Safe Workplace and Safety News
This is the safety news blog for the Safe Workplace web site. We cover workplace safety related news with a focus on how safety, or a lack of safety, impacts employers, employees and their families. We also cover topics such as safety training, safety tools, and legal issues related to safety. For regular safety news and information enter your email address in the box above the Subscribe button to the right (then click on the button).
Monday, June 29, 2009
Into The Pit
This seems to be the day for unusual incidents involving things falling. This video shows a car falling into the oil change pit at Jiffy Lube.
Labels: consumer safety, workplace safety
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Shanghai Building Tips Over
A thirteen story building in Shanhai, China tipped over on Saturday, remaining almost intact. One worker was killed. The initial investigation found the building tipped over after workers dug underneath it to put in an underground garage.Read about it on Yahoo News' Asia News.
Labels: Construction / Installation, Construction Safety, workplace fatalities
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Thursday, June 25, 2009
Arc Flash Blast Video
This is a promotional video for an arc flash shield, but it also provides an excellent view of the power of an arc flash blast.
Related past posts:
Is Your Electrical PPE Adequate?
New (arc flash) Safety Sign and Label Printer
Arc Flash Warning Labels
Related past posts:
Is Your Electrical PPE Adequate?
New (arc flash) Safety Sign and Label Printer
Arc Flash Warning Labels
Labels: Arc Flash, Electrical Hazards, electrical safety, PPE
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Tuesday, June 23, 2009
What To Consider When Deciding Whether To Contest An OSHA Citation
The following question was asked on Business Management Daily this past Saturday.
"Our company just received a citation from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The proposed penalty is only $120. Is it worth getting a lawyer involved, or should we just go ahead and pay the fine?"
Michael Fox of Ogletree Deakins P.C. in Austin, Texas answered the question by saying, yes it is worth getting a lawyer involved. You can read his answer here.
"Our company just received a citation from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The proposed penalty is only $120. Is it worth getting a lawyer involved, or should we just go ahead and pay the fine?"
Michael Fox of Ogletree Deakins P.C. in Austin, Texas answered the question by saying, yes it is worth getting a lawyer involved. You can read his answer here.
Labels: OSHA Citations, OSHA Inspections
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OSHA Begins Evaluation of VPP
OSHA has announced that it will address problems identified in its Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) in response to a new Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs: Improved Oversight and Controls Would Better Ensure Program Quality. The report recommends improved oversight and additional controls to ensure participating companies maintain effective workplace safety and health management systems.
OSHA also has announced that it will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of its VPP and Alliance Program to determine how the agency should best allocate its resources among cooperative programs, enforcement and the agency's other activities.
Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab said he agrees with recommendations made in the GAO report. GAO's analysis recommended that OSHA strengthen the program's oversight activity, documentation and other aspects of program operations and impact to ensure consistency and adherence to existing OSHA policies and procedures. VPP participation encompasses more than 2,200 worksites covering more than 800,000 workers.
"We will thoroughly review the VPP and Alliance Program to determine their effectiveness as well as review the programs' roles in helping the agency promote the safety and health of America's workers," said Barab.
He noted that OSHA had not adequately addressed the findings of the GAO's 2004 report, OSHA's Voluntary Compliance Strategies Show Promising Results, But Should Be Fully Evaluated Before They Are Expanded. "The report noted that OSHA had not fully evaluated the effectiveness of its cooperative programs and was therefore 'limited in its ability to make a sound decision about how best to allocate its resources,'" said Barab. "Our evaluation of these programs in the context of OSHA's limited resources will help ensure that OSHA will be able to reprioritize these resources in the most effective manner."
To address the most recent GAO report's findings and recommendations about the VPP, OSHA will review and address problems including program management and oversight policies and procedures; documentation policy for actions taken in response to fatalities and serious injuries at VPP sites; and goals and performance measures for the VPP and internal OSHA controls that ensure consistent compliance with VPP policies by the agency's regional offices.
Related past posts:
VPP Tools
OSHA's Problem
Advantages of VPP
OSHA also has announced that it will conduct a comprehensive evaluation of its VPP and Alliance Program to determine how the agency should best allocate its resources among cooperative programs, enforcement and the agency's other activities.
Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab said he agrees with recommendations made in the GAO report. GAO's analysis recommended that OSHA strengthen the program's oversight activity, documentation and other aspects of program operations and impact to ensure consistency and adherence to existing OSHA policies and procedures. VPP participation encompasses more than 2,200 worksites covering more than 800,000 workers.
"We will thoroughly review the VPP and Alliance Program to determine their effectiveness as well as review the programs' roles in helping the agency promote the safety and health of America's workers," said Barab.
