ASSE Launches Risk Assessment Video Series

Introduction to Risk Assessment from ASSE Safety on Vimeo.

The OSH profession continues to transform its practice from compliance-based approaches to forward-leaning risk-based techniques that can enable action before an injury, illness or loss occurs. To aid that process, ASSE's Risk Assessment Institute has launched the "Risk Assessment in the Working World" video series. The series of short videos tackles four key topics: assessment, hazard identification, analysis and evaluation.

According to the institute, the videos are designed to help OSH professionals learn more about or refresh their knowledge of risk assessment and management. "The videos present practical information that can be used to evaluate and control risk within an organization, resulting in improved health and safety performance," says Scotty Dunlap, a member of ASSE's Risk Assessment Committee and an associate professor at Eastern Kentucky University. Fellow committee member Ken Daigle, who is group director of safety with BP, adds, "The videos are a great resource . . . . They are short, to the point and give you just what you need to know about each topic without a lot of fluff."

Access the full series here.

NFPA Launches Certified Electrical Safety Worker Certification Program

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has announced the launch of its certified electrical

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safety worker (CESW) certification program.

The program is based on the 2015 edition of NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace. It aims to equip electricians with the knowledge, training and experience to optimize safety in their work.

“NFPA’s CESW certification program is an important credential for documenting electricians’ advanced knowledge of electrical safety,” says NFPA president Jim Pauley. “It also serves as a powerful tool for organizations that require the certification, demonstrating their vested interest in meeting the electrical safety standards contained in NFPA 70E.”

The certification includes a 100-item examination and a set of recertification requirements. Candidates are assessed on four main topics:
· understanding electrical safety-related work practices;
· establishing electrically safe work conditions;
· identifying precautionary techniques for work involving electrical hazards;
· performing electrical hazard risk assessments.

Additional information is available online.

NTSB: LED Signals May Mask Light from Incandescent Signals

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National Transportation Safety Board recently issued an alert regarding the interaction between light-emitting diode (LED) rail signals and incandescent signals.

Per the release, in certain circumstances “if LED and incandescent signals are installed in proximity to one another, the LED signal may appear brighter or closer, causing crews to confuse the sequence of the signals as they approach. This effect may be more pronounced the closer the train gets to the signals.”

To mitigate this issue, NTSB suggests identifying locations where the issue may occur and conducting a hazard analysis that includes testing signal visibility with input from train crews. Railroads should also evaluate computer aided dispatching (CAD) software.

Additional recommendations can be found on the NTSB alert.

Your Old Christmas Tree is a Fire Hazard

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One could be forgiven for wanting to hold on to the holiday season, but if a Christmas tree is still up at home, it is a fire hazard.

According to statistics from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), nearly half of fires involving a Christmas tree occurred in January from 2007 to 2011.

“Christmas trees are flammable objects. The longer they’re in your home, the more they dry out, making them a significant fire hazard,” says Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s vice president of outreach and advocacy. 

Per NFPA, Christmas tree fires are more likely after Christmas than before.

OSHA Publication Focuses on Hazards Created by Hydraulic Fracturing

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OSHA recently issued a new publication to help educate and protect oil and gas workers from hazards created by hydraulic fracturing and flowback operations.

According to the agency, a large increase in the number of hydraulic fracturing and backflow operations over the past decade has put more workers at risk. In light of this, OSHA issued a hazard alert, to provide additional information concerning exposure risks associated with hydraulic fracturing and flowback operations other than respirable silica, which has been a hot topic within the industry and main focus of several studies over the past several years.

Potential exposures other than respirable crystalline silica include:

• vehicle and machinery traffic or movement at worksites
• mechanical material handling, manual lifting, and ergonomic hazards
• chemical handling during mixing and injection
• flammable fluids, atmospheres, and materials
• high pressure-related hazards during flowback from the well
• hydrogen sulfide and volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

The publication provides detailed hazard information and suggestions for mitigation for each task as well as links to additional resources from OSHA and NIOSH.

Click here for more information.