#OSHA Hazard Communication

[possumcollege]

From the wizards I've seen, I'd worry about what idly spilt horrors that robe has absorbed. Some wizards have to be the walking magical equivalent of a barrel of oily rags. Like burning Styrofoam in the fireplace. Like eating a chilidog in a pair of found work gloves.

You can't loot a dead wizard without professional thaumaturgic abatement.

If disposing of a dead wizard they must be thoroughly encapsulated or transported in a sealed drum with all the empty space full of water.

Come and sit by the fire. Soup will be ready soon.

OH FUCK

[kjiscrawlingbackformore]

Peace - Act III : Chapter eight

Lottie Matthews x fem!reader

Masterlist | Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

Summary: Reader comes back to her hometown and transfers to Wiskayok High School after getting expelled from her previous high school. Follows Junior year into Senior year, all the way up to the crash. (Eventual NSFW mdni)

Warnings: None

Mr. Weaver’s office was still a mess.

Same cracked lava lamp. Same eternal stack of papers leaning like a dying tree. A new addition: a coffee mug that read “I’m not arguing, I’m just explaining why I’m right.”

You dropped into the chair across from his desk, backpack slumped at your feet. “This place is a fire hazard. Pretty sure OSHA would pass out walking in here.”

Mr. Weaver didn’t look up. “Made it to senior year, and WOW. Still not expelled. I’m proud of you.”

“Give me a week.”

He cracked a grin, then rifled through a manila folder until he found what he was looking for. “I have something for you.”

“If it’s a pamphlet on anger management, I already went. Twice.”

“No,” he said, sliding a sheet of paper across the desk. “It’s a letter. From Emerson College.”

You blinked, mind blanking on the random name. “What’s Emerson?”

“Only one of the best journalism programs in the country. But sure, shrug it off.”

You picked up the paper, eyes scanning quickly, her name printed in serif type near the top. It wasn’t junk mail. It was real. You felt a wave of suspicion flood you. What the fuck is this? Why do they know you? Also what the fuck is this?

“What is this?” You asked, cautiously.

Mr. Weaver leaned back, lacing his fingers behind his head like a man extremely pleased with himself. “Remember that piece you wrote for the school paper? About the Yellowjackets’ win and how it brought the school together?”

You narrowed your eyes, already not liking where he was going with this. “What did you do?”

“I submitted it.”

You stared, eyebrows scrunching in confusion. “To who?”

“To a national student journalism contest. Sponsored by Emerson. They wanted samples tied to community impact and editorial voice.” He smiled. “And your piece had both.”

“You sent my stuff without asking?”

He shrugged. “If I’d asked, you’d have said no.”

You opened your mouth, and then after a beat closed it. “I-still-what?”

“They loved it,” he said, his tone softening. “Like, not ‘cute high school paper’ loved it. They flagged your writing and your photo layout. Said it had a real voice. Something raw. You got shortlisted for a merit scholarship. Full ride if you make it to the finalist round.”

You blinked. And after a beat of silence, and a staring contest. Your face saying ‘be fucking serious.’ and his saying ‘I am fucking serious.’. You scoffed. “You’re lying.”

“I’m many things. A liar? Not when it comes to good news.”

You stared at the paper again, something warm and flickering pressing behind her ribs. “I never even thought about college. Not seriously. Also, NEVER this kind.”

“Well,” Mr. Weaver said, “start.”

You shook your head. Your mind racing. You don’t have the funds, or the support to do this. How the hell do you start? “I don’t know what I’m doing. I barely got here to this school in one piece. No one in my family’s gone to college. I-respectfully this feels fucking fake.”

Mr. Weaver leaned forward now, elbows on the desk. His sarcasm slipped for once, voice level and sure. “Y/N, you’ve lived through more before seventeen than most people do in fifty. You survived things that would’ve knocked other kids flat. You didn’t just float-you created. You documented the world around you when it was trying to swallow you whole.”

You looked down, throat tightening.

“That’s what great journalists do,” he continued. “You’ve got the eye. The gut. The grit. You think you don’t belong in those spaces, but maybe those spaces have been waiting for someone exactly like you.”

Your voice was barely above a whisper. “What if I can’t keep it up?”

“Then you fail forward. You fall, get up, and write about it. But I’d bet on you, Y/N. Every time.”

You swallowed hard. Your heart clenching at the softness in his voice. He sounded so sure. So convinced. “You really think I could…do this?”

“I don’t just think it,” he said, offering a small smile, “I already submitted the application.”

You gaped, eyes wide in shock. “WHAT?”

“I said I’d treat you like a grown-up, didn’t I? Well, here’s adulthood, kid: sometimes people believe in you before you believe in yourself. And that’s not cheating. That’s just the luck of finally getting the right people in your corner.”

For the first time, you didn’t deflect. You didn’t joke. You just nodded, eyes glassy but grateful.

“Thanks, Weaver.”

“Don’t thank me yet,” he said, already shuffling through a new stack. “Wait until you see how much essay editing I’m about to make you do. You’ve got potential, Y/L/N. But potential is just unused muscle. Time to work.”

You chuckled, and it made way for a smile. A smile goofier than you would've wanted to smile. You stood, letter still in your hand. As you walked out, you felt something flicker in your chest. Hope. And maybe, for the first time in a long time, a glimpse of a future that belonged to no one else but you.

[thelaundrybitch]

Employment Opportunities - TMNT HCs

TURTLE DOVES

I hath finished some HCs that have been sitting in my drafts for FOREVER 👀

Please enjoy

TW: Thirsty bitch ahead. And some swear words.

Please don't steal my work. Reblogging for others to enjoy is highly encouraged, though 🤩

These are Jobs I can see the guys doing once accepted into society...

Raph 

Fire Chief. 

Probably Fire Marshall. 

Cuz boyfriend be hot hot hot

Dressed in that SCBA gear

Barking out orders to his men

Ripping down walls with his ax 🪓

Using ONE HAND to hold the fire hose while it spews tons of water at tremendous speeds 💦💦💦

Running into burning buildings to save children

Saving kittens from trees

Might also be a bartender.

