You can now watch two new videos on respirators and facemasks on the US Department of Labor’s YouTube site.  Respirator Safety which runs around nine minutes contains general instructions on how to properly put on and take off certain types of respirators.  It advises that specific instructions must be consulted from the manufacturer’s manual.  The video also differentiates a user seal check and a fit test.  It says that a user fit test is done every time one wears a respirator while a fit test is done when one uses a respirator for the first time and at least annually thereafter.  It warns users not to enter a hazardous area and instead consult the supervisor when a proper seal cannot be achieved.

On the other hand, The Difference between Respirators and Surgical Masks, the other video that runs around five and half minutes, makes it clear that a surgical mask is not a respirator.  It says that a respirator reduces exposure to airborne infectious diseases contaminants while facemasks are not designed to prevent the inhalation of airborne contaminants.  They may have differences but both need to be worn correctly and consistently while in use.  Respirators must be NIOSH-certified while facemasks must be FDA-approved.

Both videos show that respirators must be used in the context of a comprehensive respiratory program.

In related news, the California Department of Public Health or CDPH has ordered a recall of 3M 8000, a type of N95 respirator, because of its “low success rate in fit-testing.”  Millions of respirators have been released in October of last year to protect workers of health-care facilities from being exposed to the H1N1 influenza virus.  However, DOSH and CDPH urge employers to use other respirators.  DOSH is not actually preventing the use of these respirators but it “strongly recommends against using this model for prevention of aerosol-transmitted disease.”  It asks employers who still decide to use these respirators to make sure that the respirators fit the workers.

CDPH says it will provide other brands and models of respirators to local health departments upon request.  To protect the supply, DOSH reminds employers to conserve respirators.  Employers are encouraged to limit exposure to disease “by appropriate patient identification and placement, source control measures, and using engineering and work practice controls to minimize respirator use.”

Respiratory protection items such as respirators and facemasks are very important personal protective equipment in the workplace especially in health care units.  The proper use, disposal, cleaning and storage of such equipment must not be taken for granted.  Remember to always check the PPE you are going to use if it is compatible with the specific work you are going to perform and always inspect them first and use them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.  Safety first!

After writing about this year’s top 10 most cited violations, The Safety Blog is now looking at America’s Safest Companies, as named by EHS Today and the sponsors of America’s Safest Companies – MCR Safety and PureSafety.  Their criteria?  Occupational safety and health, environmental management and employee wellness.  So are you ready for the companies who made it to the list?  Here are the eight excellent companies who have been acknowledged for providing a safe working environment for its employees, protecting the environment, and acting as advocates for health and safety.

AMEC Earth & Environmental Inc.

This Pennsylvania engineering, testing and environmental consulting firm’s approach is budgeting safety into the job from the first day.  It only bids on a job as long as it can answer yes to the question “Can we do this job safely?”  AMEC’s “Beyond Zero,” its vision of success in safety, means having zero incidents at work as well as integrating safety into all AMEC operations and beyond the workplace into the homes, communities and families of its employees.  Vladimir Ivensky, the firm’s director for safety, health and environment, says “If safety stops the moment you leave work, we haven’t done our job.”  AMEC is moving on to the next stage of its safety evolution with its Six Safety Essentials and universal Safety Rules that will sustain its Beyond Zero safety culture vision.

The Concrete Pipe Division of CEMEX U.S. Operations

It used to consider safety as an obligation but this concrete pipe manufacturer now recognizes that safety is paramount and it is their moral obligation.  Their director for safety, health and environment, Rich Holston, explains that they don’t have the right to have somebody come to work and get hurt.  During the evolution of safety belief, the company focused on three principles namely leadership, culture and safety management systems.  It also adopted two new programs.  The first one is called Zero 4 Life which desires employees to go their entire lives without injury while the second one is termed LEGACY which offers training course for leaders.  The company is in continuous progress and process in achieving workplace safety.

Medtronic Inc.

