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Are New Pesticide Regulations On The Horizon?

March 12, 2014 by Travis Zdrazil

Tractor spraying agricultural land The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently proposed new changes to the country’s Agricultural Worker Protection Standard (WPS) in an effort to reduce agricultural workers’ exposure to toxic pesticides. There are around a dozen specific changes introduced, all of which are designed to protect farmers and other agricultural workers who handle pesticide-covered products on a daily basis.

According to Amy Liebman of the Migrant Clinicians Network, approximately 10,000-20,000 agricultural workers suffer from acute pesticide poisoning each year. While most cases are minor and leave no lasting health effects, others are more severe, resulting in neurological disorders, immune dysfunction, birth defects, and even cancer. The EPA hopes to turn these numbers in the opposite direction by incorporating a serious of changes in the current WPS.

“What we don’t know is the exact total number of occupational incidences involving pesticides. These incidences lead to sick days, lost wages, medical bills and absences at school. What we have found is that the most common types of incidents can be prevented with changes to our current worker protection standard,” said Jim Jones, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention.

Under the new WPS revisions, farmers must create larger buffer zones surrounding the area where pesticides are used. Farm workers must then stay out of the buffer zone to reduce their exposure. Other changes proposed in the new EPA WPS revision include improved record keeping, on-going training for farm workers, and a minimum age requirement of 16 for handling certain types of chemical-based pesticides.

If these revisions go through, the biggest change will be the 25-100 foot buffer zone surrounding pesticide applications. In addition to creating this buffer zone, farm workers must place signs in a clear, visible areas to notify others that pesticide is present.

Like most major changes suggested by the EPA, there’s a 90-day period where the public is free to comment about it. Currently, there seems to be mixed reviews among farm workers regarding these changes. Some workers feel like the EPA is doing a good the right thing by adding regulations to create a safer working environment for the agricultural industry, while others believe it’s too little, too late.

So, when can you expect to see these changes enacted by the EPA? There’s still no official word, but Jim Jones stated that he plans to have them in effect by the end of the year.

How do you feel about the new EPA regulations on pesticide use?

The True Cost of Slip-and-Fall Accidents In The Workplace

March 5, 2014 by Travis Zdrazil

Hundred dollar bills Slip-and-fall accidents can place a serious financial burden on a company. When a worker falls and suffers an injury while on the job, the company is responsible for paying his or her medical bills along with lost wages through Workers’ Compensation. This alone can cost businesses a good chunk of cash, but this is really just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the true cost of slip-and-fall accidents in the workplace.

This week, we’re going to take a closer look at this problem and revealing some of the many ways accidents such as this impact a businesses’ finances.

Slip-and-Fall Statistics

To put the problem of slip-and-fall accidents into perspective, a 2007 published by the insurance company Liberty Mutual found that same-level falls (not elevated) were the second most common type of injury in the workplace, costing businesses an estimated $6.6 billion. This is a shocking statistic that should serve as a real eye-opener to companies dealing with slip-and-fall accidents.

The National Safety Council (NSC) also performed a study which suggests the annual costs of medical bills and Workers’ Compensation associated with slip-and-fall accidents in the workplace is roughly $70 billion annually.

How Slip-and-Fall Accidents Impact a Business:

Lowers overall morale in the workplace.
Leaves the company vulnerable to OSHA fines, lawsuits and other legal action.
Raises the cost of Workers’ Compensation.
Company must invest additional time, money and resources into finding a replacement for the injured worker.
Equipment is oftentimes broken or damaged as a result of slip-and-fall accidents.
Lowers productivity.
Forces company to perform renovations or modifications in an effort to reduce such accidents.

Preventing Slip-and-Fall Accidents

The first step towards preventing slip-and-fall accidents is to identify “high risk” areas within the workplace. This may include areas around forklifts where oil frequently leaks, building entrances, stairs, damaged floors, etc. With these areas properly identified, business owners can then work to fix the underlying problem.

The area where forklifts are stored, for instance, could likely benefit from the use of absorbent mats. If any oil happens to leak from one of the forklifts, the absorbent mat will soak it up rather than allowing it to spill on the floor. You could also use these mats around entrances where rainwater frequently develops.

What precautions do you take to prevent slip-and-fall accidents in the workplace?

