What is Cal/OSHA Assembly Bill 1124? The California Department of Industrial Relations’ Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (Cal/OSHA) has adopted an emergency rule requiring employers to provide respiratory protection to all employees working outside for longer than one hour when the air quality index (AQI) reaches 151 or greater. The emergency regulation has gone into effect as of the
Cases of Valley fever have been increasing, but many are not aware of this fungal agent and that it can be quite dangerous. What is Valley Fever? Valley fever (Coccidioidomycosis) is caused by inhalation of the spores of Coccidioides immitis fungus. The fungus is commonly found in the soil of southwestern states of the United States, and more likely to
Emergency escape breathing devices (EEBD) are a type of self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) used for emergency escape in immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) situations. When properly used, an EEBD can provide emergency respiratory protection by allowing the wearer to escape from environments with atmospheres that are oxygen deficient or that contain toxic contaminants. Typical Applications for EEBD Many
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread throughout the United States, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is moving forward with enforcement of violations related to COVID-19. As of January 14, 2021, the agency has proposed penalties totaling $4,034,288.00. [1] These citations have come as a result of more than 270 inspections and can be
Confined spaces can be complicated and anyone, in any industry, can be exposed to working in and around them. Confined spaces come in different sizes, in different locations of a facility or job site, and there may be different hazards in each one. There are also many different standards, regulations and company policies that may apply. While complicated, there are
Publisher's Note (January 30, 2020 and January 10, 2022): For quick reference, please see this technical bulletin entitled, "Respirators and Surgical Masks: A Comparison" ST. PAUL, Minn. – While disposable respirators look similar to masks used during surgery and other medical procedures, the two are designed for very different purposes. First off, the two types of protection differ in how they function.
