Safety Articles

Jon Wallace is interviewed regarding the recommended safety procedures for businesses with employees working in these types of circumstances.


Watch the interview and read the article on WECT.com.
Download article PDF (No claim to copyright for this article.)
Download the citation

Jon Wallace is interviewed about company policy changes after the Wolfspeed workplace accident that resulted in the death of an employee.
(No claim to copyright for this article.)

Read the article at the News & Observer.
Download PDF

Jon Wallace is interviewed after the Wolfspeed workplace accident that resulted in the death of an employee.
(No claim to copyright for this article.)

Read the article at the News & Observer.
Download PDF

Do I have combustible dust in my facility? What is a combustible dust? Due to recent combustible dust explosions, as well as OSHA’s national emphasis program on combustible dust, there is a heightened awareness and confusion concerning combustible dust hazards. The first question as part of a combustible dust evaluation is whether combustible dusts are present at your facility. Read the article...

Since 1980, more than 130 workers have been killed and more than 780 injured in combustible dust explosions. Recent incidents have significantly heightened awareness of combustible dust hazards. Read the article...

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) issued the revised 2012 edition of NFPA 70E^®: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace^® with an effective date of August 31, 2011. Most of the changes have occurred in Chapter 1. With the exception of the major revisions in Article 320, Safety Requirements Related to Batteries and Battery Rooms, the revisions in Chapters 2 and 3 are primarily for clarification and editorial purposes... Read the article...

When assisting clients with electrical safe work practices for employees I am continually asked – does OSHA enforce NFPA 70E® (Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace®)? The short answer is no, because NFPA 70E® is not Incorporated by Reference in 29 CFR 1910.6. However, OSHA has several comparable standard requirements that are enforceable... Read the article...

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) issued the revised 2009 edition of NFPA 70E®: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace with an effective date of September 5, 2008. The 2009 edition of NFPA 70E® contains numerous revisions. Read the article...

Racking circuit breakers is a common task performed by electrical workers. Unfortunately, this task is responsible for numerous serious electric arc flash incidents. The main reason is the moving of parts that must be aligned properly to engage the breaker. Many times these mechanisms are not maintained and cause problems. Read the article...

While conducting electrical safety training one day I had an electrician complain that he hated the electrical insulated gloves he was wearing: “I can’t work with these gloves—they don’t fit and they're uncomfortable!” Electrical rubber insulating gloves provide significant protection for electrical workers. Shock protection is the primary benefit; however; electrical rubber insulating gloves also provide significant burn protection in the event of an arc flash. It is very important the leather protectors are worn over electrical rubber insulating gloves—this provides protection against cuts and nicks caused by contact with electrical components. Read the article...

Due to the potential of an electric arc flash, many employees who perform work on energized conductors (qualified persons) are exchanging flammable and/or meltable clothing, such as pants and shirts, for flame resistant (FR) clothing. Read the article...

During the last 10 years I've taught quite a few courses on NFPA 70E. By far, the biggest area of pushback and resistance deals with my recommendation that qualified persons wear hazard risk category (HRC) 2 flame resistant (FR) clothing as daily wear. Read this blog post... 

The 2009 edition of NFPA 70E – Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace contains several changes over the previous edition. Read this blog post... 

Over 600 workers are electrocuted annually – it is the 4th leading cause of workplace fatalities in the United States. If you have employees working on or near exposed energized electrical parts, electrical safe work practices are essential. This article addresses Safety-Related Work Practices outlined in Chapter 1 of NFPA 70E: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace – 2004 Edition. Requirements contained within Chapter 2 – 4 are also included. Major requirements of NFPA 70E that should be included in this procedure are covered. Read the article...

An electric arc flash, which is a short circuit through the air, occurs when an employee is working on or near energized electrical equipment and inadvertently contacts conductors or circuits, such as dropping a part or tool, resulting in a phase-to-ground, or a phase-to-phase fault. Also, equipment malfunction may produce a spark or arc, resulting in an arcing fault. Read more about the hazards of electric arc flashes and prevention measures for employees. Read the article...

