Our Safety Blogs

Electrical Safety: Importance and Electrical Hazard Prevention Electricity is all around us, it is a basic part of nature and a major source of energy. Electricity is used in homes and in industries. We use electricity in our everyday lives to power all types of machinery and equipment, and to do all types of work. We use it for something as basic as powering the lights in our homes and workplaces. As such, it is not surprising that the largest consumers of electricity are residential homes in the U.S. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, 39.4% of electricity consumed in 2020 was by the residential sector, while the commercial sector consumption was 34.6% and the industrial sector consumed 25.8% (2021). Electricity is so common that we use it all the time. The world has become so dependent on electricity that not having it is akin to a nightmare. However, as commonly used as electricity is, it can still be very dangerous! Even something as simple as changing a light bulb or attaching a plug to a socket can expose an individual to various electrical hazards. What is Electricity? Electricity is created by the flow of energy from one place to another when charged particles such as electrons and protons move from one place to another. These moving electrons have an electric charge which emits electricity. Electricity can be static when it is accumulated in one place or can flow as an electric charge in the form of current. Furthermore, the electricity that we use daily is a secondary energy source as it is created from the conversion of a primary source such as water (hydropower), sun (solar power), wind, natural gas, or coal. Sometimes, electricity is referred to as an ‘energy carrier’. This is because electricity can be converted to other forms of energy such as thermal (heat) and mechanical. Also, the primary source of energy can be renewable or non-renewable, but electricity is neither renewable nor non-renewable. Importance of Working Safely with Electricity The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has recognized electricity as a serious workplace hazard. This is because electricity has enough power to cause severe injury or death to those who are exposed to electrical current. According to Zemaitis et al., electrical injuries are predominantly accidental and can lead to heavy damage to human tissues and organs if the injury is not fatal. They also state that in the United States, electrical injuries cause about 1,000 deaths annually, of which, about 400 are due to high-voltage electrical injuries, and report about 30,000 non-fatal electrical shocks annually with about 5% of burn injuries being admitted to the burn unit because of electrical injuries (2021). It is reported that electrical injuries occur mainly in occupational settings for adults and is the fourth-leading cause of workplace-related traumatic death (Zemaitis et al., 2021). The sad truth about electrical injuries such as shocks, electrocution, burns, falls due to electrical shock, arc blasts, and fires are that it is most often preventable. All it requires is the adoption of good workplace practices and processes, and for employees to understand the hazards of working with electricity. This is the reason why organizations such as OSHA and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) have created standards and guidelines to be followed when working with or close to electrical equipment and machinery. Consequently, occupational safety can be improved by adopting electrical safety practices which constitute compliance with standards and guidelines, general good practices, and workplace processes established to mitigate electrical hazards, while the inability to maintain electrical safety practices at the workplace can lead to accidents, near misses, or even fatalities! Therefore, personnel who work with or near electricity such as safety managers/supervisors, electricians, technicians, contractors, HVAC installers, electrical engineers, electrical inspectors, equipment operators, electrical equipment/machinery repairmen, and janitorial staff must understand the hazards of electrical exposure and how to prevent or minimize them. For a complete understanding of electrical safety and electrical hazards enroll in our Electrical Safety Training (NFPA 70E) course now! Controlling and Preventing Electrical Hazards There are several proven methods to ensure electrical safety and control electrical hazards in the workplace. These general guidelines support the reduction of electrical hazard risks in the workplace and increase worker safety. Proper installation and use of electrical equipment When working with electrical equipment, tools, or machinery, workers must ensure that such equipment is properly installed and is used correctly. For instance, workers must make sure that if a power tool requires a 15-ampere electrical outlet, then the tool should only be plugged into an electrical socket that supports this requirement. Using a lower ampere socket may cause a short which could injure the worker using this power tool. Furthermore, any electrical equipment should be installed correctly, according to the manufacturer’s specifications. Use of insulation Wires should be appropriately insulated using non-conductive materials such as glass, rubber, or plastic. This will protect the wires from coming in contact with electrical conductors and stop or reduce the flow of electrical current in equipment to prevent short circuits which could cause shocks and fires. Guarding energized electrical components All workplaces and homes have exposed wires and other electrical elements. To reduce the risk of electrical hazards, these exposed wires and energized electrical parts should be covered so that any person close by does not accidentally touch them. Examples of guarding include the use of boxes, casings, barriers, and screens in which the energized electrical components are key. Using enclosures Sometimes segregating high-voltage equipment and machinery is required to protect against electrical hazards. An enclosure can be a room, a fenced-in area, or a short wall that separates the high-energy equipment so that workers do not accidentally walk in or contact any energized parts causing harm to themselves. Such a safety measure is also useful when high-value electrical equipment must be protected from damage that can be caused by electricity (think of a computer server). Such divided areas should not be open to all employees. Only qualified persons should be given access. Grounding tools and electrical systems Grounding electrical tools and systems will protect both the equipment and personnel using it. When a ground wire is present any surge of electrical current would not pass through the equipment and to the body of a person who is using it or accidentally touches the energized equipment, but instead relatively safely pass through a wire to a grounding device deep in the earth. Bonding of electrical components Bonding conductive components that are not intended to carry a current enables the formation of an electrically conductive path while ensuring the current does not lead to electrical hazards and accidents.What is Bonding?As defined by OSHA, “bonding is the permanent joining of metallic parts to form an electrically conductive path that ensures electrical continuity and the capacity to conduct safely any current likely to be imposed.” Installing a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) Installing a GFCI will detect a current leakage in a plug point or other electrical equipment. This will safeguard the individual and prevent electrical shocks, fires, and electrocutions that could occur when using electrical equipment and tools. According to the NEC and NFPA 70E, GFCIs should be used when: electricity is used near water, the user of electrical equipment is grounded, circuits are providing power to portable tools or outdoor receptacles, and temporary wiring or extension cords are being used. Use of overcurrent protection devices An overcurrent protection device such as circuit breakers or fuses can detect the current more than the rated current and automatically open a circuit to ensure there is no overload or short circuit in the wiring system. This device is very common and helps not only protect people from electrical hazards but also safeguards the equipment from damage. Safe work practices This is also a must when working with electricity. Every employer and organization must establish work practices and work process that ensures the safety of employees working with electrical tools and equipment and those employees working in the vicinity of a machine that generates an electric current. De-energization of equipment, lockout tagout procedures, establishing shock protection and arc flash boundaries, labeling equipment, and wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) are all aspects of good practices for reducing the risks of electrical hazards. Our Electrical Safety Training (NFPA 70E) course gives detailed information on safe work practices, and for those individuals exposed to high voltage electricity in the workplace, our Arc Flash Safety Training (NFPA 70E) course would give more insight on handling and controlling arc flash hazards. References OSHA. (n.d.). 1910.399 - Definitions applicable to this subpart. Website. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.399 U.S. Energy Information Administration. (2021, Nov 3). Data and Statistics. Website. https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/electricity/data-and-statistics.php Zemaitis, M.R., Foris, L.A., Lopez, R.A., & Huecker, M.P. Electrical Injuries. (2021, Aug 26, updated). In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan. Website. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK448087/\

