Beginning Feb. 1, 2012 employers who are required to keep the OSHA Form 300 Injury and Illness log must post a summary of the log.

All industries in agriculture, construction, manufacturing, transportation, utilities and wholesale trade sectors are covered. In the retail and service sec­tors, some industries are partially exempt

Also employers with fewer than 10 employees are exempt. The size exemption is based on the company’s peak employment during the last calendar year.

If, at any time last year, the company reached 11 or more workers, the company is not size exempt. However, the company, or some of its individual establish­ments, may still be exempt because of industry classification.

Employers must post OSHA’s Form 300A from Feb. 1 to April 30, 2012 in a common area wherever notices to workers are usually posted.

The summary must list the total numbers of job-related injuries and illnesses that occurred in 2011. All establishment summaries must be certified by a company executive.

Copies of the OSHA Forms 300, 300A and 301 are available for download on the OSHA Recordkeeping Web page.

To help your company track injuries all year we offer a variety of record keeping products. For more info call 877-201-8923.

A study released by the RAND corporation looking into California’s Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) indicates failures to “look beyond paper compliance with its provisions.” The paper points to training by employers and enforcement by regulators as having the most pronounced impact on injury rates under the program.

The IIPP law has required for the last 20 years that California employers develop an injury and illness prevention program and share it with employees. It also mandates training employees on safe practices. OSHA has made a priority of adopting a similar program at a federal level, I2P2, and has looked to California’s implementation as it considers moving forward with its plan.

The study into the impact of Cal/OSHA’s 20-year-old IIPP finds negligible impact on workplace deaths as a direct result of the program and cites more than 20 percent improvement in injuries — but only for workplace injury rates in workplaces that received citations and inspections.

John Mendeloff, study author and director of the RAND Center for Health and Safety in the Workplace, suggests a more involved enforcement mechanism to increase compliance and reduce injuries. However, along with the benefits of enforcement, he adds, “the training requirement appeared to have the greatest impact on injuries.”

The study, sponsored by the California Commission for Health, Safety and Workers’ Compensation, is the first evaluation of Cal/OSHA’s IIPP program. It paints a picture of effective I2P2 implementation that may require a more involved enforcement mechanism and emphasizes training and employee involvement as businesses implement an injury and illness prevention program.

Safety Services Company offers custom-built IIPP manuals for your organization so that your safety team can focus on implementation and training and see the benefits of IIPP without costly citations or inspections.

We hear a ton of safety myths everyday that have no basis on research or facts. These consist of things that sound great that people say to get our attention. In many instance the people spewing these fantasies may even believe them themselves. However, as safety professionals we can’t live in a fantasy world, we must use cold hard data to back our claims.

To help you from falling victim to fake claim here are 10 quick Tweetable workplace safety facts. To share these facts simply click on the link you wish to share and it will post on your Twitter account.

10. Average OSHA fine is $1,000

In 2010 the average OSHA fine was $1,028 and the average company received more than two fines per inspection.

9. Overexertion accounts for 25 percent of all workplace injuries

According to Liberty Mutual Safety Index overexertion, or injuries caused by lifting, pushing, pulling, holding and carrying, costs businesses $12.75 billion in direct annual expenses and accounts for more than 25% of the national burden. Furthermore “Fall on same level” ranks as the No. 2 cause of disabling injury that drives direct costs of $7.94 billion, or 15.8% of the total injury burden.

8. Scaffolding, Fall Protection violations number 1 OSHA citations

According to OSHA the most violated standard the past year was a dead heat between fall protection and scaffolding requirements.

7. Nearly 75 percent of illicit Drug users employed

According to OSHA of the 7.2 million illicit drug users aged 18 or older in 2005, 12.9 million (74.8 percent) were employed either full or part time. Furthermore, research indicates that between 10 and 20 percent of the nation’s workers who die on the job test positive for alcohol or other drugs.

6. Hazardous Substances cause 10 percent of skin cancers
According to the International Labour Organization Hazardous substances kill about 438,000 workers annually, and 10% of all skin cancers are estimated to be attributable to workplace exposure to hazardous substances.