Working those beer taps

Shaking up those margaritas

Poppin the tops off of beer bottles with his biceps 💪

Flirting with EVERYONE

Raking those tits tips in

But also

Bouncer backup™ 

boi-oi-oing

Don 

Forensics. 

Getting super into all the creepy, weird shit

Thinks about things that the detectives wouldn't ever even consider

Could actually, most likely, solve every case by himself

But that's a pain in the ass

And a lot of paperwork 📄🖇️

I could also see him being a judge. 🧑🏾‍⚖️

Seeing right through all the lawyer BS

Putting away the bad guys

Giving punk ass teens a shit load of community service

Tossing out parking tickets for all the little old ladies

Would definitely be a movie critic on the side 🎞️🍿

Acting more like Stetler and Waldorf 😂💜

Mike 

Animal Control Officer. 

Especially the big scary shit. 

Like crocodiles. 🐊

Or Huntsman spiders. 🕷️

I can see him Snow Whiting that shit too. 

*Sings sweetly and turns into the Pied Piper for all animals*

And sometimes women

Mike, as the animal control officer, would be like 

Crocodile Dundee x Steve Irwin. 

Asshole would be yelling CRIKEY at the worst moments.

Arrives at someone's house

Walks across the lawn to get to the backyard

For a run-of-the-mill opossum removal 

Finds your dog's chewed-up crocodile stuffed toy lying in the yard

Screams, "CRIKEY!"

right before you step on it and scaring the ever-loving shit out of you

As he dives in front of you and wrestles the toy like Ace Ventura

Tells you he's billing you for hazard pay 😂

He's totally only kidding

But still an ass 🧡

Leo  

OSHA inspector 😂💙 

Chief of all safety 

And the world's best asshole. 

"I'm sorry, sir. That cracked outlet cover is a direct OSHA violation." 😂

"No, ma'am, I will not drop the $5000 violation for all the missing grounding prongs on the shop vacs."

Would probably work part-time for a boys' teen center

Where all the little rat bastards delinquents like to hang out

And cause major shit

Teaching them respect

And Honor™ 

Through free ninjitsu classes 🥷🏽

I can also see him being a Fire Inspector. 

Working with the broski

Can you imagine?

Having Red and Blue show up at your workplace for a walkthrough inspection?

Bye bye panties 🩲

Oh shit

I'm on fire🔥

Safety Violation in progress

Get out those hoses

And hose me down, boys

🔥🔥💙❤️🔥🔥

Enjoying my work? Find my Master list HERE

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[theshelledbee]

Aabria's makeup slowly getting more intricate is fascinating to see. Because so far, there's 4 shapes, and a mention of 4 reactors. And only one shape is blue, and only one reactor was experiencing issues

Buuuuut, Aabria's face makeup does remind me of OSHA hazardous communication. Though all they use is diamonds, there are different colors and symbols to describe what type of hazard they are 👀

[iww-gnv]

OSHA has cited AJLS Enterprises Inc.—which operates as Schoep’s Ice Cream in Madison, Wisconsin—for multiple safety violations and proposed penalties totaling $145,097. According to a release dated Jan. 29, the agency’s investigation was spurred by a report that workers were being exposed to anhydrous ammonia, a hazardous chemical used in refrigeration that can cause severe respiratory injuries and burns. OSHA ultimately issued 12 serious citations, including failure to institute processes for controlled release of hazardous chemicals. Other violations include the absence of lockout/tagout procedures, inadequate machine guarding, failure to train workers in lockout/tagout procedures, the absence of a written hazard communication plan, failure to update the emergency action plan and unprotected ladder openings posing fall hazards.

[randomwriteronline]

I need to be stupid about the hair for my humanized bionicle designs hold on

Aside from the fact that these designs usually come to me like visions from some kind of fucked up locust seer guiding my hands with its ceaseless screams, i do put thought in hair surprisingly. Like taipu and hafu having it similar but not identical bc theyre bootleg twins, or wairuha and akamai referencing their components through it.

I especially do this for ensembles. In some cases its sort of cultural/"somatic", a common thing for members of the same species like other things (nose, face shape, lip shape, etc) like the skakdi with these high ponytails to reference their fucked up spines, the av-matoran with the same hair texture and a braided strand, the makuta with patterned buzzcuts, the agori with a tight low ponytail and the skrall with alopecia and markings instead of hair

In other cases its a professional thing, a style that people with a specific job have in common. For example the gukko force has varying combinations of buzzcuts + longer hair + feather/leaf charms, the hagah wear theirs short, the mangai have it bound in some manner, glatorian are all buzzed except for a braid that indicates the tribe they belong to, and order of mata nui members are shaved bald to emulate mata nui (the only exceptions being undercover agent Ancient, not proper member Krakua, built abnormally Umbra, and Helryx, whos the leader and needs all that hair to hide the Secrets in)

But also theres. A bit of. Something. Like storytelling. W the turaga and the toa mata.

Metru Nui matoran tend to keep their hair short and/or bound, as is the tradition in the city bc of all the osha violations that make it very hazardous to have long free hair that can get caught up in shit and yank your head along with it. When our favorite fuckups become turaga, they maintain the constriction but actually grow their hair out longer, sometimes a little more elaborately too. This requires added care, which plays into a community building aspect of their remaining hordika instincts which is communal grooming: animals fuxking LOVE getting their shit scritched and cleaned, and if they live in packs and have the means for it chances are theyll clean one another as a way to establish connection. and wouldnt you know it the turaga have each other and also a wide gaggle of matoran to take care of AND a distinct lack of those terrible terrible hairdresser sinks that make my neck hurt and put me on edge so i never understand how anybody can consider going to the hairdresser just to "get pampered" bc that shit aint relaxing

but anyways yes, communal hair washing and brushing days = good touchy unity time coming to your village FOR FREE with the stuff on your head and the residual lycanthropy animal instincts

