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Who Pays For Employees’ Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)?

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Dollar bill origami shirt

Dollar costs of PPE

Personal protective equipment (abbreviated PPE) is the collective term used to describe equipment worn by employees to reduce the chance of injury and illness. Some of the most commonly used types of PPE include rubber gloves, safety goggles, hardhats, earplugs, ventilation masks, respirators and welding helmets.

The official Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) website states the following in regards to PPE:

“All personal protective equipment should be of safe design and construction, and should be maintained in a clean and reliable fashion. It should fit well and be comfortable to wear, encouraging worker use. If the personal protective equipment does not fit properly, it can make the difference between being safely covered or dangerously exposed. “

After reading through the OSHA’s standards on PPE, you might be wondering who is responsible for footing the bill. After all, purchasing all of the previously mentioned equipment for dozens or even hundreds of employees can cost a pretty penny. So, does the employer pay for PPE or is the employee responsible for buying their own the PPE?

Employers Must Purchase Their Employees’ PPE

Yep, employers are now required to purchase their their employees’ PPE. On May 15, 2008, a new OSHA rule went into effect which requires employers to foot the bill for PPE. Before this time, it was up the employer whether or not they wanted to pay for PPE. The OSHA deemed that because it was a necessity for creating a safe workplace, employers should be responsible for buying their employees’ PPE.

The good news is that employers can write off PPE as a business expense on their taxes.

Can Employees Buy Their Own Personal Protective Equipment?

Technically, employees can still purchase their own PPE, but their employer is responsible for reimbursing the cost. It’s not uncommon for employers to hand out a list of PPE to their new employees, asking them to purchase the items on their own time. This is done to make the process of finding fitted items more easily. For instance, it’s obviously easier for an employee to purchase his or her boots rather than their employer. As long the employee keeps a receipt, they are entitled to reimbursement from their employer.

Note: if an employee buys their own PPE, the employer is responsible for checking to make sure it’s OSHA-compliant and falls within the standards set forth by the organization.

If you want to learn more, read our post about the different Levels of Protection For Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

EPA Seeks To Limit Carbon Emissions From Coal-Burning Plants

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Emissions from a power plantLast month, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a new rule which would limit the carbon pollution of new coal-burning power plants. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy announced the proposed rule in Q4, 2013. However, it took officials several months to finalize the rule before making it available to the public. You can now access and view the new carbon emission rule proposedย by the EPA at www.federalregister.gov.

What’s The Scoop?

The newly proposed bill requires all new coal-burning power plants to limit their carbon dioxide emissions to 1,110 pounds per megawatt-hour. According to some estimates, the average U.S. coal-burning power plant emits roughly 1,700 pounds of carbon dioxide per megawatt-hour, which is a substantial amount more than the limit proposed in the rule.

But the EPA rule doesn’t end with coal-burning power plants. Depending on their size, new natural gas power plants in the U.S. must limit their carbon dioxide emissions to 1,000-1,100 pounds per megawatt-hour.

It’s important to note that the proposed rule would only affect new coal-burning and natural gas power plants in the U.S. Any pre-existing plants in operation may continue to operate without limiting their carbon dioxide emissions. A coal-burning power plant that emits 2,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per megawatt-hour may continue to do so, assuming it’s already operational. If the bill passes, however, all future coal-burning and natural gas power plants must follow these guidelines.

The EPA is accepting comments from industry workers and the public about the newly proposed rule until March 5 2014.

Why Some People Aren’t Backing The EPA’s Rule

If passed, the EPA rule would make it increasingly difficult for new coal-burning power plants to be built in the U.S. In order to legally operate under the new rule, coal-burning power plants must capture 20-40% of their carbon emissions and store it underground. This process, known as carbon capture and storage (CCS) is still in development and not ready for widespread use.

Some people are also concerned how the new rule will affect the coal industry in the U.S. By placing more restrictions on coal plants, it’s bound to have a negative impact on the number of jobs.

Senator John Barrasso said the following in regards to the EPA’s proposed rule:

“The EPA just announced another regulation that will increase poverty in coal country. In addition to contradicting current law, this new regulation will put more Americans out of work and make it even harder for people to provide for their families.”