 5. Workplace safety programs decrease injuries by 50 percent

According the American Society of Safety Engineers a comprehensive workplace safety program can decrease the likely hood of a workplace injury by up to 50 percent.

 4. 6,000 people die a day of workplace injury

According to the International Labour Organization each day, an average of 6,000 people die as a result of work-related accidents or diseases, totaling more than 2.2 million work-related deaths a year. Of these, about 350,000 deaths are from workplace accidents and more than 1.7 million are from work related diseases. In addition, commuting accidents increase the burden with another 158,000 fatal accidents.

 3. code> Workplaces see $3 to $1 return on workplace safety

Ninety-five percent of business executives report that workplace safety has a positive impact on a company’s financial performance, according to the findings of The Executive Survey of Workplace Safety by the Liberty Mutual Group, the nation’s leading provider of workers compensation insurance. Of these executives, 61 percent believe their companies receive a return on investment of $3 or more for each $1 they invest in improving workplace safety.

The survey also reveals executives realize the benefits of workplace safety go beyond the company’s bottom line, with 70 percent reporting that protecting employees is a leading benefit of workplace safety.

 2. Workplace injury and illness more costly than all cancers combined

In a study funded by the National Institute of Safety and Health, public health sciences professor J. Paul Leigh of the University of California, Davis, pegs the cost of work-related injury and illness in 2007 at about $250 billion. That puts the price to of workplace health and safety problems above the economic burden posed by all cancers combined.

1. Workplace fatalities down 62% and injuries down 42 %

Since OSHA was created in 1971, the workplace fatality rate among employees has decreased by 62%⁽¹⁾ and occupational injury and illness rates have declined by 42%⁽²⁾. At the same time, US employment in the private sector and the number of workplaces has doubled, increasing from 56 million workers at 3.5 million establishments to 114 million workers at 7 million establishments.⁽³⁾

Occupational Safety and Health Administration officials are looking into an explosion at an Edmond, Okla., piping company that injured four on Thursday.

The morning explosion sent three of the injured workers to two nearby hospitals. One victim suffered third-degree burns and was sent to an intensive care unit. The other three, one of whom was sent home without hospitalization, suffered first-degree burns. No significant property damage was reported.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigates any workplace incident that results in the hospitalization of two or more workers or that results in fatality. They have six months to complete their investigation. NOV Tuboscope’s parent company, National Oilwell Varco, says they will cooperate with the investigation.

Edmond Fire Maj. Kelly Lewis told the  Edmond Sun that no secondary fire resulted from the explosion at the facility. A kerosene space heater  ignited a cloud of  polymer dust that was released while workers were working on machinery resulting in the explosion.

OSHA regulations demand temporary space heaters in the workplace be approved for commercial use by a recognized safety testing laboratory. Further, they should be placed away from combustible materials, and have a tip-over switch to ensure it will turn off automatically if knocked over.

As the year begins, it is a good time to review the safety precautions and procedures of your business. A thorough risk assessment of a work site involves the identification of hazards like space heaters around flammable material or where flammable material may. Safety Services Company manuals walk thorough hazard identification and risk assessment to help ensure any work site is safer than the standards.

Along with its final report on three accidents that left five dead and three injured in a Tennessee metals plant, the U.S. Chemical Safety Board called on the Occupational Health and Safety Administration to develop and publish a combustible dust standard that includes coverage for metal dusts.

The Hoeganaes powdered metal plant in Gallatin, Tennessee was the site of one elevator accident and two flash fires during 2011. Following the accidents, regulators undertook a series of investigations into workplace safety at the facility. In the report, the regulatory body cites the explosive quality of fine metal powders as a significant factor in all three accidents.

Along with the report, the regulatory body issued a number of safety recommendations including one to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that encouraged OSHA to “Ensure that the forthcoming OSHA Combustible Dust Standard includes coverage for combustible metal dusts including iron and steel powders.”