EPA Hazardous Waste Generator Categories The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), which is a public law in the United States, establishes a framework for the management of hazardous and non-hazardous solid waste (EPA, n.d. (a)). To ensure the successful implementation of this framework, the RCRA has given the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to control hazardous waste from the "cradle-to-grave" (EPA, n.d. (b)). Subtitle C of the RCRA is dedicated to hazardous solid waste generator requirements. Subtitle D is dedicated to non-hazardous solid waste generator requirements. Note: According to the RCRA, solid waste includes solids, liquids, and gases and must be discarded to be considered waste. The EPA has developed three categories of waste generators on a federal level to streamline the hazardous waste handling, transport, and disposal process. How generators are categorized is dependent on the quantity of hazardous waste they generate in a calendar year. These waste generators must adhere to the specific rules, regulations, and guidelines stipulated for each category of the hazardous waste generator by the EPA. Who is a Waste Generator? As defined by the EPA, “a generator is any person who produces a hazardous waste as listed or characterized in part 261 of title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)” (EPA, para 1, n.d. (c)) Most states implement the RCRA program and adhere to the federal EPA regulations on hazardous waste management and waste generator categorizations. However, some states have developed their own generator categories or established state-specific rules for managing hazardous waste. The states that have developed state-specific generator categories or established different hazardous waste management regulations from the federal EPA categorizations and regulations are identified here. Click here for more information on the different hazardous waste categorizations and links to rules or guidance for states with different regulations.  States that have established their own hazardous waste generator categories or rules to manage hazardous waste. 1. California 2. District of Columbia 3. Kansa 4. Maine 5. Maryland 6. Massachusetts 7. Minnesota 8. New Hampshire 9. Rhode Island 10. Washington   Distinguishing the Three Categories of Hazardous Waste Generators So, how does the EPA differentiate hazardous waste generators? The table below provides the key information that differentiates the three categories of hazardous waste generators. Organizations can use the below summary information as guidance to identify their company-specific hazardous waste generator category. Very Small Quantity Generators (VSQGs) Generate 100 kilograms (220 pounds) or less of hazardous waste per month OR Generate 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) or less of acutely hazardous waste per month Must identify all the hazardous waste generated in a calendar year. Not allowed to accumulate and store more than 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) of hazardous waste on-site at any one time. Not allowed to accumulate and store 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of acutely hazardous waste on-site at any one time Hazardous waste generated must be delivered to an authorized off-site treatment or disposal facility. Refer to 40 CFR section 262.14 for comprehensive information on the VSQG regulations. Refer to the VSQGs Fact Sheet. Small Quantity Generators (SQGs) Generate more than 100 kilograms but less than 1,000 kilograms of hazardous waste per month Allowed to accumulate and store hazardous waste on-site for 180 days without a permit (or 270 days if shipping a distance greater than 200 miles). Allowed to accumulate and store only 6,000 kilograms of hazardous waste on-site at any one time. Must adhere to the hazardous waste manifest requirements set forth in 40 CFR Part 262, Subpart B. Must comply with the pre-transport requirements set forth in 40 CFR Sections 262.30 through 262.33. Must adhere to the preparedness and prevention requirements set forth in 40 CFR Sections 262.16(b)(8) and (9). Must adhere to the land disposal restriction requirements set forth in 40 CFR Part 268. One employee must continually be available to respond to emergencies. He/she should be responsible for coordinating all emergency response measures. Not required to have detailed, written contingency plans. Refer to 40 CFR Part 262 for comprehensive information on the VQG regulations. Refer to the SQGs Fact Sheet. Large Quantity Generators (LQGs) Generate more than 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) of hazardous waste per month OR Generate more than 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) of acutely hazardous waste per month Must comply with the complete federal hazardous waste generator regulations. Allowed to accumulate and store hazardous waste on-site for only 90 days. There is no limit on the amount of hazardous waste that can be accumulated and stored on-site. Must adhere to the hazardous waste manifest requirements as set forth in 40 CFR part 262 Subpart B. Must comply with the pre-transport requirements as set forth in 40 CFR sections 262.30 through 262.33. Hazardous waste generated must be managed in tanks, containers, drip pads, or containment buildings as set forth in 40 CFR Sections 262.17(a)(1)-(4), and 40 CFR Part 265 Subparts W and DD. Must adhere to the preparedness, prevention, and emergency procedure requirements as set forth in 40 CFR part 262 Subpart M. Must adhere to the land disposal restriction requirements set forth in 40 CFR part 268. Must prepare and present a biennial hazardous waste report. Refer to 40 CFR Part 262 for comprehensive information on the LQG regulations. Refer to the LQGs Fact Sheet. Training as per RCRA and EPA Requirements for Waste Generators To ensure compliance with the RCRA and EPA regulations on hazardous waste management, all hazardous waste generators must provide their employees with adequate RCRA Waste Generator Training. For employees working in hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities, OSHA also mandates the HAZWOPER 24-Hour RCRA TSF Operations Training. As per OSHA, RCRA, and EPA regulations, employees working in hazardous waste operations must renew their RCRA and 24-Hour HAZWOPER TSDF training annually. Reference: EPA. (n.d. (a)). Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Laws and Regulations. Website. https://www.epa.gov/rcra EPA. (n.d. (b)). Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Overview. Website. https://www.epa.gov/rcra/resource-conservation-and-recovery-act-rcra-overview EPA. (n.d. (C)). Categories of Hazardous Waste Generators. Website. https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/categories-hazardous-waste-generators

The Role of Lockout Tagout in Electrical Safety For construction workers, working with and around electrical equipment, electrical conductors or circuit parts, and power lines is a common occurrence. Therefore, safeguarding workers against electrical hazards is a critical element of workplace safety and health procedures. Recognizing this need, OSHA has put in place safety and health regulations 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S for the general industry and 29 CFR 1926 Subpart K construction industry related to electrical hazards to guide and support employers in implementing adequate safety measures in the workplace. Moreover, employees who undertake maintenance, repair, and service work for electrical equipment and machinery are also exposed to electrical hazards. There is always the possibility of de-energized equipment becoming suddenly energized while employees are inspecting, servicing, or repairing electrical equipment, circuits, and conductors. Therefore, not only must employees fully understand the hazards associated with electrical work (for example shocks, burns, fires, explosions, and arc flash) but must be conversant with the lockout tagout procedures to operate within electrically safe work conditions. De-energized means “Free from any electrical connection to a source of potential difference and electrical charge; not having a potential different from that of the earth.” What is Lockout Tagout? OSHA’s standard for the Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout), Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.147, sets forth the work practices and controls employers must implement to prevent accidents associated with hazardous energy. This standard is not only for construction industry workers but workers across industries such as craft workers, machine operators, electricians, laborers, etc., using electrical or other equipment that can generate energy even when it is shut off. The lockout tagout (LOTO) is a process whereby a lock and tag are added to any type of industrial equipment or machinery when it is shut down for repair, servicing, or maintenance as part of OSHA-recommended best practices. OSHA defines LOTO as “specific practices and procedures to safeguard all workers from the unexpected startup of machinery and equipment or the release of hazardous energy during service or maintenance”. Importance of Lockout Tagout Lockout Tagout supports the controlling of electrical hazards and facilitates an electrically safe work condition. According to Article 100 of the NFPA 70E, an “electrically safe work condition” is a state wherein all energized electrical conductors or circuit parts that could potentially expose employees to electrical hazards are maintained in a de-energized state. This means putting electrical equipment, conductors, or circuits in an ‘electrically safe work condition’, can temporarily eliminate electrical hazards for the duration of work activity on or near energized electrical components. The process involves disconnecting from energized parts, locking and tagging, testing to verify the absence of voltage, and when required, temporarily grounding for worker protection. The Lockout Tagout Procedure The lockout tagout procedure can be broken into six steps. When employees begin repairing or doing maintenance work on electrical equipment, they must ensure to follow these steps to ensure their safety and the safety of other employees working in proximity to them. Watch this animated video to get a better idea about the lockout and tagout procedures. However, for comprehensive training in compliance with the OSHA standard for the Control of Hazardous Energy, enroll in our OSHA Lockout Tagout (LOTO) Training. If employers and employees require in-depth details on electrical safety, enroll in our Electrical Safety Training course which is in accordance with Federal OSHA Regulations 29 CFR 1910 Subpart S and 29 CFR 1926 Subpart K as well as the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E standard.Bonus: General Safety Tips! Below are some general safety tips when working with electrical equipment, conductors, and circuits. Wear all required personal protective equipment (PPE) when undertaking any electrical work. Ensure all electrical equipment is properly installed and used. Use proper insulation, guarding, and overcurrent protection devices. Grounding is an important aspect of reducing electrical hazards. Install Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs) to disrupt the current flow to the electrical circuit and act as a circuit breaker. Use the correct size fuse to reduce the possibility of excessive currents in the wiring that can cause fires. Do not touch electrical outlets with wet hands. Wet and damp areas should be dried out before doing any electrical work, as water is a conductor of electricity. Always check and know where circuit breakers, electrical panels, and fuse boxes are located to switch-off power in emergencies. In case a co-worker is experiencing electrical shock, do not touch him with your bare hands, use a non-conductive material like a plastic stick or wood to separate the worker from the electrical equipment, wire, etc., that is causing the shock. If possible, shut off the power first!