Toxic Coal Ash Pollutes N. Carolina River

March 1, 2014 by Travis Zdrazil

Pile of ash It seems like we were just talking about the massive West Virginia chemical spill the other day. Now, however, there’s news of yet another chemical spill. This time involving an estimated 50,000-82,000 tons of toxic coal ash leaking from a Duke Energy power plant and spilling into nearby river.

The power plant where the incident had occurred was actually shut down. It wasn’t until a security guard performing a routine check of the premises noticed the leak and contacted authorities. Duke Energy sent hundreds of officials to the site in an effort to contain the leak. According to the latest reports, though, workers have not successfully plugged the leak, meaning there’s potential for even further coal ash spilling into the public’s water sources.

Duke Energy issued a response to the public saying they were working around the clock to try and fix the leak.

“We are exploring multiple options to permanently and safely seal the broken stormwater pipe that has released ash into the river. Flow to the river significantly decreased throughout the day Tuesday. It fluctuated a bit earlier today but has been very low this afternoon,” said Charlie Gates, senior vice president of the generating fleet.

While the size and scope of this chemical leak is yet to be determined, early reports suggest an estimated 50,000-82,000 tons of coal ash along with 27 million gallons of contaminated water. The end result is a murky toxic sludge that has both residents and city officials concerned. Some of the toxic chemicals believed to be present in the toxic sludge include lead, mercury, arsenic and selenium — all of which you do not want to find in your tap water.

The small town of Danville, North Carolina is placed at the highest risk for water contamination due to this recent spill. The toxic coal ash sludge leaked into the Dan River, which the town uses for its municipal water system. Preliminary tests show the water is still safe for human consumption. “We’ve done some testing, and it’s been verified that there is none of the heavy metals coming downstream,” said David Stiles, specialist at the Danville Water Treatment Plant.

Of course, residents remain dubious over claims their water is safe to drink. City officials have taken steps to both filter and redirect water, but with such a large quantity of toxic sludge seeping into the town’s water, some people here are resorting to bottled water.

Tips For a More Environmentally Friendly and Green Workplace

February 14, 2014 by Travis Zdrazil

Green recycle symbol There are several advantages to creating a green, environmentally friendly workplace: it reduces overhead costs, boosts employee morale, and it opens the doors to an entirely new client audience.

There’s a growing trend with consumers only purchasing products and services from environmentally friendly companies; therefore, going green in your workplace could attract new customers and ultimately more sales.

You don’t have to far to find big name companies who take a green approach to their business. Coca-Cola’s World of Coke received a gold rating by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for its water efficiency, energy efficiency, and the use of recycled materials.

Here are some of the key energy-efficient features of the World of Coke:

20% of the building is made from recycle or easily renewable materials, such as bamboo and recycled rubber.
90% of the debris and waste left behind from the World of Coke’s construction was salvaged or recycled.
Features a reflective roof to reduce heat.
Improved air quality through low VOC pain and carpeting.
30% more energy efficient Georgia state law mandates.
All faucets feature low-flow technology to reduce unnecessary water output.

Of course, Coca-Cola is just one of the many companies taking a proactive approach towards their energy usage and the impact they have on the environment. There are hundreds of other companies out there following in their footsteps. And with more and more consumers looking to spend their money on products from green companies, this is a trend that will likely continue in the years to come.

Tips To Create a Green Workplace

If you’re looking to create a greener workplace, you should first perform an energy audit. Find out exactly how much water, electricity and gas you are using. Most company owners simply cut a check to the utility companies without analyzing their energy usage. Unless you know how much energy your workplace uses each and every month, you can expect to make any major improvements. It’s not a bad idea to make a note of your workplace’s energy usage each month, as this will give you an idea of whether you are using more or less the following month.

Follow these tips to create a greener workplace:

Upgrade your lighting to energy-efficient bulbs such as LED, HPS or HID.
Bring in natural lighting through windows and sun roofs.
Cover drains to prevent unwanted chemical runoff in storm water systems.
Install low-flow faucets and high-efficiency (HE) toilets.
Encourage the use of recycled material.

You can also find more tips in our previous post on creating an eco-friendly workplace.

Benefits of Using Bollard Covers

February 3, 2014 by Travis Zdrazil

Three reasons to invest in a bollard cover at your workplace

Bollard covers come in various styles to suit your workplace

Bollards are short, durable posts which are designed to prevent vehicles from accessing certain area. The most common type of bollard is a basic yellow metal pole; however, there are dozens of different types, ranging in size, color, shape, material and design.