How do you feel about the new EPA rule? Let us know in the comments section below!

Understanding The Impact of Ergonomics In The Workplace

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ergonomic render of a handErgonomics is a topic that’s oftentimes overlooked or misunderstood among employers. Whether your workplace is a typical office setting or an industrial factory, you should carefully analyze ergonomics to ensure workers are given a safe, healthy environment to perform their professional duties.

The term “ergonomics” literally translates from the Greek language into “work” and “laws,” which sums it up pretty well.

For a closer look at the impact of ergonomics in the workplace, and steps you can take to improve it, keep reading.

What is ergonomics?

So, what exactly is ergonomics? In short, it’s the science/relationship between a worker and his or her environment. The concept of ergonomics focuses on creating an ‘ideal’ work environment where physical stress is reduced. Physical stress in the workplace is typically caused by one of two different elements: environmental factors and employee motion. An example of an environmental factor is a poorly designed office chair which lacks lumbar support. An example of physical stress caused by employee motion is a worker bending their back (rather than their feet) to pick up a box or heavy object.

What are the risks of poor ergonomics in the workplace?

Allowing employees to work in an environment with poor ergonomics leaves them vulnerable to injury while reducing their overall efficiency and productivity. The truth is that most employers overlook the importance of ergonomics in the workplace. Yet, OSHA explain poor ergonomics can lead to work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) — which are among the most frequently reported causes of lost or restricted work time.

When employees are constantly stressed on a daily basis, their normal physical body functions gradually begin to decline. The same job they used to complete in an hour might take them an hour and a half now. And rather than showing up for their shift every day, they might call in sick once a month. It’s the subtle nuances such as this that really cut into companies’ ย revenue and ultimately their profits.

Another example of physical stress caused from poor ergonomics is when workers are forced to stand on hard concrete for long periods of time. This may not seem like an issue, but standing on hard surfaces for eight or more hours a day leaves workers vulnerable to a wide variety of injuries.

See the list below for some of the most common types of foot injuries and conditions:

  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Bunion
  • Bone fracture
  • Stress fracture
  • Sprain
  • Osteoarthritis

Rather than completely renovating your workplace with new flooring, you can lay out comfort mats in high-traffic areas to improve its ergonomics. These mats are designed to create a softer, more comfortable area where employees can safely work. Learn more about anti-fatigue mats in our previous blog post.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs): Defined

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Colorful vapor cloudsVolatile organic compounds (VOCs) are carbon-based compounds (hence the name) which possess a high vapor pressure at ‘normal’ temperature and humidity levels.

If this definition is a bit too technical, let me explain it another way: many consumer and industrial-grade chemicals contain individual compounds, known as VOCs, which evaporate quickly when exposed to air. These VOCs vary in terms of their effect on the environment and health, which is why it’s important for companies to gain a better understanding of them. For a closer look at VOCs, keep reading.

The Three Levels of VOCs

The EPA through the World Health Organization (WHO) classifies VOCs into three different categories based on their volatility. They are very volatile (VVOC), volatile (VOC), and semi-volatile (SVOC). ย An example of a very volatile chemical is liquid propane, as it’s highly combustible and evaporates quickly when exposed to air. An example of a semi-volatile chemical is phenol (found in a variety of medicines and throat lozenges).

Dangers of VOCs

Because there are so many different types of VOCs, it’s difficult for companies to keep track of them all. And while exposure to certain VOCs may have little-to-no effect on employees’ health, others may cause a wide range of adverse health effects.

The Centers For Disease Control (CDC) state the following in regards to worker VOC exposure on their official website,ย “However, with few exceptions, chemical concentrations observed in the office work environment generally fall well below the occupational standards or recommended exposure limits used for industrial settings. Additionally, the presence of odors in a building does not always mean that there is an overexposure to chemicals by these existing occupational exposure standards. Some chemicals have very low odor thresholds, which means you can smell them at very low levels.”

