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Space Heaters: January 2023 Safety & Hygiene Corner

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Q: Can our employees use space heaters at work?

A: It depends! Space heaters, AKA portable electric heaters, although not ideal, are often found in the work environments.  Some employers prohibit them, but if you decide to allow, there are a few things to keep in mind:

  1. Your local fire department may prohibit them, so check with your local Fire Marshall first
  2. They must be  approved by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory  like UL or FM.

OSHA’s Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL) Program – Current List of NRTLs | Occupational Safety and Health Administration

  • They must be listed and labeled for commercial or industrial use (not listed for household use)
  • They should be located so that they cannot be easily overturned
  • If they tip over, they should automatically shut off
  • Because of the amount of electric current drawn by space heaters, they MUST be used only where they can be plugged directly into outlets – NO EXTENSION CORDS OR POWERSTRIPS
  • Must be 3 feet or more away from all combustibles
  • The room must be occupied, turn them off when they leave
  • They should be inspected frequently.  Check the outlet, check the plug and the heater itself.

That’s a lot of requirements, but if you allow them all must occur.  The NFPA has a lot of resources and fact sheets Safety with heating equipment | NFPA and don’t be afraid to call your local fire department or your State Fire Marshal.

It’s a good idea to share this information with your employees because it pertains to home usage as well.  Check out the https://dfs.dps.mo.gov/safetytips/space-heater-safety.php

Stay Warm and Safe!

*Brought to you by the Ohio BWC safety consultants.

FEB 12, 2020 – NE Ohio Trenching and Confined Space Safety Conference

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This event is not a PCSC event but may qualify for up to 1 safety council eternal training credit.*

Click here to view flyer.

You and your employees are cordially invited to attend this important and lifesaving training. This is a joint project between The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Youngstown Service Office and the American Society of Safety Professionals – Northern Ohio Chapter

This high impact training will be led by experts in the excavation, trenching and confined space professions.

  • 8:00 am- Introductions
  • 8:10 am – Howland Fire Department – Incident Command
  • 9:00 am – Brian Hitt: Hitt Consulting – Permit Confined Space and Rescue
  • 10:00 am – Dana “Buck” Buchholzer: SCT – Trench Soil Characteristics
  • 11:00 am – Adam Fries: Cleveland OSHA – Trenching Requirements
  • 12:00 pm – Lunch and Networking
  • 1:00 pm – Drew Williams and Anna Bell: Great Lakes Construction- Confined Space in Regards to Excavations
  • 2:00 pm – Travis Bower: Kundel Industries – The Kundel Difference
  • 3:00 pm – Chuck Green: OHIO811 – Trench Safety
  • 3:30 pm – John Nouse: Ericson – Confined space and explosion proof products
  • 4:00 pm – Conclusion

When: Wednesday February 12, 2020:  8:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.

Where: Avalon Inn and Resort 9519 East Market Street, Warren, Ohio 44484

Cost: $35.00 which includes breakfast and lunch

To Register On-Line Visit: https://nohio.assp.org/events/safety-conference-i-2020/

Questions:

*Must be ultimately accepted & approved by the Ohio BWC.