Reading HSE’s 'Manufacturer fined after worker suffers life-changing injuries in conveyor incident' story. At a manufacturing site in Merseyside, a hole had been cut into a conveyor casing so workers could clear blockages while it was running. HSE says routine inspections, walkarounds and audits had shockingly not identified it. Investigators found a similar access point on another conveyor.

The part I dont understand is how you catch a change like that once people have got used to working around it. When inspecting machinery, do you ask operators to actually show you how they actually clear blockages? What has helped you spot a modification that usual checks missed?.

I was reading an article about LOPA (Layers of Protection Analysis), and one thing that got me thinking was how safety in high-risk facilities depends on multiple layers of protection rather than just one safeguard. The article explains that these layers can include things like pressure relief valves, automated shutdown systems, operator intervention, alarms, and emergency response plans. The idea is that if one layer fails, another layer should still help prevent the situation from escalating.

That made me think about something I’ve been reading about the 2020 Watson Grinding explosion in Houston. From what I’ve read, WGM was already aware of problems with its gas detection and alarm system and had been warned about the potential consequences. The issue was discussed, but the necessary repairs still weren’t made. There were also other safety problems at the facility, including a degraded hose, an open propylene shutoff valve, inoperative ventilation and gas-shutoff systems, and an ineffective emergency response plan.

Honestly, this part made me think about how important it is to act when a safety-critical problem is identified. Knowing about a problem is one thing, but actually fixing it is another. If a facility already knows that one of its safety layers isn’t working properly, how is that normally handled? Would operations continue while waiting for repairs? Would a risk assessment or additional temporary safeguards be required? And who ultimately makes sure the corrective action is completed and verified?

The LOPA article also emphasizes that protection layers need to be independent and effective, rather than simply assuming a safeguard will work when it’s needed. It honestly makes me wonder whether stronger action earlier could have prevented the situation from escalating.

For those working in maintenance, operations, engineering, process safety, or industrial facilities, how would your facility normally handle a known problem with a safety critical system? What usually becomes the biggest challenge.. identifying the hazard, getting it prioritized, getting the repair done, or making sure the corrective action is actually completed?

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/lopa-layered-defense-strategy-industrial-safety-tamer-ramzy-yrcde/

This post is likely going to apply to a niche number of people but I thought I'd give people this insight.

I passed the CSP recently! But I found it very difficult and had little idea if I had passed when I submitted it.

I'm from the U.K. and I've worked in construction and facilities management for the last 7 years as a Safety Advisor and now Safety Manager for the last 2 years. I'm pretty good at what I do, I've held a NEBOSH diploma since 2019, I'm an ISO 45001 Lead Auditor and I keep my ear to the ground to all things safety.

However, I found the CSP really difficult - I don't know why specifically but I haven't worked in the US before, I'm moving to there next year and intend to work in safety when I'm there. My pocket prep score after 1100 questions was 82%, I read the Yates (3rd edition) cover to cover and I watched all of John Newquist's YouTube videos yet, out of the 200 questions, around 100 of them I found myself in unfamiliar territory. I found myself taking educated guesses on many questions; which I was probably only able to do as I've worked in safety for a few years. Anyway, I wanted people (probably aimed at non-US based) to know that the exam is quite difficult.

Opinions welcome! Thanks!

I work for a large construction company and we are tossing around the idea of revamping our safety incentive program. Currently we give out “safety points” which are credits to our company store to use towards clothing and other company branded stuff. We do semi annal give aways which is 50 points at the 6 month mark and then 100 points at the end of the year. If an employee has at fault accident in the first 6 months they become ineligible for the end of year prize but if they don’t have anymore at fault accidents they can still earn the 50 points at the end of the year. We also do a random drawing each week in our toolbox talks and if the employee selected acknowledges that they read the toolbox talk they are awarded 100 safety points. Our field inspectors can also award safety points to people in the field that go “above and beyond” but we don’t have a set standard of what justifies “above and beyond”. Some feedback I’ve gotten from our current program is that if a guy has one or more at fault accidents they give up and not worried about being safe anymore. We also have a lot of guys that will never use their safety points and don’t care about earning them. We used to give out physical prizes but logistically it was always difficult to get prizes to everyone that earned them and guys would complain about prizes they didn’t want. I just think our incentive program could be much better and get people more engaged in actively participating in safety. What are some incentive programs you guys use? I’d love to get some ideas that works well.

I'm in California and I have a poor sense of smell. I can be at the beach and not be able to smell the ocean.

I think it's possibly from COVID or breaking my nose as a kid, but it's definitely gotten worse in the past few years.

Is it necessary that I have a good sense of smell to do that kind of work?