While no OSHA standard exists that specifically covers the type of dust responsible for the accidents at the plant, CSB points to a number of National Fire Protection Association standards that could have prevented the fires if they were followed. “The three accidents at the Hoeganaes facility were entirely preventable,” CSB Chairperson Rafael Moure Eraso said, pointing out that while plant officials were aware of the hazards posed, “the company did not institute adequate dust control or housekeeping measures.”

Eraso added that while the explosion hazards of combustible dusts are widely known, they are often not included on material safety data sheets. The CSB last month joined OSHA’s support to aligning the existing hazard communication standard with the United Nation’s Globally Harmonized System for Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. Both regulatory agencies support adding an “unclassified hazards” category to the system, which would include hazards like those posed by combustible dust.

Hazard communication standards and material safety data sheets change as hazards are recognized and regulations change, and it is up to businesses to respond promptly to remain in compliance with these changes. Safety Services Company helps businesses of all sizes with their hazard communication documentation and training to support workplace safety and be 100% compliant with all applicable regulations.

For more information call 877-397-9450.

The United States Department of Occupational Health and Safety (OSHA) recently released a white paper affirming their belief that requiring all employers to maintain an Injury Illness Prevention Program (I2P2) will lead to both a decrease in occupational injuries and death and a cost savings for employers.

To substantiate these claims the paper pulls from multiple studies to illustrate the cost of workplace injury and effectiveness of I2P2 programs.

Highlighted studies pointing to the cost of injury, death and illness include a study by the Liberty Mutual Research Institute stating the most disabling workplace injuries in 2008 cost employers $53 billion.

A second study by the National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI), estimates the annual workers’ compensation benefits paid for all compensable injuries and illnesses in 2009 at $58 billion (National Academy of Social Insurance, 2011). NASI further reports the total costs paid by employers for workers’ compensation increased from $60 billion in 2000 to $74 billion in 2009.

In terms of savings OSHA both looked at independent studies and examined the injury and illness prevention programs in eight states where the state had either required a program or provided incentives or requirements through its workers’ compensation programs.

In researching state programs OSHA found reductions in injury and illness from 9 to 60 percent by implementing an I2P2.

A few examples of state programs and their effectiveness include:

• Alaska which experienced a 17.4 percent decline injuries after requiring an I2P2
• California which experienced a 19 percent decline in injuries after requiring an I2P2
• Colorado which employers witnessed cumulative annual reduction in accidents of 23 percent and a cumulative reduction in accident costs between 58 and 62 percent.
• Hawaii which witnessed a net reduction in injuries and illnesses of 20.7 percent.

Currently thirty-four states require or encourage employers to implement I2P2 programs.

The basic elements of these programs are management leadership, worker participation, hazard identification and assessment, hazard prevention and control, education and training, and program evaluation and improvement.

Each element is important in ensuring the success of the overall program, and the elements are interrelated and interdependent.

OSHA began working on requiring employers to maintain an I2P2 in 2010. However, OSHA Director David Michaels told a house subcommittee in November 2011 that he was unable to provide a timeline for future activity on I2P2. Considering that some of the pushback from Congress has surrounded the I2P2 proposal in particular, the standard’s progress may depend on the as-yet undecided federal FY 2012 budget.

If you would like more information on purchasing an I2P2 program call 877-201-8923.

Read OSHA’s entire white paper below.

 
 
OSHAwhite Paper January 2012 Safety Manual

As part of a new emphasis program the Occupational Safety and Health Administration will begin inspecting Wisconsin dairy farms this winter.

The emphasis program originated out of OSHA’s Eau Claire office this past November and plans are to take it statewide, according to Mary Bauer, OSHA compliance assistance specialist.

Inspectors from each of the state’s four OSHA offices in Eau Claire, Madison, Milwaukee and Appleton will visit dairies in 2012, she said.

“It could start at any time, but I know the list hasn’t been developed,” she said.

Staff from each OSHA office will inspect three area farms. Two sites will be picked from the state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection’s database of more than 12,500 licensed dairies.

One more farm per area will be chosen from the Department of Natural Resources’ listing of concentrated animal feeding operations.