Regardless of which type is used in your workplace, you should consider investing in bollard covers for them. Purchasing a cover for the bollards in your workplace is a smart investment that will pay off in the long run. Here’s just three of many reasons why.

1. Eliminates The Need For Repainting Bollards

One of the greatest benefits of using a bollard cover is the simple fact that it eliminates the need for repainting. When workers accidentally bump or scrape their vehicle against a bollard, it will naturally chip some of the paint off. Over time, this can lead to a damaged surface that looks old, worn and unprofessional. And even if employees are able to maneuver their vehicles around the bollards without hitting them, the surrounding humidity will likely encourage their paint to peel.

With a cover like the vinyl post sleeve protecting your company’s bollards, you don’t have to worry about repainting them. It will protect your bollard from nicks, bumps, and even damage caused by sunlight and moisture. The bottom line is that a bollard cover will save you time, money and labor by eliminating the need for repainting.

2. Bollard Covers Protect Vehicles

A bollard cover also yields some impact protection for vehicles. Whether it’s a forklift, truck or any other type of vehicle, hitting a solid metal bollard may cause some serious damage. Depending on the speed and weight of the vehicle, it’s not uncommon to find major body damage from impacts with bollards.

Placing a vinyl cover over your company’s bollards will help absorb some of the impact from vehicles. It’s not going to completely protect vehicles from all forms of damage, but it will certainly soften the impact. Vinyl is a strong, durable, waterproof material that’s able to absorb blunt force impacts.

3. Improves Aesthetics

Of course, there’s a certain eye-appealing style to bollards featuring covers. Especially when there are many different colors to choose from. Along with ribbed or smooth style finish options. The cover hides any chipped paint on the bollard while protecting it from future damage. This translates into a better looking workplace that’s not riddled with old, worn-out bollards.

These are just a few of the many benefits of using bollard covers. Go ahead and see for yourself why they are such a popular, must-have accessory for the workplace.

Want to learn more about bollard covers for your facility? Contact Travis Zdrazil at travis@absorbentsonline.com or (800) 869-9633.

Senators Introduce Bill To Prevent Chemical Spills

January 30, 2014 by Travis Zdrazil

US Supreme Court It’s been nearly three weeks since the devastating West Virginia chemical spill that left 300,000 residents without water occurred. In an effort to prevent future chemical spills of this magnitude, three U.S. senators, Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Jay Rockefeller (D-W.Va.) introduced a new bill that would place greater restrictions and safety measures on companies that handle potentially hazardous chemicals.

The West Virginia Chemical Spill

Originally, it was believed that 5,000 gallons of the coal-cleaning chemical 4-methylcyclohexanemethanol (MCHM) had leaked into West Virginia’s Elk River, but this estimate was later bumped up to the 7,500 gallons and then 10,000 gallons. Regardless as to the exact amount, the effects were nothing short of devastating. President Obama declared it an federal emergency and residents in nine of the affected counties were asked to avoid the tap water. This placed a severe burden on the state, as businesses were forced to close and hospitals become overburdened with cases of poisoning.

Unfortunately, it only takes a small leak to send an entire region into a state of emergency, as shown in the recent West Virginia incident. The company responsible for storing the chemical, Freedom Industries, failed to provide an effective secondary containment wall, at which point the MCHM chemical was able to leak out of the storage tank and make its way down to the Elk River. Freedom Industries has since filed for bankruptcy, but the effects of their MHCM spill will be felt for years to come.

About The Chemical Safety and Drinking Water Act

The Chemical Safety and Drinking Water Act is designed to prevent instances such as this from occurring. There’s no way to completely prevent all spills from occurring, but this bill is just one more precautionary measure to help lower the chance.

Senator Boxer said the following:

“It is critical that children and families across the nation have access to clean, safe drinking water, and our legislation makes it clear that if a chemical poses a risk to a water supply, it will be subject to safe practices so we won’t see this anxiety unleashed again.”

Among other things, the Chemical Safety and Drinking Water Act requires all above-ground chemical storage facilities to go through regular stare-approved screening. Another key point of the bill involves the municipal tap water system. If approved, it will ensure that all drinking water systems have the tools, experience and information required to respond to emergency chemical spills.