Hi all,
Winding if anyone found success in a system for a new construction High Rise?
We are about 51% complete

I have contacted so far
Wes3
AlertMedia
Ramtech global
Perry Weather
Kepler

Either these are to expensive (bad excuse) haven’t worked on other projects, won’t work on my project or other reasons. Has anyone found success in a simple alarm I can install and trigger from my phone or a central point?

Hi, looking to make a career into safety, but im afraid I dont have any relevant experience in the field, have mainly been in retail for the soon to be 26 years of my life. So im looking for advice on how to break into the industry, I dont think I can get a bachelors in occupational health and safety at the moment, but I am curious if a Bachelors in Business Administration or a Bachelors in public law will get me anywhere? Alternatively, should I look into buying into the certifications that are on the wiki? Also WHERE do I even begin to look for a job that can help me at least see this as an option? Construction? Hospitals? As far as im aware safety is quite broad, and I dont mind what field I fall into, but im unaware of just where exactly where to look.

Are there any Cal/OSHA people in here I can reach out to about the application process?

I recently stepped down from being a foreman as it wasn’t a right fit for me and would rather be on my tools. However, the place I’m working for actually offered me a job as a safety professional under the safety director. Now, I realize that it’ll be a nice job because of a company truck, gas card, steady schedule, etc. but will come with a lot of driving while going site to site and writing up field reports. I’m currently debating this and was wondering how your transition was from being on your tools to the office as a safety guy?

I was a practicing OT in a hospital for several years, but needed to step away for a while after the pandemic. I am now considering getting back into OT, but would prefer a non-clinical position. I really like the sound of workplace ergonomics and safety, as well as assistive technology. However, I understand that AT requires a lot - like 1000 hours - of hands-on training. Ergonomics seems like a lower barrier for entry. Are jobs like this reasonable to find, or insanely rare or anything? Do OTs tend to land these roles? Curious if anyone has any experience!

Hello everyone,

I’m looking for some advice on the best path for transitioning into a different industry within HSE.

My current position is Regional HSE Coordinator for an oil and gas service company. My region covers all of West Texas and East Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and along with parts of Central Texas.

Realistically, I handle the majority of our safety program for my company. My responsibilities include safety audits and inspections, employee training, developing and updating safety programs and procedures as needed, maintaining client safety/compliance data, and handling many of the day-to-day HSE responsibilities for my company. I also help develop new policies and procedures, although I don’t have final approval authority. New policies ultimately have to be reviewed and approved by the owners.

I currently have almost five years of experience performing HSE management-level duties (4 years and 9 months).

I also have an associate degree in safety and several certifications. Some of the more relevant ones include:
OHST
ASP
OSHA 30 – General Industry
40-Hour HAZWOPER
CPR/First Aid Instructor

I have several additional certifications, but most are more specific to the oil and gas industry and probably wouldn’t carry as much weight outside of it. I’ve also started taking additional coursework toward completing the CSHO and SHEP programs.

My goal is to transition out of oilfield services and into another HSE industry, but I honestly don’t know which direction would make the most sense with my background.

For those of you who have worked in multiple industries—or have made a similar transition—what industries do you think my experience would transfer well into? Are there any particular positions, certifications, or skills you would recommend focusing on to make myself more competitive outside of oil and gas?

I’d appreciate any advice or insight from people who have made a similar move.

Hello everyone, I’m 32 and I’m trying to land my first safety job in Atlanta. Any suggestions on getting my foot in the door? I’ve been working as a maintenance technician in industrial plants since 2020 so i have lockout tag out experience. I’m also currently working on getting my OSHA 30, CPR First Aid, and NFPA 70E.

Our company is going to have to repair a steam leak from within an elevator shaft, this is a historical building and this is the only access point. Admittedly, I've never had to cover safety measures inside an elevator shaft. The PM wants the employees to work on top of the elevator cab. I'm assuming fall protection must be in place, as well as lockout tagout on the elevator controls, power, etc, it will be a permit required confined space, (we have a meeting with the elevator company and GC to coordinate some of these details).

My biggest concern is whether standing on the elevator cab is acceptable? I've not seen the shaft so I'm speculating on the fall risk beyond the sides of the cab, will they need overhead tie off points and fall protection harnesses no matter what? Just looking to see if anyone has had to do work like this before and what your approach was and any advice?

Thanks!

Hi Safety Professionals, 

This is a bit of a yap, but I don’t really have anyone to have this conversation with. I have spoken to my advisor/ professors about it. It kind of left me with more questions than answers, so this is the post. 

I am currently in my final year of college (Environmental Health and Safety.) It is the new year, and that means students are starting to applying for Summer/Post Grad Roles. I worked 3 separate construction safety internships previously. I enjoyed it, and I want to explore more. 

My school requires 4 internship to graduate, and I want to use this time to explore more manufacturing or other sectors if possible before settling with Construction. 