Now the toa mata, being mata nuis personal guard, also like the oomn members initially had hair cut like mata nui, which is. Very Very Buzzed. However it had the time to grow to a disgustingly large amount in the 100k years they slept and got all gross while they were decaying in the canisters on account of all the Decaying In The Canisters they were doing against their will, so you need to imagine them crawling out of those things covered in blood pus mucus and god knows what else, wrapped in these masses of matted dirty awful hair, possibly with gaping wounds and exposed bones. Possibly half naked. Hungry and confused and scared and barely coherent. Straight Up Not Having A Good Time. And you need to imagine them shambling to the villages looking like they crawled right out of the worst pits of hell with no comprehension of who they are or what these small guys are. and also theyre all armed to the teeth and capable of incredible elemental damage

And theres a part of the turaga thats shitting their pants very badly for very good reasons, but also theres a monkey-racoon hybrid in their soul that is going to pop a bloodvessel if it doesnt fukcing put its hands in that horrible tangle of keratin and reshape it into something neat and clean RIGHT NOW, so first thing they do after carefully taking these big things in and feeding them and stitching them up is GIVE THEM A BATH

They're very large and dirty from all the rotting so it probably turns into an almost koro-wide event, like this on-the-fly ritual cleansing of sorts, and the turaga take it upon themselves to deal with the biggest chunk of the problem which is that awful terrible fucking hair. And the hair cleaning and combing and cutting and brushing, which the toa mata have literally never experienced before bc they just they didnt fuckin have enough of it for any of that to be done. It does Things to them

You are big and hurt and dangerous. You are falling apart. Your body is clinging to you in a gross and hateful way and it stinks and hurts and impedes your movements and vision. And someone grabs all that and puts warm water on it, and starts working with their fingers to untangle the knots and wash away the grime and grease, and then cuts away the excess so that your head doesn't feel like it's collapsing under the weight of that matted mass, and then brushes it all carefully until it's neat again, and maybe ties a band under it or pulls it into braids and ringlets and dreadlocks and loose tails so it's out of your eyes. If you haven't been lulled to sleep during the process you're crying at least a little bit

The toa mata NEVER change the hairstyles the turaga give them/let them choose. E-VER. the way their hair is done now is Important and Special and Sacred In A Very Personal Way bc its like one of their very first steps towards personhood and finding their place in the world not as tools but as members of a community and theyre NOT going to do it in any other way. maybe theyll let it loose for a while or try braids or smth but then its back to the turaga assigned style bc thats their style now. Forever. Theyre definitely not buzzing it ever again especially post karda nui bc it brings back nasty memories but in general theyre not that big on changing it esp at first. Might change later in time on spherus magna but they just (clenches fist) it means SO MUCH TO THEM

This kind of relationship with hair is Not a matoran universe thing btw. This is yet again a classic case of The Turaga Were Left Unspervised On A Desert Island And Homebrewed A Culture

[materialsscienceandengineering]

General Chemical Handling

While each chemical presents its own unique hazards, there are some general rules for chemical handling to ensure a safe working environment. Already covered on this blog includes Safety Data Sheets, which contain what hazards a chemical presents, as well as what to do after a chemical spill. Proper labeling of containers also helps reduce hazards. Organization and good housekeeping are key, and communication, engineering controls, and PPE help prevent incidents. Transportation of chemicals should be conducted as safely as possible and secondary containment is often used in the case of a breakage or leak in the primary container.

Sources/Further Reading: (Image source - SFM) (UC San Diego) (OSHA blog) (OSHA) (Smithsonian)

[woefully-undercaffeinated]

What to do when something illegal happens at work

When your boss does something illegal at work, it's common to freeze up because you're not sure what to do. Here are a few tips for how to handle those situations during and after:

While it is happening:

Keep yourself safe. In the moment, your first priority is always to keep yourself and others from physical harm and out of danger as much as possible. If any other advice I give you conflicts with that, your safety takes priority.

Make sure you know where you are. If you think your safety might be at risk, getting your bearings can be critically important. Take note of potential exit routes, hazards, the flow of traffic (both vehicle and foot traffic), cameras, and any safe areas you know of. Later, knowledge of your exact location may be very important in reconstructing events.

Check the time. Knowing exactly when something happened, and how long it took, will be extremely valuable.

Look around for witnesses, and try to bring some over if possible. Witnesses will both reduce the likelihood of more outrageous behavior and help you to take action afterwards. Do your best to remember who was there.

Say "please let me finish" every time you're interrupted, and count the number of times it happened. Bullies love to interrupt people at the first sign of disagreement, and then later they'll claim that nobody disagreed with them when instead nobody could get in a word edgewise. Saying "please let me finish" calls out the fact that they were interrupting, and a count of the times you were interrupted will help you protect yourself from being misinterpreted later.

Avoid agreeing to anything or signing anything if possible. You have the right to review any document that you're asked to sign, which usually includes taking the document and having it examined by an attorney. If you're being threatened with serious consequences if you don't sign immediately, write "signed under duress". If they're asking for a verbal agreement, try to get them to accept a "let me think about it/check my to-do list/etc" rather than a hard "yes". Even if the thing you'd be agreeing to is something you're okay with, it's still important not to agree to things when you don't feel like you're allowed to say "no"; in stressful situations, our judgment can be seriously compromised, and allowing yourself to be bullied into saying "yes" will set a bad precedent for further interactions.

After it's over, as soon as you're in a safe place:

Complete the WTWFU checklist

Send a follow-up email summarizing your understanding of what was communicated. It can be as simple as "just to ensure we understood each other, what I got was that you were telling me/us that [we'll be disciplined if we discuss our wages/contacting a union is a fireable offense/our pay will be docked if anyone submits a complaint to OSHA/etc], is that correct?". If there is information that protects you, such as a health condition or pregnancy you need accommodation for or a prior agreement that is being violated, include it in your email even if the company already knows. CC HR and any coworkers who were present and BCC your personal email*. Forward any responses to your personal email as well*.

Rescind any agreements you made. Either in the same email as step #2 or in a separate email, depending on what you think is appropriate, say "I didn't feel like I could safely say 'no' in that situation, so I'd like to rescind my earlier agreement until I've had some time to reconsider." If it's something you think you'd have otherwise agreed to, try to offer a time frame for an actual decision. CC HR and BCC your personal email*.

Collect any evidence you can, and make note of any evidence that exists but isn't accessible to you. This includes emails about the issue, any photos that were already taken or that you can safely and legally take,

If something illegal was done or hinted at, contact the applicable regulatory agency as soon as possible with all of the information above.

