Taiwan amended the Toxic Chemical Substances Operation Liability Insurance Measures and renamed it the Toxic and Concerned Chemical Substance Operators Liability Insurance Measures.

The Measures require operators to obtain liability insurance before operation if the total amount during the manufacture, use, storage, and transportation of toxic chemicals of the first to third categories or hazardous chemical substances of concern reach a specified benchmark. 
 
​Additional Information: 
https://gazette.nat.gov.tw/egFront/detail.do?metaid=112326&log=detailLog. 
 
If you are interested in EHS regulatory products for Taiwan, the Isosceles Group provides a number of tools covering this jurisdiction including: EHS Legal Registers, EHS Audit Checklists, EHS Audit Checklist Supplements, EHS Quarterly Regulatory Updates, and more. Please contact Brittany Palmer at 617.330.2800 or [email protected] for a customized quote.

Ontario issued an amendment to the Safe Drinking Water Act 2002.

The amendment recognizes that the people of Ontario are entitled to expect their drinking water to be safe.

​The amendment also provides for the protection of human health and the prevention of drinking water health hazards through the control and regulation of drinking water systems and drinking water testing. 
 
Additional Information: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/02s32. 

If you are interested in EHS regulatory products for Ontario, Canada, the Isosceles Group provides a number of tools covering this jurisdiction including: EHS Legal Registers, EHS Audit Checklists, EHS Audit Checklist Supplements, EHS Quarterly Regulatory Updates, and more. Please contact Brittany Palmer at 617.330.2800 or [email protected] for a customized quote.

​Nigeria tasked stakeholders with strict adherence to the Lifting and Allied Work Equipment (Safety) Regulations 2018 and the Boiler and Pressure Vessel Regulations 2018.  The implementation of both of these regulations aim to reduce the risks associated with lifting equipment, boilers, and pressure vessels, thereby enhancing occupational safety and health in the various workplaces where such equipment is used.  
 
Additional Information: 
​http://labour.gov.ng/fg-tasks-stakeholders-on-strict-adherence-to-lifting-equipment-regulations/.  

If you are interested in EHS regulatory products for Nigeria, the Isosceles Group provides a number of tools covering this jurisdiction including: EHS Legal Registers, EHS Audit Checklists, EHS Audit Checklist Supplements, EHS Quarterly Regulatory Updates, and more. Please contact Brittany Palmer at 617.330.2800 or [email protected] for a customized quote.

​Brazil’s government updated three occupational health and safety standards. Norm NR-3, on embargo and interdiction; NR-24 on hygiene and comfort conditions in the workplace; and NR-28 on monitoring and penalties. The standards have been rewritten and were published in the Federal Gazette on September 24, 2019. 


​All three standards are accessible below. 

Additional Information:
http://www.in.gov.br/en/web/dou/-/portaria-n-1.066-de-23-de-setembro-de-2019-217773245. 
http://www.in.gov.br/en/web/dou/-/portaria-n-1.068-de-23-de-setembro-de-2019-217774385. 
http://www.in.gov.br/web/dou/-/portaria-n-1.067-de-23-de-setembro-de-2019-217774300.

If you are interested in EHS regulatory products for Brazil, the Isosceles Group provides a number of tools covering this jurisdiction including: EHS Legal Registers, EHS Audit Checklists, EHS Audit Checklist Supplements, EHS Quarterly Regulatory Updates, and more. Please contact Brittany Palmer at 617.330.2800 or [email protected] for a customized quote. 

Authors: Richard DiNitto and Amanda Adams
​
Bacterial growth in water-based systems and environments in common commercial and industrial buildings can often lead to an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease, a severe and often lethal form of pneumonia.  The disease is caused by the presence of Legionella pneumophila bacterium. The bacterium in water-based systems results in up to 18,000 people each year becoming infected, with as many as 1,800, or 10%, proving fatal.  Flu-like symptoms such as coughing, fever, headache and shortness of breath are common.
 
While a substantial number of people may die from the disease, it is highly treatable with antibiotics if caught in the early stages.  Facilities with water-based systems or environments should implement a periodic testing program to ensure that the bacterium are either not present, or at levels that are below published guidelines. When detected at elevated levels, prompt action on the part of the property owner or building manager is warranted. Easy and cost-effective solutions are available to eliminate the bacteria.
 
Common locations that Legionella will grow include:

• Shower facilities;
• Decorative fountains;
• Mist machines;
• Water cooling towers;
• Water features, i.e. indoor ponds;
• Humidifiers; and
• Hot tubs/whirlpools.

 
The CDC has published a handy Fact Sheet on the disease, which is available for free at: https://www.cdc.gov/legionella/downloads/fs-legionnaires.pdf.
 
Regular testing of these features can help control and eliminate any bacteria growth. Depending on your operation’s features, recommended testing frequencies may vary. Many facilities will test between one to two times per year, typically in the spring and early fall.
 
When testing for the first time, it is highly recommended that all sources be tested and not just a representative portion. Once the results from the initial testing are obtained, a reduced testing frequency on all sources can be made.
 
Unfortunately, in reviewing water testing results, there are no federal or state-level regulatory standards for comparison, only guidelines for remedial action.
 
A handy guide for comparison by some example water sources is shown below:

Since growth of Legionella is controlled largely by temperature and water free of compounds not toxic to them, treatment is easy and effective. While the bacterium will die above 122 degrees F, they will become dormant at colder temperatures (< 68 degrees F).
 