He noted that OSHA had not adequately addressed the findings of the GAO's 2004 report, OSHA's Voluntary Compliance Strategies Show Promising Results, But Should Be Fully Evaluated Before They Are Expanded. "The report noted that OSHA had not fully evaluated the effectiveness of its cooperative programs and was therefore 'limited in its ability to make a sound decision about how best to allocate its resources,'" said Barab. "Our evaluation of these programs in the context of OSHA's limited resources will help ensure that OSHA will be able to reprioritize these resources in the most effective manner."
To address the most recent GAO report's findings and recommendations about the VPP, OSHA will review and address problems including program management and oversight policies and procedures; documentation policy for actions taken in response to fatalities and serious injuries at VPP sites; and goals and performance measures for the VPP and internal OSHA controls that ensure consistent compliance with VPP policies by the agency's regional offices.
Related past posts:
VPP Tools
OSHA's Problem
Advantages of VPP
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OSHA Proposes More Than $1.1 Million In Penalties
OSHA has cited Milk Specialties Co. in Whitehall, Wisconsin with violations of federal workplace safety and health standards and proposed $1,145,200 in penalties.
OSHA began a December 2008 inspection in response to a complaint alleging a variety of safety hazards at the company's whey processing plant. Willful citations have been issued for the employer's failure to comply with OSHA's confined space entry and control of hazardous energy requirements. Untrained employees entered confined spaces and performed maintenance and cleaning on powered equipment without protection from various hazards. Proposed penalties for the 17 willful violations total $1,071,000. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health.
"I am committed to ensuring workers return home to their families safe and healthy at the end of every shift," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Employers must fully address hazards, properly train their employees and plan their work in a safe manner."
Seventeen serious citations, with proposed penalties totaling $52,400, include combustible dust and electrical hazards; lack of exit route lighting and signage; lack of confined space evaluations; uninspected fire extinguishers; and untrained and uncertified powered industrial truck operators, among other issues. A serious citation is issued when death or serious physical harm is likely to result if an accident were to occur from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
Four repeat violations with penalties totaling $21,800 address the guarding of floor and wall openings, ladders and respiratory protection, and other issues addressed in previous inspections of this company. OSHA issues a repeat citation when it finds an employer's violation is substantially similar to a previously cited condition that was affirmed as a violation through a final order of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Milk Specialties has been inspected by OSHA 15 times since 1974, including four inspections in Wisconsin between 2006 and 2008, with citations resulting from many of the same safety and health hazards cited in the most recent inspection.
The company engages in the research, development and manufacture of protein and fat products for nutritional applications and feeding regimes that include products such as pasteurized milk extenders, spray-dried protein encapsulated fats, dried whey permeates, and condensed whey and liquid whey products.
Related Posts:
OSHA Inspector Helps Avert Injury
Top Ten OSHA Violations in 2008
You Can't Win
OSHA began a December 2008 inspection in response to a complaint alleging a variety of safety hazards at the company's whey processing plant. Willful citations have been issued for the employer's failure to comply with OSHA's confined space entry and control of hazardous energy requirements. Untrained employees entered confined spaces and performed maintenance and cleaning on powered equipment without protection from various hazards. Proposed penalties for the 17 willful violations total $1,071,000. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health.
"I am committed to ensuring workers return home to their families safe and healthy at the end of every shift," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Employers must fully address hazards, properly train their employees and plan their work in a safe manner."
Seventeen serious citations, with proposed penalties totaling $52,400, include combustible dust and electrical hazards; lack of exit route lighting and signage; lack of confined space evaluations; uninspected fire extinguishers; and untrained and uncertified powered industrial truck operators, among other issues. A serious citation is issued when death or serious physical harm is likely to result if an accident were to occur from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.
Four repeat violations with penalties totaling $21,800 address the guarding of floor and wall openings, ladders and respiratory protection, and other issues addressed in previous inspections of this company. OSHA issues a repeat citation when it finds an employer's violation is substantially similar to a previously cited condition that was affirmed as a violation through a final order of the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
Milk Specialties has been inspected by OSHA 15 times since 1974, including four inspections in Wisconsin between 2006 and 2008, with citations resulting from many of the same safety and health hazards cited in the most recent inspection.
The company engages in the research, development and manufacture of protein and fat products for nutritional applications and feeding regimes that include products such as pasteurized milk extenders, spray-dried protein encapsulated fats, dried whey permeates, and condensed whey and liquid whey products.