Common Sources of VOCs

  • Exhaust fumes from gas-powered machines
  • Issues with plumbing
  • Open flames and burn pits
  • Emissions from synthetic carpets, rugs and other fabrics
  • Use of solvents, chlorine, or other cleaning chemicals
  • Presence of fungi

So, what steps can companies take to protect workers against the threat of VOCs? The key thing to remember is that VOCs are all around us, and as the CDC article states, most workplace settings fall well below the standard concentrations. If you notice workers are reporting frequently reporting the same health problems, then perhaps you should hire a third-party to come in and test the air for VOCs.

Dangers of Fuel Spills In The Workplace And How To Deal With Them

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fuel spill on asphaltWhether it’s gas or diesel, fuel is found in just about every industrial workplace. Companies use them to power forklifts, trucks, transportation vehicles, and a wide range of heavy equipment. Because it’s such a commonly used chemical in the workplace, there’s a high risk for spills. This is why it’s important for companies to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves against spills, along with creating a plan for containing and cleaning fuel in the event that a spill occurs.

As the old saying goes — hope for the best but plan for the worst — holds true in this instance. To learn more about the dangers of a workplace fuel spill, and the proper steps of fuel spill clean-up, keep reading.

Fuel Is Flammable

This probably isn’t a shocker to most people, but fuel is a highly flammable and combustible liquid. Allowing it to spill in the workplace creates a danger to any nearby employees. If a spark or flame were to make its way into the area, the spilled fuel could ignite into a fire.

Fuel fires are especially dangerous since they are difficult to put out. Spraying water over them isn’t going to have much of an effect, placing the entire workplace in jeopardy. This is one of the reasons why fuel should be stored away from flames and heat sources, and only placed in designated containers (gas will burn through Styrofoam containers).

And Slick, Too

Fuel is also incredibly slick. Even if it doesn’t contribute to a fire, a patch of spilled fuel on the hard concrete floor may send an unsuspecting worker tumbling to the ground. It only takes a couple drops of gas to turn an otherwise safe working area into a slip-and-fall hazard. Slip-and-falls are one of the leading types of workplace injuries, costing companies billions of dollar in direct and indirect costs each year. Reducing fuel and cleaning up diesel or other chemical spills will help to safeguard your company from such accidents.

Cleaning Up Fuel Spills: What’s The Best Approach?

Cleaning up a workplace fuel spill is actually easier than most people realize. If the source of the spill is a fuel tank, an inflatable pool can be placed directly underneath the leak to help contain it. Any fuel leaking from a pump or container will fall directly into the pool.

Absorbent socks found in spill kits can also be used to help control a fuel spill spreading on the ground. And depending on the size of the spill, absorbent pads may be used to clean the fuel up.

Hazardous waste containers are a must have item to have to place fuel soaked absorbents in until they are properly disposed of. Mostly importantly, always dispose of used materials according to Local, State and Federal regulations. Learn how to choose the right spill containment kit for your workplace.

How Rain and Bad Weather Can Result In Slip-And-Fall Accidents

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rain umbrella and puddleIn a previous blog post, we talked about some of the risk factors of slip-and-fall accidents in the workplace. Each year, thousands of employees are injured from slip-and-fall accidents. And while most of these are minor, resulting only in bruises, others are more severe and may lead to broken bones.

Whether you work in an office setting or industrial factory, you should take the necessary precautions to reduce the chance of slip-and-fall accidents. Unfortunately, many companies overlook the effect of rain and bad weather in the workplace. Here, we’re going to look at the direct link between weather and slip-and-fall accidents, while revealing steps companies can take to reduce the chance of accidents.

If your workplace features hardwood, laminate or concrete floors, even small amounts of water may create a serious hazard for slip-and-fall accidents. It only takes a quarter cup of water to saturate an area that’s 3-feet wide. The already slick floor surface is made even more dangerous when it’s wet, creating a serious danger for employees. A worker can lose their balance and fall to ground in a split second while walking on a slick surface.