In response to the numerous questions and comments from the article: Performing the Electrical Flash Hazard Analysis, this article answers the ten most commonly asked questions about NFPA 70E. Read the article...

Electricity is truly a great invention, however, its misuse can result in tragic loss of life and significant property damage. According to OSHA, approximately 350 electrical-related workplace fatalities occur annually. Electricity should not be feared, but it must be respected. Employees must be protected from electrocution hazards. Read the article...

This article is a summary of OSHA requirements for excavations/trenching. Read the article...

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 and Beach2Battleship 70.3 mile triathlons and having lived for five years in the most humid city in the United States (Beaumont, Texas), I am very cognizant of how critical it is to avoid a heat related illness. Read the article...

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 paper, plastics, and metal for recycling. Also, electronic devices such as cellular phones; computers; and televisions are being recycled to reuse precious metals as well as plastic materials. In addition, many states have enacted laws banning certain materials from being disposed in landfills in an effort to promote recycling. Read the article...

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 was quite bewildered during our closing conference when I informed him his facility was at least 2–3 years away from even being considered for OSHA VPP. I have performed numerous VPP assessments for clients. This article coveres some pointers on attaining VPP status at your site. Read the article...

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. Read the article...

With the exception of minor tool changes and adjustments, and other minor servicing activities, employees are typically prohibited from placing any part of their body into the point of operation while a piece of equipment is energized. But, there are many scenarios in which deenergizing equipment is difficult and/or creates problems. In these cases, there is a need for performing a lockout/tagout risk assessment. Read the article...

Failure to adequately assess the workplace for potential hazards and identify appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) not only results in thousands of eye injuries each year, it is also responsible for numerous injuries to the hands and arms, torso, feet, and head. Employers are required to perform a PPE assessment to determine if hazards are present, or likely to be present. Read the article...

The origins of OSHA’s Process Safety Management standard can be traced back to the December 1984 Union Carbide explosion in Bhopal, India. Many Americans became concerned that a similar incident could occur in the United States. Read the article...

OSHA lists falls as one of the leading causes of traumatic occupational death, accounting for eight percent of all occupational fatalities from trauma. An OSHA study involving 99 fall-related fatalities suggests that virtually all of those deaths could have been prevented by the use of guardrails, body harnesses, safety nets, covers, or other means which would have reduced employee exposure to the fall hazard. Read the article...

Flammable and combustible liquids are present in nearly every workplace. Gasoline, diesel fuel, and many common products like solvents, thinners, cleaners, adhesives, paints, waxes, and polishes may be flammable or combustible. These products are ubiquitous and have become a part of our lifestyle. However, if used or stored improperly, serious fires and death may occur. This article discusses flammable and combustible liquid terminology, handling, and storage practices. Read the article...

Confined space fatalities are a common occurrence in the workplace. According to NIOSH, during the 10 year period from 1980 to 1989, 585 separate fatal incidents occurred in confined spaces, claiming 670 victims. Read about the causes and find out how to implement an effective confined space program. Read the article...

The lockout/tagout standard – 29 CFR 1910.147 – is arguably the best OSHA standard ever written. For the price of a lock and tag, an employee can be confident they are protected from the sudden release of hazardous energy while performing maintenance, cleaning or servicing activities on equipment. When performed correctly, lockout/tagout is extremely beneficial, however, when performed incorrectly, serious injuries and fatalities may occur. Read the article...

Some employers assume OSHA compliance is achieved merely by compliance with the applicable OSHA code of federal regulations (e.g. 1910 General Industry, 1915 Maritime, 1926 Construction, 1928 Agriculture). However, this does not necessarily ensure full OSHA compliance. Employers must also be familiar with other OSHA enforcement tools such as Incorporation by Reference; the General Duty Clause; Letters of Interpretation; Standard Interpretations (STD’s); and Compliance Directives (CPL’s). Read this article to learn how to navigate the maze of OSHA compliance.Read the article...

On November 6, 2002 OSHA published the revised General Industry Means of Egress standard. The revised standard which is called "Exit Routes, Emergency Actions Plans, and Fire Prevention Plans," became effective on December 7, 2002. Read the article...