardrails, s ... [...]

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It’s no secret that your technology company depends on the capabilities of your computer systems to function. You should be aware that simple actions your employees take could be putting your company’s equipment and networks at risk of cyber crime, including cyber attacks, cyber theft and other computer security incidents. The average cost of a single cyber attack is incalculable—cyber attacks can directly target finances and ruin a business’ reputation. Your business is at stake, and you should do everything you can to protect yourself. The Risks of Web Searches As an employer, you should educate your employees about searching for certain topics on the internet due to the risk of coming across websites encrypted with viruses or malware that could be detrimental to your computer systems. Stress that the potential for cybercrime could affect employees individually as well as the business as a whole. More than 90 percent of companies surveyed by the DOJ incurred ... [...]

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According to the American Staffing Association, there are roughly 17 million temporary and contract workers in the United States. With temporary workers making up a large portion of the workforce, it’s imperative that their health and safety be made a priority. It is the joint-responsibility of staffing agencies and host employers to provide the proper safety training and working conditions for temporary employees. The Importance of Temporary Worker Safety Temporary workers are often utilized for hazardous jobs. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has found that temporary workers are at a greater risk of workplace illness and injury than permanent employees. A number of factors contribute to this higher rate of injuries and illnesses among temporary workers, including: Insufficient training for the hazards of the job Quick turnover among temporary workers Decreased access to safety equipment Inferi ... [...]

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Pallets are used in a variety of industries and promote the transportation and storage of goods and products. However, when they are not in use (idle), pallets can create a significant fire hazard, particularly if they are stored incorrectly. Not only are most pallets made of combustible materials like wood or plastic, but they can also render a sprinkler system ineffective if they are stacked too high. This is because, in the event of a fire, more water is needed to reach pallets at the bottom of the stack. Furthermore, stacked wood pallets can act as a chimney or flue that promotes the rapid spread of fire. To help businesses manage fire risks associated with idle pallets, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has specific guidance related to idle pallet storage— NFPA 1: Fire Code and NFPA 13: Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems. This Risk Insights provides a general overview of these requirements, helping organizations to mitigate ... [...]

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Advancing technology and environmental pressures are likely to significantly increase demand for solar panel installations in Pennsylvania in the coming decade. Although our state doesn’t rank in the top league for sunshine in the US, we have ambitious solar targets to eventually reach at least 10% penetration of Pennsylvania's energy generation. Longer term, its full potential could be as high as nearly one third of all the state's energy requirements.  Earlier this year, Pittsburgh's City Paper, reported that growth in solar industry jobs here is now outpacing other energy industries. In fact, while solar industry jobs nationwide fell by 3.2% last year, Pennsylvania's take-up jumped 10%. This has resulted in a shortage of skilled labor, which turns out to be just one of the major business risks now being faced by the industry in our state. But it's far from the only risk. How to Identify and Avoid Solar Panel Installation Risks Traditionally, installing s ... [...]

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You're about to embark on a major new construction project. If you're a wise and experienced professional -- contractor, architect or engineer, say -- your first thought likely might be: What could go wrong? That's a sound starting point. Research a couple of years ago* showed that 75% of construction industry participants had suffered a claim or dispute arising from their role in a project in the prior five years. In other words, you're lucky if you can manage to escape those disputes, which cover a whole range of endgames -- from rectifying minor issues to facing years-long legal actions. However, there are several key steps that can strongly mitigate those risks and keep you in the complaints-free 25% zone. What Causes Construction Defects? There are, of course, countless sources of defect complaints but nearly all of them fall into one or more of four categories -- defects in: Design, usually the result of errors, incomplete information, incompetence or negli ... [...]

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The violence that occurs in U.S. neighborhoods and communities has found its way inside the schoolhouse doors. While we can take solace in knowing that schools are among the safest places for young people, school officials, administrators and teachers must do more to prevent violence, as it is a preventable danger to children. Education and training is the first step in preventing school violence, and a safe school plan is among the many solutions that will assist in curbing this national epidemic. These plans address behavioral and property protection, and foster an environment where children can learn and teachers can educate without fear. As with all violence prevention initiatives, the best plans involve the entire school and the community at large. Early Warning Signs of Violence There are many early warning signs in most cases of violence, behavioral or emotional signs that, when taken in context, can signal a troubled child. Such signs may not indicate a serious problem or ... [...]

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According to a report by the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Education and Labor, a staggering 69 percent of all workplace injuries and illnesses may not be represented in the Bureau of Labor and Statistics Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, which many trust as a gauge of the safety of American workplaces. On a corporate level, not reporting or under-reporting workplace injuries can have serious ramifications for the organization and the employer, which can include fines, exorbitant and unnecessary, health costs and more. Research has found that the employer’s behavior, policies and attitude are key determinants in a worker’s decision to report an injury. Not only is it essential that employees are educated on the importance of reporting injuries, it is also important to examine your company policies so you are not inadvertently discouraging reporting. The consequences of under-reporting can be severe. Consequences of Under-reporting The ... [...]

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