OSHA's Serious Accident Citations In 2009

A free guide to the top ten OSHA Serious Citations in 2009 is now available. This guide presents information about the most serious violations of OSHA standards in 2009.

The guide starts by giving the top ten types of serious violations in 2009. It identifies and describes the top ten OSHA standards that were violated based on the number of violations. Then it gives a similar list based on the total dollar amount of fines proposed.

This guide also gives the top ten citations based on the total dollar value of the proposed fine. It identifies the company that was fined, the amount of the proposed fine and a description of the reasons for the proposed fines.

This guide is available free. You can ask for your copy at: OSHA Top Ten Violations In 2009.

Related past posts:
Free Pipe Marking Guide
5S Standard Colors (Free Guide)
Arc Flash Labeling Best Practices

OSHA Accident Reports

It never hurts to learn from others mistakes. When I comes to safety I hope there will be a time when there are no mistakes to learn from, but we are far from perfection. So it is a good idea to examine accidents and use them to bring to mind things we may have forgotten or not even thought of. OSHA publishes a series of accident reports that can be helpful.

A free guide, put out by the makers of DuraLabel printers, provides some of the OSHA accident reports as a handy reference. Use this link to go to an online form you can use to request this set of OSHA Accident Reports.

Related Past Posts
OSHA And Arc Flash Labels
OSHA Safety Labels In Color
OSHA Labels & Signs For Power Plants

Making OSHA Safety Signs and Labels

OSHA Safety Sign & Label Making Best Practices Guide

This new guide details the latest OSHA and ANSI safety sign and label making standards, including describing the new ANSI pictogram and symbols standards. It provides detailed coverage that starts with an introduction to safety signs and labels, and includes descriptions of:

OSHA Compliant Safety Signs & Labels
Sign and Label Classifications
Safety Symbols

...and how to create your own, custom safety signs and labels, that are compliant with all OSHA and ANSI standards.

New Requirements For Phosphorescent Labels and Marking

A new white paper from Graphic Products describes new building codes that went into effect January 1st. Based on the results of studies of the evacuation of the World Center, marking of stairways and exit paths with phosphorescent tape is now required. This includes marking of stair steps, handrails and placing phosphorescent signs within 18 inches of the floor.

The white paper provides an introduction to phosphorescent supplies, and then covers the new NFPA 101 code, as well as discussing municipal codes that are requiring photoluminescent markings.

Use the above link to get as free copy of this white paper.

Top Ten OSHA Violations For 2008

What are the most often violated OSHA requirements?

The new guide from Graphic Products provides two lists giving the top ten OSHA requirements that were violated in 2008. The first lists the violations based on the number of violations. The second gives the top ten violations based on the total dollar value of the fines assessed.

Order your copy of this Top Ten OSHA Violations In 2008 Guide today.

In addition to listing the top ten violations, this guide references the appropriate OSHA regulations and provides a description of the safety concerns.

You can get a free copy of this guide to the Top Ten OSHA Violations In 2008. Use the above link to go to an order form. This guide is provided by the makers of DuraLabel industrial sign and label printers. DuraLabel printers and supplies are available for a wider range of applications than any other printers. With a DuraLabel printer you'll get the job done, and get it done right.

OSHA Safety Signs

There is a new blog site that focuses on OSHA Safety Signs and topics related to making signs. It is located at: http://www.osha-safety-signs.com/

It discusses topics such as OSHA and ANSI sign making regulations, materials for making signs, codes that effect sign design, equipment and supplies for making signs, and how signs are used in various applications. You are welcome to leave your comments about any of the topics being discussed, or even about your experiences related to sign making.

Selecting The Right PPE

Having a staff that is familiar with PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) requirements in general will improve safety. They will be able to immediately recognize the need for PPE even if labels and warning signs are not in place. They will also know the appropriate level of PPE required and be able to judge whether the appropriate PPE is being used.

The Safe Workplace web site offers a free guide to PPE Requirements. It is a quick reference chart that provides an overview of PPE requirements for the 12 major hazard categories. It provides an easy reference that can help your staff to quickly become familiar with PPE requirements. The guide is available laminated, making it ideal for use as a wall chart or reference.

Safety Labels & Signs

Meeting OSHA requirements for safety labels and signs is important, but it misses the point. The point is SAFETY. If safety means going beyond what is required, then that is the right thing to do. Sounds expensive? Not if you make the right choices.

Let's talk about arc flash labeling. There are many suppliers offering printers and supplies for making arc flash labels. Who can you trust? Who should you buy from? What is the best value? What supplies will give you the longest lasting labels?

We've been talking about label quality and how the thickness of the vinyl impacts label life. The basic rule of thumb is that the thinner the vinyl, the longer the label life. Look at vinyl specs and you'll see that 7-year vinyl is typically 2 mil and 5-year vinyl is typically 3 mil.

There is another factor that effects vinyl life, and that is physical damage. That's why, for example, that DuraStripe Floor Marking Tapes are 30 mil and thicker. Floor marking tapes are subject to a lot of physical abuse. But arc flash labels are not in locations in which they are subject to physical abuse. That means their durability is directly related to vinyl thickness.

We use 2.0 mil vinyl for our die-cut arc flash labels. It is not practical to use a thinner vinyl, so this provides maximum durability. The thinner vinyl has a smaller edge profile. It is the height of the label edge that determines the life of the label. The thicker the edge, the easier it is for air and moisture to begin to get under the label and dry out the adhesive.

When purchasing arc flash labels, check on the thickness of the vinyl. As the first step in being sure you are getting the most durable labels possible, look for 2.0 mil die-cut vinyl labels. There are other factors the effect the quality of the label, such as the quality of the vinyl, surface finish, and the quality of the adhesive. But, if you are not getting thin vinyl to start with, you've already lost the game.

For a free guide explaining the information typically found on arc flash labels, visit our Arc Flash Information Resource web site. You can order a free copy of the label guide, and learn a lot more about arc flash hazards and labeling.

Workplace Safety Is The Word

Many workplaces have signs that say, "Safety Is #1". If that is true, then safety is more important than profits, quality or customer satisfaction, and I hope that is true. Another blog that I write is called Safe Workplace and Safety News. It focuses on information about workplace safety, and in particular things that you are not reading about elsewhere. We try to spot safety trends... and problems... before they are making the headline news. Use the line above to check it out. You can get posts from this blog delivered to your emailbox, within 24 hours of when they are posted, using the "Subscribe Me" button on the left side of the blog page. Or you can subscribe to our RSS feed. Either way you'll get the latest workplace safety news and information.

Free Guide To Personal Protective Equipment

The Hazadous Material Labeling (HazMatLabels.com) web site is offering a free guide that shows the required PPE for various hazard categories. The guide is divided in two parts. The upper portion shows hazard categories and lists the PPE required for each category. The lower portion of the guide has pictograms for each type of PPE and for each PPE lists the categories which require that PPE.

The Hazardous Materials Labeling web site features information about proper hazmat labeling. It also has information about label printers and supplies that are appropriate for hazardous material labeling.

Safety News & Information

A blog published by the Safe Workplace web site has current news and information about industrial safety. This is not another new product announcement service. This safety blog focuses on ways to help you improve safety in your workplace, with an emphasis on locating free resources on the web you can use.

You can subscribe to this blog and receive postings as emails within 24 hours of each new post.