Everyone’s supposed to know how important it is to wear proper PPE in their work sites. But it seems that not all employers live this out. Many are still guilty of providing improper PPE to their employees or, worse, nothing at all.
Just last year, HEAD PROTECTION alone ranked 7th in the TOP 10 FINES OSHA issued against small companies. It accumulated about 1464 citations and a whopping $747,099 in total fines. Add the fines for other types of PPE and the sum will definitely surge to millions of bucks.
Of course workplace safety won’t be complete without proper training for employees. Unfortunately, many employers fail to require training or give it to their own employees. This is clearly a violation of the requirements set by OSHA.
In 2007, training requirements followed head protection closely when it ranked 8th in the TOP 10 FINES chart. Penalties issued by OSHA for this violation reached $491,164, with a total of 1,158 citations.
Just recently, we received word from OSHA about certain revisions they are going to make related to PPE and training requirement standards. These revisions state that employers, who violate one of OSHA’s provisions, commit a separate violation for EVERY employee who does not receive proper PPE or is not properly trained in their company.
If you have questions about this revision and other provisions included in OSHA’s requirements, now is your chance to speak your mind. OSHA will be holding a public hearing on the 6th and 7th of October. This serves as an opportunity for the public to voice out their comments on OSHA’s “proposal to clarify the remedies available for violations of its personal protective equipment (PPE) and employee training requirements”.
Anyone interested to raise their questions or give their reactions are invited to participate in this event. It will be held at the U.S. Department of Labor’s Frances Perkins Building, 200 Constitution Ave. N.W., Conference Room C-5320 #6, in Washington, D.C.
For more information about the hearing, click here.
Related Links:
Top 10 OSHA Fines for Small Companies
Top 7 Tips on Using the 2006 Census to Improve Workplace Safety
PPE and How It Can Save Your Life – Part 1
PPE and How It Can Save Your Life – Part 2
Disregarding Safety Will Cost You Twice
i need to know about iso procedures ( ohsa)
OSHA is working to modernize its standards by updating references to outdated consensus standards,” said OSHA chief Edwin G. Foulke, Jr. He says holding the hearing will allow interested parties to provide direct input on the changes.The proposal would revise the PPE sections of its general industry, shipyard employment, longshoring, and marine terminals standards regarding use of protective devices for eyes, face, head, and feet.
hi, moody. What specific information are you looking for?