Consider arranging a consult with an employment law attorney -- consults aren't the same as retainers, they're considerably cheaper (or sometimes free, depending on your income and the possibility of a lawsuit) and can either turn into ongoing representation or just be a one-time service.

* Don't include information that you have a legitimate duty to safeguard, such as customer data, protected health information, or non-public market-affecting information. This does not include any information pertaining to working conditions, your compensation, regulatory compliance, or workplace safety -- the company isn't allowed to demand that you keep those a secret. Either try to get the point across without including the specific information that's being safeguarded, or censor it by replacing it with two underscores per replacement with generic descreptors as necessary (i.e. 'I have safety concerns about the release of our secret robotics project on January 10' becomes 'I have safety concerns about the release of our __[project]__ on __[date]__').

[james34111]

Why Your Business Needs an Exhaust Blower for Peak Performance

Is your workspace struggling with poor air quality, excessive heat, or dangerous fumes? An exhaust blower might be the game-changing solution your business has been missing. These powerful air-moving systems do not just clear the air – they create safer, more productive environments that benefit both your workers and your bottom line.

🏭 What Makes Exhaust Blowers Essential for Modern Businesses

An exhaust blower is a specialized ventilation system designed to remove contaminated air, heat, smoke, and harmful particles from enclosed spaces. Unlike regular fans, these industrial-grade machines create powerful suction that actively pulls unwanted air out of your facility while promoting fresh air circulation.

Think of it as your facility's breathing system – constantly working to maintain optimal air quality and temperature control. From manufacturing plants to commercial kitchens, blower exhaust systems have become indispensable for maintaining safe, compliant work environments.

✅ Key Benefits That Transform Your Workplace

Enhanced Worker Safety and Health

Removes toxic fumes, dust, and chemical vapours before they can harm employees

Reduces respiratory issues and workplace-related illnesses

Creates OSHA-compliant environments that protect your team

Improved Equipment Performance

Prevents overheating of machinery and electronics

Reduces corrosion from humidity and chemical exposure

Extends the lifespan of expensive industrial equipment

Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings

Modern blower wheels are engineered for maximum airflow with minimal energy consumption

Reduces HVAC strain by removing excess heat at the source

Lowers insurance premiums through improved safety ratings

Regulatory Compliance Made Simple

Meets environmental and safety standards automatically

Reduces risk of costly violations and shutdowns

Demonstrates commitment to environmental responsibility

📦 How Blower Exhaust Systems Work Their Magic

The science behind effective ventilation is surprisingly straightforward. Exhaust blowers use specially designed blower wheels that create negative pressure within your facility. This suction effect draws contaminated air through collection points and expels it safely outside, while fresh air naturally flows in to replace it.

Modern systems can be customized with clear page protectors and filtration systems that capture specific pollutants before they are released, ensuring your business meets all environmental regulations while protecting surrounding communities.

The key is proper sizing and placement. Professional installation ensures your blower exhaust system operates at peak efficiency, providing maximum air movement with minimal noise and energy consumption.

🔧 Choosing the Right System for Your Needs

Not all exhaust blowers are created equal. Consider these factors when selecting your system:

Airflow Requirements: Calculate your facility's cubic feet per minute (CFM) needs based on size and contamination levels.

Power and Efficiency: Look for systems with high-performance blower wheels that deliver maximum airflow while minimizing energy costs.

Durability: Industrial environments demand robust construction that can handle continuous operation and harsh conditions.

Maintenance Accessibility: Choose systems with clear page protectors and easy-access components that simplify routine maintenance and reduce downtime.

🎯 Industries That Benefit Most

Manufacturing facilities rely on exhaust blowers to remove metal dust, chemical vapours, and heat generated by production processes. Restaurants and commercial kitchens use them to eliminate grease, smoke, and cooking Odors. Laboratories depend on these systems to safely handle hazardous chemicals and maintain sterile environments.

Even offices and retail spaces benefit from improved air quality and temperature control, leading to happier employees and customers.

Ready to Breathe Easy?

Page Protectors, based in Pomona, CA, specializes in manufacturing premium air-moving equipment designed to meet the unique needs of businesses across industries. Our expert team can assess your facility and recommend the perfect exhaust blower solution for your specific requirements.

Act today – contact Page Protectors for a free consultation and discover how the right ventilation system can transform your workplace into a safer, more efficient, and more profitable operation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How often should I maintain my exhaust blower system?

A: Most systems require basic maintenance every 3-6 months, including cleaning blower wheels and checking clear page protectors. Professional inspections should be conducted annually to ensure optimal performance and compliance.

Q: Can exhaust blowers help reduce my energy costs?

A: Absolutely! By removing excess heat at the source, your HVAC system works less to maintain comfortable temperatures. Modern blower exhaust systems are designed for energy efficiency, often paying for themselves through reduced utility bills.

Q: What size exhaust blower do I need for my facility?

A: System sizing depends on your facility's square footage, ceiling height, and contamination sources. A professional assessment will determine the right CFM rating and blower wheel specifications for maximum effectiveness.

Q: Are exhaust blowers noisy?A: Modern systems are engineered for quiet operation. Quality blower wheels and proper installation minimize noise while maximizing airflow, ensuring your system will not disrupt daily operations.

[nika-the-hunter]

Spaceshiptember 2024 Day 14: Faster Than Light Film travel, the strange reality bending method of traveling the universe at ridiculous speed. This vessel is in the process of surfacing into the film, it is only part way through the process More info below the cut. Forgot to upload the rest of these :C Oops

Film Travel, also called Diving, is the only known form of Faster-Than-Light travel in the universe. It involves a vessel breaking out of known reality and cruising at speed along the outside of existence until they approach their destination, where they will breach back into the universe. Some more radical scientists liken the Film to a reservoir of literal magic, but that is not acknowledged by the wider scientific community despite the Film violating several laws of the universe.

The realm outside the universe is separated into two sections. There is the Film, and the Ether, or Void as some call it. The Film is an astronomically thin layer on the outside of the universe, which has been measured to vary between 42 to 80 AU thick. While the Ether's depth is unknown and presumed to be near infinite. Some observations can occasionally detect distant stars through the clouds of the Ether, but it is not known whether it is a reflection of our universe or another.