In this Minneapolis-based manufacturer of medical device technology, a strong tie exists between their environmental health and safety (EHS) vision and their company mission.  John Ficklin, the director for health and safety, says that employees provide safe medical devices and therapies and it is a natural extension for them to expect a safe and healthful work environment.  Aside from complying with applicable laws and regulations and empowering managers and employees, the company also takes prime importance to incident reporting and analysis.  In fact, it has an online reporting and analysis system that supports early reporting of incidents and quick involvement of supervisors in incident analysis and corrective action planning.  Medtronic also has Total Rewards and Total Health programs where employees receive health and wellness programs as well as nutrition counselling, marathon training and community activism.

Morin Actuator

This Tyco Flow Control company goes beyond OSHA compliance.  Their concern for safety extends not only to their employees but to their products as well (Morin produces pneumatic and hydraulic quarter-turn actuators).  It has a policy of providing its customers with a safe product engineered using a man-safe design.  In doing this, employees have taken ownership of the safety process such that they bring up a safety issue and trust the management to fix the problem.  They also participate with the team and demonstrate program knowledge.  Depending on assessment, these employees then receive incentives, bonuses, awards and recognitions.  Their EHS manager, Brent White, wrote that the success of their program is reflected by a change in focus, from “What is the least I can do?” [to be in compliance with OSHA and EPA standards] to “What is the right thing to do?”

RQ Construction Inc.

Safety is communicated loud and often at RQ, a general constructor that primarily builds for the Department of Defense.  Chief Safety Officer Don Rogers emphasizes communication as the key in safety.  Their safety culture includes orientations from OSHA-authorized trainers; sponsorships for employees who want to earn training and certifications; and classes on courses on different safety topics.  The company also thinks big by planning long-term safety not just for its employees but for its users and customers as well.

Trendmaker Homes

This residential builder of high-end homes doesn’t just think about the families who will live in their houses but also their employees.  It shows its importance to safety by getting everyone involved.  Jacqueline Richter, vice president of admin/hr and safety, explains that it is a total effort where employees have to do some things with safety that they’ve not been required to do at some of the other builders.  The safety focus is extended to its customers, the workers’ families and to its contractors as well.  Eva Brunell, the admin/hr manager, wrote that this promotion of safety outside their company is the most unique element of their safety program.

Trihydro Corp.

The concern of this Wyoming-based environmental and engineering consulting company to the safety of its employees is evident in its building features, safety database, safety programs and initiatives, regular meetings, extensive training opportunities, flu shots for workers and their families, and a “Safe Home” program.  They value their employees so well that if one has to relocate, they may consider hiring the spouse.  This year, the company is actually bringing the employees and their families to its Laramie headquarters for the annual holiday party.

Wood Group Power Plant Services

The high hazard work environment of this power generation company has not been an excuse for it to be lousy in its safety.  In fact, its injury rate is below the industry’s average.  It hosts EHS indoctrination meetings with new employees, maintains a 24/7 open door policy for safety concerns, and maintains a constant safety campaign, among others.  It also has a program called Frontline focus where all senior management personnel spend 16 hours at the plant level annually working with plant personnel on health, safety and environmental commitments.  Another program that is important is the “Safety Observation and Stop Work” which encourages employees to actively make safety observations and gives them the authority to stop work for EHS concerns without fear of retribution.  The company also requires all employees to enter into personal safety performance contracts and commit to improving safety awareness.

These companies must truly be recognized for their efforts in having high standards for safety and health, not just of their employees and employers but of the families and customers as well.  As we all look at the violations by many companies, may we also learn to look and highlight the companies that strive for both excellence and safety.

Last week, the National Safety Council (NSC), in its annual Congress and Expo, unveiled this year’s initial top 10 most cited OSHA violations where Scaffolding still leads with 9,093 violations, up by 2,066 from last year.  Fall protection goes a notch higher from its previous position with 1,974 more violations; while hazard communication comes to a lower place but still with more violations than that of last year’s.  Respiratory protection, lockout/tagout, and electrical (wiring) stays at number four, five and six respectively.  All three gained more violations too.  Ladders, powered industrial trucks, electrical (general), and machine guarding shifted positions in the last four slots.  According to Richard Fairfax, director of OSHA’s directorate of enforcement programs, these standards in the top 10 are fairly consistent from year to year to year.

