Safety Articles

Performing the Lockout/Tagout Risk Assessment

By W. Jon Wallace, CSP, MBA “Wallace, if we lockout this machine every time we have a pill jam, we will never make any product!” This was the testy response I received from a production manager while performing a lockout audit at a pharmaceutical plant. With the...

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Five Habits of Safe Confined Space Workers

By W. Jon Wallace, CSP, MBA As a safety professional, I routinely receive accident reports from around the World. Many of these accidents are related to confined space work. Unfortunately, the same types of mistakes are repeated – resulting in injury or death. Based...

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So – You Think You’re Ready for OSHA VPP?

By W. Jon Wallace, CSP, MBA A plant manager recently requested I perform an OSHA Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) assessment at his facility. “Jon, we have a great safety program here—I doubt you’ll find any major deficiencies.” Needless to say, the plant manager...

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Don’t Become a Victim of Heat Stress!

By W. Jon Wallace, CSP, MBA Completing the 2015 Escape fromAlcatraz triathlon With the summer months soon upon us we need to protect our workers from the potentially devastating effects of heat illness. As a triathlete who has completed both the Escape from Alcatraz...

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Excavation Requirements – Summary

By W. Jon Wallace, CSP, MBA Regardless of depth: Daily Inspection by competent person prior to entry for evidence of possible cave-ins or other hazards. Re inspection after each rainstorm or other condition that could affect excavation. Locate spoil pile, tools,...

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Performing the Arc Flash Analysis

By W. Jon Wallace, CSP, MBA Do your electrical workers (qualified persons) perform electrical work on energized electrical conductors? If so, appropriate electrical protective clothing is needed to protect your employees from the risks associated with an electrical...

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