Inside the Film, there is a gravitational pull towards the Ether, placing it 'down' in retrospect. Its pull extends 15 AU into the Film, although it never exceeds more than 1g of force. The Film-Ether boundary is a shimmering one-way barrier, anything that passes fully into the Ether is unable to return, unless a tether or appendage is extended through the barrier to retrieve it.

There is also a ceiling appearing as a matte two-dimensional view of the milky way galaxy as seen from what would be presumed to be intergalactic space. It also has a gravitational pull but it only extends 15 meters from the surface, reaching a maximum strength of only .12g. The Ceiling is also a hard barrier, nothing is able to pass through or break through its surface unless using a Film Drive. Explosions of sufficient size will briefly warp and reverberate through the surface but will have no discernible lasting effect.

The speed of travel is dependent on the size and type of Drive used, with the smallest ship using the most up-to-date drive achieving speeds of .5 lightyears per hour of distance in real space.

Hazards:

OSHA mandates that direct exposure to drive energies be limited to 1 hour intervals, with no more than 10 cumulative hours per Dive to mitigate effects.

Drive technicians who spend extended periods of time within the containment space during drive operation are known to experience changes to their physiology, with the amount proportional to their exposure. Most minor changes vanish when transitioning back to normal space, however more extensive transformations are known to persist. Initial warning signs of over-exposure are known to be splotches of unusual skin texture, hair growth/loss, or other bodily proportion shifts. The latter are common in technicians who may be experiencing some form of body dysphoria or who are otherwise predisposed to modifications. If allowed to persist, full body changes can occur, which include but are not limited to gender inversion or anthropomorphic hybridization of species both known and unknown.

The side effects of Film exposure stated above are extremely uncommon outside of Drive containment areas, but not unheard of. Vessels are recommended to avoid the visible clouds of energy whenever passing through the Film in order to mitigate the possibility of a non-containment failure incident.

Studies have shown that lasting psychological changes have yet to be recorded as a direct effect of the energy exposure.

[signetnorthamerica1]

Why Hazmat Technician Certification Is More Than Just a Job—It’s a Lifesaver

When it comes to handling hazardous materials, there’s no room for error. The role of a Hazmat Technician goes far beyond a typical job description—it’s about saving lives, protecting the environment, and ensuring the safety of communities. Hazmat Technician certification is a vital qualification for those working with hazardous substances, and it is crucial for maintaining safety standards in industries ranging from chemical manufacturing to waste disposal. In this blog, we’ll explain why becoming a certified Hazmat Technician is more than just a career choice; it’s a responsibility that can be life-saving.

The Importance of Hazmat Technician Certification

In industries where hazardous materials are present, workers face significant risks. From chemical spills and leaks to fire and explosion hazards, Hazmat Technicians are at the forefront of preventing and mitigating potential disasters. These professionals are trained to assess dangerous situations, protect others, and manage emergency responses effectively.

Hazmat Technician certification is essential for several reasons:

1. Ensuring Safety in High-Risk Environments

Whether working in emergency response teams or industrial facilities, Hazmat Technicians play a critical role in managing hazardous materials safely. The certification ensures that technicians are well-prepared to respond to emergencies like chemical spills, gas leaks, or fires involving toxic substances. By following proper protocols and safety procedures, Hazmat Technicians reduce the likelihood of catastrophic events that could harm workers, the public, and the environment.

2. Compliance with OSHA and Industry Regulations

OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has strict regulations for handling hazardous materials, including OSHA 29CFR 1910.120, which sets the standards for Hazmat Technicians. Certification is not only important for personal safety but is often required by law to comply with these regulations. Proper training ensures that technicians can meet the necessary federal and state standards and avoid legal and financial penalties for non-compliance.

3. Developing Crucial Skills for Emergency Response

Hazmat Technician certification provides extensive training on emergency response, safety equipment, and decontamination procedures. Technicians learn how to handle and contain hazardous materials, assess risk, use personal protective equipment (PPE), and manage clean-up operations. The skills gained during certification can be the difference between preventing a disaster and allowing it to escalate, making it an invaluable qualification for anyone working with dangerous substances.

4. Protecting Public Health and the Environment

The consequences of mishandling hazardous materials can be far-reaching. Chemical spills, gas leaks, or exposure to toxic substances can lead to widespread health issues, environmental damage, and even loss of life. Hazmat Technicians are trained to control these situations and minimize the impact on public health and the environment. Their role is not only to protect workers in industrial settings but also to safeguard the broader community.

5. Building a Strong Career Foundation

A Hazmat Technician certification opens the door to numerous career opportunities in high-demand fields like emergency response, waste management, chemical manufacturing, and environmental protection. Certified Hazmat Technicians are highly valued, as they bring specialized knowledge and expertise to their roles. Whether you're just starting your career or looking to advance, Hazmat Technician certification is a critical step in ensuring long-term professional growth and success.

What’s Involved in Hazmat Technician Training?

Becoming a certified Hazmat Technician involves completing comprehensive training. Signet North America’s Hazmat Technician program includes core courses that span 40, 80, or 160 hours, depending on the level of expertise and experience required. The training covers key topics such as:

Identification and Classification of Hazardous Materials: Learn how to identify dangerous substances and assess their potential risks to human health and the environment.

Regulatory Compliance: Understand OSHA and EPA regulations that govern the handling of hazardous materials.

Emergency Response Procedures: Develop the skills to respond effectively to hazardous material incidents, including leak containment and evacuation procedures.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Gain hands-on experience using the appropriate PPE to protect yourself during hazardous material handling and emergency response.

Decontamination and Cleanup: Learn safe methods for decontaminating affected areas and materials, ensuring that all hazardous substances are properly disposed of.

Tactical Response: Get trained in the tactical response strategies needed to contain and mitigate the effects of hazardous material incidents.

With practical exercises, field demonstrations, and real-world applications, Hazmat Technician training ensures that you are fully prepared to handle the challenges of working in hazardous environments.

