In an industrial setting, it's common that hazard communication standards are followed. You've likely seen one without realizing it. Consider even the warning label on a bottle of bleach in a janitor's closet. Workplaces with greater potential hazards use these standards more. And now, updates to those longstanding policies could require an overhau...

For facilities storing hazardous chemicals, the deadline for Tier II inventory reporting is quickly approaching. Governed by the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act, known as EPCRA, Tier II Chemical Inventory reports are due March 1 for the previous reporting year. This is a fixed deadline, and extensions are not granted. Delayed rep...

From salting your driveway to blowing grass clippings into the street, there are plenty of things we do to affect our stormwater system. That's why the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency takes steps to regulate and monitor shared water systems. They do that through MS4 permits, which are short for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems. These...

The Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) intends to implement a new rule (32 Ill. Administrative Code 622) that addresses the ways radioactive water treatment residuals may be safely handled. IEMA is still accepting comments on these proposed rules. Expected to be in place by the end of this year, the incoming state guidelines will affect se...

For industries required to obtain an Illinois General Stormwater Permit, subtle changes went into effect this summer that will change a company's environmental responsibilities. The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) updated the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for stormwater discharges from industrial acti...

Blazing hot summer days can be brutal for everyone, but particularly for people working outside. Heat-related illness is a real concern for employers whose teams are working in the elements. That's why it's crucial for managers and workers to recognize the dangers of overheating – and how best to prevent it. Keep reading for a rundown of the main c...

It was a frightening moment across the U.S. when football player Damar Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest on live television. A safety for the Buffalo Bills, Hamlin tackled another player and stood up – only to collapse moments later without a pulse. Thousands watched as CPR was performed, an ambulance arrived and Hamlin was driven away. The game was p...

Food manufacturers in Illinois and Ohio can expect additional Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspections in 2023, after the federal safety agency noted higher-than-normal injuries at those facilities. OSHA issued an alert for food production facilities in Illinois and Ohio last month, saying it would launch a Local Emphasis Pr...

Approval for construction projects might require additional time and money moving forward, but for a good reason: protecting the balance of the natural ecosystem throughout Illinois. In 2015, the Indiana bat and northern long-eared bat were listed as a threatened species, after a deadly disease of hibernating bats spread through their populations. ...

Sometimes, workers make poor choices. But as employers, it's our job to educate them to make the best ones. And as safety-conscious businesses who want to ensure safety while minimizing liability, keeping records of safety compliance is essential. Case in point: A worker on his break decided to use a company propane torch to light his cigar. It cau...

To prevent employees from getting sick or injured in the workplace, Industrial Hygiene (IH) Programs are necessary. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) defines Industrial Hygiene as the practice of anticipating, recognizing, evaluating and controlling workplace hazards to prevent employee injuries and illnesses. Having and unde...

Did you know that some changes to the standards for using aerial lifts may affect your business? The team at Fehr Graham is here to help. Updates to the standards for using booms, scissor lifts and under-bridge inspection machines will go into effect on Dec. 10. The new standards issued by the American National Standard Institution (ANSI) will affe...