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July 15, 2014
Over the next few newsletters, we will uncover information about the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA) Operator Qualification (OQ) Rule. We will also breakdown the nine protocols associated with PHSMA Inspection Form 14 to help you gain a better understanding of the inspection process. Before going too much further, we must take a look at why the need for OQ. This will give better insight into the why and what behind the nine protocols. It all began nearly 15 years ago when the final OQ Rule went into effect in October of 1999. The OQ Rule was set up to apply safeguards around the public and industry in regards to the operation and maintenance activities on natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines. PHMSA is the primary federal regulatory agency responsible for ensuring pipeline safety and reliability. Rules governing pipeline safety are included in Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Parts 190-199. The requirements of the OQ Rule are incorporated into 49 CFR 192 (natural gas) and 195 (hazardous liquids) with the intention being to: Ensure a qualified workforce, and Reduce the probability and consequence of incidents caused by human error The PHSMA OQ Inspection Form […]
June 27, 2014
Step into the virtual world of hazard identification and prevention. With OSHA’s new interactive, web-based educational game, workers will be able to engage in a virtual representation of small business manufacturing and construction industries hazard scenarios. The web tool features three scenarios: Visual Inspection, Manufacturing Facility, and Construction. The online learning tool is free and will help educate workers on identifying hazards in their workplace and correcting them. Finding and fixing hazards before they happen is the name of the game in both reality and virtual reality. By identifying common on-the-job hazards through visual representations, users will increase their awareness of accident prevention, which will help them pinpoint the hazard before an accident happens. This is a critical aspect for small businesses; it not only saves lives but decreases injury and financial setbacks. Furthermore, on the job injuries and illnesses in the United States have a weekly tab that towers an average of over $1 billion a week. Get engaged in the game and check out OSHA’s Hazard Identification Training Tool on their website. For further AOC training, EWN is proud to offer a variety of OSHA and general safety training courses to help keep you and your crew safe. […]
June 11, 2014
With the summer fast approaching, and June being National Safety Month, what better timing than now to talk about Heat Safety? Heat illness is not to be taken lightly. It can be deadly. This is why for the fourth consecutive summer OSHA is launching a Heat Illness Prevention Campaign, Water.Rest.Shade., to raise awareness as the temperatures rise to share about the importance of working in hot weather. In addition, the National Safety Council also advises those who are going to be working outside to take preventative measures and listen to their body while working in high temperatures, especially with high humidity. Heat is the most deadly, weather-related illness, according to the NOAA.gov. Statistics show that heat strokes are the number one fatality. The NSC describes a heat stroke as a circumstance when the body builds up too much heat, and sweating it out just isn’t enough. A person may become delusional or lose consciousness. If one does not receive proper care by ridding the body of excess heat, the body essentially “cooks” itself from the inside out. If the victim does survive, the brain and other vital organs may suffer permanent damage. OSHA has provided a number of educational resources […]
May 29, 2014
“It is important to constantly be preaching the benefits and the need for safety,” said Safety Manager, Ricky Hayes of Drill Pier Construction, an EWN client. EWN got the chance to speak with Ricky about his company’s safety practices in lieu of National Safety Month when he recently attended EWN’s Master Evaluator Certification Program (MECP) Class. In order to maintain the concept of safety, Drill Pier Construction focuses on two key practices, annual training, and daily toolbox meetings. Hayes mentioned that they worked with a third-party group to get their company an effective, annual safety program up and running. Drill Pier’s annual training consists of 13 different programs that are presented and reviewed by the employees. Following the completion of each section, the employees go through a verbal series of Q&A time. Additionally, daily toolbox meetings are a two-part safety training practice that Drill Pier Construction utilizes on a regular basis. The first part is more “job-site focused,” Hayes informed us. The first thing they review is common tasks, proceeded by what-if scenarios and what could go wrong on a drill rig. The second part involves the individual operator going to the job site. The operator evaluates the site with […]