Companies spend millions of dollars each year in direct and indirect costs associated with slip-and-fall accidents. These include obvious costs, such as medical bills and lost wages, along with more obscure costs like lawsuits, OSHA fines, reduced productivity, broken equipment, resources to train new employees, etc. Some companies assume that workplace accidents only cost them in the form of worker’s compensation, but this isn’t the case. As you can see, companies end up paying for accidents in several different ways, which is why it’s important to reduce the number of slip-and-fall accidents in your workplace.

Weather-Related Elements That Contribute To Slip-And-Fall Accidents:

  • Rain
  • Snow/sleet
  • Hail
  • Ice/frost
  • Wet leaves and debris

Note: don’t assume that your workplace is safe from weather-related slip-and-fall accidents just because it’s covered. Employees can easily track water and moisture into the workplace on their shoes and clothes.

How To Reduce The Chance of Weather-Related Slip-And-Fall Accidents

So, how can companies reduce the chance of weather-related slip-and-fall accidents in the workplace? For starters, it’s important to keep the parking lot and exterior clean and free of debris. This includes the removal of snow, ice and leaves.

Companies can also place absorbent mats in ‘problematic’ areas to help soak up some of the excess moisture that makes its way into the workplace. For example, in access points like main building entrances.

Lastly, stair treads are another great way to help prevent slip-and-fall accidents in high traffic areas like external stairwells.

Travis ZdrazilHave questions about slip-and-fall prevention products for your workplace? Contact Travis Zdrazil at travis@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633.

What Is a HAZCOM Plan? And What Should It Include?

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Biohazard waste labelA hazardous communications plan (HAZCOM for short) is a comprehensive document which outlines vital information regarding a company’s safety practices, chemical labeling, training and potential workplace hazards.

Many companies overlook the importance of a HAZCOM plan, leaving them vulnerable to OSHA fines and sanctions. A HAZCOM plan is more than a luxury; it’s a necessity that companies need to include in their daily operations. But what exactly is a HAZCOM plan? And what information should it include? To learn the answers to these questions and more, keep reading.

What is the purpose of a HAZCOM plan?

There are two primary functions of a HAZCOM plan:

1) To provide vital information regarding potential hazards and safety in the workplace. If an employee has a question or concern regarding workplace safety, they can refer to the HAZCOM plan for more information. It’s focus is to communicate safety information to employees and individuals (hence the name).

Some HAZCOM plans are relatively short, while others are more complex; the size varies depending on the company’s size, industry and workplace. Small companies operating out of a small shop will naturally have shorter HAZCOM plans than some large company with 100+ employees working in an industrial factory, so keep this in mind when creating your HAZCOM plan.

2) To show an EPA and/or OSHA compliance offer.ย A second function of the HAZCOM plan is to provide a general outline and guide for EPA/OSHA compliance officers. If an officer shows up to your place of business, one of the first things they will likely ask to see is the HAZCOM plan. And if you don’t have one ready, you could end up in hot water before the inspection even begins. Thankfully, creating a HAZCOM plan is a fairly easy and straightforward process.

What To Include In a HAZCOM Plan

  • HAZCOM Policy/Purpose – Statement detailing the purpose of your HAZCOM plan; eg: to create a safer work environment while reducing employee accidents and injuries.
  • Responsibility – Define administrative roles in your company along with their respective duties and responsibilities.
  • Materials and Inventory – Detailed list describing the types of chemicals, materials and inventory included your workplace.
  • Labeling – How your company labels its hazardous chemicals in the workplace.
  • Training – Describes your company’s employee training program.
  • Compliance – Actions your company takes to remain EPA/OSHA compliant.

For more information on how to create a HAZCOM plan, check out the official OSHA website.

What Is Hazardous Waste?

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hazardous waste drum on its sideIt’s important for companies to fully understand the definition of ‘hazardous waste’ in order to provide a safe, EPA-compliant workplace that’s not a threat to workers or the environment. But what exactly is the definition of hazardous waste? And what steps should companies take to prevent the chance of spills and accidents from occurring? To learn the answers to these questions and more, keep reading.