Choosing the Right Gas-Meter for You! In my last blog, I talked about the limitations of gas meters. In this article, I will focus on what type of gas meter may be right for your business and the considerations that you should be aware of when choosing a gas meter. First, you must recognize which vapors or gases you will be encountering. It may be one or two dedicated products, or by-products, that your business or establishment encounters on a regular basis. On the other hand, maybe your business is in the emergency services that respond to multitudes of potentially hazardous gases or vapors on a daily basis. Then consider the atmosphere - is it Group 1 (Mining), Group 2 (surface industries), or Group 3 (explosive dusts)?  Is it a dusty and cloudy atmosphere or is it a dusty and layered atmosphere? Note, layered (settled) atmospheres can have substantially lower auto-ignition temperatures compared to cloudy atmospheres.  Below is typically the standard for fixed facilities regarding Hazardous Locations:   TABLE 1: NFPA 70 NEC Hazardous Locations Classes, Divisions, and Groups Class Division Group I – Flammable gases or vapors may be present 1 – Ignitable concentrations of hazards exist under normal operating conditions and/or where the hazard is caused by frequent maintenance or repair work or frequent equipment failure 2 – Ignitable concentrations of hazards exist under abnormal operation conditions Group A – Acetylene Group B – hydrogen, butadiene, ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and acrolein Group C – Ethylene, cyclopropane, and ethyl ether Group D – Acetone, ammonia, benzene, butane, ethanol, gasoline, hexane, methane, methanol, methane, naphtha, natural gas, propane, and toluene II – Combustible dust may be present 1 – Ignitable concentrations of hazards exist under normal operation conditions and/or where the hazard is caused by frequent maintenance or repair work or frequent equipment failure 2 – Ignitable concentrations of hazards exist under abnormal operation conditions Group E – Combustible metal dusts: aluminum, commercial alloys, and magnesium Group F – Combustible carbonaceous dusts: carbon black, charcoal, coal, and coke dusts Group G – Other combustible dusts: Chemicals, flour, grain, plastic, and wood III – Easily ignitable fibers or flying’s may be present 1 – Ignitable concentrations of hazards exist under normal operation conditions and/or where the hazard is caused by frequent maintenance or repair work or frequent equipment failure 2 – Ignitable concentrations of hazards exist under abnormal operation conditions Not Applicable There are also Hazardous Location Zone ratings that must be considered when choosing a gas meter to suit your worksite needs: TABLE 2: NFPA 70 NEC Hazardous Locations Groups Hazard Hazard Zone 0 – Ignitable concentrations of flammable gases or vapors which are present continuously or for long periods of time Gases, Vapors, and Mists 1 – Ignitable concentrations of flammable gases or vapors which are likely to occur under normal operating conditions; may exist frequently because of repair/maintenance operations or leakage; or equipment is operated in a manner that equipment breakdown/faulty operations could result in the release of ignitable concentrations of flammable gases or vapors and failure of the equipment 2 – Ignitable concentrations of flammable gases or vapors which are not likely to occur under normal operating conditions and if they do will only persist for a short period of time; or volatile flammable liquids, gases, or vapors are confined within closed containers/systems and can escape only as a result of an accidental rupture; or volatile flammable liquids, gases, or vapors are normally prevented by positive mechanical ventilation, but may become hazardous due to system failure 20 – Combustible dusts or ignitable fibers/flying's are present continuously or for extended periods of time Dusts and Fibers/Flying's 21 – Combustible dusts or ignitable fibers/flying's are likely to occur under normal operating conditions; or may exist frequently because of repair/maintenance operations or leakage; or equipment is operated in a manner that breakdown/faulty operations could result in the release of ignitable concentrations of combustible dust or fibers/flying's and failure of the equipment 22 – Combustible dusts or ignitable fibers/flying's are likely to occur under normal operating conditions; or may exist frequently because of repair/maintenance operations or leakage; or equipment is operated in a manner that breakdown/faulty operations could result in the release of ignitable concentrations of combustible dust or fibers/flying's and failure of the equipment Also, check and understand the Hazardous Group ratings to which your organization belongs: TABLE 2: NFPA 70 NEC Hazardous Locations Groups Group I Group II Group III Explosive gas atmospheres other than mines susceptible to firedamp – Group II equipment is subdivided into three subgroups Explosive dusts – Group III equipment is subdivided into three subgroups Mines susceptible to firedamp (flammable mixture of gases naturally occurring in a mine A – Atmospheres containing acetone, ammonia, ethyl alcohol, gasoline, methane, propane, or gases/vapors of equivalent hazard A – Atmospheres containing solid particles and fibers greater than 500 microns that could be suspended in air and settle out B– Atmospheres containing acetaldehyde, ethylene, or gases / vapors of equivalent hazard B – Atmospheres containing combustible dusts other than combustible metal dusts C – Atmospheres containing acetylene, hydrogen, or gases/vapors of equivalent hazard C – Atmospheres containing combustible metal dusts Why are these Tables Important?  Determining the Class, Division, and Group; or Zone and Group is critical to correctly applying the requirements for a given hazardous location as per the requirements in Tables 1, 2, and 3, above. Comparisons between the two systems are not easily accomplished. Which system is preferred depends on the user’s preference, how the areas are classified, and the wiring system that is used. For instance, the zone system has a wider use in the chemical and petrochemical industries, than others.  Temperature Classification of the Gas-Meter  Additionally, the Temperature Classification of the meter is based on the maximum temperature that any relevant part of the gas-meter contacting a flammable (explosive) gas, can reach. This classification identifies the minimum ignition temperature threshold for the hazardous area. In other words, for the explosive or combustible environment to ignite, it would need to be subjected to a temperature more than this value.  The values applied to this T-Class classification run from T1 to T6.  The relationship between ‘T’ class and the maximum permissible temperature in °C of any surface in contact with flammable gas or ignitable dust.   Here’s an example based on – 20ºC to + 40ºC ambient air temperature.  A classification of T1 means the minimum ignition temperature is >450 °C [842 °F], while classification of T6 means the minimum ignition temperature is >85 °C [185 °F]. TABLE 4: Temperature Classifications CLASS SURFACE TEMPERATURE °C T1 <450 T2 <300 T3 <200 T4 <135 T5 <100 T6 <85 This classification indicates to the end-user, for their consideration, the maximum temperature that the equipment might reach. It is understood that equipment should not be installed in an explosive atmosphere where the surface temperature is greater than 80 percent of the auto-ignition temperature of the gas. For example, an equipment with a T1 temperature classification may be suitable for a methane atmosphere that has an auto-ignition temperature of 580 °C but is not suitable for Acetylene with an auto-ignition temperature of 425 °C. This would make the T-6 rating obviously the safest rating when checked against Table 5 above, a rating that emergency services would be interested in due to the wide range of potential gases or vapors they may encounter. However, it is worth noting that these ratings are more applicable to fixed systems.   Gas Meter Markings The following are some typical ratings you will find on meters: Class/Division system Approved equipment is marked according to which Class (I, II, or III), Division (1 or 2), Group (A, B, C, D, E, F, or G), and temperature code (T1 through T6) that it is rated for. For intrinsically safe equipment the words “Intrinsically Safe” or “IS” will precede the actual approval marking to indicate it as being intrinsically safe. Examples of Markings on Gas Meters Hazardous Locations Classification and Hazardous Locations Markings: ATEX Directive (Europe)  In addition to the European Ex marking string noted above, this marking may include:  In Closing I hope I’ve enlightened you to some of the most significant ratings when researching for a prospective meter purchase. Recognizing the potential atmospheres you may encounter, is of the utmost significance. Doing your homework on the purchase of the right meter for your business is fundamental to doing something right! I implore you to get online and research meters and check out their manuals before you inadvertently cause more harm than good.   If you are interested in gas meters, then you may also be interested in our catalog of online courses dealing with gas meters. Some of our online safety training courses, such as Confined Space Awareness; Competent Person for Excavation, Trenching, and Shoring; and the HAZWOPER series give detailed information on testing atmospheres for hazardous gases.    Stay safe everybody! Stay tuned for my next Blog: Ventilation Shortcomings: Is it Really Ventilated?   Michael J. Conroy, Retired Battalion Chief/Paramedic, Chicago Fire Dept. with 36 years of experience, is also a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Construction Health & Safety Technician (CHST). Mike is also an OSHA-Authorized Trainer and a certified Fire Dept. Safety Officer. Mike has vast experience and holds advanced certifications in confined space, fall protection, rigging, excavation rescue and all the hazardous material disciplines, among many other certifications in the safety field. Mike will continue to write and speak on safety topics and share his years of safety experience through this media.

