Significant changes are expected for federal hazard communications and for lead standards in California, and industrial painters should be especially vigilant because the impacts could be dramatic, according to a recent presentation from a leading U.S. regulatory expert.

The first concern for any employer is to determine whether the space or area meets the definition of a confined space, as specified by the regulatory authority having jurisdiction at the worksite. If the area does comply with the definition of the regulatory standard, then the employer is required to follow the specified written actions.

Rope access technology has undergone a remarkable evolution since its inception, transforming from an experimental technique to a widely adopted and versatile method for accessing hard-to-reach areas. This has revolutionized the way industries approach maintenance and inspection tasks, including with high-performance coatings.

Joe Brandel, business development manager at Mips, discusses OSHA’s proposed rule change and the importance of safe PPE usage. In the conversation, Brandel shares insight on why many traditional hard hats are failing in common workplace accidents, and he outlines precautions and new technologies that can protect workers.