You can read more about the Chemical Safety and Drinking Water Act at the Congress website.

When Is HAZWOPER Required?

January 27, 2014 by Travis Zdrazil

Working on spill cleanup

Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (or HAZWOPER for short) is a comprehensive set of guidelines and instructions for cleaning for handling hazardous waste spills. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is responsible for creating and updating these guidelines so that companies are better prepared to deal with them.

Some people assume that HAZWOPER is a general “catch all” plan for chemical spills, but this isn’t the case. It’s designed for serious incidents where there’s a direct threat to safety. To learn more about HAZWOPER and when it’s required, keep reading.

Note: HAZWOPER only applies to chemical spills where there’s a direct threat to a person’s health or safety. This includes (but not limited to) burns, fires, toxic fumes and carcinogens. If there’s a direct threat to either a worker or the public’s health, HAZWOPER may apply.

Five Applicable Groups For HAZWOPER

According to the OSHA guidelines, there are five distinct groups of employees and employers which are applicable for HAZWOPER. They include the following:

Hazardous waste cleanup companies which conduct their operations at uncontrolled sites (the keyword being uncontrolled sites). Typical hazardous waste cleanup companies that operate in a controlled factory are not required to follow HAZWOPER procedures.
Companies involved in corrective actions at chemical spill sites and locations — covered by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA).
Government-owned and/or controlled voluntary cleanup operations involving hazardous waste at uncontrolled sites.
Companies which treat, store and/or dispose of hazardous waste.
Hazardous waste emergency response companies and teams.

Incidental vs Emergency Spill HAZWOPER Standards

Chemical spills are typically broken down into one of two different categories: incidental and emergency. Incidental spills are ones which do not pose a direct danger to a person’s health or safety, nor will they pose a direct danger within a short amount of time. These spills aren’t necessary “safe,” but their risk of injury or hazard to one’s health is minimal. Incidental spills can be contained and cleaned by employees who are familiar with the chemical and spill response procedures.

Emergency spills, on the other hand, are more serious and do pose a direct danger to a person’s health and/or safety. These typically include corrosive and flammable chemicals that require a unique response strategy in the event of a spill.

You can read more about the differences between incidental and emergency spills, along with the official standards for HAZWOPER, at https://www.osha.gov/emergency-preparedness/hazardous-waste-operations/faq-hazpower

Fast-Response Products For Chemical Spills In The Workplace

January 22, 2014 by Travis Zdrazil

Chemicals label Time is of the essence when it comes to containing and cleaning spills in the workplace. Earlier this month, 300,000 West Virginia residents were left without drinkable tap water when 7,500 gallons of a coal-cleaning chemical leaked out of a storage tank before ending up in the Elk River. You can read more about the West Virginia chemical spill in our previous blog post. Perhaps if the chemical leak was identified earlier, and crews took the appropriate steps to contain it, this incident would have never occurred.

Of course, this is just one of the reasons why companies should keep fast-response products on hand. Crews must work vigilantly to contain and clean up the spilled chemical to minimize its impact. Waiting around ‘contemplating’ the next move in a spill cleanup will only allow the problem to grow worse. But what exactly is a “fast-response” product? And which ones should you keep in the workplace? To learn the answers to these questions and more, keep reading.

Granular Absorbents

One product that falls under the category of fast response is granular absorbents. This stuff, shown in the image to the right, is designed to quickly absorb liquids on contact. Whether it’s oils, solvents, lubricants, coolants, water or any other non-aggressive liquid, you can quickly clean it using a granular absorbent product.

Granular absorbent product

Some of the most popular and commonly used granular absorbents include Grab-sorb, Super Sorbent, Peat Moss Absorbent and Corn Cob Absorbent, all of which are produced using recycled or all-natural materials. This means you can safely use it to clean up spills without fear of polluting the environment or your surroundings with additional chemicals.

Absorbent Socks

Another fast-response product for cleaning up workplace chemical spills are absorbent socks. No, this isn’t the type of sock you wear on your feet (although it looks quite similar). Absorbent socks are specially designed tubes filled with a highly absorbent material, such as polypropylene. When a chemical spill occurs, you can toss a couple of these into the heart of the spill to quickly absorb it.

Absorbent socks come in a wide variety of styles, including universal, oil, hazmat and corn cob.

