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...
Safety Articles
Robot kills worker at Volkswagen plant (July 1, 2015)
This incident emphasizes the need to enforce safe work practices for employees entering robot cells to perform setup type activities. A risk assessment for each robot cell should be performed according to the recommendations specified in ANSI/RIA R15.06-2012:...
My 2015 Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon experience
My 2015 Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon Experience In June of 2014 I read an article about triathlons. I’ve been physically active all of my life so this sounded like a great way to exercise with a specific goal – completing a triathlon. Coincidentally, a triathlon was...
Get Board Certified!
Recently I submitted my Certified Safety Professional (CSP) 5 year recertification summary to the Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP). In addition, last week I taught two CSP preparatory examination classes to future CSP's. The Certified Safety Professional...
Lepera + Associates, PC Enters Sponsorship Agreement with Triathlete W. Jon Wallace
I am very please to announce I have finalized a triathlete sponsorship agreement with Lepera + Associates, PC - a San Francisco based law firm. This sponsorship will provide assistance as I prepare to join the world’s top athletes from around the globe to compete in...
2015 Edition of NFPA 70E – Major Revisions
The 2015 Edition of NFPA 70E has been finalized. Significant revisions from the 2012 edition include: • Elimination of HRC 0 moving all electrical work into arc rated clothing (non melting clothing required under AR clothing). • New RISK BASED Assessment Tables with...
Response to student Arc Flash Questions
I regularly conduct NFPA 70E training courses. Listed below are two questions that may enhance your understanding of electric arcs with respect to receptacles as well as residential homes: 1. Is there an electric arc flash hazard from a 120 volt electrical receptacle?...
Trapped Under The Sea – Excellent book on confined space tragedy
Trapped Under The Sea is an excellent book written by Neil Swidey that examines the 1999 Boston Harbor tunnel project confined space tragedy. Workers were required to descend 420 feet vertically into a tunnel and then travel 9 miles horizontally through the tunnel to...
OSHA revises 1910.269 Electric Power Generation Standard
On April 11, 2014 OSHA will publish the revised 1910.269 - Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution standard in the federal register. The effective date will be 90 days after publication. Among the changes, there will be PPE changes - specifically...
A case for 0% LEL/LFL inside Confined Spaces
1910.146 (b) of OSHA's Permit-Required Confined Space standard defines a hazardous atmosphere as follows: "Flammable gas, vapor, or mist in excess of 10 percent of its lower flammable limit (LFL);". However, whenever I conduct onsite confined training courses for...