By W. Jon Wallace, CSP, MBA – Workplace Safety, Inc. Robin Barfield, SMS, Director, Safety and Risk Management Human Resources Division NC Department of Transportation (DOT) hosted the May 2024 North Carolina ASSP Chapter meeting. In an effort to reduce slips, trips,...
Safety Articles
Five Safety Challenges Facing the Recycling Industry
By W. Jon Wallace, CSP, MBA Recycling and environmental awareness is at an all time high in the United States as well as the rest of the World. Instead of throwing all refuse into a garbage bag for disposal to the landfill, consumers and companies are sorting out...
North Carolina Chapter of ASSP Achieves Platinum Status for 2018 – 2019!
For the third year in a row, the North Carolina Chapter has achieved Platinum status recognition by the American Society of Safety Professionals! Each year, June 30th marks the end of the chapter year. Every chapter is required to submit a chapter operations...
Durham, North Carolina gas explosion – utility notification
The recent gas explosion in downtown Durham, North Carolina resulted in one fatality and at least 17 injuries. Click here for more details. OSHA's 1926 Excavation standard (Subpart P) requires the location of underground utilities be identified: 1926.651 (b)(1): "The...
Performing an Effective Incident Investigation
I am commonly asked by clients to participate in or review the thoroughness of an incident investigation. Based upon my experience, many of these incidents are incomplete and fail to accurately satisfy the objective: identify the actual root cause(s) to prevent a...
FAA Unmanned Aircraft System (Drone) Regulations
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently placed new regulations into effect regarding the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) - sometimes referred to as drones. Below is a summary of key points of the new regulation. What is an unmanned aircraft system...
OSHA Recordkeeping Standard and post-incident drug testing
I recently had a question concerning OSHA's Recordkeeping standard with respect to employee injury reporting and discrimination by drug testing. Federal OSHA states the following: "The rule does not prohibit drug testing of employees. It only prohibits employers from...
Race Report – 2016 Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon
I completed the 2015 Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon with one year of training. It was a great experience. Alcatraz is an iconic race - swimming 1.5 miles in frigid waters from Alcatraz to shore; bicycling 18 miles up the steep San Francisco roads, finishing with an 8...
Lepera + Associates, PC renews Sponshorship agreement for 2016 Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon
I am very pleased to announce Lepera + Associates, PC has agreed to renew their sponsorship agreement as I prepare for the 2016 Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon. I completed Escape from Alcatraz in 2015 -- this will be my second time entering this event. Click here to...
PPD Beach 2 Battleship 70.3 Triathlon: Race Report
After completing the 2015 Escape from Alcatraz triathlon, I had several people ask me about my future triathlon plans. Training for Alcatraz was a challenge – a monumental swim in the frigid San Francisco Bay, followed by an 18 mile bike ride up and down the STEEP...