Here’s the list with their corresponding number of violations:

Janet Froetscher, NSC President and CEO, said that the number of violations gives new resolve in raising awareness about the importance of having sound safety procedures.

The data above shows an almost 30% increase from last year’s list:

In September of last year, The Safety Blog came out with a post on OSHA’s top 10 most cited violations for 2008.  Included in the post are links to materials, resources and articles that can help companies from committing such violations.  Click here if you want to refer to that post.

The final report on 2009’s most cited violations will be published by the end of the year.

Labor data shows that Texas has the highest number of construction worker deaths in the country last year.  Two out of 3.4 workers who die every day are Hispanics, according to the chairman of the U.S. Hispanic Contractors Association (USHCA).  Just this June, three construction workers fell to their death while working on scaffolds.  A lawyer that represents the family of one of those workers believes that the incident was the last straw in the deaths that caused a public outcry.  This, in turn, prompted OSHA to send more federal inspectors to Texas the following month.  A labor union conglomerate says only 77 inspectors from OSHA are in Texas – short of 946 needed by the state.

As a result of OSHA’s intervention, the USHCA will host a health and safety training for construction workers on September 26 which will feature consultants from OSHA.  An OSHA-certified trainer said the main purpose of the training is to recognize and prevent hazards and accidents.

What can we learn from this news story?

Associations recognize the need and importance of TRAINING to prevent hazards and accidents in the workplace.  OSHA has the resources to prove they value training as well as education training.

The OSHA Training Institute (OTI) in Arlington Heights, IL provides safety and health training and education for federal and state compliance officers, state consultants, other federal agency personnel, and the private sector.  If you are a federal or state OSHA employee and you want to register, contact your training coordinator.  However, if you are a private sector or other government agency employee, visit the OSHA Training Institutes Searchable Catalog to view a list of available courses.  A student registration form is also available online.  The OTI charges tuition fees for private sector students as well as employees of federal government contractors.  Check their webpage for the schedule of registration and start of classes.

Aside from the OTI, the OTI Education Center program also provides training for private sector personnel from agencies other than OSHA.  The OTI Education Center is an extension of the OTI that targets federal and state compliance officers and state consultation program staff.  There are over 40 education center locations throughout the country.

OSHA also has Outreach Training Programs where qualified individuals are trained and authorized to teach student courses.  This is where the 10-hour and 30-hour courses in construction and general industry come in.  There is also training in the Maritime Industry specifically in shipyard employment, marine terminals and longshoring as well as an outreach program that authorize trainers to teach workers in disaster site support and clean-up services.

Since training may also take other forms, OSHA offers safety and health training videos which can be loaned by OSHA employees, OSHA grantees, consultation programs, state plan states, voluntary protection program sites, and even by OTI education centers, federal agency occupational safety and health trainers, and OSHA outreach trainers.  This service is made available by OSHA’s Resource Center Loan Program which has a collection of over 600 videos covering more than 100 subjects as well as a limited number of books.  Materials can be borrowed by submitting a filled-out borrowing agreement form, browsing the catalog, completing the loan request form, and submitting all forms through e-mail (RCLP@dol.gov). The center will then contact you regarding the availability of your requested material.

OSHA also supports nonprofit organizations as well as state and local government supported institutions of higher education by offering the Susan Harwood Training Grant with the goal of developing training and educational programs and reaching out to appropriate workers and employers by providing them these programs.

Training and retraining are important to all workers in any workplace.  One never goes to a battle unprepared.  So, gear up.

In 2007, an employee of an Alaska-based contractor filed a complaint alleging retaliation by the contractor in violation of Section 11(c) of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act.  Section 11(c), in part, says “No person shall discharge or in any manner discriminate against any employee because such employee has filed any complaint or instituted or caused to be instituted any proceeding under or related to this Act …” Here’s the scenario before that: The employee expressed safety concerns to the upper management after observing two dangerous on-the-job explosions.  Shortly after that, reports say that the employee was laid off and barred from re-hire.  OSHA did an investigation on it and deemed that the worker’s complaint had merit.  OSHA then notified the employer, Bering Sea Eccotech.  However, the employer refused to reinstate the worker and even refused to pay back wages or other benefits.