HAZMAT TRANSPORTATION TRAINING REQUIREMENTS An Overview of 49 CFR Parts 172-173 IT'S THE LAW Training is the best means of preventing or reducing, hazardous materials (hazmat) incidents in transportation that are caused by human error. The Federal hazardous materials transportation law (49 U.S.C. 5101, et seq.) is the statute pertaining to the transportation of hazmat in the United States, and requires the training of ALL hazmat employees. The purpose of this training is to increase a hazmat employee’s safety awareness and to be an essential element in reducing hazmat incidents. The Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) includes training requirements in several sections of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) as follows: GENERAL §173.1 FUNCTION-SPECIFIC §172.704 MODAL Air §175.20 Vessel §176.13 Highway §177.800, 177.816 Receiving the required training enhances employee safety and security, and increases employee productivity and skills. Effective training also reduces incidents and accidents thereby reducing operating costs and losses from property damage, thus increasing profits. HMR TRAINING REQUIREMENTS Each hazmat employer must train and test their hazmat employees, certify their training, and develop and retain records of current training. Hazmat training must include, or be: General awareness/familiarization; Function-specific (for example; packaging, markings, labeling, placarding, etc.) Safety; Security awareness; In-depth security training, if a security plan is required; and Driver training (for each hazmat employee who will operate a motor vehicle). Accordingly, we offer a range of online safety training courses to fulfill the training requirements as stated in the U.S. DOT's Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to support employers in their objective of protecting employees' health while satisfactorily completing their job tasks. FREQUENCY OF TRAINING Initial training of new hazmat employees, or an employee who changes job functions, must be completed within 90 days of employment or change in job function. A new employee may perform hazmat job functions before completing training provided the employee does so under the direct supervision of a properly trained and knowledgeable hazmat employee. Recurrent training is required at least once every three years. The three-year period begins on the actual date of training. Relevant training received from a previous employer or source may be used to satisfy the requirements, provided a current record of training is obtained from the previous employer or other sources. TRAINING RECORDS Training records must be kept by the hazmat employer for each hazmat employee, and must include the following: the hazmat employee’s name; the completion date of the most recent training; training materials used (copy, description, or location); the name and address of the hazmat trainer; and certification that the hazmat employee has been trained and Training records must be retained for each hazmat employee for three years from the date of the last training, and for 90 days after the employee leaves. DEFINITIONS Training - a systematic program (consistent approach, testing, and documentation) that ensures a hazmat employee has knowledge of hazmat and the HMR, and can perform assigned hazmat functions properly. See §172.700 through §172.704. Hazmat employer - a person who uses one or more employees regarding: transporting hazmat in commerce; causing hazmat to be transported or shipped in commerce; or designing, manufacturing, fabricating, inspecting, representing, marking, certifying, selling, offering reconditioning, testing, repairing, or modifying packaging as qualified for use in the transportation of hazmat. The term “hazmat employer” also includes any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States, a State, a political subdivision of a State, or Native American Indian tribe engaged in offering or transporting hazmat in commerce. This term includes a person who is self-employed, including an owner-operator of a motor vehicle that transports hazmat in commerce. Hazmat employee - a person employed by a hazmat employer, or person who is self-employed, and who directly affects hazmat transportation safety including: an owner-operator of a motor vehicle that transports hazmat; a person who: loads, unloads, or handles hazmat; designs, manufactures, fabricates, inspects, tests, reconditions, repairs, modifies, marks, or otherwise represents packaging as qualified for use in the transportation of hazmat; prepares hazmat for transportation; is responsible for safety of transporting hazmat; or operates a vehicle used to transport hazmat. Enroll Now FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Question: Why is the DOT Hazmat Transportation Advanced General Awareness training course important? Answer: According to the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) all hazmat shipments must comply with the U.S. DOT Hazardous Materials Regulations as set forth in Title 49 – Transportation. Hence, all hazmat employers and employees who prepare hazardous materials for shipment or engage in the actual commercial transportation of these materials must receive the relevant training. Question: Who should enroll in the DOT Hazmat Transportation Advanced General Awareness online training course? Answer: Employees who work for the following categories of employers must receive the requisite U.S. DOT hazmat training: Common, contract, and private carriers who transport hazardous materials in commerce; Shippers who offer hazardous materials in commerce for transport within states, between states, or internationally; Persons who design, manufacture, inspect, maintain, recondition, repair, or test a package, container, or packaging component that is used for transportation of hazardous materials in commerce; Persons who indicate by marking, labeling, or other means that a hazardous material being transported in commerce is present in a package; Persons responsible for the safety of hazardous materials during transportation; and Compliance officers who certify that all applicable requirements of the HMR are being met. Question: Is there a need for DOT Hazmat Transportation Advanced General Awareness training when transporting small quantities of hazardous materials? Answer: The DOT’s Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) do not specify any exceptions to training requirements for shippers/carriers transporting limited or small quantities of hazardous materials. Hence, all personnel involved in transporting HazMat must be adequately trained, irrespective of the amount of hazardous materials being shipped. Question: Do I receive a Wallet ID Card once I successfully complete this DOT Hazmat Transportation Advanced General Awareness training course? Answer: To receive a plastic wallet ID card, upload a passport-style and size photograph to your HAZWOPER OSHA Training account. Alternately, email the photograph to info@hazwoper-osha.com You will receive the plastic wallet card via U.S. mail within 2-3 weeks of course completion. Question: What happens when an employee is not properly trained and what type of fines would be involved? Answer: Violations of any hazmat regulations including training may be subject to a civil penalty of up to $77,114 for each violation. If the violation results in death, serious illness, or severe injury to any person or substantial destruction of property, the maximum civil penalty is $179,933. The minimum civil penalty amount for a training violation is $463. Criminal violations may result in fines, imprisonment, or both. (See 49 CFR §107.329 and §107.333.) Question:  An office secretary types the required hazmat description on a shipping paper at the direction of another, item by item. Is the secretary considered to be a hazmat employee requiring training? Answer: Yes. Any person who performs a function subject to the HMR must be trained, except for special circumstances addressed by §172.704(e). Question: Do hazmat training regulations apply to employees working with materials that are consumer commodities? Answer: Yes. Consumer commodities are listed as ORM-D in the hazardous materials table §172.101. Question: Our hazmat employees have training to ship materials by ground. Are they authorized to ship packages by air or water, also? Answer:   No. Hazmat employees that usually prepare shipments for transportation via highway may not have sufficient training to ship hazmat via other modes of transportation. Trained hazmat employees should be generally aware of the requirements for shipping hazmat via all modes of transportation, but may need additional function-specific training (i.e., modal-specific training) in order to comply with the HMR. Question: Do the hazmat training regulations apply to foreign flag vessels  carrying hazmat? Answer:  Yes. The regulations apply to each non-bulk domestic and foreign vessel while operating in navigable waters of the United States. Question: Do the hazmat training regulations apply to hazmat employers and/or employees who operate a bulk vessel transporting hazmat? Answer: No. Except for transportation in bulk packagings, the bulk carriage of hazmat by water is governed by 46 CFR Chapter I, Sub chapters D, I, N, and O. See 49 CFR §176.5(d).

