“Twisters” is punching in late for work this summer. Almost 30 years after its cinematic debut, the 1996 Hollywood blockbuster hit, “Twister,” is returning to the box office for another storm season. The newly reimagined psychological weather horror story, “Twisters,” follows a similar titillating plot premise as the franchise’s flagship with a few modern upgrades to appeal to younger audiences. Like the original movie, “Twisters” follows the harrowing escapades of tornado chasers traipsing the Midwest for death-defying storm footage. Instead of seasoned storm veterans, “Twisters” focuses on c ..read more

Hazardous materials are nothing to mess with. Every year, thousands of employees are maimed or injured due to accidental exposure to dangerous chemicals. But if hazardous chemicals so dangerous, why do businesses use them? While inherently dangerous, hazardous materials help get the job done. From cleaning and degreasing equipment to synthesizing compounds and lubricating engines, hazardous materials are a necessary manufacturing building block. Like a lumbering excavator or pulverizing jackhammer, hazardous materials can be a welcomed addition to any jobsite if used correctly. But like with a ..read more

OSHA is the boogieman on many jobsites. Hearing horror stories from colleagues of hefty civil fines and penalties, industrial manufacturers and colleagues do the bare minimum to stay off the government agency’s radar unless they see their operations bankrupt for unsafe, negligent working conditions. While federal meddling is never well-received, OSHA’s rules and regulations help keep workers safe, allowing employers to improve productivity and efficiency instead of constantly running around putting out fires. But OSHA isn’t out to get you. OSHA is the federal agency that protects workers from ..read more

The National Fire Protection Association takes workers’ safety very seriously. To date, the NFPA has written more than 300 standards aimed at reducing workplace accidents with proper safety guidelines. While the NFPA is a non enforceable entity, it remains the industry standard and primary consultant for all things related to workplace safety. OSHA, the governing body tasked with keeping industries safe nationwide, commonly  references NFPA guidelines in developing chemical storage codes and regulations. If you’ve spent anytime perusing OSHA and NFPA standards, you’ve likely noticed some ..read more

Imagine living in a world without labels. Even small tasks, like taking the correct medication dosage or cooking your favorite prepackaged meals while deciding which foodstuffs to chuck in the trash while playing the guessing game with expiration dates would be a nightmare for the average consumer. And what about canned goods? Remember the seething frustration of finding a shiny metallic can without a label in the cupboard? Do you bring out the rusty can-opener to open up Pandora’s Box of the lone can without a label? Its contents could be peaches, or it might be a slimy cream of spi ..read more

NFPA 30 Section 9.5 concerns compliant flammable storage protection. While browsing for chemical storage options, you’ve undoubtedly encountered NFPA 30 references. The National Fire Protection Association is an international non-profit think tank tasked with developing universal standards and practices for safely handling and storing hazardous materials. Although NFPA regulations are not enforceable, OSHA commonly uses NFPA 30 standards to adopt its robust body of workplace safety standards. Failure to abide by OSHA regulations or not following NFPA 30 standards can result in safety violation ..read more

Do you know that flammable chemicals, particularly liquids, cause more than 8,000 industrial fires annually? While negligence or some procedural oversight is almost always to blame, most afflicted facilities also failed to invest in guaranteed storage protection. Usually, employees were storing dangerous flammable liquids in ill-advised areas near other combustible materials. Investing in compliant chemical storage protection eliminates exposure to hostile working environments that fuel fires’ voracious wrath. Understanding the complexities of OSHA flammable storage requirements mitigates the ..read more

Storing larger volumes of hazardous materials is a logistical challenge for many manufacturers. Where will you fit chemical drums and IBC totes? How will you safely store dangerous chemicals without interrupting facility operations? Timely assessment of these questions ensures workplace compliance and employees’ safety. While considering inventory needs for raw materials and building supplies, special accommodations should be made for precursor chemicals. Flammable and combustible chemicals should never be stored with workplace equipment and supplies. Although OSHA doesn’t specify safety requi ..read more

National Fire Protection 30 is the industry standard for the handling and storing of flammable and combustible liquids. While this standard is not enforceable under the NFPA, OSHA references and cites NFPA 30 in establishing its hazardous materials regulations. Manufacturers should reference NFPA 30 when handling and storing dangerous chemicals in conjunction with OSHA regulations. NFPA 30 includes a system of classifying and categorizing flammable liquids based on their physical properties and propensities to cause harm and environmental contamination. What Are Flammable Liquids? Although al ..read more

Caged intermediate bulk containers are among the most popular hazardous material storage methods. While steel drums remain common, IBC totes are more versatile, easier to handle, and less susceptible to structural degradation. Furthermore, plastic totes allow for easy transport and long-term storage of dangerous chemicals in facilities. Thanks to a built-in steel cage racking, they are also reusable, affordable, and can be safely stacked. Rigid in design and application, IBC totes are made of high-density plastics for maximum durability. Although most manufacturers rely on IBC totes for n ..read more