Friday the 13th Health and Safety, OSHA I2P2 Update, MSHA “Walk and Talk” Safety Initiative and more on EHS This Week!

On this week’s edition of EHS This Week we’ve got the week’s top stories in environment, health and safety news:

  • Friday the 13th makes for improved health and safety
  • OSHA Injury and Illness Prevention Programs (I2P2) placed on “long-term action” list
  • MSHA launches ‘walk and talk’ safety initiative
  • EPA, DOL and DHS release blueprint for improving chemical facilities’ safety
  • Two jet collision in Boston leaves zero injured

Remember to write us with your suggestions, questions and comments. Also, if you are an industry expert and ever want to take part in the program, we’d love to have you.

Until next week, enjoy the program!

EHS This Week Resources

For more information on the stories and resources mentioned in this week’s podcast, check out the links below.

  • EPA, DOL, and DHS Report: “Actions to Improve Chemical Facilities’ Safety and Security – A Shared Commitment.” View it here.
  • Department of Labor
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West Virginia chemical spill, Chemical plant safety, OSHA effectiveness, and more on EHS This Week.

On this week’s edition of EHS This Week we’ve got the week’s top stories in environment, health and safety news:

  • West Virginia chemical spill
  • Chemical plant safety
  • OSHA effectiveness, and more.

Remember to write us with your suggestions, questions and comments. Also, if you are an industry expert and ever want to take part in the program, we’d love to have you.

Until next week, enjoy the program!

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Think I2P2 ain’t happening? Think again.

So, there’s been some doubt OSHA’s ‘fabled’ I2P2 initiative – a massive Injury and Illness Protection Program – will be unveiled and enforced any time in the near future, there’s even been some speculation over whether it will be implemented at all. But I can assure you, these are just notions, and I2P2 will be implemented in the near future. In fact, probably this year, if not early 2014.

That said, it is understandable there’s been concern over the sheer amount of time it has taken for OSHA to finalize I2P2. Back in 2010, OSHA head Dr. David Michaels indicated it was ‘coming’. But then the U.S. midterm elections happened, and since regulation is a polarizing topic across the U.S., I2P2 talk was hushed. 

Then in January 2012 Michaels said it was OSHA’s “top priority” for the year. Then towards the end of the year health and safety leaders were … Read more...

Shocking study on California’s IIPP, offshore wind power initiaitves and more on EHS This Week

In this episode of EHS This Week, Kristy and I discuss the top stories from the world of environment, health and safety news for the past seven days, including: 

  • A revealing study on California’s injury and illness prevention program, the model for OSHA’s upcoming I2P2.
  • The State’s delayed movement on offshore wind power.
  • The GOPs push to kill a climate rule for new power plants, and more.

Also, we feature a site shoutout on one of the best environment blogs out there.

Come back on a weekly basis or subscribe for our rundown of the week’s top EHS Stories.

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Keystone axed, safety regs from Costa Concordia disaster and more on EHS This Week

Check out the most recent podcast of EHS This Week!

In this episode, Kristy and I discuss top stories from the world of environment, health and safety news, including: 

  • Obama’s axing of the Keystone pipeline proposal.
  • Changing maritime safety regulations after the Costa Concordia ran aground.
  • Three announced focus areas from OSHA.
  • Our Site Shout-Out to The Safety Blog.

Check back on a weekly basis for our rundown of the week’s top EHS Stories. 

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The case for I2P2, VPP losing clout and more on EHS This Week

Check out the most recent podcast of EHS This Week!

In this episode, Kristy and I discuss top stories from the world of environment, health and safety news, including: 

  • OSHA’s directive for targeting federal agencies (FEDTARG program).
  • The case for I2P2.
  • VPP participation plumetting.
  • Our Site Shout-Out to Environmental, Health and Safety News by Christopher Haase for his awesome job covering the latest in EHS news, and more

Check back on a weekly basis for our rundown of the week’s top EHS Stories. 

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OSHA releases I2P2 white paper to convince businesses of program’s benefit

If you managed to take a look at our list of our Top 5 most popular blog posts from 2011, you might have noticed that I2P2 is kind of a big deal. If, on the other hand, that acronym means nothing to you, now is a good time to get better acquainted with OSHA’s proposed Injury and Illness Prevention Program (get it? Two Is, two Ps…)

Anyway, OSHA has kicked off the New Year by reaffirming its commitment to I2P2 by releasing a white paper geared to convince businesses of the value of the program. For background, OSHA has been moving towards a requirement that would require most organizations in the U.S. to implement an injury and illness prevention program, which is essentially a safety management system (SMS) designed to proactively reduce injuries and illnesses.

In addition to outlining how I2P2 programs mitigate injuries and save lives, the paper breaks … Read more...

Our Top 5 most popular blog posts of 2011

Between sweeping new regulations, ambitious new OHS programs, and environmental controversy in the U.S. and Canada, EHS issues were top of mind throughout 2011. To wrap up a year that had no shortage of headlines, we’ve analyzed last year’s Intelex blog stats to determine the most popular posts of 2011. Without further adieu, here are the Top 5:

  1. I2P2, hazardous chemicals, high-risk construction among top OSHA priorities for 2011: OSHA Secretary of Labour Dr. David Michaels kicked off the year with an online chat outlining some of OSHA’s top priorities for 2011. While many of his priorities – including the ambitious I2P2 program and the addition of an MSD column to OSHA Form 300 reports – did not make it through the gates by the end of the year, this overview provided some guidance on where OSHA’s priorities lie in the very near future.
  2. Start preparing for new OSHA
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The Top 5 upcoming OHS regulatory events you need to know about: #1

It can be hard for businesses to determine which regulatory events will directly affect how they do business. That’s why I’ve put together a list of the Top 5 OHS regulatory events on the immediate horizon business leaders as well as OHS managers and staff need to know about.

Yesterday we talked about the revised hazard communication standard. Here’s the next issue in the Top 5:

1. The Injury and Illness Prevention Program:

OSHA chair Dr. David Michaels indicated in an online chat earlier this year that OSHA’s top priority for 2011 is publishing and enforcing a new, nationwide Injury and Illness Prevention Program (I2P2).

The scope of the planned regulation is sweeping: it will likely affect every employer in every industry, coast-to-coast. Michaels himself has called it the most significant change in workplace safety culture since OSHA’s inception 40 years ago.

OSHA is expected to model the program … Read more...

No more ‘catch me if you can’: I2P2 and what it could mean for you

As Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) chair Dr. David Michaels revealed in an online chat earlier this year, OSHA’s top priority for 2011 will be publishing and enforcing a new, nationwide Injury and Illness Prevention Program (I2P2). The scope of the planned regulation is sweeping: it will likely affect every employer in every industry, coast-to-coast, and Michaels himself has called it the most significant change in workplace safety culture since OSHA’s inception 40 years ago.

While the organization continues to finalize the rule before its expected publication by the end of the year, it is worth evaluating what we do know about the proposed initiative. We know a few details about what OSHA will likely include in the final rule, plus thousands of American employers have already implemented injury and illness prevention programs based on elements of California’s own program (called IIPP and in existence since 1991). OSHA will … Read more...