So, which of these fast-response products should you keep on hand in your workplace? As the old saying goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry, holds true. The exact items for a spill response kit varies depending on which chemicals the company uses; however, you can never have too many socks and granular absorbents on hand for emergency situations.

Dangers of an Oil Spill In The Workplace

January 21, 2014 by Travis Zdrazil

Oil drums Some people assume that only massive, large-scale oil spills, such as the Deepwater Horizon incident, are hazardous. However, even minor spills in the workplace create a dangerous situation that workers need to be aware of.

If the company isn’t properly prepared for an oil spill, they could find themselves struggling to properly contain it. To learn more about the dangers of an oil spill in the workplace, keep reading.

Risk of Physical Injury To Workers from Oil Spills

It’s no secret that oil is incredibly slick. If a worker happens to walk over a small patch of oil spilled onto a solid concrete floor or foundation, he or she may lose their balance and fall. Slip-and-fall accidents are one of the most types of work-related injuries, which is why it’s important for companies to take a proactive approach towards preventing them.

Even if your company’s oil is properly stored and contained to a designated area, it’s a good idea to let employees know about it. When employees are conscious of oil stores in a specific area, they’ll use more caution when walking and working around it. Companies can also place absorbent mats and pads underneath oil barrels to soak up any spilled oil. It’s the small steps such as this that go a long ways in creating a safe, employee-friendly workplace.

Risk of Fire from an Oil Spill

Of course, oil spills also increases the risk of a fire. If an open flame or heat source reaches the spill, it may ignite into a fireball. The first step in preventing oil-related fires is to choose a suitable location to store the chemical. Common sense should tell you to avoid storing it near sources of extreme heat. Keep as much distance between heat sources and oil as possible. Using industrial-grade barrels designed specifically for oil will also reduce the chance of a fire.

Risk of Harmful Runoff from Oil Spills

Depending on the severity of the oil spill, it may impact the environment by polluting nearby water sources. If your workplace has a stormwater drain, make sure it’s covered immediately once a spill occurs. Allowing oil to seep into the stormwater drain creates a serious hazard to both the environment and anyone drinking local tap water. It only takes a minute to toss a cover over the drain, and doing so could protect your company from violation fines.

You can browse through our stormwater management and drain products at AbsorbentsOnline.com.

How To Clean Up Dry Fire Extinguisher Chemicals

January 13, 2014 by Travis Zdrazil

Portable fire extinguishers offer a fast and effective way for individuals to put out small fires. When a fire breaks out — whether it’s at your home or workplace — one of the first things you should do is grab the fire extinguisher.

Depending on the severity of the fire, and whether or not there’s fuel nearby, you might be able to contain and eventually put it out. However, once the fire is completely out, you’ll be left with a pile of fire extinguisher chemicals to clean up.

Is It Dry or Water-Based?

Portable fire extinguishers typically fall under one of two different categories: dry or water-based. Water-based models require no special steps when cleaning up the residual mess left behind, but dry models contain various chemicals that may pose a danger to your health.

If you own one or more fire extinguishers, it’s recommended that you familiarize yourself with their contents. Do you know if it’s water-based or dry? How about the chemicals it contains? These are all things you should know before operating a fire extinguishers; otherwise, you place yourself at risk for chemical-related injury from improper use and/or cleanup.

Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher Clean-Up: Vacuum The Powdery Mess

Assuming your dry fire extinguisher contains standard sodium and/or potassium bicarbonate, you can safely clean up most of the powder mess left behind by vacuuming it. Before you start vacuuming, though, you should first gear up in a dust mask, safety goggles and pair of gloves, as the fire may have created toxic fumes and dust. Next, sweet up any large debris and place it in a trash bag. This will create a smoother surface for your vacuum cleaner to run over.

With the large debris removed from the floor, you can now go back over it with a vacuum cleaner to suck up the residual powder left behind from your fire extinguisher. Continue doing this until you’ve successfully removed all of the visible powder. As a precautionary measure, you should go back and clean the area thoroughly to ensure there’s no chemical residue left behind.

Cleaning Fire Extinguisher Foam

Of course, some fire extinguishers spray a foam-like substance to put out fires, and unfortunately you can’t vacuum this type of mess up like the powdery sodium and potassium bicarbonate. The easiest way to clean up fire extinguisher foam is with good old fashioned soap and water.