11/21/2011 During this past year, the technique known as hydraulic fracking, or simply, fracking, has surfaced (and yes, for those of you that are familiar with this process, excuse the unintentional pun) in the national media. Many of us might not even be aware of this process, or, at least, Read more…
9/20/2010 Because many of us have sat through an OSHA HAZWOPER class or similar safety and health instruction course, the terms lower explosive limit (LEL) and upper explosive limit (UEL) should conjure up some recollection. In simple terms, these are chemical-specific air concentrations that, when subject to an ignition source, Read more…
3/15/2021 The reasons for remediation activities across the country are as varied and diverse as there are environmental projects. Yet, if we were to take these activities and roll them up into a single category, we would see a common thread. That is, years ago, environmental rules and regulations did Read more…
1/31/2011 It was not that long ago: 1986, when a construction engineer at the Limerick Nuclear Power Generating Station in Pottstown, Pa. visited the plant’s radiation-detection section. When he stepped into the radiation counting machines, his radiation levels were so high that the monitors hit overload and could not properly Read more…
8/24/2020 When we write up our S&H documents for field work, the subject of wildlife is typically discussed. Many times, we think of animal encounters such as bears. We typically specify that avoidance is the best practice to control contact with these creatures. And that may mean having an awareness Read more…
7/6/2020 Make sure we have plenty of water available and if anyone feels a little exhausted or dizzy, let your team lead or fellow employees know and seek some shade and rest. Heat stress is nothing to fool with. Every year we hear about unfortunate outcomes of people not taking Read more…
3/23/2020 Many of today’s work assignments call for working in remote areas. This may be performing geophysical surveys in a desert environment during the summer months where heat stress is a predominant concern or working at locations where the terrain poses slip, trip and fall hazards. In addition, carrying supplies Read more…
2/3/2020 Quite recently, I visited our Burbank Operable Unit for the purpose of assisting with an independent audit that focused on safety and health. The major take-away was that our corporate hazard communication program (see the attached) did not address California’s Proposition 65 requirements. Proposition 65, or better known as Read more…
8/19/2019 Contrary to the common expression, lightning can and often does strike the same place twice! Too often during Summertime, when our field crews are in the midst of working and establishing a rhythm and understanding the subtle nuances of fellow team members so that we function like a fine-tuned Read more…
1/14/2019 Many years ago, I found myself working outdoors in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan (aka the UP) in the middle of Winter. At this time in my life I was living in Southern California and hadn’t experienced snow or cold weather since my youth in New York. What a shock Read more…