Related Posts:
OSHA Inspector Helps Avert Injury
Top Ten OSHA Violations in 2008
You Can't Win
Labels: OSHA Citations, OSHA Inspections
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Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Declining Work-Related Fatalities
The Bureau Of Labor Statistics reports a continuing decline in the rate of fatal work injuries.
The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries has produced comprehensive counts and rates of fatal work injuries since 1992. The census shows that the rate of fatal work injuries declined between 1992 and 2007, with much of the decline occurring during the first 10 years of the period.
(The latest data available is for 2007. Preliminary fatality data for 2008 will be released in August 2009.) A total of 5,657 workers were fatally injured on the job in 2007.
Differing Rates of Fatal Work Injuries by Age
While the overall rate of fatal work injuries was 3.8 per 100,000 workers in 2007, there were differences in fatality rates by age. Workers age 45 and older had above-average fatality rates while those younger than 45 had below-average rates. Differences were most notable among the youngest and oldest age groups. Fatality rates are expressed in terms of employed workers and not adjusted for hours worked.
Labor laws prohibit the youngest workers from being employed in many hazardous occupations; in addition, the youngest workers typically work part time. In contrast to younger workers, workers age 65 and over may be more likely to be employed in certain occupations with higher-than-average fatality rates. For example, farmers and ranchers have an above-average fatality rate, and in 2007 over 25 percent of farmers and ranchers were 65 and over, whereas 4 percent of all workers were 65 and over (both of these employment figures are from the Current Population Survey). Also, older workers may be less likely to survive a severe workplace injury.
The above information is from the Bureau of Labor Statistics report on worker safety and health. read the complete report on the BLS web site.
The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries has produced comprehensive counts and rates of fatal work injuries since 1992. The census shows that the rate of fatal work injuries declined between 1992 and 2007, with much of the decline occurring during the first 10 years of the period.
(The latest data available is for 2007. Preliminary fatality data for 2008 will be released in August 2009.) A total of 5,657 workers were fatally injured on the job in 2007.
Differing Rates of Fatal Work Injuries by Age
While the overall rate of fatal work injuries was 3.8 per 100,000 workers in 2007, there were differences in fatality rates by age. Workers age 45 and older had above-average fatality rates while those younger than 45 had below-average rates. Differences were most notable among the youngest and oldest age groups. Fatality rates are expressed in terms of employed workers and not adjusted for hours worked.
Labor laws prohibit the youngest workers from being employed in many hazardous occupations; in addition, the youngest workers typically work part time. In contrast to younger workers, workers age 65 and over may be more likely to be employed in certain occupations with higher-than-average fatality rates. For example, farmers and ranchers have an above-average fatality rate, and in 2007 over 25 percent of farmers and ranchers were 65 and over, whereas 4 percent of all workers were 65 and over (both of these employment figures are from the Current Population Survey). Also, older workers may be less likely to survive a severe workplace injury.
The above information is from the Bureau of Labor Statistics report on worker safety and health. read the complete report on the BLS web site.
Labels: Department Of Labor, workplace fatalities
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Friday, June 12, 2009
ASSE Revised ANSI/ASSE Z490.1-2009 Standard On Safety Training
The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) recently announced the approval and availability of the newly revised American National Standard ANSI/ASSE Z490.1-2009 "Criteria for Accepted Practices in Safety, Health, and Environmental Training." The standard calls for qualified training to ensure that workers and safety, health, and environmental professionals have the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to protect themselves and others in the workplace.
Approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) on April 21, the ANSI/ASSE Z490.1-2009 standard applies a broad range of training and training programs in order to specify how to adequately design, develop, deliver and evaluate training.
"The Z490 was written to provide a guide for the development and presentation of comprehensive HSE training events," said Z490 Committee Vice-Chair Frank Perry, P.E., CSP. "As health, safety and environmental professionals, we have all had the opportunity to conduct compliance training at one time or another. Occasionally we were less than satisfied with either our presentation or with the organization of the training materials. The Z490 is the perfect guide to develop, present and evaluate each training event. If one is using a third-party trainer, the Z490 can be used as a yardstick to ensure that you are truly getting what your organization requires and what you are paying for."
The standard covers all areas of training, including training development, delivery, evaluation and management of training and training programs. Criteria within the standard were developed by combining accepted practices in the training industry along with those in the safety, health and environmental profession.
The standard has many uses including: for use by employers to assess the services of outside training providers or to audit or improve their own training programs; for training providers to assess and improve their training services; and to be used as a basis for development and management of training and training programs. The standard has annexes and references that provide additional information and detail. It is available in print and electronic format by contacting ASSE customer service at 847-699-2929 or customerservice@asse.org.
Approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) on April 21, the ANSI/ASSE Z490.1-2009 standard applies a broad range of training and training programs in order to specify how to adequately design, develop, deliver and evaluate training.
"The Z490 was written to provide a guide for the development and presentation of comprehensive HSE training events," said Z490 Committee Vice-Chair Frank Perry, P.E., CSP. "As health, safety and environmental professionals, we have all had the opportunity to conduct compliance training at one time or another. Occasionally we were less than satisfied with either our presentation or with the organization of the training materials. The Z490 is the perfect guide to develop, present and evaluate each training event. If one is using a third-party trainer, the Z490 can be used as a yardstick to ensure that you are truly getting what your organization requires and what you are paying for."
The standard covers all areas of training, including training development, delivery, evaluation and management of training and training programs. Criteria within the standard were developed by combining accepted practices in the training industry along with those in the safety, health and environmental profession.
The standard has many uses including: for use by employers to assess the services of outside training providers or to audit or improve their own training programs; for training providers to assess and improve their training services; and to be used as a basis for development and management of training and training programs. The standard has annexes and references that provide additional information and detail. It is available in print and electronic format by contacting ASSE customer service at 847-699-2929 or customerservice@asse.org.
Labels: ASSE, Safety Training
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OSHA Proposes More Than $255,000 in Fines Against New Hampshire Firearms Manufacturer
OSHA has proposed $255,150 in fines against Sturm Ruger & Co. Inc. for 60 alleged violations of safety and health standards identified during the agency's inspections of the firearms manufacturer's Newport, N.H., plant conducted between November 2008 and May 2009.
"Our inspections identified a large number of mechanical, respirator protection, electrical, lead, fire, explosive and other hazards that must be effectively and continuously addressed to protect the workers at this plant from potentially deadly or disabling injuries and illnesses now and in the future," said Rosemarie Ohar, OSHA's area director in New Hampshire.
OSHA found that the company failed to guard rotating parts on drill presses, sanding and polishing machines despite its knowledge that employees were exposed to severe or fatal injuries if they came in contact with the rotating parts. As a result, OSHA has issued the company one willful citation with $63,000 in proposed fines. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health.
Additional safety hazards include the lack of spark detectors or suppression systems to minimize fire and explosion hazards in ventilation systems that collect combustible wood and metal dust; allowing combustible dust to accumulate; unguarded floors and platforms; lack of eyewashes and adequate personal protective equipment; inadequate procedures, equipment and training to lock out machines' power sources; improper storage of compressed gas cylinders; damaged, improperly used or ungrounded electrical equipment; additional unguarded machinery; and deficiencies with paint spray booths, confined space rescue, compressed air, forklifts and the transfer of flammable liquids.
The health inspection identified employees exposed to excess levels of lead dust; inadequate lead monitoring, training, hygiene, cleaning and disposal methods; inappropriate selection of respirators for lead; improper respirator fit-testing and use; no medical evaluations for employees using respirators; no refitting and retraining for employees who experienced a hearing threshold shift; and unlabeled containers of hazardous chemicals.
These conditions resulted in the issuance of 55 serious citations with $188,550 in fines. OSHA issues serious citations when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from hazards about which the employer knew or should have known.
The company also has been fined $3,600 and issued four other-than-serious citations for inadequate recordkeeping.
Sturm Ruger has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with the area director or contest them before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The inspection was conducted by OSHA's Concord Area Office; telephone 603-225-1629.
"Our inspections identified a large number of mechanical, respirator protection, electrical, lead, fire, explosive and other hazards that must be effectively and continuously addressed to protect the workers at this plant from potentially deadly or disabling injuries and illnesses now and in the future," said Rosemarie Ohar, OSHA's area director in New Hampshire.
OSHA found that the company failed to guard rotating parts on drill presses, sanding and polishing machines despite its knowledge that employees were exposed to severe or fatal injuries if they came in contact with the rotating parts. As a result, OSHA has issued the company one willful citation with $63,000 in proposed fines. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health.
Additional safety hazards include the lack of spark detectors or suppression systems to minimize fire and explosion hazards in ventilation systems that collect combustible wood and metal dust; allowing combustible dust to accumulate; unguarded floors and platforms; lack of eyewashes and adequate personal protective equipment; inadequate procedures, equipment and training to lock out machines' power sources; improper storage of compressed gas cylinders; damaged, improperly used or ungrounded electrical equipment; additional unguarded machinery; and deficiencies with paint spray booths, confined space rescue, compressed air, forklifts and the transfer of flammable liquids.