Why Hazmat Technician Certification Is a Lifesaver

The importance of Hazmat Technician certification goes beyond technical knowledge; it’s about the potential to save lives and protect communities. The skills and knowledge gained through training directly impact the safety of your workplace and the environment.

Hazmat Technicians are often the first responders to hazardous material incidents, and their ability to quickly and efficiently manage a crisis can prevent injury, environmental damage, and loss of life. The safety protocols and response strategies taught in certification courses like those offered by Signet North America can make a real difference in life-or-death situations.

By becoming a certified Hazmat Technician, you are not just advancing your career—you are equipping yourself with the tools to protect your colleagues, your community, and the environment from potentially devastating hazards.

Start Your Hazmat Technician Journey Today

If you’re ready to take the next step in your career and become a certified Hazmat Technician, Signet North America offers the training you need. With flexible courses designed for both beginners and experienced professionals, we provide comprehensive education that prepares you to handle hazardous materials safely and effectively.

For more information or to enroll in a Hazmat Technician certification course, call us today at 877-875-2921. Take the first step toward a safer, more rewarding career with Signet North America—where safety comes first.

[wat3rm370n]

Do we want hospitals that are clearly not pandemic-ready at all?

And this when we still have a pandemic virus currently circulating?

All staff, every last person working in a hospital should be provided with N95 respiratory protection. 

OSHA -  By Standard Number 1910.134 - Respiratory protection. 1910.134(a)(2) A respirator shall be provided to each employee when such equipment is necessary to protect the health of such employee.

Every last person working in an environment that’s high risk for aerosol transmission of disease as a workplace hazard should be offered respiratory protection and fit-testing. That’s all over a hospital, because patients and healthcare workers are breathing the same air traveling through hallways all over facilities. Frankly it was always the case with other pathogens that put already vulnerable people at risk, and now, because of lack of community based mitigations, covid might be present anywhere. 

Hospital corporations choosing to not allow or provide fit-testing to all employees should certainly not be used as an excuse not to provide N95s to healthcare workers or to deny people accommodation in healthcare settings. But, apparently that’s what’s happening in some places. This is the response given to someone after asking for ADA accommodation for the staff to wear N95 respirator masks during a medical procedure in a Massachusetts hospital:

In regards to your request that all providers and staff at the Surgical Center wear an N95 mask, this request cannot be accommodated. At the current time, physicians and staff are not required to mask in all settings. There are exceptions (i.e. during a surgical procedure, if a patient has respiratory symptoms, or if a patient/staff has had a recent COVID exposure). In addition, not all staff are fit tested for N95 masks. Fit testing is based upon job role and responsibility. Therefore, ensuring that each staff member you come into contact with wears an N95 mask is not a reasonable accommodation.

Clearly pretzel logic - and what, just to cut costs?

The blood lab I was at this summer had to go look for a mask when asked to mask. I’ve heard 2 other stories of when someone asks a healthcare provider to mask they say they have to go find someone to get them one. We’ve been in a prolonged surge, so why aren’t they wearing them by default? At a minimum N95 masks should be available everywhere in healthcare for all staff and all patients.

My letter to reps: 

Healthcare providers need to be stopped from using “fit testing” as an excuse to not wear N95 respirator masks as a reasonable accommodation in healthcare to protect vulnerable people and patients undergoing procedures requiring them to be unmasked, and thus making “one way masking” impossible. This is ridiculous. Either make the healthcare providers fit test all their staff and provide N95s to all staff - because all staff should be aerosol transmission pandemic-ready after all, or mandate that there needs to be an exception to this rule for reasonable accommodation. Denying healthcare workers and patients this safety by citing that fit testing in a hospital is not reasonable is itself ridiculous. PPE cannot and should not be considered “unreasonable” in a hospital setting. Respirator masks should be available to all staff and all patients at all times since there’s no shortages anymore and hasn’t been for years now.

Please feel free to repurpose for your own letters to reps.

[chilope]

i have to read the osha hazard communication standard and update our stuff but i dont waaaaaaannaaaaaaaaaaaaa

[safeguardsfety]

Fire Safety Training for Oil and Gas Industry Workers in Nigeria

In the bustling landscape of Nigeria's oil and gas industry, ensuring robust fire safety measures is paramount. The high-risk nature of these operations necessitates rigorous training for workers to effectively prevent, manage, and respond to fire incidents. This article delves into the importance of fire safety training in nigeria for oil and gas industry workers in Nigeria, emphasising key practices, certifications, and regulatory compliance.

Understanding the Risks

The oil and gas sector in Nigeria is inherently susceptible to fire hazards due to the presence of flammable substances, high-pressure equipment, and complex industrial processes. Fire incidents can lead to catastrophic consequences, including injuries, environmental damage, and production downtime. Comprehensive fire safety training equips workers with the knowledge and skills to identify risks, mitigate hazards, and respond swiftly in emergencies.

Regulatory Requirements and Standards

Nigeria has established stringent regulations and standards for fire safety in the oil and gas industry. Compliance with these guidelines is mandatory to ensure workplace safety and environmental protection. Fire safety training programs adhere to national and international standards, such as NFPA, OSHA, and ISO, to provide industry-specific insights and best practices.

Importance of Fire Safety Training

Effective fire training in nigeria goes beyond theoretical knowledge; it involves practical exercises, simulations, and hands-on experience to instil confidence and competence among workers. Training modules cover various aspects, including fire prevention, extinguishing techniques, emergency evacuation procedures, use of firefighting equipment, hazard communication, and first aid response.

Tailored Training Programs

Recognizing the diverse roles and responsibilities within the oil and gas sector, fire safety training programs are tailored to address specific job functions. For example, offshore workers undergo specialised training focusing on maritime firefighting, helicopter evacuation protocols, and offshore platform safety. Onshore personnel receive training tailored to refinery operations, storage facilities, and pipeline infrastructure.

Practical Fire Drills and Simulations

Simulating real-life scenarios through fire drills and simulations is a crucial component of fire safety training. Workers participate in mock drills to practice fire response tactics, evacuation routes, communication protocols, and teamwork under pressure. These simulations enhance preparedness, decision-making skills, and coordination during emergencies.