Two years after, specifically early this month, OSHA has filed a whistleblower suit on behalf of the former employee.  Aside from reinstating the employee and securing compensatory damages and lost wages, the suit is also requiring the contractor to post a notice that explains employee rights under Section 11(c) of the OSH Act.  The notice is supposed to be posted for 60 days.

If you are a worker trying to make your workplace safer, how can you protect yourself from experiencing such discrimination?

If you are wondering how you could ever point out safety concerns without being terminated, OSHA has a program just for you.  It is called The Whistleblower Protection Program.

As mentioned in Section 11(c) of the OHS Act, no employee is to be discharged by his employer just because he is exercising his right as specified in the Act.  Two of these rights are to complain to OSHA and to seek an OSHA inspection.  Others are to participate in an OSHA inspection and to testify in any proceeding related to an OSHA inspection.  There are whistleblowing provisions in 16 statutes that will protect you in case you report violations of various trucking airline, nuclear power, pipeline, environmental, rail, consumer product and securities law.

In the San Diego whistleblower case, the worker reported safety concerns after he had observed two dangerous explosions.  As a concerned employee, his response was to report the incidents to the management.  Having probably been disappointed with the response of his employer, he sought and had the right to COMPLAIN to OSHA. If you are also to do a similar action, be aware that you are required to show that

• you are engaged in protected activity
• the employer knew about that activity
• the employer subjected you to an adverse employment action, meaning a material change in the terms or conditions of employment and
• the protected activity contributed to the adverse action

How do I know if I’m already discriminated?

OSHA has a list of actions that can be considered as “discrimination.”  The list includes:

• firing or laying off
• blacklisting
• demoting
• denying overtime or promotion
• disciplining
• denial of benefits
• failure to hire or rehire
• intimidation
• reassignment affecting prospects for promotion and
• reducing pay or hours

If you experience any of these forms of discrimination, do not hesitate to call OSHA.  You may do that by contacting your local OSHA office.  Remember, you have 30 days after the discrimination happens to file a complaint.  So after assessing that your case meets the requirements, file your complaint immediately.

How do I file a complaint?

Aside from those mentioned above, you need to remember that there are laws that have different deadlines from that of OSHA’s so make sure you check that first.  Also, depending on the statute, you may need to put your complaint in writing.  After your complaint has been filed, you will be interviewed by OSHA to determine if your case needs investigation.

The law is meant to keep things in order so if you’re following it, you should know that you’re on the right track.  As the best-selling Book says, “We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.”

Vehicles used in the construction and general industry that has “obstructed view to the rear” will need to be revved up to meet the latest safety rule driven by the Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH) Program and the Virginia Safety and Health Codes Board.  If there is anything that is blocking a driver’s view, the vehicles are now required to have the following for a safe back-up:

1. a working and backup alarm that must be audible above the surrounding noise AND
2. (a) a designated observer or ground guide who must be able to say if it is safe to back up or not OR

(b) visual inspection of the vehicle’s path by the driver before the operation

This new regulation, published last August 17, will be effective on September 18, 2009.  “Obstructed view to the rear” is anything that interferes with a driver’s view such as the following:

1. structural members of the vehicle
2. the vehicle’s load like
   1. gravel
   2. dirt
   3. machinery parts
3. the vehicle’s height relative to the ground level viewing
4. damage to windows, side mirrors, etc. used for rearview movement
5. restricted visibility due to weather conditions such as
   1. heavy fog
   2. heavy snow
6. work done after dark with no proper lighting

If you will be a ground guide or you will be working with one, here are some rules that you must follow:

1. Be trained.  Follow the requirements of this regulation.
2. When a vehicle is backing up, stay in the line of sight of the driver.
3. During daytime, wear a safety vest/jacket in orange, yellow, strong yellow green or a fluorescent version of these colors.
4. During nighttime, wear a safety vest/jacket with retroreflective material in orange, yellow, white, silver, strong yellow green or a fluorescent version of these colors.  Make sure that it is visible at a minimum distance of 1,000 feet.
5. Do not use a cell phone, headphones, or other equipment that may distract.
6. Do not do anything not related to the vehicle being signaled.
7. Do not walk near the vehicle that is backing.

