Three construction workers were killed and two workers injured after a Port Arthur, TX scaffolding collapse on April 29, 2025. Click here for more details. OSHA 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L is devoted entirely to construction scaffold work (please note the 29 CFR 1910...
Recently I was teaching an NFPA 70E electrical safety class and we were discussing the importance of establishing an electrical safe work condition. I showed the class a Santronics low voltage detector. This is a wonderful device (commonly used by OSHA compliance...
By W. Jon Wallace, CSP, MBA Recycling and environmental awareness are 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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...