Hazardous Waste: Defined

Hazardous waste is technically defined as “dangerous or potentially harmful to our health or the environment. Hazardous wastes can be liquids, solids, gases, or sludges. They can be discarded commercial products, like cleaning fluids or pesticides, or the by-products of manufacturing processes.” This definition is somewhat general, leaving companies to speculate even further as to what’s hazardous and what’s not.

Different Types of Hazardous Waste

According to the EPA, hazardous waste typically falls under one of four different categories. Please refer to the list below for a brief overview of the different types of hazardous waste:

  • Listed Wastes – Specific wastes identified and listed by the EPA in either the F, K, P and/or U list. The EPA is constantly adding new hazardous wastes to these lists, so companies should take a proactive approach towards identifying new wastes. These lists are readily available for companies to view.
  • Characteristics Wastes – Although they aren’t specifically listed under the F, K, P and/or U ‘listed’ wastes, characteristic wastes exhibit ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity properties. This, of course, makes them dangerous to both humans and the environment when not properly stores or maintained.
  • Universal Wastes – This is a rather unique type of hazardous waste, as it’s a general ‘catch all’ for hazardous materials. Mercury thermometers (yes, people still use them), compact fluorescent light bulbs, and batteries all fall under the category of universal wastes.
  • Mixed Wastes – Mixed wastes contain both ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity.

How To Identify Hazardous Waste In The Workplace

Each of the previously mentioned types of hazardous wastes require a different approach to storing, maintaining and processing. However, companies first need to identify which hazardous waste types are used in their workplace. The easiest way to accomplish this is by following the Hazardous Waste Identification Guide outlined at the EPA’s official website. It walks you through the process with a set of four questions. As you answer each question, it will narrow your hazardous waste down to a specific type. Then, you can select the proper hazardous waste containers.

EPA Issues Alert on Ammonium Nitrate

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seedlings growing in garden

Garden fertilizer contains ammonium nitrate

Are you aware of the risks Ammonium Nitrate may pose to your business?

Just weeks ago, the EPA issued a new alert on the storage of ammonium nitrate in an effort to increase the public’s awareness of its potential dangers. Ammonium nitrate is a nitrogen-rich compound that’s most commonly used in the production of garden fertilizer. Although it’s relatively safe when used correctly, it can lead to some pretty serious explosions and uncontrollable fires when exposed to heat. To better protect companies and individuals, the EPA teamed up with the ATF to issue this alert on the dangers of ammonium nitrate.

So, just how dangerous are ammonium nitrate fires? On April 17, 2013, the West Fertilizer Company’s storage and distribution factory caught fire. The town’s local firefighters were the first to respond, but unfortunately they were unable to put out the fire. Not long after, the plant exploded into a huge fireball, killing at least 15 and injuring 150 -160 more. This was one of the deadliest plant explosions in the history of Texas.

Investigators have yet to identify a cause for the West Fertilizer Company plant explosion. They’ve ruled out weather, rail car and natural causes, leaving some people to wonder if it was intentional. In any case, investigators believe the plant was storing more than the recommended maximum amount of ammonium nitrate. While the exact amount of ammonium nitrate is unknown, it’s believed there were around 28-34 tons of this compound on the premises. Once the fire reached the main supply of ammonium nitrate, it went up into a huge fireball, destroying the plant along with half a dozen or so nearby buildings and structures.

The EPA issued the alert on ammonium nitrate in direct response to this deadly Texas plant explosion. While there have been numerous other ammonium nitrate explosions in the past, this was by far one of the worst. The bottom line is that companies need to do a better job of storing and maintaining products containing this compound. Far too many people assume it’s safe since the toxicity of ammonium nitrate is relatively low. However, the real danger comes in the form of explosions and fires, which can be quite unpredictable.

For a complete breakdown of the EPA’s ammonium nitrate alert, check out the official PDF file located here. It’s broken down into several different categories, including “Problems,” “Accidents,” “Hazard Awareness,” “Process Safety Areas For Hazard Reduction” and “Information Resources.”

If you deal with ammonium nitrate in any way, shape or form, we recommended that you read through the EPA’s most recent alert.