Certification and Accreditation

Obtaining fire safety certification is essential for oil and gas industry workers in Nigeria. Accredited training providers offer certified courses, such as Fire Prevention and Firefighting (FPFF), Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training (BOSIET), Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET), and Industrial Firefighting Training. These certifications validate competence and compliance with industry standards.

Continuous Learning and Updates

Fire safety training is not a one-time event but an ongoing process that requires continuous learning and updates. Industry advancements, technological innovations, regulatory changes, and lessons learned from past incidents necessitate regular refresher courses, competency assessments, and knowledge reinforcement among workers.

Collaboration with Emergency Response Teams

Effective fire safety training involves collaboration with internal emergency response teams (ERTs) and external fire fighting agencies. Workers undergo joint training exercises, drills, and tabletop simulations with ERTs to enhance coordination, communication, and mutual support during emergencies. This collaborative approach ensures a cohesive response and minimises response time in critical situations.

Safety Culture and Behavioral Awareness

Beyond technical skills, fostering a safety culture and promoting behavioural awareness is integral to fire safety training. Workers are educated on risk perception, hazard recognition, situational awareness, safety protocols, and personal protective equipment (PPE) usage. Encouraging a proactive approach to safety empowers workers to identify potential hazards and take preventive measures proactively.

Continuous Improvement and Incident Analysis

Post-training evaluations, incident analysis, and lessons learned sessions contribute to continuous improvement in fire safety practices. Feedback mechanisms, safety audits, and corrective actions help identify gaps, address challenges, and implement preventive measures to mitigate fire risks effectively.

In conclusion, 

fire certification in nigeria for oil and gas industry workers in Nigeria is a cornerstone of workplace safety, operational resilience, and regulatory compliance. By investing in comprehensive training programs, certifications, practical simulations, and collaborative initiatives, companies can safeguard their workforce, assets, and reputation while fostering a culture of safety excellence in the dynamic energy sector.

[female-malice]

Private equity firms are increasingly profiting from cleaning up climate disasters in the US, while failing to better protect workers and often also investing in the fossil fuels that are causing the climate emergency, new research has found.

The demand for skilled disaster restoration or resilience workers, who are mostly immigrants and refugees from Latin America and Asia, is soaring as greenhouse gases released by burning fossil fuels heat the planet, provoking more destructive storms, floods and wildfires.

As the industry has become more profitable, at least 72 companies that specialize in disaster cleanups and restoration have been acquired by private equity firms since 2020, according to the research, by the Private Equity Stakeholder Project (PSEP) and Resilience Force, a labor rights organization with thousands of members.

Wage theft, lack of protective clothing, and other unsafe conditions are rampant across the industry at the expense of workers, communities and climate, according to the report, Private Equity Profits from Disasters, shared exclusively with the Guardian.

At risk are tens of thousands of resilience workers, traveling from disaster to disaster cleaning up and rebuilding American communities while facing hazards such as unstable buildings, ash and other toxins, and water-borne diseases.

Researchers found that an increasingly complex web of franchises, contractors and subcontractors, insurance providers, labor brokers and agencies and mostly temporary jobs makes it difficult for workers to know who is ultimately accountable for violations.

“Disasters have become more intense and destructive, and rebuilding has become more profitable. As the money started pouring in, companies started consolidating, and private equity started circling and buying up these companies,” said Saket Soni, director of Resilience Force. “Wage theft and health and safety violations are deeply endemic … and private equity is failing to establish higher standards.”

Osha, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration, recorded 194 violations at private-equity owned restoration companies and their franchises between January 2015 and January 2022, the report found.

Most violations were classified as serious, and included failures to protect workers from asbestos, respiratory problems and falls. (The true number of health and safety violations is likely to be higher given the small number of Osha compliance officers).

It is impossible to say precisely what proportion of the disaster workforce is currently controlled by private equity, but acquisitions are gathering pace, with 14 in the first six months of this year compared to 13 during the entire course of 2020. Acquisitions included companies from 28 states, but most were in Florida and Texas – states hit by multiple billion-dollar climate disasters in recent years.

“This is the latest example of a disturbing trend where we see private equity coming into industries where there is a lot of money – and indeed a lot of federal investment – in order to pad their pockets by cutting costs,” said the Democratic congresswoman Pramila Jayapal. “This is already a dangerous industry … cutting costs will cut quality, and increase the threats to essential workers – who are already extremely vulnerable to greedy employers. Those who put up the money, in this case private equity, are ultimately responsible.”

Overall, the number and cost of weather and climate disasters in the US is rising due to a combination of population growth, development and the influence of human-caused global heating on extreme events like floods, drought and fires. Over the past seven years (2016 to 2022), 122 separate billion-dollar disasters have killed at least 5,000 people and cost more than $1tn in damage, according to data compiled by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa).

Historically, the disaster restoration industry was made up of smaller, independent businesses handling local projects. But after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, private equity firms saw an opportunity to consolidate the market by buying up smaller companies, and some estimates value the US restoration industry as high as $200bn. The Restoration Industry Association, whose board includes three private equity executives, did not respond to the Guardian.

Taxpayer dollars increasingly pay for restoration costs – involving public buildings like schools and hospitals, and for folks without insurance. Yet the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Fema, does not attach mandatory labor or health and safety standards to its payouts, while private equity firms have a track record in cost cutting to maximize profits.

Private equity refers to an opaque form of private financing in which funds and investors buy and restructure companies, including troubled businesses and real estate, using money from wealthy individuals and institutional investors such as university endowments and state employee pension funds.

In recent years, some private equity firms have become major greenhouse gas polluters, often acquiring risky oil, gas and coal projects with minimal public scrutiny or regulatory oversight – which means firefighters, nurses and teachers have little way of knowing if their retirement nest egg is financing police surveillance equipment, disaster companies or leaky pipelines.

Researchers found a third of the private equity companies with disaster restoration company investments are also backing fossil fuel-linked projects – ostensibly profiting from the cause and effect of the climate emergency.

The Blackstone Group, the world’s largest private equity firm, which manages over $1tn, backs 21 energy companies, of which 52% are fossil-fuel projects. In 2020, Blackstone’s power plants produced 18.1m metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere – equivalent to the annual emissions of nearly 4m gas-powered vehicles.

