SAFETY & COMPLIANCE NEWS
Keep up to date on the latest developments affecting OSHA, DOT, EPA, and DOL regulatory compliance.
Copyright 2025 J. J. Keller & Associate, Inc. For re-use options please contact copyright@jjkeller.com or call 800-558-5011.
RECENT INDUSTRY HIGHLIGHTS
2025-05-12T05:00:00Z
NewsIndustry NewsPersonal Protective EquipmentSafety & HealthConstruction SafetyGeneral Industry SafetyMaritime SafetyIn-Depth ArticleEnglishMine SafetyFocus AreaPersonal Protective EquipmentUSA
Better than bubble wrap: OSHA's PPE hazard assessment rules
Personal protective equipment (PPE) plays a pivotal role in worker safety when higher level controls aren’t available or feasible to protect workers from job hazards. But if PPE isn't used correctly or the right gear isn't chosen, it can make the workplace even more dangerous. PPE assessments are key to effectively choosing and implementing effective protective equipment.
Steps to conduct a PPE hazard assessment
- Find hazards: Look around the workplace to spot any dangers. This includes checking equipment and materials, while also reviewing work procedures.
- Choose the right PPE: After finding the hazards, pick the right protective gear to keep workers safe. Think about the type of hazard and how much protection is needed.
- Train employees about PPE: Make sure workers know how to use selected PPE correctly. Employers should teach workers how to use, care for, and understand the limits of PPE. Training should cover when PPE is needed, how to put it on and take it off, inspect it, and keep it clean.
- Ensure proper fit: PPE must fit each worker properly to be effective. Employers should check that the gear fits well. Poorly fitting PPE can create additional hazards.
- Verify the assessment: OSHA requires employers to prove they did a hazard assessment. The proof should contain details such as the work area examined, the individual who conducted the assessment, and the date(s) on which it was performed.
Example scenario
Let's walk through each step of a PPE hazard assessment using a hypothetical example of a worker in a manufacturing plant.
In this example we are assessing workers on an assembly line that operate machinery, handle materials, and perform quality checks.
Step 1: Identify potential hazards
- Mechanical: Moving parts of machinery that could cause cuts or crushing injuries.
- Chemical: Exposure to cleaning agents or lubricants.
- Noise: High levels of noise from machinery.
- Eye: Risk of flying particles during material handling.
Step 2: Select Appropriate PPE
Based on the identified hazards above, the following PPE is selected:
- Mechanical: Safety gloves to protect hands from cuts and crush injuries.
- Chemical: Chemical-resistant gloves and aprons to prevent skin contact with harmful substances.
- Noise: Earplugs or earmuffs to protect hearing.
- Eye: Safety goggles to shield eyes from flying particles.
Step 3: Communicate PPE Decisions
Inform the workers about the selected PPE:
- Explain why each piece of PPE is necessary.
- Demonstrate how to properly use and wear the PPE.
- Emphasize the importance of using PPE at all times in the designated areas.
- Answer questions and address concerns from workers
Step 4: Ensure Proper Fit
Check that the PPE fits each worker correctly:
- Ensure gloves are the right size and provide adequate dexterity.
- Confirm that earplugs or earmuffs fit comfortably and effectively reduce noise.
- Verify that safety goggles fit appropriately and do not obstruct vision.
Step 5: Verify Hazard Assessment
Document the hazard assessment:
- Work Area Evaluated: Assembly Line
- Person Certifying the Assessment: Safety Manager
- Date of Assessment: May 1, 2025
What does OSHA say
Under 29 CFR 1910.132, OSHA requires a thorough, documented assessment that effectively will make sure workers have the right equipment to protect them from the hazards they face every day on the job including:
- 1910.132(d)(1) The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE)…
- 1910.132(d)(2) The employer shall verify that the required workplace hazard assessment has been performed through a written certification that identifies the workplace evaluated; the person certifying that the evaluation has been performed; the date(s) of the hazard assessment; and, which identifies the document as a certification of hazard assessment.
Key to remember: OSHA requires documented PPE assessments when hazards necessitate its use. By doing thorough assessments, choosing the right PPE, and providing effective training, employers can ensure compliance, but more importantly keep their workforce safe from job hazards.
Keep reading...Show less
2025-05-12T05:00:00Z
NewsEnglishChange NoticesChange NoticeAssociate Benefits & CompensationAssociate RelationsHR GeneralistLeaveMontanaHR ManagementLeaveFocus AreaHuman Resources
Montana leave for volunteer emergency service providers
Effective date: April 16, 2025
This applies to: Employers with employees in Montana
Description of change: Employees who have completed their probationary period may take time off work to perform volunteer emergency services as volunteer firefighters or emergency medical technicians.
Employers may, however, determine whether employees may leave work to respond to an emergency.
Employees must give their employers certain notices regarding their membership with a provider service, and the time off.
View related state info:FMLA - Montana
Keep reading...Show less
2025-05-12T05:00:00Z
NewsIndustry NewsAssociate Benefits & CompensationHR GeneralistRetirement BenefitsIn-Depth Article401(k) Plans/Defined Contribution PlansHR ManagementEnglishFocus AreaHuman ResourcesUSA
What to say to employees who are worried about their 401(k) accounts
Because the stock market has been volatile in 2025, employees may be nervous about what that’s doing to their 401(k) accounts and look to their HR department for guidance. Being an HR professional, however, doesn’t make you financial adviser. But what can you say to help reassure them?
First, it’s important to draw a line between education and advice. When approached by concerned employees, you may emphasize the long-term nature of these types of accounts. It’s okay to remind them that 401(k)s are for retirement, and the best approach traditionally has been to avoid drastic actions.
You should not, however, cross the line and give specific advice about:
- Buying or selling stocks,
- Taking money out of an account, or
- Reallocating investments.
Advice in those areas should be left up to professionally licensed fiduciaries. Fiduciaries are financial advisers who are legally obligated to act in the best interest of their clients.
3 steps HR might take to help those worried about their 401(k)s
- Offer financial wellness programming. This might include connecting employees with sources of personal finance information, such as company-sponsored events, online tools, and other information to help them become more financially literate money managers overall. Something as simple as a retirement calculator can help people understand the long-term impact of contributing to a 401(k) account.
- Lean on your provider. The 401(k) provider for your company has fiduciary responsibilities. Now’s the time for them to show how they add that value to their services by acting as a clear- and level-headed source of information during times of volatility. It can be helpful for employees to hear from advisers who work for your provider, whether in an individual or group setting where employees can ask questions. Access to an adviser might make employees more confident about their retirement savings despite what the market is doing.
- Be empathetic and supportive. Acknowledge that employees may be feeling anxious about their financial futures, and that they are not alone. Reassure them that historically, volatility has been short-lived, with market conditions stabilizing over time.
Key to remember: Employees may be worried about their 401(k) account balances during times of market volatility and look to HR for help. It’s important to be supportive, and provide education, but leave financial advice to the experts.
Keep reading...Show less
Search all news
Did You Know You Can Ask Unlimited Questions to Our Compliance Experts?
Get answers to your most puzzling compliance questions from the industry’s top experts!
J. J. Keller is the trusted source for DOT / Transportation, OSHA / Workplace Safety, Human Resources, Construction Safety and Hazmat / Hazardous Materials regulation compliance products and services. J. J. Keller helps you increase safety awareness, reduce risk, follow best practices, improve safety training, and stay current with changing regulations.
Copyright 2025 J. J. Keller & Associate, Inc. For re-use options please contact copyright@jjkeller.com or call 800-558-5011.