3 Rewarding Safety Training Methods All employers are well-aware that their employees must receive the appropriate safety training in line with their job roles and responsibilities. While organizations such as the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) mandate a range of safety training across industries and occupations, these training requirements can differ from industry to industry and based on the risk levels to employees’ safety and health. Employees in construction, mining, hazardous waste, emergency response, hospitals, or factory operations are at greater risk as their exposure to hazards is higher than office-based occupations. Therefore, employers in such industries have a higher stake in ensuring employees are safeguarded than their counterparts in industries prone to lesser physical and health hazards such as banking, financial services, or even the stock exchange! Another set of individuals for whom safety training is of the utmost import is those involved in hazardous materials, chemicals, or hazardous waste transportation. These—full-time, part-time, or contract—employees of private carriers and shippers transporting hazardous cargo in commerce should receive training on reading hazard labels, placards, and hazard markings while being aware of the security requirements when transporting hazmat. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has put in place the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) to guide on prevailing hazards of transporting hazardous substances and materials, together with guidance on training requirements. Ensure Your Employees Receive Relevant On-Time Safety Training as per OSHA, EPA, RCRA, NFPA, and DOT Hazmat Regulations This brings us to an important question, “how should employees be trained?” The answer can vary depending on the type of work being carried out, the type of industry the organization falls within, and the hazard exposure levels of employees. Furthermore, don’t forget that a lot depends on what governing bodies like the OSHA, EPA, and DOT state in their regulations related to safety training. Examples of Training Requirements as per Regulations To put into context the numerous types of training required, the below table outlines the training requirements as per OSHA, DOT, or EPA regulations. Course Name Online, Virtual ITL, or Group On-Site Training* Field Experience*  OSHA 40 Hour HAZWOPER Online Training – 29 CFR 1910.120 (e) A minimum of 40 hours of off-the-site instruction. A minimum of 3 days of actual field experience.  OSHA 24-Hour HAZWOPER Online Training – 29 CFR 1910.120 (e) A minimum of 24 hours of off-the-site instruction. A minimum of 1 day of actual field experience.  24-Hour HAZWOPER – RCRA TSD Operations Training The initial training shall be for 24 hours, and refresher training shall be for 8 hours annually.  OSHA 8 Hour HAZWOPER Supervisor Online Training 40 hours of initial training OR 24 of initial training + 8 hours of specialized training for the supervisor job role. 3 days of supervised field experience OR  1 day of supervised field experience  Electrical Safety Training (NFPA 70E) Classroom training OR On-the-job type training  OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Training Training to ensure employees have adequate knowledge to carry out their work as per recommended practices outlined in the Standard. Relevant practical workplace-specific information  DOT Hazmat Advance Awareness 10-Hour Training General awareness/familiarization training and function-specific training *The information regarding the training requirements is a synopsis to give readers a better understanding of the diverse needs of different regulatory standards. This information has been interpreted by the author, for a simpler discourse. The complete training requirements are set forth in the respective standards and can be retrieved from (1) https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910, (2) https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1926, or (3)  https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B. As seen from the above table, to fulfill the regulatory safety training requirements, employers must use a combination of training methods. These safety training methods must educate the employees on the requirements of key topics as identified in the standard and provide practical hands-on or field experience in the areas of their job responsibilities. To support employers in fulfilling their safety and health obligations to employees and make safety training painless, we have developed and made available at competitive prices a range of safety training courses covering the instruction-based learning aspects as per the safety training requirements of the different regulatory bodies. For a full list of our courses, look at our 2022 Course Catalog!  Examples of key topics for which employees must be trained A general introduction to the relevant OSHA or DOT regulatory standard, The health hazards on site or associated with exposure to a hazardous substance, Use of personal protective equipment, Medical surveillance requirements, and Safe use of engineering controls. We offer these courses in several formats for the convenience of our customers and to suit the diverse training needs of organizations depending on the number of people being trained and the number of safety training courses required. Training Method 1 Training Method 2 & 3 Training Method 4 All our courses are available on our website on our very own dynamic learning management system (LMS) which allows the EHS or safety training manager or the supervisor to register for an account and enroll as many individuals as required for a variety of safety training courses. When employers prefer having an OSHA-approved instructor leading the training program, we provide instructor-led virtual training programs and conduct on-site group training programs.   We also have an option for organizations with their in-house learning management systems (LMSs). Read on to find out more. Online Safety Training As a specialized online safety training service provider our courses meet the highest standards in regulatory training requirements. Our course development team is led by experienced OSHA Certified Outreach Trainers who ensure that all critical aspects of training are fulfilled. Our courses are regularly reviewed; and updated as soon as new requirements or regulations are issued by OSHA, EPA, DOT, and other regulatory agencies. We also understand the importance of using modern and technology-driven learning tools, as well as including a variety of engaging and interactive content to keep the learner involved and make online learning an interesting, easy, and enjoyable experience as possible. Go to our Home Page, hover over the ‘Online Courses’ tab and enroll for the safety training course of your choice! Instructor-Led Virtual Safety Training Our instructor-led training (ILT) is conducted visually using a two-way audio-video communication platform of your choice. Our instructors are highly experienced and bring to the class a variety of real-life examples that truly puts into context the need for safety training and annual refresher training to protect employees working in hazardous works sites. For more information on ILT, click here! Group On-Site Safety Training The third form of training we offer is the traditional classroom training method with a twist. This simply means that we do not expect your employees to travel to a location of our choice but let you choose your preferred site! Whether employers want us to conduct in-person training in their organization’s training auditorium or at another location, we are ready and willing, provided adequate time is given to make the arrangements and we all adhere to the relevant CVOID-19 pandemic safety regulations. For more information on ILT, click here!Simply call or email us for more details! BONUS! SCORM Packages for Corporate LMS Here's our fourth training option. We understand that many larger organizations have their in-house learning management systems (LMSs) and have become experts at providing e-learning, especially through the last two pandemic-infected, social distancing-required years. To facilitate organizational training and development goals and support the learning culture, we can provide you with SCORM packages of whichever HAZWOPER, OSHA construction or general industry, RCRA, DOT Hazmat, or NFPA 70E training course you require. For more information on SCORM Packages, click here!

