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UPDATED: EPA’s Civil Enforcement Policy During COVID-19 Pandemic

UPDATE: The EPA has added an addendum to this policy which states that it will terminate on August 31, 2020. The EPA reserves the right to terminate the policy sooner than August 31, but if the Agency chooses to do so, it will provide a 7-day notice period. To learn more, keep reading the original […]

Safety Manager

Behavior-Based Safety: Key Concepts and Benefits

Environment, health, and safety (EHS) managers are always looking for ways that they can mitigate risk, take preventive action against potential hazards and incidents, and improve their company’s overall safety culture. Behavior-based safety (BBS) is an effective tool that can be put to use in achieving all of these goals.

Green Challenge Winners Can Set an Example for Businesses

On June 25, 2020, the EPA recognized eight initiatives by federal agencies for their efforts in increasing efficiency in their facilities in fiscal year 2019. The Agency is encouraging all businesses to follow their lead for the good of the environment and the bottom line.

Methylene Chloride Barrel

EPA Issues Final Evaluation for Methylene Chloride

The EPA issued its final risk evaluation for methylene chloride under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) on June 24, 2020. The EPA findings indicate that methylene chloride (also known as dichloromethane and methylene dichloride) poses threats to human health and safety in 47 out of the 53 types of uses reviewed, including threats to […]

Cloud-based safety management technology

Highlights from NIOSH’s Recent Research

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) provided scientific input incorporated into recent federal regulations on truck drivers’ hours of service, the institute reported in an update on its Center for Motor Vehicle Safety (CMVS) program. The CMVS also contributed scientific input to the federal strategy on automated vehicles.

white house

A Look at EPA Deregulation Related to Pandemic Relief EO

Executive Order (EO) 13924, issued in response to COVID-19 by President Donald Trump on May 19, 2020, authorized federal agencies to provide regulatory relief to support recovery of the economy. Trump characterized this order as giving agencies “tremendous power” to cut regulations seen to hinder economic recovery.

Safety consultant, contractor office

Read the Transcript of Our Chat with Sheryl Corrigan and Walt Malone of Koch Industries

There has always been a tendency for organizations to silo into discrete units, which can make it difficult to address many of the day-to-day problems that arise through normal business. Now, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues disrupting how company’s look and operate, it is more important than ever to have open channels of communication within […]

Anxiety, depression

COVID-19-Related Mental Health Strain Likely to Increase Workplace Violence

No one is immune from the pandemic, but there are parts of our society that are experiencing greater loss and impact than others. One of the most dangerous effects is also one that is the hardest to identify—that of ideation, often fueled by feelings of injustice, a lack of control, and extreme depression and anxiety.

OSHA regs and enforcement concept

OSHA Enforcement Roundup Shows Citations, Fines Continue During Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has altered the nature of work in many industries and brought renewed attention to the importance of workplace safety, but OSHA continues to carry out inspections and issue citations to employers that expose workers to hazardous conditions. We’ve summarized some of the key enforcement cases from the past few months for a […]