Posts by Melissa Wesemann

Excessive noise can result in long-term health effects including hearing loss, tinnitus and more. A noise survey is used to determine if employees are being exposed to occupational noise levels exceeding the exposure limits set by OSHA regulations.  Noise surveys help determine areas where employees are likely being exposed to harmful levels of noise as…

This past week, OSHA announced a request for public input on how it can modernize, improve, and expand its Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP).  Since 1982 OSHA’s VPP has recognized workplaces that practice praiseworthy safety and health management.  Applicants must complete an arduous onsite assessment before being accepted into the program. Once in the program though, they…

When your client experiences a major catastrophic event such as a fire or loss of life, they rely on legal counsel’s advice and expertise to help them navigate through a difficult situation. In most situations, your client has never experienced a major loss event and they do not know where to even start, so they turn…

Technology is advancing at a breakneck pace for those in catastrophic incident investigation. Five years ago, IFO Group would hire a helicopter which averages $5,000 per hour to assist with photographing and assessing an incident scene.  Due to the cost of that resource, we likely would only have use of it once or twice the…

On January 26, 2023, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced an expansion of how they apply citations for serious violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act).  The goal of this new guidance, which takes effect on March 27, is to increase enforcement and strengthen compliance to help prevent workplace…

Deadlines…. Distractions…. Fatigue….. workers not aware of their surroundings, especially in a setting where machinery is used is extremely dangerous and puts themselves and their teammates at risk.  Situational awareness in a work setting is critical as one mistake can lead to serious injury or even death. Many workplaces improve situational awareness through the implementation…

Safety culture is the collection of beliefs and values that employees share in relation to the risks present within the workplace. A strong safety culture is promoted by management and empowers individuals to take ownership of their well-being and have important conversations related to hazards shared across the workplace. Workplace disasters are commonly tied to…

What is an Arc Flash? NFPA 70E defines an arc flash as the sudden release of unexpected heat and light energy produced by electricity passing through the air, similar to lightning.  Simply put, an arc flash is a phenomenon where a flashover of electric current leaves its intended path and travels through the air from…

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently finalized the Safer Communities by Chemical Accident Prevention (SCCAP) rule, which amends its Risk Management Program (RMP) regulations to reduce the likelihood of accidental releases at chemical facilities and improve emergency response activities if/when those releases occur.  This provides additional protection to those living near facilities with high…

Brian Dunagan, Managing Consultant and Chief Investigator at IFO Group was recently featured on the Dust Safety Science podcast to discuss his experience with combustible dust investigations.  Brian is a certified fire and explosion Investigator and a certified fire investigator instructor who has led and managed multiple, extremely large-loss process safety incidents investigations. During this interview, he answers…