Recycling Hazardous Waste Encouraged by the RCRA Recycling Hazardous Waste Recycling is an important method for the conservation of natural resources. By adopting the practice of recycling, companies can benefit in many ways—earn a good reputation, attract environmentally conscientious investors and customers, protect scarce resources for future generations, contribute to climate change prevention initiatives, minimize liabilities and risks, lower costs, create new revenue streams, circumvent tedious and detailed regulations of hazardous waste management, among others. When companies pursue recycling goals, they indirectly create broader benefits that benefit the community and the environment in the long term. What is Recycling? According to the EPA, “Recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would otherwise be thrown away as trash and turning them into new products.” Who should Recycle Hazardous Waste? Everyone should recycle hazardous waste whenever, wherever, and as much as possible. Most people and organizations are very familiar with the idea of recycling glass, paper, plastic (a hazardous waste in its way), and other materials we use as part of our everyday lives, but most don’t pay adequate attention to recycling hazardous waste. Organizations do seek to store, dispose, and treat hazardous waste and hazardous materials are per OSHA, EPA, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) regulations, but there is further room for improving this disposal process by considering the effectiveness of recycling parts of the hazardous waste, materials, and chemicals used and produced when executing business processes and activities. Thus, all organizations must research and implement recycling as part of their hazardous materials and hazardous waste disposal processes. Recycling activities by those hazardous waste generators identified by the RCRA as large quantity generators (LQG), small quantity generators (SQG), and very small quantity generators (VSQG) must become a priority as their efforts would not only benefit their organization but also result in protecting the planet and the health and safety of workers and the public in the longer term. 6 Reasons to Recycle Hazardous Waste Here are six reasons organizations (irrespective of the amount of hazardous waste generated) should embark on hazardous waste recycling. 1.     Broaden your recycling goals Organizations that are identified as hazardous waste generators are already segregating, collecting, and disposing of hazardous waste as per the OSHA, EPA, and RCRA regulations. These organizations also likely have in place recycling goals for other types of waste collected. So, why not broaden recycling efforts and incorporate hazardous waste recycling as part of being a good corporate citizen? Furthermore, those organizations that report using internationally recognized standards such as GRI and integrated reporting principles require to disclose their efforts regarding hazardous waste management. So, if you produce sludge, scrap metal, other hazardous waste materials that can be recycled or reused then you will not only reduce the amount of hazardous waste being disposed and treated but create new avenues for minimizing the use of scarce resources and extending organizational recycling goals. 2.     Contribute to organizational cost control measures Recycling or reusing hazardous materials and hazardous wastes as part of manufacturing operations would result in an indirect benefit of contributing towards organizational cost control initiatives. Just think about it – when sludge is treated and reused within manufacturing operations, then the safe disposal (including storage and transportation) cost of this sludge is negated, and the cost of purchasing other materials that the sludge has replaced would also be nil. 3.     Generate new revenue streams If hazardous waste, chemicals, or other hazardous materials are recycled to produce a by-product then these could be sold to the marketplace and the organization could create a new revenue stream adding to business profitability. Alternately, where there is an excess of recyclable hazardous waste, then the organization could sell this waste to specialized entities for treatment and reuse, converting an expense-centric activity to a revenue-generating one! 4.     Follow EPA and RCRA recommendations on hazardous waste reduction Laws and regulations recommend organizations reduce the amount of hazardous waste created. So, when hazardous wastes like sludges, scrap metal, spent solvent wastes, wood preserving wastes, electroplating and other metal finishing wastes, and partly used or unused chemical wastes are reused or recycled, organizations can benefit from regulatory exclusions where such products/by-products are not considered as hazardous waste. This also reduced organizational risk and exposure to rigorous management of hazardous waste as imposed by RCRA requirements. Remember, when signing off a hazardous waste manifest as required by the EPA and Department of Transportation (DOT)’s Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) for the off-site transportation of hazardous waste, the organization is attesting to the fact that every effort has been made to reduce the quantity of hazardous waste generated. 5.     Benefit from RCRA regulatory exceptions To encourage recycling of hazardous waste where possible, the EPA and the RCRA offer regulatory omissions and guidance through alternative standards for the recycling of hazardous wastes, hazardous materials, and solid wastes to hazardous waste generators as part of their regulatory compliances. Some items that fall within the RCRA relief measures include batteries, scrap metal, Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs), used oil, aerosol cans, certain pesticides, mercury-containing equipment (thermometers), lamps, and precious metals. For in-depth details on the EPA and RCRA regulatory exclusions and alternative standards read here. 6.     Enhance organizational reputation When all the above elements are combined and considered holistically, the organization will be able to enhance its reputation as an ethical business entity striving towards profitability while making every effort to conserve natural resources, protect the environment, and embark on a sustainable journey for meeting the needs of triple bottom line business activities.   Thus, as important as it is to follow the RCRA and EPA’s rules and regulations on the generation, transportation, treatment, storage, and disposal of hazardous waste, it is equally important to implement recycling aimed at reducing the quantity of hazardous waste generated by an organization. To better understand these RCRA regulations for hazardous waste generators, enroll in our RCRA Hazardous Waste Generator online training course. Also, remember that the RCRA recommends annual retraining which can be obtained through our RCRA 4-hour Refresher training course. By following this training, you will be able to apply the RCRA regulations for hazardous waste management by a hazardous waste generator. This training will also support your endeavors to comply with the EPA guidelines for hazardous waste management, as the RCRA has been created to give the EPA the authority to control hazardous waste from cradle to grave!     Reference/Source EPA. (n.d.). Categories of hazardous waste generators. Website. https://www.epa.gov/hwgenerators/categories-hazardous-waste-generators EPA. (n.d.). Recycling basics. Website. https://www.epa.gov/recycle/recycling-basics EPA. (n.d.). Regulatory exclusions and alternative standards for the recycling of materials, solid wastes, and hazardous wastes. Website. https://www.epa.gov/hw/regulatory-exclusions-and-alternative-standards-recycling-materials-solid-wastes-and-hazardous EPA. (n.d.). Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). Website. https://www.epa.gov/fedfacts/resource-conservation-and-recovery-act-rcra

Do You Really Know Your 4-Gas Meter? First, I'd like to express that I am writing about 4-gas meters in general and not any specific company meter. Over the years, I’ve consistently found individuals who know very little about their 4-gas meter, other than turning it on and waiting to hear the dummy sensors. I’ve always said, “Don’t wait for the sensors, Dummy.” I’ve seen people blow into the meter tubing as a sort of ‘bump test’; I’ve seen people turn on the meter and calibrate it in the actual hazardous atmosphere in question; I’ve seen people walk through testing areas so fast they don’t allow the meter time to analyze the right areas; I’ve seen people improperly monitor vertical confined spaces by not monitoring all levels and doing it too fast; and people who don’t take into account corrective factors. I’ve also seen people who don’t understand parts per million (PPM) and percentages; I’ve seen meters improperly cared for by leaving them on rigs all day in cold weather and being knocked around; and lastly, but certainly not the least, people who have no idea of their meter’s limitations, of which there are many.  Not here, but in my next blog, I will also introduce you to ‘T’ ratings, groups and zones, class and division, and temperature ratings. Case in point: I was teaching a class on 4-gas meters a few years back to a group of safety managers. Before the class, I asked if someone had a meter that I could borrow for a 10-minute demonstration the next day. One person obliged, and I read the operation manual the night before in preparation. During the presentation I mentioned, for example, “this manual clearly states in bold print on the first page: This meter does not monitor acetylene or hydrogen gas.” I was pretty shocked that this safety manager, whom I borrowed the meter from, did not know this! He told me that’s what he specifically needed the meter for! Consequently, he bought a new meter and did his homework. The moral of this story - know your potential atmospheres, do your research, and above all; read your manual. Fast Fact: When you meter a space, ensure you take your time at all levels (low, middle, and high) because of the various vapor densities of the gases that could be present in the space being monitored (see Figure2). Caring for Your 4 Gas Meter Let’s start with caring for your meter. Sadly, too often an overlooked and significant detail regarding meters. Some of us like to keep our meters in the outside compartment of a rig all day, in cold weather and unsecured, nor in its case. The meters generally operate at their maximal potential anywhere from 64 0F – 86 0F. Temperatures venturing farther away from this range will make the sensors less reliable. Normal operating temperatures are generally between 14 0F –104 0F. In cold weather environments, this could be an issue. Some meters are drop-tested from 10 feet to 25 feet, that’s fine, but please protect your meter and keep it in its case, secure the case and keep it in relatively ambient temperature inside the cab of your apparatus. If your rig is stored outdoors and exposed to the elements (cold or hot), please bring the meter inside overnight. Operating Your 4 Gas Meter Most of us know that a 4-gas meter analyzes four gases: Oxygen (O2), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S), and Combustible Gases (LEL) with a hydrocarbon base. Most of us may know that CO and H2S are expressed as parts per million (ppm) on the meter display (the toxic gases), and oxygen and LEL’s are displayed as a percent (%). However, most of us don’t know how to convert ppms to percentages and vice versa. We’ll talk about that in-depth later. