Non-Potable Water

12/2/2019 Having an amble supply of potable water is always necessary – but especially important when working in the field.  This is mandated through the OSHA regulation, 29 CFR 1910.141, “Sanitation.” Potable water is defined as “….water that meets the standards for drinking purposes of the State or local authority having jurisdiction, or water that meets the quality standards prescribed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR 141).”   Read more…

Spotter Safety

March 16, 2020 It was at a very busy work area at a specific Department of Energy (DOE) site when a bin truck, while backing up, accidentally ran over a loose cable that was attached to its front. As the truck kept moving backward, the cable got tighter to the point that the tension became so great it became a sling shot, traveling over the truck, and with extreme speed, hit the front window with Read more…

At Risk Behavior

December 31, 2018 Since becoming a S&H professional, I have always wondered how accidents develop. While we may read about unfortunate events in the newspaper or hear about them on the radio, often the specifics are not explained.  Was someone not paying attention or was there a disregard of a traffic regulation? Anyone who drives in a big city understands the frustration of “stop and go” traffic on the freeways. These roads are designed for Read more…

Our Aging Population

Not that long ago, my iPhone flashed a news headline about the importance of aging well.  Aging well is a topic that so many Americans seem to be having an increasingly growing interest; probably because so many baby-boomers are reaching that stage where going to see the Rolling Stones or Doobie Brothers means getting around with the assistance of wheel chairs and walkers! Nevertheless, while reality may be staring many of us mature folks in Read more…

Working while in the Grips of Frustration!

October 12, 2020 According to the Merriam Webster Dictionary, Mindset is a mental attitude or inclination. And with the wrong mindset – especially when we are working in the field – we can lose our focus on the task we are performing. Indeed, the wrong mindset is an accident precursor. Experts in the field of Accident Investigation have identified four specific mindsets that cause accidents: Rushing. Feeling a constant pressure to complete tasks as quickly Read more…

Working at Multi-Company Worksites

September 14, 2020 Typically, our field crews have the luxury of performing tasks without having to work alongside another work crew that has been tasked to perform work that is unrelated to our assignments.   However, there are circumstances when we find ourselves, unexpectedly, having other persons “invade” our work areas, setting up equipment and materials and ready to perform their field work.   Such situations can lead to many complications as well as being susceptible to Read more…

Stress and Workplace Accidents

August 17, 2020 Thinking that mental health problems are, in some way, not as real as physical ones is not uncommon. This year, millions of Internet users have asked Google if mental illness is real, and the Internet abounds with public awareness campaigns from the government and non-profit organizations answering with a resounding “Yes!”  Anxiety disorders are real, serious medical conditions — just as real and serious as physical disorders such as heart disease or Read more…

Verbatim Compliance

June 29, 2020 Working at Department of Energy and Department of Defense projects as well as wastewater treatment facilities, our commitment to employee safety requires that persons in the field follow our various work procedures verbatim. This word, verbatim, comes from the Latin, and means, “exactly as written.” So, when we are told to follow specific work practices verbatim, it means that we need to do the assigned work activity exactly as it is written. Read more…

Systolic and Diastolic Blood Pressures

June 22, 2020 As we look anxiously to begin our return-to-work process, many of us have been scheduled for a physical exam. For those scheduled to work on projects involving hazardous materials for remediation, emergency response or handling such materials for recycling or transportation/disposal, the examining physician (or other licensed health care professional – PLHCP) may indicate that your physical may be applicable for one year or possibly 24 months: depending on the physician’s assessment. Read more…