It sure seems like every cause has its day. Just in October alone, there is National Get Funky Day, National Do Something Nice Day, National Taco Day, National Vodka Day, National Manufacturing Day…and the list goes on and on.

Well today, October 5th, 2022 is Energy Efficiency Day and it is a good reminder of the value of saving energy.  The Energy Efficiency Day website’s tagline is “Save Money. Cut Pollution. Create Jobs.”

It is estimated that 5.6 million or more workers are at risk for occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens.  OSHA requires employers provide training to any employee that has the potential to be exposed to bloodborne pathogens or other potentially infectious materials (OPIM). OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1030 (the standard) applies to all workers in the private sector, as well as civilian employees of Federal entities.

Even though the coronavirus remains in the headlines, other unfortunate events are still happening as well, such as active shooter incidents.  Here are 5 reasons you should be concerned about an active shooter event occurring at your business during the COVID-19 recovery.

Ensuring that employees are protected from inhaling harmful contaminants requires annual medical clearance and testing to meet OSHA standards. The EI Group’s Occupational Health team is here to help you as a one-stop option to fulfill your annual respirator protection commitments regarding respirator medical clearances and fit testing.

Most project design/build teams planning new construction or modifications to existing facilities involving sources of air emission understand that these actions require an air permit prior to starting construction.  It is also well known that the emissions, air quality evaluations, and application process should start early, as air permitting is typically on a critical path which can impact scheduling.  If you find yourself as the lucky delegate responsible for air permitting and arrive at the point of receiving the glorious prize of the long-awaited air permit, finally releasing your team to begin construction, CONGRATULATIONS!  You have been victorious, but now what?

The official hurricane season for the Atlantic basin, which includes the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico, extends from the first of June to the end of November; however, tropical cyclone activity can occur before and after these months.  According to NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration), the peak of the Atlantic hurricane season is September 10, with most activity occurring between mid-August and mid-October.

While asbestos has been regulated since 1971 by OSHA and since 1976 by the EPA under 1) the Toxic Substances Control Act and since 1973 under 2) NESHAPs (National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants), asbestos remains a concern today.  Why?  I’ll explain, but first let’s define what is asbestos.  Many think asbestos is man-made.  However, it is actually a name given to a group of six naturally-occurring minerals that are mined from the Earth. 

As Eastern Kentucky is currently suffering through a tragic historic flooding event, with 37 lives lost to-date, another problem lurks in the background. That problem, while not as immediately devastating, is exposure to mold.

Since the emergence of the initial Omicron variant late last year, COVID has increasingly become more infectious. Since then, multiple Omicron subvariants have emerged, with each new strain being much more transmissible than its predecessor. Omicron BA.5 and its sister, BA.4, currently account for more than 93% of all US covid cases, with BA.5 making up the vast majority of the two variants.