If you are the driver or operator of the vehicle, here are some reminders for you:

1. Be trained.  Know and abide by the regulations of this regulation.
2. If you are working with a ground guide, do not lose sight of him.  If you do, stop the vehicle immediately until you see the ground guide again and you have received signal from him to restart the operation.

If you are an employee within the area, do not cross the path in close proximity to a vehicle while it is backing up.

If you are a ground guide or a driver and you violated this new regulation, been involved in a reverse operation accident or near miss, or received an evaluation indicating you have not been operating in a safe manner; you must undergo a refresher training.

For the complete information and training materials available, you may visit the VOSH page of The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry.

The Safety Blog’s recent post on scissor lift’s fall protection caught the attention of our readers, especially one who particularly commented on the regulations lifted from 29 CFR 1926.453, Aerial Lifts. He said that 1926.453 refers to boom lifts, not scissor lifts.  He added that scissor lifts are regulated as scaffolds.  (Note : Thanks to Michael McCann @ The Center for Construction Research and Training, for this catch!)

On this note, The Safety Blog stands corrected.  Indeed, scissor lifts are regulated by OSHA as mobile scaffolds and not as aerial lifts.  At this point, let me show you excerpts from some of OSHA’s directives, standard interpretations and regulations referred to that brought clarity to the issue at hand.

In an OSHA directive entitled Inspection Procedures for Enforcing Subpart L, Scaffolds Used in Construction – 29 CFR 1926.450-454, paragraph K.9.b reads “Scissors lifts are addressed by 1926.453 – Aerial Lifts, not by 1926.452(w), mobile scaffolds.”  If we will just consider this statement, we may just refer solely to 1926.453 to learn about the fall protection requirements of scissor lifts.  However, if we will read a fitting standard interpretation from OSHA, it will be clear to us that only aerial lifts meeting the design and construction of ANSI (American National Standards Institute) A92.2 or Vehicle Mounted Elevating and Rotating Work Platforms are actually addressed by 1926.453.  Other mobile lifts not meeting ANSI A92.2 such as Self-Propelled Elevating Platforms (ANSI 92.6) are instead covered by 1926.452, Additional requirements applicable to specific types of scaffolds, where 1926.452(w) specifically deals with mobile scaffolds. We can also refer to 1926.451 which is the General Requirements of scaffolds.

At this point, I would like to reiterate that scissor lifts are regulated as mobile scaffolds and not as aerial lifts. Now, if we would like to know the fall protection regulations of scissor lifts, we need to look at 1926.451.  Again, fall protection is not required.  Instead, personal fall arrests systems can be used or guardrail systems (with closing gate or latch chain) that meet the requirements of 1926.451 must be installed on all open sides and ends of platforms.  However, if the worker leans, stands or leaves the lift’s platform, an appropriate fall protection may be needed.

The tips and reminders on how to avoid falls from scissor lifts from the referred blog entry may still be observed.  Though the ones with reference to 1926.453 do not apply to scissor lifts, some of them can help in reducing the risk of falls is scissor lifts and in scaffolds as well.

The Safety Blog would like to thank its readers for sending in their comments and for contributing to a healthy discussion of safety issues.

We at Safety Blog value our readers and make it a point to consider their needs when coming up with blog articles. In this post, we will answer a reader’s query on scissor lifts.

Reader asks: “There seems to be confusion about wearing fall protection on scissor lifts. Would it be possible for you to do an article about this?”

The Safety Blog answers: “Dear Reader, thank you for your query. You may or may not wear fall protection on scissor lifts. Here’s the full article.”

Scissor lift is one kind of aerial lift mainly used in construction and the general industry. If we closely study OSHA’s regulations on aerial lifts, we will see that fall protection is not required. Instead of fall protection, OSHA requires a guardrail system that is properly designed and maintained. However, if the guardrail system is not enough or if the worker leaves the safety of the lift’s platform, OSHA requires an additional fall protection device. In such cases, you may use a personal fall arrest system.