“We want to make sure that we’re getting to some sites that are large and where we have enough employees,” Bauer said, “but also, because of the feedback we’ve gotten, we want to hit some smaller farms.”

Although inspectors can enter farms without advance notice, she said, “they will not be just driving up and opening doors.”

Bauer said the dairy emphasis will remain in effect for about a year, and then be evaluated to determine if it should be continued.

“My guess is this would be renewed,” she said.

Last year OSHA inspected about 70 dairy farms nationwide.

Potential hazards identified in the dairy LEP include manure storage and collection structures; worker positioning around cattle; electricity; tractor operation; power takeoffs; machine guarding; communication; confined spaces; horizontal bunker silos; and noise.

“Employers have a responsibility to ensure all employees have safe working environments, which includes taking all necessary precautions to protect them from exposure to hazardous substances,” says Kimberly Stille, OSHA’s area director in Madison, Wis. “Employers are responsible for knowing what hazards exist in their workplaces and ensuring that workers are not exposed to unnecessary risks.”

OSHA penalties range from $1,500 to $7,000, based on violation frequency and severity.

Investment in workplace safety and health has a direct and measurable cost-benefit potential, according to a recently released study by the International Social Security Association (ISSA).

The study on the economic costs and benefits of prevention investments, coordinated by the ISSA, compared data on interventions and analysed practices in 300 companies in 15 countries.

The results of the study indicate companies witness more than a two and a half time return on the implementation of safety training.

“Promoting safety and health at work not only saves lives, but also makes sound economic sense,” stated Hans-Horst Konkolewsky, ISSA Secretary General. “The study demonstrates that prevention measures are a key contribution not only to the health and well-being of the workforce, but also to the economic performance of the enterprise and the sustainability of social security schemes.”

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses among private industry employers declined in 2010 to a rate of 3.5 cases per 100 equivalent full-time workers, down from a total case rate of 3.6 in 2009.

Nearly 3.1 million injuries and illnesses were reported among private sector industry employers in 2010, down from 3.3 million reported in 2009.

“We are encouraged by the reported decline in incidence rates for workplace injuries and illnesses, which is reflective of the joint effort of government, business, unions and other organizations. Nevertheless, 3.1 million injuries and illnesses in the workplace is too high. Serious injuries and illnesses can knock a working family out of the middle class. Workers should not have to sacrifice their health and safety to earn a paycheck,” said secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis.

According to a recent blog post by the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, David Michaels, OSHA will begin to target texting while driving to crack down on employee injuries and death.

In 2009, distracted driving accounted for more than 5,400 traffic fatalities, or 16 percent of traffic fatalities. In terms of workplace fatalities motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause each year.

To battle this potent workplace hazard OSHA has partnered with the Federal Department of Transpiration (DOT) to create a campaign against distracted driving.

According to Michaels OSHA is first targeting texting while driving because it takes your cognitive focus, eyes and hands away from the work of driving.

A Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration study backs the dangers of driving while texting. The study found drivers’ eyes were off the road for 4.6 out of every 6 seconds while texting. At 55 mph, that’s like driving the length of a football field while wearing a blindfold.

“We want to send a clear message to managers, supervisors and workers that their company must neither require nor condone sending or reading text or e-mail messages while driving,” Michaels said.

The government occupational safety department is encouraging employers to enact policies prohibiting texting, establish times when employees can text and train employees on the dangers of texting and driving.

OSHA’s focus on the dangers of texting while driving come on the heels of  President Obama instituting a Federal Government-wide ban on the use of text messaging while driving on official business.

In addition to the mandate put in place by Obama 34 states and the District of Columbia have texting while driving bans in place.

According to Michaels OSHA will find companies in violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act if, by policy or practice, they require texting while driving, or create incentives that encourage or condone it, or they structure work so that texting is a practical necessity for workers to carry out their job.

“When OSHA receives a credible complaint that an employer requires texting while driving or who organizes work so that texting is a practical necessity, we will investigate and where necessary issue citations and penalties to end this practice, “Michaels said.