Cleaning and disinfecting your water systems, and using a biocide application, is the most effective remedy in controlling and eliminating Legionella.
 
While there are no enforceable regulatory levels, some states and municipalities have established mandatory inspection, testing, cleaning, and disinfection requirements, as well as requirements for registration of possible sources.
 
Our staff can assist you in identifying any local agency registration and inspection requirements, as well as providing further information on a testing regime and disinfecting program.  
​
The Isosceles Group is retained to develop, implement and maintain Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) and Environmental Management Systems (EMS) at industrial and commercial facilities. It also manages various EHS issues that affect the operation and expansion of such facilities. 
 
If you would like The Isosceles Group to assist with EHS management at your facility, please contact Richard DiNitto at [email protected] or (617) 330-2800.

Author: Richard DiNitto
​
Working on a roof can be a dangerous activity and is often considered part of an overall Fall Protection Program.  Fall protection is one of the most commonly cited violations by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). Nearly 900 people die annually in the US from falls from a roof. 

​Care in how you perform roof work is critical to your overall safety programs. Within the US, OSHA establishes requirements for roof work under Rule 1910.28 Duty to have fall protection and falling object protection.
 
Rule 1910.28 establishes that an employer must ensure that each employee on a walking-working surface (such as a roof in this case) with an unprotected side or edge that is 4 feet (1.2 m) or more (for general industry or 6 feet or more for construction work) above a lower level is protected from falling by one or more of several specified control measures:

• Guardrail systems;
• Safety net systems; or
• Personal fall protection systems, such as personal fall arrest, travel restraint, or positioning systems.

 
Under the Rule, the distance from the edges of the roof dictates which systems must be in place and what allowances may be acceptable:

• < 6 feet (1.6 m) from the edge - When work is performed less than 6 feet (1.6 m) from the roof edge, the employer must ensure each employee is protected from falling by a guardrail system, safety net system, travel restraint system, or personal fall arrest system.

 

• 6 to < 15 feet (4.6 m) - When work is performed at least 6 feet (1.6 m) but less than 15 feet (4.6 m) from the roof edge, the employer must ensure each employee is protected from falling by the same systems as above.  The one exception is that if the roof work is both infrequent and temporary, the employer may use a designated area when performing this work.

 
A Designated Area is defined by OSHA as "A distinct portion of a walking-working surface delineated by a warning line in which employees may perform work without additional fall protection."

• Beyond 15 feet (4.6 m) from the edge:
  • Frequent and not temporary work -  the employer must protect each employee from falling by a guardrail system, safety net system, travel restraint system, personal fall arrest system, or a designated area.
  • Infrequent “and” temporary - the employer is not obligated to provide fall protection, provided that:
    • The work is both infrequent and temporary;
    • The employee is working strictly beyond 15 feet (4.6 m) of the roof’s edges; and
    • The employer implements and enforces a work rule, prohibiting employees from going within 15 feet (4.6 m) of the roof edge.

 
These exceptions for using a designated area or not having to enforce a fall protection plan requires that the work is both temporary and infrequent.  These terms are defined as:

• Infrequent - Infrequent work means an activity is performed only occasionally, such as once a year, once a month or when needed but not a routine or regular task that might be on a daily or weekly basis.
• Temporary - temporary refers to tasks that usually takes less than 1-2 hours to complete.

 
As with any work activity that has inherit risks and safety concerns, a proper hazard evaluation or risk assessment to determine the best and safest approach is warranted.  While the information provided above is a good overview and guidance for safe work on a roof, the regulatory rules cover additional parameters and issues that you need to consider in your roof work evaluations and program.  Consultation with roof safety experts is strongly recommended. 

​The Isosceles Group is retained to develop, implement and maintain Occupational Health & Safety (OHS) and Environmental Management Systems (EMS) at industrial and commercial facilities. It also manages various EHS issues that affect the operation and expansion of such facilities. 
 
If you would like The Isosceles Group to assist with EHS management at your facility, please contact Richard DiNitto at [email protected] or (617) 330-2800.

Malaysia issued a notification of approval of industry code of practice known as the Industry Code of Practice for Management of Occupational Noise Exposure and Hearing Conservation. The Minister approved the Code on June 26, 2019 in exercise of the powers conferred by the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994.
 
Additional Information:
http://www.federalgazette.agc.gov.my/outputp/pub_20190805_PUB%20377.pdf. 

​If you are interested in EHS regulatory products for Malaysia, the Isosceles Group provides a number of tools covering this jurisdiction including: EHS Legal Registers, EHS Audit Checklists, EHS Audit Checklist Supplements, EHS Quarterly Regulatory Updates, and more. Please contact Brittany Palmer at 617.330.2800 or [email protected] for a customized quote.

The EU has published Directive (EU) 2019/1152 on transparent and predictable working conditions in the European Union, which establishes minimum rights applicable to every worker in the EU who has an employment contract or employment relationship as defined by the law. This Directive entered into force on the 20th day following its publication date on June 20, 2019. It will repeal Council Directive 91/533/EEC on an employer's obligation to inform employees of the conditions applicable to the contract or employment relationship, with effect from August 1, 2022. 
​
Additional information:
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:32019L1152&from=EN.

If you are interested in EHS regulatory products for the EU, the Isosceles Group provides a number of tools covering this jurisdiction including: EHS Legal Registers, EHS Audit Checklists, EHS Audit Checklist Supplements, EHS Quarterly Regulatory Updates, and more. Please contact Brittany Palmer at 617.330.2800 or [email protected] for a customized quote.