- Work-related injuries cost U.S. employers $1B/week in 2018, per Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index top 10 serious, nonfatal injuries resulting in direct workers’ compensation costs. [https://viewpoint.libertymutualgroup.com/article/2018-workplace-safety-index/]
- ANSI/ISEA 121-2018: American National Standard for Dropped Object Prevention Solutions -- ANSI Dropped Objects Standard was published 2 July 2018. The new standard for dropped object prevention and tool tethering aims to reduce accidents, injuries, and deaths related to falling objects. [https://webstore.ansi.org/RecordDetail.aspx?sku=ANSI%2FISEA+121-2018]
- “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) delay & confusion compounded – EPA & Army Corps. of Engineers issued a supplemental proposal on 29 June 2018 that amends the July 2017 action to repeal the 2015 definition of WOTUS. Also requested comments on the legal basis of the 2015 WOTUS rule. [https://www.epa.gov/wotus-rule/supplemental-notice-definition-waters-united-states-recodification-preexisting-rule]
- "Lean and Safe - the Path to Sustainability in Product Design" -- SAE International whitepaper by Mike Taubitz contains photos of work and storage area before and after 5S kaisen process analysis, which includes design to eliminate wastes involved throughout the life cycle and incorporate employee safety. Requires executive-level commitment to implement practical approaches that can be implemented at the worker level. [copy available upon request]
- Workplace EHS Index -- Include weighted metrics, management incentive plan & leading/lagging indicators. Use leading indicators to gain recognition for proactive efforts & let sites schedule due date so have agreement on ontime corrective actions. Heavy weighting applied to regulatory excellence when no enforcement findings occurred from regulatory inspections. [model approach to be sanatized & made available]
- TSCA Section 8 Nanomaterial Reports due to EPA 14 August 2018 – manufacturers, importers, & processors of specified nanoscale materials must report per the 12 January 2017 rule (40 CFR section 704.20). Information must be reported electronically via EPA’s CDX portal reporting format including: chemical identity; actual or anticipated production volume; methods of manufacture & processing; use, exposure & release information; & available health information.
- EU Observatory for Nanomaterials (EUON) [https://euon.echa.europa.eu/] website has added NanoData (searchable knowledge base of science & technology, eNanoMapper (database of safety info.), & EU Market Studies on Nanomaterials (identifies sources, methods & parameters for studying uses in food, medicine & env. research sectors; understanding the existing nanomaterials on the EU market; & safety, innovation, research data as the basis for developing policies, understanding consumer consumption & demand, & evaluating industry markets, products, & forecasts.
EHS Virtual Roundtable -- a free and open discussion forum for EHS professionals
This teleconference is the only forum I know of where I can put my issue out for open discussion and input. Invaluable....
Recent EHS Roundtable Teleconference Topics:
[Most recent discussion topics are shown. Click another date to review topics of that teleconference.]
Issues discussed:
Issues discussed:
- OSHA continues enforcement but issues press releases only for about 17% of 200 citations with penalties above $40K (Feb-May), which previously triggered press releases. [https://www.osha.gov/news/newsreleases/enforcement] [https://www.osha.gov/topcases/allstates.html]
- Walking-working Surface regulations (29 CFR 1910, Subpart D) [https://www.osha.gov/walking-working-surfaces/index.html] no information on enforcement available -- state program implementation (to Jan. 2018) [https://www.osha.gov/dcsp/osp/standards_fpc/20161118_standard.html] -- OSHA extended time to comply with inspection certification requirements for rope descent systems if employer follows procedures in enforcement guidance memo [https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2017-11-20]
- Napo Videos -- 26 animated health and safety training videos -- "Napo Deals with Dust" is newest & covers workplace materials, dust production, & combustible dust. [https://www.napofilm.net]
- EPCRA TRI added category Nonophenol ethoxylates for reports due July 2020. 13 CAS numbered chemicals in category. NPEs are surfactants used in plastics, latex paints, pesticides, personal care products, & detergents. [https://www.epa.gov/toxics-release-inventory-tri-program/addition-npes-category-tri-list-final-rule]
- TSCA review approach & first 10 prelimi. risk evaluation documents available for comment for 45 days starting 1 June. [https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-takes-three-important-steps-ensure-chemical-safety-under-lautenberg-act-proposes]
- RoHS non-conforming products -- [https://www.gov.uk/guidance/rohs-compliance-and-guidance]; a company's notice re non-compliant products in 2014 [https://www.hioki.com/en/important/detail/?id=134]. UK National Measurements Office Guidance [http://www.ecsn-uk.org/Legislation/RoHS/NMO%20Guidance%20to%20RoHS%20Brochure.pdf] RoHS enforcement authorities in EU Member States [http://ce-mark.com/RoHS2.pdf]
- UK requests companies control acid storage & sales after acids increasingly used in terrorist incidents in EU. [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/retailers-and-academics-join-government-effort-to-tackle-acid-attacks]
- Scam: companies contacted by impersonators of CSB investigators who request payment or confidential info. Report any such phone or email scam to public@csb.gov
Issues discussed:
- U.S. OSHA enforcement – understanding the topics, industry sectors & trends [https://enforcedata.dol.gov/homePage.php]
- Emerging EHS regulations – UN’s Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM) [http://www.saicm.org/Beyond2020/IntersessionalProcess/SecondIntersessionalmeeting/tabid/6193/language/en-US/Default.aspx]
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Corporate experience & approaches to:
- International H&S standard – ISO 45001 [http://iso45001.asse.org/]
- Voluntary programs – ISSA’s Vision Zero for zero workplace accidents and illness events [https://jgeglobal.net/US_EHS_Network] [http://visionzero.global/guides]
Issues discussed:
- TSCA Inventory Reset Chemical lists -- "active," "inactive," & "exempt" [https://www.epa.gov/tsca-inventory]
- Nanomaterial Worker Exposure Controls -- NIOSH documents [https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2018-103] [https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2018-120] [https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2018-121] [https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2018-122]
- ISO 45001 was published on 12 March 2018 [https://www.iso.org/files/live/sites/isoorg/files/store/en/PUB100427.pdf]
- Department of Homeland Security and FBI -- warnings of hacking attacks to power grid & water distribution plants [https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/alerts/TA18-074A]