Blackstone’s institutional investors include Los Angeles, Maine, Arizona, North Carolina, Texas, New York state and Oregon public sector worker pensions.

In March 2019, Blackstone acquired a majority share in Servpro Industries, a damage restoration company with more than 2,000 independently owned and operated franchises across the US and Canada. Servpro franchises helped with restoration efforts after Hurricanes Harvey, Matthew and Sandy – some of the most devastating storms to hit the US mainland in recent years.

Higher temperatures and sea level rise caused by burning fossil fuels are making storms more intense and destructive.

In Massachusetts, a Servpro franchise in 2022 settled claims by the state that its restoration work at an elementary school led to asbestos contamination, forcing the school to close for months. In November 2019, a Servpro franchise in Boynton Beach, Florida, was forced to pay more $200,000 in back wages to almost 150 restoration workers after a department of labor investigation.

In another example the commercial restoration firm BlueSky, which operates in more than 40 states, is owned by two private equity companies including Partners Group, whose portfolio also includes gas pipeline companies in the US and Europe.

“Firms like Blackstone are using the public’s money to personally profit off both sides of disasters,” said Azani Creeks, PESP research coordinator and co-author of the report.

“Public employees have a right to know that their pension dollars are being used to purchase fossil-fuel plants that are contributing to climate disasters – and companies that profit off of these very disasters, most often off the backs of wage workers with little health and safety protections.”

A Blackstone spokesperson rejected the report’s findings as “cherry-picking”, and said that some of the cases related to matters prior to their investment – and that there was no evidence that the alleged shortcomings were related to private equity ownership.

“As a franchisor, Servpro Industries does not control or direct the operations of its independent local franchises, nor does it employ their workers … Since Blackstone’s investment, the company has expanded the training resources available to its franchisees – including worker safety related to Osha compliance and use of personal protective equipment, among other areas – and continually evaluates ways to further expand and enhance those efforts.”

Blackstone had invested more than $20bn in the energy transition, the spokesperson said: “Legacy exploration and production investments today total less than 1% of our overall fair market value portfolio.”

According to the 2022 state of the industry report, the biggest issues facing the disaster restoration industry is finding – and retaining – skilled workers, and increasing wages for certified employees.

Information about the disaster workforce is limited, but more than 100,000 people are estimated to work occasionally or full time in the industry, according to Resilience Force. Most workers are concentrated in southern states prone to natural disasters like Louisiana, Texas and Florida, but are often deployed thousands of miles away for weeks or months at a time. It is a male-dominated industry, but also includes thousands of women, with Honduras, El Salvador, Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil, India and the Philippines among some of the most common countries of origin.

While the work is predominantly done by immigrants who are often undocumented or have temporary residency status, the workforce also includes current and ex-incarcerated people and US-born people of color – also groups which have historically faced discrimination and poor working conditions.

In one case, migrant workers who helped rebuild luxury hotels destroyed by Hurricane Irma in Florida Keys in 2017, were forced to sue Cotton Commercial, acquired by the private equity firm Sun Capital in 2020, and a temp agency to recover more than $280,000 in back pay and damages.

A spokesperson for Cotton said: “All Cotton contracts include provisions on subcontractors’ responsibility for payment to their personnel in accordance with all applicable employment laws and regulations, as well as strict safety requirements.”

The need for climate resilience workers is likely to continue rising, and next month Jayapal will re-introduce the 2022 Climate Resilience Workforce Act which would help create a well-trained, fairly paid workforce to help the US prepare for the climate emergency – and ease the transition to a green economy.

Soni, the director of Resilience Force, said: “Disaster restoration is a public good, and we need a strong sustainable workforce as disasters increase. Many people deeply love the work and are dedicated … but the work gets more dangerous year after year, because there are no standards. We’re depleting the workforce when we ought to be building it.”

[afanofcats]

it took years to finally get to the point where humanity was ready to join the rest of the intelligent universe, with their ego you would have thought them to have created the concept of intergalactic communications, I mean, they even thought they were alone for the longest time. but all of that put aside, it is always nice to welcome new members. we finally let them into our meetings after years and years of observation, ambassadors, lectures, and education. we needed to get their scientists, both physical and social, up to code. we gave them the run down on how to communicate using the automated universal translators, we tested their health and what types of food they could digest. we held interviews and got to know them. all this aside, the first thing mentioned at the meeting was something they called "OSHA".

"you need to have a code that tells people how to work, its for their own safety"

"why do you need a code for this? is there not enough self preservation and logic within your kind to make those choices independently?"

"well, what about building? cant make sure there are any unsafe working conditions or people cutting corners for the sake of saving time"

"really? you all made it this far as a species without being able to look out for each other and yourselves? you need a book, and code, to tell you how to not make certain choices that could result in a hazardous environment?"

"it is for safety."

I wish I could show you the looks on everyone's faces, how had these people, who had made it this far as a race, not have the logic to not kill themselves or set traps for others? that is what the majority of us failed to understand, most of the intelligent life in the universe thus far had only gotten to the point where they are through working together to preserve the growth and safety of themselves and others. the fact that these people did not have the discipline to not kill each other baffled the court.

it was also wondered if this "OSHA" was some kind of God, they seemed to worship it like one. and these outrageous lengths they want to implement could only be thought of by some madman worshipping some sort of god, so we will do our best to respect their traditions.

it was soon after this meeting that the humans had introduced us to hardhats and orange vests, which are clearly just primitive versions of the hover shields and glow jackets developed centuries ago by the founder of the intergalactic alliance. the fact that they found us before moving past this checkpoint is baffling.

the process of setting up the un-needed "safety measures" often took far longer than the construction itself, and I am not too sure how they expect these ill-fitting hats to stay on our heads in a low to no gravity environment. the humans seem to be proud of themselves for thinking that they have made this place safer by having us fallow their little "OSHA" guidelines. whatever makes them happy, I suppose.

they will need to learn eventually that we already have safety measures, they just are not what they are used to. until we get to that point, we will need to suffer the ill-fitting and unflattering colors of their lord and savior, "OSHA"

One of the largest conditions humanity had for joining the intergalactic council was the implementation of some organization called 'OSHA'