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) advises to bump test your meter before each day’s use. The bump test is only a function test to see if the sensors activate and the machine is operating. It does not test for the accuracy of such sensors. That is done through a full calibration test (generally every six months or according to the manufacturer’s recommendation); or if you find an issue with the bump test or come across other operational errors. When you turn your meter on for usage, it will run through a fresh air set-up (FAS); this is not a full calibration. Please perform the FAS in a non-hazardous atmosphere before entering a hazardous atmosphere, otherwise, the bad air will be locked in as a baseline and you won’t be able to detect any appreciable amount of hazardous air. When you're metering an area, it takes 10-15 seconds reflex or response time for the meter to get 90 percent of a final reading. In other words, don’t rush through rooms or concerned areas because you might get a hot reading from the previous room or area up to 50 feet back, or at the previous vertical levels in a hole. We’re all pretty familiar with low-level and high-level alarms, such as TWA and STEL alarms. However, are you familiar with corrective factors? Today, most meters use a methane base to measure the combustible gas spectrum. Therefore, gases with a hydrocarbon base, other than methane, require multiple factors applied to your Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) reading. Depending on the meter, this can range from approximately 0-5.0.For example, gasoline has a factor of 1.63. If you get a reading on your meter at the bottom of a trench or basement of 1.0 percent, you must multiply 1.0 x 1.63 = 1.63 percent. Now, there is also a margin of error of +/-.25 percent; 1.63 + .25 = 1.88 percent as a true reading. Presumably doubling the reading from your meter to get your actual gasoline reading. I always told my firefighters to double the reading in their heads if they did not know the immediate corrective factor. Why is this important? Well, the flammable range of gasoline is 1.4-7.6 percent; without the applied corrective factor above, our reading would indicate that you are below the flammable range; when in fact, you are well into the flammable range (see Figure 3).A better example is xylene. Xylene has a factor of 4.83. Imagine the discrepancy and danger with a flammable range between 0.9 to 7.0 percent! A reading of 0.5 percent would actually be over 3 percent, showing a very explosive atmosphere. So, it is imperative to keep your corrective factors in mind. Meters have differing corrective factors. They also have some sensor cross-sensitivities with other gases. Read Your Manual. By the way, when you actually reach the LEL, the meters generally display ‘XXX’, ‘100’, or ‘OVER’, etc. Fast Fact: Did you realize that when you add a probing tubing or a wand to your meter you should allow for a one-second per foot lag for the gas to get to the meter and an additional 10-15 seconds, minimally, to get an evaluation? Well, now you know! Visual example to show where on the scale percentage of LEL is measured. Additionally, some meters will only guarantee flammable liquid readings with flashpoints up to 100.4 0F. Anything above that point result will get lower LEL readings, as the sensor will start to drift. Furthermore, oxygen sensor drift happens due to atmospheric elements of air pressure, temperature, and humidity. Humidity above 90 percent alone can change the oxygen reading by .5 percent. Once the oxygen sensor drifts, the entire meter becomes less reliable, more often than not sensing low readings. Corrosive gases also tend to damage the sensors. Consequently, work diligently in these atmospheres. It would be a good idea to have the meter inspected, bump-tested, and calibrated, if necessary, after such exposure. Other Limitations to Watch Out for When Utilizing Meters Don’t use them in oxygen-deficient or enriched atmospheres (<10% or > 25%), Don’t use them in inert environments, Don’t use them in mist or dust atmospheres, and Remember, flashpoints > 100.4 0F may result in low readings. When do Sensors Become Desensitized During the Analyzing Stage? When atmospheres are contaminated with: Organic silicones, Silicates, Lead-containing compounds, or Hydrogen Sulfide >200 ppm or >50 ppm for 1 minute. Oxygen Displacement Remember earlier I mentioned converting parts per million (ppm) to percentages? Let’s discuss it now. The normal O2 reading on a 4-gas meter is 20.9 percent. We know the oxygen sensor goes into low-level alarm at the 19.5 percent reading. Suppose you're in a confined space and that oxygen reading drops to 19.6% and you are unaware of it because you only listen for the dummy sensors to alert you. Hopefully, you will still be alive if this happens. WHY? Because 13,000 ppm of oxygen has been displaced and you don’t know by what? We know it couldn’t be CO, LEL, or hydrogen sulfide; or the alarms would have alerted you. Something else is with you! As an analogy, CO will kill you at 10,000 ppm or 1% percent in the air in 1-2 minutes. We have 13,000 ppm!!! Scary part (arguably)! Multiply that by 5x’s because you're extrapolating the 20.9 percent oxygen portion of air. 13,000 X 5 = 65,000 ppm. I say arguably because I’ve talked to industrial hygienists with opposing thoughts on the 5x’s. Regardless, a frightening scenario. This is why I always tell my people to eyeball the meter every 5 minutes. In Closing… Finally, I hope I’ve enlightened you to most of the significant limitations of your meters, although not inclusive. Proper care and usage are of utmost importance. Equally significant is recognizing the potential atmospheres you may encounter. Doing your homework on the right meter to purchase for your business goes without saying. You can find this information in my next blog. Remember: Read your manual and know your meter! “Don’t wait for the sensors, Dummy.” If you are interested in gas meters, then I assume you may be interested in our catalog of online courses dealing with gas meters. Some of our courses, such as Confined Space Training; Competent Person for Excavation, Trenching, and Shoring; and the HAZWOPER series of courses give comprehensive information on testing atmospheres for hazardous gases. Stay safe everybody!    Stay tuned for my next Blog: Choosing the Right Gas-Meter for You!   Michael J. Conroy, Retired Battalion Chief/Paramedic, Chicago Fire Dept. with 36 years of experience, is also a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Construction Health & Safety Technician (CHST). Mike is also an OSHA-Authorized Trainer and a certified Fire Dept. Safety Officer. Mike has vast experience and holds advanced certifications in confined space, fall protection, rigging, excavation rescue, and all the hazardous material disciplines, among many other certifications in the safety field. Mike will continue to write and speak on safety topics and share his years of safety experience through this media.

What is Safety? Are you ever curious when someone tells you to be safe? Like when your mother used to say, “be safe Michael.” We all probably hear it every day, all through our lives, even as adults. You get in your car you hear “drive safe” or “be safe;” when you leave the house your spouse may yell “Be safe honey.” When you’d ride your bike as a kid or walk across the street, the same thing, “be careful or be safe.” Then, when you get to work you hear “work safe” by your supervisor, and the management always tells you “being safe is our number one priority.” When I was in the fire service we would be subjected to oral interviews and the interviewers would always want to hear the word, safety, they just wanted to hear it. We hear it all the time. The word ‘safety’ always felt like an empty term to me years ago, now it has much more meaning. What does safety really mean and how do you define it? After years of being in the construction field and the fire service, I think I've finally figured it out! Unbeknownst to the many people who have told you to be safe throughout your life; they are actually telling you to recognize hazards, evaluate your risks, and control such hazards! Some of you may recognize this as a JHA (Job Hazard Analysis). It’s also called JSA (Job Safety Analysis), THA (Task Hazard Analysis) and sometimes you’ll see acronyms such as RACE, ARECC, and typically what we refer to at HAZWOPER OSHA Training as the Three-Stage Safety Model. Each of these famed acronyms revolves around basically the same formula:  Recognize + Evaluate + Control = SAFETY The three-stage safety model is not a ‘Risk Assessment.’  However, it is similar in some ways. The most notable difference is that JHA’s are micro in nature, whereas the risk assessment is macro. Thus, the key difference is scope. Furthermore, JHA’s are limited to an individual or group task while risk assessments typically assess safety hazards across the entire workplace or business. The risk assessment provides a broader view of all types of risks across the entire business. However, generally speaking, a JHA performed in the construction industry typically involves a general task or series of tasks to accomplish an objective for a particular time period (usually a half-day or full-day). Meanwhile, JHA’s undertaken in the general industry usually concentrate on individual movements in one particular task and break each movement down to determine the potential risk involved within sub-tasks. Let’s talk about what actually constitutes a hazard. What is a Hazard?  Before discussing the aforementioned formula, let’s first understand what a hazard is. According to OSHA, “a hazard is associated with a condition or activity that, if left uncontrolled, can result in an injury, illness, or death.”   Hazard Recognition  The most difficult aspect of the Three-Stage Safety Model is to possess the ability to recognize a hazard in the first place. Whether it’s recognizing a car coming around the corner while crossing a street, or looking both ways before crossing, or working in a confined space while being unaware of the potential dangers inside. If you don’t have a trained eye, knowledge, or experience to recognize a hazard, subsequently, nothing else matters. I’ve found over the years; a majority of people don’t possess the ability to recognize a hazard in the first place. Some have worked around the same hazard(s) for many years and were just very fortunate to have encountered no accident(s). Recognizing a hazard is derived from years of experience, education, and a trained eye. Once you gain that knowledge, hazards seem to stick out like fireworks going off in front of your eyes, they become easy to recognize.  Hazard Evaluation  Once someone can recognize a hazard, they usually evaluate risk at their own level of comfort. Sometimes they misjudge that risk and don’t take the necessary controls to mitigate that risk and suffer the consequences of injury, illness, or death, and if fortunate, a near miss (or hit). When a hazard is found, OSHA states that you must ask yourself “what can go wrong, what are the consequences, how could it happen, what are contributing factors, and how likely is it that the hazard will occur?” Once the risks at hand are determined, then it's time to gauge your control options, and this is where NIOSH’s Hierarchy of Controls plays a vital role in workplace safety and health.  Source: NIOSH. (n.d.). Hierarchy of Controls. Website. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hierarchy-of-controls/about/index.html Hazard Controls  The last stage in the model is ‘Control’. This is where the Hierarchy of Controls, as we’ve expressed in our HAZWOPER OSHA courses, comes into play with the image of the upside-down pyramid. The ’Hierarchy of Controls’ starts with the most effective controls at the top of the pyramid, with the least effective controls coming in at the bottom. The top of the pyramid (elimination, substitution, and engineering controls) basically removes the human being from the source of danger or hazard. Work practices or administrative controls, together with personal protective equipment (PPE) at the bottom of the pyramid, insert the human being at the source of danger but advise precautions while doing so. These control measures have proven to be very effective over the years.  Is There More? However, I personally feel the pyramid is not complete. Ultimately, you are responsible for your own safety. Therefore, I believe that below the PPE level, at the bottom of the pyramid should be an added layer termed “individual safety.” This is where all the cumulative and instinctual safety messages come into play. Moreover, consider this point; it is not only individual safety, but when you work unsafe, you put your co-workers and everybody around you in an unsafe environment. Remember, your mother was telling you to be safe, she unknowingly was telling you to recognize hazards, evaluate risks, and control such hazards. This is the knowledge we should follow throughout our lives. Remember, Mom is always right!  At HAZWOPER OSHA, our online courses consistently carry this safety theme and the Three-Stage Safety Model throughout. Stay safe everybody! Now you know what it means. Stay tuned for my next Blog: Do You Really Know Your 4-Gas Meter?     Michael J. Conroy, Retired Battalion Chief, Chicago Fire Dept. with 32 years of experience, is also a Certified Safety Professional (CSP) and Construction Health & Safety Technician (CHST). Mike is also an OSHA-Authorized Trainer and a certified Fire Dept. Safety Officer. Mike has vast experience and holds advanced certifications in confined space, fall protection, rigging, excavation rescue, and all the hazardous material disciplines, among many other certifications in the safety field. Mike will continue to write and speak on safety topics and share his years of safety experience through this media.  

