OSHA began to regulate asbestos in the workplace in the 1970’s, adopting the permissible exposure limit (PEL) to regulate workplace exposure.  The PEL has been reduced over the years as the health effects of asbestos-related work have become more widely known.  Employers must take...

In 2011, the United States National Toxicology Program name formaldehyde a known human carcinogen.  Due to its many uses and toxicity and volatility it needs to be thought of a danger for human health.  With the annual world production of 50 billion pounds (23 million tons) there is...

Occupational hearing loss is defined as a hearing impairment of one or both ears, either partial or complete, that result from a person’s employment.  Even though many states do not have compensation laws for hearing loss at the workplace, compensation is commonly being awarded to...

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral found in certain rocks.  It separates into strong, thin fibers that are invisible to the naked eye.   Asbestos is strong, fire and corrosion resistant, and a good insulator. It was typically used in building materials as an additive to...

Legionella bacteria are found naturally in the environment and thrive in warm water habitats. Problems can occur when building water systems are contaminated with Legionella bacteria. Exposure to legionella bacteria can cause serious, life-threatening...

For 25 years, noise-related hearing loss has been one of the most prevalent occupational health concerns for Americans.  However, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has been working along with the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) to help combat this...

Which Style Fits Best?The style options or characteristics of a safety glove may produce optimal work performance and enhance comfort, which cannot be overlooked when users repeat motions for several hours a day. Characteristics include:* Dexterity, or the agility of fingers, wrist...

From disposable surgical gloves to reflective road crew gloves, safety gloves have distinct personalities and purposes in the workplace. Primarily, they serve to protect hands (and sometimes arms) from multiple sources of harm: caustic chemicals, voltage jolts, bio-hazards, scorching...

With the summer heat comes an important question: how do you determine if you are providing enough outdoor (dilution) air for the optimum performance, comfort and health of building occupants, without wasting energy by over-ventilating? Building occupants generate an excellent tracer...

The OSHA Act contains a part referred to as the “General Duty Clause”The ClauseIn order to include the consideration of air sampling and airborne exposure levels in normal work place inspections without the use of a specific standard, OSHA has turned to the provisions of Section 5 of...