News
SMCA closely monitors events and issues affecting our members' businesses. Check here regularly for updates on technical, safety, and legislative happenings!
Philadelphia drops mask mandate(All Clear Level)
On Wednesday, March 2, 2022, the Philadelphia Health Department moved the city into the All Clear Covid Response Level. Although the metrics have dropped, some of our job sites(Merck, GSK, Penn, Chop) still require employees to wear masks and present their vaccination cards. We will continue to... Continue Reading
Date posted03/3/2022
Supreme Court Blocks Biden Ruling
Today the Supreme Court rejected President Joe Biden's push to mandate vaccination shots under the OSHA umbrella that would impact 80 million workers. However, SCOTUS did uphold a seperate ruling requiring shots for workers in nursing homes, hospitals and other facilities that receive Medicare and... Continue Reading
Date posted01/13/2022
COVID Emergency Temporary Standard
The release of the long awaited COVID Emergency Temporary Standard from OSHA was presented to the public last week. The 500 page document discusses the parameters of the standard. The link to the document is below. https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2021-23643.pdf Continue Reading
Date posted11/11/2021
SMCA Safety Short - High Blood Pressure
Discussing the signs, symptoms and risk factors of high blood pressure. Continue Reading
Date posted10/1/2021
Heating Systems Inspections
During cold weather months, you'll be using your heating systems at the shop and the job sites. All heaters that burn fuel can leak deadly carbon monoxide. These fuels include natural gas, kerosene, oil, and propane. The Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends that furnaces, heaters,... Continue Reading
Date posted09/1/2021
Handling & Storage of Compressed Gas Cylinders
Compressed gas cylinders, whether containing 'air', oxygen or acetylene, can all be a safety hazard if not handled with care. First, are all cylinders legibly marked to clearly identify the gas contained? Cylinders should always be considered full and handled accordingly. Handling cylinders is a... Continue Reading
Date posted09/1/2021
Scaffolding Awareness
Many times scaffolds are taken for granted. Someone else may have set them up, they have been at the site for a while or the mobile scaffolds are "always there", plus there are many different types of scaffolds. So training in safety on scaffolding is sometimes overlooked. Before employees begin... Continue Reading
Date posted09/1/2021
Safety in Welding
Safety in welding is an often-overlooked topic when preparing your safety training. However, it is important for the most experienced welder to be reminded of safety procedures that are invaluable to his safety, coworkers and to the company when working with oxygen and acetylene. There are many... Continue Reading
Date posted09/1/2021
Quick Tips: Avoiding Heat Related Illnesses
Summer and hot weather can add another safety concern. Heat related illnesses and injuries can affect you whether in the shop or on the jobsite. Expert from the National Institute for Occupational Safety, OSHA, and the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists recommend drinking... Continue Reading
Date posted09/1/2021