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As a LEED AP-certified professional who specializes in Indoor Environmental issues with a focus on fire and life safety, I was very interested in some recent articles that are creating awareness of critical health and safety problems inherent to the green building movement — especially commercial buildings with new hazards that must be identified to protect building occupants and mergency responders. March 25, 2011 marks the centennial of the Triangle Shirtwaist Company fire — just 45 minutes from the Emilcott office in Morristown. It was the type of workplace that women my own age worked… I could have been trapped in the shop! That realization makes me think how lucky I am — and how far workers’ rights have come in the U.S. I am familiar with the Occupational Safety and Health Act (“OSHA”), and its mandate that every one of us has the right to a workplace free of recognized hazards. So, where did all this policy begin…? Every year there are millions of preventable home-related incidents and accidents “that result in nearly 20,000 deaths and 21 milion medical visits”. Paula Kaufmann, Certified Industrial Hygienist, makes observations about safety all around us — not just for the workplace. National Public Radio (NPR) recently reported their findings of an investigation of safety issues at the Upper Big Branch mine in West Virginia. I was listening to the report while enjoying my morning walk in a nearby park. It stopped me in my tracks! As part of their investigative report, NPR discovered that there were situations at the mine when the methane gas monitors on continuous mining machines were disabled because By Don Hoeschele, MS, CHMM The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) recently approved recommendations to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and other organizations to help prevent explosions and fires during pipe cleaning and October is Fire Safety Month. We’ll see the billboards and commercials and kids will learn about fire in school, but what does it mean? It’s time to replace the batteries in your smoke detectors and don’t forget the carbon monoxide detectors, there should be one near all bedrooms. Check your fire extinguishers. Is the charge still good? What’s the expiration date? If you have kids, do they know what to do in case of fire? The numbers speak EHS Top Ten Tuesday: Fire Safety 1. Approximately 75% of fire related deaths are due to smoke inhalation rather than burns or other injuries. 2. Arson is the leading cause of non-residential structure fires in the United States, followed by electrical distribution systems. 3. Good housekeeping and proper storage of flammables and combustibles are important but often overlooked aspects of fire prevention and safety. Waste should not be allowed to accumulate. Combustible or flammable wastes should be removed daily. Get an EHS Design Expert at the Table!Paula Kaufmann – CIH I recently read an article titled “Implementing Safety during Design: a Case Study” in the March 2009 edition of AIHA publication, The Synergist. The authors discuss how incorporating safety systems or measures in the design phase of a construction project can result in large cost savings for the overall project budget. Studies have shown that implementing safety during the planning phases of a What You Should Know About Access to Your Employment Medical Records A friend recently told me that he might be developing an allergy to his office. We laughed about being allergic to work, but since he knows that I am in an industrial hygienist, he was serious about getting my opinion. He asked my thoughts about the source of his allergy. I suggested that he should see if anything Meeting OSHA Fire Safety Requirements Many people don’t realize that OSHA requires annual fire safety training. This includes mandatory, hands-on training for all company employees that may have to use a portable fire extinguisher. Failure to comply with these standards can subject employers to heavy fines. Many company owners and executives are surprised to learn about these requirements when it is already too late. As an employee, be aware; employers who believe that such things as a “DO NOT TOUCH” |
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