Depending on the [legal] activity on the aerial lift or when you deem it necessary to use a fall protection system, by all means, please use one.

Some reminders on scissor lift use:

1. Follow company policy on the operation of the lift.

2. Be familiar with OSHA regulations. Apply them. Take note that aside from following the minimal federal regulations requirements, you should also follow your state and local regulations.

3. Be trained both in the classroom and in the actual workplace. Keep a record of your trainings.

4. Participate in workshops and seminars. Some of these are free.

5. Consult the scissor lift’s manual for specifics.

6. Wear the appropriate personal protective equipment like hard hats, safety shoes, safety gloves, reflective vests or clothing, safety glasses and hearing protection. Maintain it well.

7. For more information, consider the aerial lift training kit offered by Safety Services Company.

To avoid falls from the scissor lift:

1. Make sure that you have inspected the machine before using it – mechanical parts, batteries and hydraulics. Sudden jerking, tipping and even stopping might prove to be dangerous.

2. Check all controls each day to make sure they are in safe working condition. [29 CFR 1926.453(b)(2)(i)].

3. Check the surface of the ground. Is it hard enough? Is it sloped and slippery? Are there ground depressions, holes and drop-offs?

4. If working on an incline, install wheel chocks if they can be safely installed [29 CFR 1926.453(b)(2)(vii)].

5. Inspect the work environment. Is it free from obstructions? Is there enough space for the machine to move around? Are there overhead hazards?

6. What’s the weather condition? Is it too windy? Is there lightning?

7. Do not overload the lift [29 CFR 1926.453(b)(2)(vi)].

8. Make sure that there is even distribution of workers, tools and other equipment across the platform.

9. Wear a body belt and a lanyard attached to the basket [29 CFR 1926.453(b)(2)(v)].

10. Close all gates. Keep all chains and rails secured. Do not exit the platform while it is elevated. Do not climb out onto the rails.

11. Stand firmly on the floor of the platform. Do not sit nor climb on the edge or use planks, ladders and other devices for a work position [29 CFR 1926.453(b)(2)(iv)].

12. Remember to hold on while you are being elevated. Do not play around while on top.

13. Always face the direction of your travel.

14. Do not allow someone to lean a ladder against the lift.

15. Maintain your machines well. Have it checked by authorized persons only.

Working in heights while riding aerial lifts is quite dangerous. It is therefore very important to assess your work activities and follow all safety precautions before carrying on.

OSHA has been busy with a lot of works lately.  If you’re not updated, here’s a summary of the latest things that you need to know.

#1: National Consensus Standards in Acetylene Standards

OSHA’s Acetylene Standards has been revised to reflect the practices in the industry today.  Employers are now required to ensure that in-plant transfer, handling, storage and use of acetylene cylinders comply with the Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet G-1-2003, Acetylene. OSHA will accept public comments on the Direct Final Rule and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking until September 10 of this year.  If you want to comment, you may log on to http://www.regulations.gov.  If the agency receives adverse comments, it will keep the rulemaking as just a “Notice and Comment.”  Otherwise, the Direct Final Rule will take effect on November 9.

#2: Hazard Communication Guidance for Combustible Dusts

This new guidance document published by OSHA will help manufacturers and importers identify the potential for dust explosion, know the protective measures, and include this information in material safety data sheets and labels.  This will help control combustible dust hazards.  In related news, the U.S. Chemical Safety (CSB)  released a video that shows how combustible dust can accumulate and start an explosion, injure and kill workers, and harm businesses.  This video can be accessed at the CSB website.

#3: Small Business Guide to Ethylene Oxide

This document will guide employers in monitoring the level of ethylene oxide in their workplace as well as in controlling excess levels of this highly reactive gas.  For more details, check out Safety Blog’s article on it entitled OSHA Publishes Small Business Guide to Ethylene Oxide.

#4: Free Consultation Service

The latest OSHA brochure demonstrates how consultation services can improve the workplace safety and health of businesses.  If you want a copy of this brochure, you can order a printed one from OSHA Publications web page.

