What Is HAZCOM Training? When and How Often to Get Certified
If you’ve recently hired a new employee who will be working with hazardous materials, or a current employee has agreed to work with additional hazardous materials, they’ll need to complete HAZCOM training. HAZCOM stands for hazardous communications, and training for it is required by OSHA. Barclay Brand Ferdon provides HAZCOM training for businesses in New Jersey and New York. Here, we take a closer look at what you need to know about HAZCOM training.
Understanding the Different Forklift Training Courses and Certifications
Forklifts come in several classes, but regardless of what kind of forklift your company uses, each operator needs to receive forklift training and certification, as well as OSHA-mandated training. Barclay Brand Ferdon offers forklift training to operators at businesses from the lower New York region to Middlesex and Ocean Counties in New Jersey. Here, we describe the types of forklift classes, as well as the training and certification required from every operator.
Rack Safety Tips
Rack safety is an important matter for any warehouse. A design flaw, unnoticed damage, improper assembly, or overloading can very quickly lead to a collapse. Therefore, proper techniques are essential to keeping employees safe while working near racks, as well as protecting your goods. Here, Barclay Brand Ferdon, which serves North and Central New Jersey and parts of New York, provides some lifesaving rack safety tips to implement at your facility.
New 2017 OSHA Guidelines Now Effective
No matter how long you’ve worked in warehousing or distribution, you know the importance of safety guidelines for everyone when you work with or around industrial equipment. This year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) updated their requirements for employers incorporate fall protection training to help further prevent and reduce accidents.
With these changes, as of January 17, 2017, Fall Protection Training is required for any employee using a walking or working surface at or above 4 feet. According to the new regulations, the systems that are put in place for fall protection are required to either prevent the worker from falling entirely or, in instances where this is not possible, catch them from suffering internal injuries or contacting a lower level.
Are You Inspecting Your Racking System on a Regular Basis?
Regular safety inspections are extremely important – OSHA does have regulations for a reason. Periodic safety audits of your racking system will help prevent future accidents, damage and business disruptions. Often times, disasters can be avoided when equipment is regularly and properly maintained.
Why It Matters: Rack System Failures
One of the main reasons rack system failures occur is due to improper lift truck use. OSHA regulations require that each operator work their way through a Comprehensive Equipment Safety Training Program before and during their time operating the machinery. Knowing the proper safety precautions to take and the correct way to use and maintain the equipment is the best way to ensure that you don’t run into huge conflicts down the road. Read more on Rack Failures.
Safety Tip of the Week
Even if you are only going a few feet, it is important to keep forks low. Never travel with forks in an elevated position or lifted higher than a foot off the floor. It also never hurts to have a lookout helper if vision is not 100% clear, especially when reversing!
Training Requirement by December 1st, 2013 for Revised Hazard Communication Standard
The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard has recently been revised to include new requirements which will be phased in over the next two and half years. Facilities and operations with any hazardous chemicals or materials must complete employee training by December 1, 2013.
This rule applies to all companies even if they only have one “Hazardous Chemical” on site such as:
battery powered fork lift trucks battery acid
Propane powered industrial units
Food facilities who use chemicals for cleaning
The OSHA updates to the Hazard Communication Standard includes all operations and facilities which have at least one hazardous chemical on site.
The revisions are the result of OSHA’s alignment of the Hazard Communication Standard with the United Nations’ Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. The training, to be provided by December 1, 2013, must include information on the Standard’s new labeling and safety data sheet (SDS) format requirements.
