The safe transportation of hazardous materials is regulated by the US Department of Transportation (DOT), the US Environmental Protection Agency and the appropriate State agency. The administrative unit within DOT responsible for oversight of hazardous materials, known as hazmat, is the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The stated goals of PHMSA are: Safety: …

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Contractors and employees having a role in managing or maintaining oil containing devices must observe spill prevention practices and be able to initiate an appropriate oil spill response. Oil Spill Response: Assess the Severity of the Situation Determine if the situation is immediately hazardous to you, evacuate if in danger. For large spills that can …

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No large, open-face hood with a low face velocity can provide complete worker protection against all events that may occur in the hood. The hood may not adequately protect the worker from volatile or airborne contaminants with a low exposure limit (part per billion range). For more typical exposures, a well-designed hood in a properly …

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Personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn to complete a task or job when administrative and engineering controls alone cannot effectively mitigate the potential hazards associated with the planned activity(ies).  It is often prudent to utilize PPE in conjunction with controls for added protection.  Basic forms of PPE are described below: Head – Use of …

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OSHA’s Hazard Communications Standard –  29 CFR Part 1910.1200 – (sometimes called the ”employees right to know standard”) requires all employers to create, implement and maintain a written Hazard Communications Plan. It also holds employers responsible for ensuring that employees are aware of and understand the hazards associated with the chemicals encountered in the workplace. …

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