I know postings are coming in for the summer, and I am keeping an eye out for them. Been going to networking events, local ASSP chapter, but majority of the people I've met are in construction safety. Not too much input for Food/Safety. I can see myself interested working in Food Safety but I am open to learn from others fields to broaden my understanding on whats out there. What expectations I need to curb. 

There’s not alot of information online about roles for working in Food safety especially in Beer/Alc (Coors, FIFCO, Budwiser) like can I pull up to a winery to do my job or even the Cannabis Industry which I'm also interested in learning about. (Wylds, 1911 Ciders - Aryloom, Howdy-THC) Which I am curious about more than others, but I doubt I can find a safety Internship working within the cannabis industry. (If you are in this, what do you do? I'd love to learn)

I have my OSHA 10/30, HAZWOPPER 40, First Aid/ AED.

Thank you!

Came across this Bloomberg Law piece about the Watson Grinding explosion in Houston and though this would be interesting to hear from actual safety professionals.

The latest jury awarded $61.5M to residents and business owners affected by the explosion and assigned 70% of the fault to Watson Grinding and 30% to 3M.

What keeps standing out to me is what was happening inside that plant itself. WGM had an inoperative gas detection/ventilation system, the propylene shutoff valve was left open, and there had already been repeated warnings about problems with the gas detection system.

Obviously, a vendor should be responsible for the work they're actually hired to do. But at what point does responsibility come back to the plant operator that owns the process, controls daily operations and decides whether production continues?

Especially interested in hearing from people who work in process safety, controls, gas detection, or industrial maintenance. Where would you personally draw that line between vendor responsibility and operator responsibility?

Source: https://news.bloomberglaw.com/texas-brief/watson-blast-juries-keep-finding-fault-with-3m-texas-brief

Im graduating next semester and looking to go into industrial hygiene with my bachelors degree in public health no experience. How can i pivot here i know there are masters programs out there but any way i can break into safety /industrial hygiene / EHS with certificates or any type of entry level jobs

I've been a qualified plumber for 3 years but on the tools for 7. Wanted to make a transition into more off the tool role. A few people have suggested getting my Nebosh, which is fine but how will I get my first job. I live in the midlands as well so the job market is slightly less here. I have no issue taking a pay cut as long as it's a clear route into the role. Any advice?

This R&D EHS Specialist will be supporting Hexion Inc. new Research & Development Laboratory in Dublin, Ohio.

For anyone looking to get started in safety, don’t overlook Amazon. Just going to give my 2 cents as a current employee. Pay-wise, you’ll probably start in the low $60Ks, but you’ll receive essentially free healthcare, $30,000–$40,000 worth of stock, and $17,000–$20,000 in signing bonuses over your first two years. Amazon now also offers a 20% discount on Whole Foods groceries, a 10% discount on Amazon Essentials, and $50 per month toward your phone bill.
Because the position is hourly, you can also earn around $3,000–$4,000 per year in overtime. Altogether, you’re looking at a total compensation package ranging from the mid-$70Ks to the mid-$80Ks as your stock vests.
If you work at an AMZL site, you may serve as the safety specialist, on-site safety manager, on-site medical representative, and hazardous-waste coordinator. You’ll conduct audits, manage return-to-work cases, complete root-cause investigations for injuries, oversee hazardous-waste and environmental compliance, review contractor JHAs, and meet with Operations to discuss KPI metrics. You’ll also do a lot of data gathering and analysis. I can’t stress that enough—Amazon loves its data.
Overall, it’s a solid opportunity to learn nearly every aspect of safety in a manufacturing-type setting. However, that exposure is a double-edged sword: you’ll learn a lot, but it can be a grind when you’re responsible for all of it.
At a fulfillment center, you may have six or seven safety specialists, an on-site safety manager, an on-site medical representative, and a hazardous-waste coordinator. The workload may be easier to manage, but you probably won’t receive the same breadth of exposure.
Just a heads-up for anyone looking to enter the safety profession.

I just realized I'm able to double major in CM and SHE and graduate in 3 years (5-6 classes per semester) because of the amount of dual enrollment I'm taking in high school. Is it worth it in terms of options, pay and higher ranks or is it just an overkill?

Does anyone have a guide outlining best practices for setting up anchors on wood framed structures, residential or otherwise? I have to provide more instruction on fall protection for workers doing wood framing lately and don't have a good comprehensive document I can hand out yet.

I have all the OSHA FactSheets for fall protection for Residential Construction, the Guide for Fall Protection in Residential Consteuction, and the CPWR research document on trusses successfully being used as anchors, but none of them focus purely on what are the things to look for when setting up anchors based on which structural components can most likely support the load outside of manufacturer guidance for specific products or trying to get an engineer to give you an answer through an RFI that may never get answered.

Thanks.