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.
