Blog Archives

What’s the Missing Ingredient in Safety Programs? Candor, Study Finds

Despite marked improvement in safety performance over the past 20 years or so, with advances in equipment, policies, systems and training, persistent hazards lie just below the surface in many organizations – entrenched habits, social norms and informal practices, an organizational performance company finds. VitalSmarts, a Utah firm, has released a study of 1,600 frontline … Read More »

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Acetylene, Hot-Work Revisions Now in Standards Board Comment Period

The Cal/OSH Standards Board has published a pair of proposed regulatory revisions that update Title 8 standards on acetylene and fire prevention for welding. The proposals are in a 45-day comment period that ends April 15 with a public hearing before the board in Sacramento. Neither regulatory change is major but updates references to national … Read More »

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“I Don’t Plan to Go out Crippled,” Emotional Worker tells Standards Board

OAKLAND — Nina Duren says Cal/OSHA is blithely foisting regulations onto workplaces that are forcing workers into injurious situations and driving employers out of the state. And she drove 180 miles Feb. 18 to make that point, with the faint hope that the Cal/OSH Standards Board would reject its staff opinion and approve her petition … Read More »

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Cal/OSHA and Common Sense

In industry, companies sometimes don’t understand the importance, impact and benefit that a well-developed and implemented safety program has on their bottom lines, especially when the employees’ well-being is not of much concern to management. But most companies do care, and once they know the obligations and benefits (no or fewer employee injuries, less direct … Read More »

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Sacramento Safety Expo, March 30-April 1

The sixth annual construction Safety Expo marks its second year at Cosumnes River College in Sacramento, March 30-April 1. The conference brings the industry the latest safety education and training, including 140 sessions. The expo also includes a safety trade show. Education tracks include compliance certification, construction safety and management, and green building and welding. … Read More »

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No Comments on Hot-Pipes Proposal

The Cal/OSH Standards Board made quick work of its Feb. 18 public hearing, fielding no stakeholder comments on proposed revisions to General Industry Safety Orders §3308. The proposal clarifies the definition of “hot pipes and hot surfaces” to make it less confusing for the regulated public and more enforceable for the Division of Occupational Safety … Read More »

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Cal/OSHA Bill Targets Cost Impacts

The list of bills that target occupational safety and health is scant at the moment, but that may change as placeholder bills and others are amended.  In addition, two newly introduced bills addressing fines and costs of safety and health regulations on small businesses are already heading back to the drawing board due to poorly drafted … Read More »

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Minor Violations in Link Fatality

A June 25, 2009, incident in which a steel link attached to a wire rope struck and killed a worker in Irwindale did not involve any accident-related Title 8 violations, the Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) has determined. But DOSH has cited the employer, Waste & Recycling Services, Inc., for minor safety violations. … Read More »

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