Silica Exposure Awareness for Occupational Safety What is Silica? Silica, also known as silicon dioxide (SiO₂), is a naturally occurring mineral in the earth’s crust; often found as stone and sand. Silica occurs in two forms – crystalline silica and amorphous (non-crystalline) silica. Crystalline silica is hard, with a high melting point, and is chemically inactive. Quartz is the most common form of crystalline silica found and used in the creation of various products. Cristobalite and Tridymite are the other two known forms of crystalline silica. Silica is found in a variety of products, and there are various uses for silica, globally. Crystalline silica is used to make pottery, ceramic, and glass products. Also, when sand, stone, or rocks are used to produce other materials; for example, concrete, mortar, bricks, etc., these transformed products also contain silica. Crystalline silica is also found in granite and paints. Amorphous silica on the other hand is often found in the form of silica gel, and is used in food additives, food wrappings, toothpaste, and cosmetics; as this form of silica has been found to have no adverse health effects at levels found naturally in the environment or commercial products. What is Respirable Crystalline Silica? Respirable Crystalline Silica is the tiny airborne particles formed when crystalline silica or any silica-containing materials including rocks, stones, concrete, brick, block, and mortar is manipulated by cutting, drilling, sawing, grinding, crushing, or breaking. This dust is deemed to be 100 times smaller than sand grains found on a beach; and is often referred to as ‘silica dust’. Silica dust can easily be inhaled and get into the human respiratory tract causing harm to the health of those exposed to respirable crystalline silica while working with silica-containing materials. Silica and the Construction Industry Workers in the construction industry are the most exposed to respirable crystalline silica as they participate in work activities that require them to cut, saw, grind, and drill silica-containing materials. Such work activities include mixing concrete and mortar, cutting bricks and blocks, abrasive blasting with sand, crushing and grinding stones or rocks, sanding or drilling into concrete walls, cutting granite, etc. Also subjected to the hazards of silica exposure are the employees of brick, concrete block, and stone or granite countertop manufacturers. Furthermore, people working in excavation and trenching operations are also exposed to respirable crystalline silica due to work activities such as sifting sand; and crushing, grinding, and moving rocks that may disturb silica particles. OSHA’s Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for the Construction Industry As such, all construction industry workers must obtain adequate knowledge about working with silica and the dangers of silica exposure. Accordingly, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has developed and implemented the respirable crystalline silica standard for the construction industry (29 CFR 1926.1153) to support employers in their endeavors to protect employees from silica hazards and limit worker exposures to respirable crystalline silica by adopting the appropriate methods and safeguards. OSHA’s construction industry respirable crystalline silica standard provides flexibility to employers on the different protection methods – specified exposure control methods based on the Silica Table 1 provided in the standard or alternative exposure control methods based on distinct workplace measurements of worker exposure to silica dust and the best ways to limit the permissible exposure limit (PEL) in the workplace by using the  Hierarchy of Controls. OSHA’s respirable crystalline silica standard for the construction industry specifically requires employers to: Create and implement a written silica exposure control plan. This plan should identify the silica exposure tasks and detail the methods used to protect workers from silica exposure. The plan must also explain the procedures to restrict access to work areas where high exposures may occur. Ensure a competent person is responsible for implementing the written exposure control plan. Identify and use reasonable appropriate alternative housekeeping practices to avoid housekeeping practices that could increase workers’ exposure to silica. Ensure workers who are required by the standard to wear a respirator for 30 days or more annually, undergo medical exams every three years. These medical surveillances examinations should include chest X-rays and lung function tests. Provide workers with the appropriate training on work operations that result in silica exposure and ways to limit exposure. Maintain records of exposure measurements, the relevant objective data, and medical examination records of workers as required. Silica Used in Other Industries Silica exposure and awareness are not limited to construction industry workers. Employees in other industries working with silica-containing materials are also in danger of exposure to crystalline silica and silica dust. Popular examples include hydraulic fracturing (fracking) operations and foundry work that requires workers to use sand. Moreover, makers of pottery, ceramic, and glass products are also exposed to silica dust. Therefore, employees exposed to silica in other industries must also be provided with adequate information on silica exposure and gain the appropriate silica awareness training. These industries, too, are governed by OSHA. OSHA has developed and issued respirable crystalline silica standards for the general industry and maritime (29 CFR 1910.1053) that employers can use to put in place the necessary precautions to reduce silica exposure levels of employees. Silica Exposure Risks and Controls Exposure to respirable crystalline silica can result in several health hazards. These illnesses include silicosis, lung cancer, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), kidney disease, activation of latent tuberculosis infections, and autoimmune diseases. Thus, employers must provide the necessary precautions in the workplace to reduce employees’ exposure to silica by implementing a range of appropriate measures as recommended by the OSHA standards. The measures may include a combination of engineering and work practice controls, housekeeping procedures, respiratory protection, medical surveillance, hazard communication, silica air monitoring measures, and silica methods of sample analysis. Silica Awareness Training An effective way to create awareness of silica exposure and related silica health hazards in the workplace is to provide relevant training to employees. Our silica awareness online training course will enable employers to fulfill the training requirements as outlined in the Federal OSHA Regulations 29 CFR 1910.1053 and 29 CFR 1926.1153. Our training program aims to acquaint workers with the hazards associated with exposure to respirable crystalline silica and the hazard control measures that must be implemented to minimize exposure within safe limits to comply with the relevant OSHA respirable crystalline silica standards. So, enroll today, and learn more about the regulatory requirements of working with crystalline silica-containing materials and the exposure control methods that must be implemented in the worksite to ensure compliance and safeguard the health of workers.   Reference: SafeSilica. (n.d.). Crystalline Silica: The Science. Website. https://safesilica.eu/crystalline-silica-the-science/ OSHA. (n.d.). Silica, Crystalline. Website.  https://www.osha.gov/silica-crystalline OSHA. (n.d.). Construction. Complying with the construction standard. Website https://www.osha.gov/silica-crystalline/construction