#5 Chemical National Emphasis Program

OSHA is doing planned inspections for workplaces that may release highly hazardous chemicals which, in turn, may cause explosion or fire.  This one-year pilot program will make use of detailed questioning and verification of process safety management programs’ (PSM) consistency.  If your region is not covered by this emphasis program, inspection will follow PSM-related complaints, referrals, accidents or catastrophes.  Check the full directive here.

#6 Recordkeeping National Emphasis Program

Here’s another national emphasis program that has been written about here in Safety Blog.  Check out the article OSHA Pushes Emphasis Program for Injury and Illness Recordkeeping.

#7: Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Traffic Control Tower Monitoring Program

This program allows OSHA to check the safety of airport traffic control tower personnel by examining their workplaces’ safety.  Towers are to be randomly inspected if fire exits, fire detection and alarm systems, fire suppression equipment, and emergency action plans are in place.  Read the directive here.

#8: Workshops on Swine Flu and Asbestos Removal

Constantly check conferences and seminars happening near you.  As an example, there will be a Swine Flu Conference on August 25 at The Safety Council of Palm Beach County in Riviera Beach, Florida.  There will also be a forum on Asbestos Removal next month at the Environmental Protection Division in Atlanta, Georgia.  For complete details and for more events, go to the OSHA’s Upcoming Events web page.

#9: “Watch List” to Strengthen OSHA’s Outreach Training Program

OSHA has this “Outreach Trainer Watch List” on its website as part of its move to crack down fraudulent trainers whose authorizations have been revoked or suspended.  These trainers submitted false information, failed to collect and retain necessary records, or warned trainees not to report workplace hazards to OSHA.  The government agency is now stricter with its training program guidelines.  You may file fraud and other complaints to OSHA at 847-297-4810.

#10 Free Training on Scaffold and Ladder Safety

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and the NAHB Research Center, a recipient of OSHA’s Susan Harwood Training Grant Program, are offering seminar on scaffold and ladder safety for free!  Aside from helping you identify fall hazards and establish safe work practices, this seminar will also help you understand OSHA’s regulations on fall protection.  This will be very helpful especially to construction workers.  The seminar will be conducted in English and Spanish in specific locations across the country.  For the schedule and contact details, click here.

As an employee or employer committed to workplace safety and health, make it a point to keep yourself informed of the latest news from OSHA.  Important notices, rulings, documents, brochures, programs, workshops, conferences, seminars, and trainings may already be out and in need of your attention.  Information on these will empower you.

An online blog posted information on Monday about OSHA’s National Emphasis Program (NEP) on recordkeeping which will address workplace injury and illness underreporting problems.  The NEP will cover states that are under federal OSHA’s jurisdiction but state plan OSHA programs are also encouraged to have their own initiatives.  The program will begin this month.

With this, establishments in high rate industries but with low incidence rates as well as a sample of construction firms will be inspected over the next 12 months.  Inspections will be done through review of files and interview of employees, employers, recordkeepers and health care providers.  Aside from recordkeeping issues, hazards consistent with the injuries and illnesses will also be determined through a walk-around inspection.

To prevent citations, follow these reminders:

If you are an employer, make sure that your workplace has a system for reporting injuries and illnesses.  Review this system regularly to ensure its effectiveness.  Before an inspection, review past cases such as those that occurred in 2007 and 2008 and check that all OSHA forms are accurate with workers’ compensation reports and claims.

If you are an employee, be reminded that you are protected by the Whistle Blower Protection Program.  If your employer discourages you from reporting new cases or do not follow rules on recordkeeping, do not hesitate to let OSHA know.

If you are a facility recordkeeper, refresh your knowledge on proper and effective recordkeeping by reviewing the regulations and constantly referring to OSHA’s recordkeeping handbook.  Be trained and re-trained.

If you are a health care provider, see to it that you record ALL injury and illness cases as well as the treatments provided.  If medical records will be coming from the outside, check their authenticity.

Recordkeeping is an essential area of communication in any workplace and in any circumstance.  Everyone concerned should do their part well in ensuring that this is done properly and effectively.  As Louie the lawyer, Safety Services Company’s mascot, says – Document it!