The health inspection identified employees exposed to excess levels of lead dust; inadequate lead monitoring, training, hygiene, cleaning and disposal methods; inappropriate selection of respirators for lead; improper respirator fit-testing and use; no medical evaluations for employees using respirators; no refitting and retraining for employees who experienced a hearing threshold shift; and unlabeled containers of hazardous chemicals.
These conditions resulted in the issuance of 55 serious citations with $188,550 in fines. OSHA issues serious citations when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from hazards about which the employer knew or should have known.
The company also has been fined $3,600 and issued four other-than-serious citations for inadequate recordkeeping.
Sturm Ruger has 15 business days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to comply, request an informal conference with the area director or contest them before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The inspection was conducted by OSHA's Concord Area Office; telephone 603-225-1629.
Labels: OSHA Citations, OSHA Inspections
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OSHA Seeking Nominations For the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health.
OSHA has announced that nominations are being accepted for persons to serve on the 12-member National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health.
Nominations will be accepted for representatives in the following categories: public, management, labor, occupational safety and occupational health. Members will serve a two-year term.
If submitting nominations by mail, hand delivery or messenger service, send three copies to the OSHA Docket Office, Room N-2625, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20210; telephone 202-693-2350.
Nominations may be sent electronically to http://www.regulations.gov, the Federal eRulemaking Portal, or by facsimile at 202-693-1948. All nominations for NACOSH must include the agency name and docket number, OSHA-2009-0012. Nominations must be submitted no later than July 11, 2009.
Questions concerning the NACOSH nominations process can be addressed to Deborah Crawford at 202-693-1932 or crawford.deborah@dol.gov.
NACOSH was established under section 7(a) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to advise the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Health and Human Services on matters relating to the administration of the Act.
Nominations will be accepted for representatives in the following categories: public, management, labor, occupational safety and occupational health. Members will serve a two-year term.
If submitting nominations by mail, hand delivery or messenger service, send three copies to the OSHA Docket Office, Room N-2625, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20210; telephone 202-693-2350.
Nominations may be sent electronically to http://www.regulations.gov, the Federal eRulemaking Portal, or by facsimile at 202-693-1948. All nominations for NACOSH must include the agency name and docket number, OSHA-2009-0012. Nominations must be submitted no later than July 11, 2009.
Questions concerning the NACOSH nominations process can be addressed to Deborah Crawford at 202-693-1932 or crawford.deborah@dol.gov.
NACOSH was established under section 7(a) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to advise the Secretary of Labor and the Secretary of Health and Human Services on matters relating to the administration of the Act.
Labels: OSHA, osha information
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Arc Flash While Racking A Breaker
Arc flash is a significant hazard in the workplace. It is estimated that 5-10 arc flash injuries happen every day.
Labels: Arc Flash
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Wednesday, June 10, 2009
RFID Helps Satisfy OSHA Rules for Industrial Respirators
Industrial hygiene service provider Colden Corp. is using passive high-frequency tags (RFID tags) to track the inspection and maintenance of the respirators used by factory workers. As reported in the RFID journal, the tags reduce respirator inspection times by helping Colden employees track when respirators are inspected.
3M was the provider of the respirators. The article quotes Larry Ptastenski, the new business development manager of 3M's Occupational Health & Environmental Safety division as saying: "'The key is that RFID allows the customer to know when something is happening.' The information is stored on 3M's cloud-computing internet-based system, he indicates, and can be customized for the needs of a specific client. Some of 3M's respirator customers are maintenance service providers, while others are the manufacturing sites that use the respirators themselves. In each case, Ptastenski says, the needs for data related to inspections differ slightly. The system enables the customers to create user-defined fields—such as alerting them in advance when, for instance, an air filter cartridge needs to be changed."
Read the complete article in the RFID Journal.
Related Past Blog Posts:
Mandatory Respirator Selection Provisions
Respirator Protection An Important Safety Issue
Respirator Training Scripts Available
3M was the provider of the respirators. The article quotes Larry Ptastenski, the new business development manager of 3M's Occupational Health & Environmental Safety division as saying: "'The key is that RFID allows the customer to know when something is happening.' The information is stored on 3M's cloud-computing internet-based system, he indicates, and can be customized for the needs of a specific client. Some of 3M's respirator customers are maintenance service providers, while others are the manufacturing sites that use the respirators themselves. In each case, Ptastenski says, the needs for data related to inspections differ slightly. The system enables the customers to create user-defined fields—such as alerting them in advance when, for instance, an air filter cartridge needs to be changed."
Read the complete article in the RFID Journal.
Related Past Blog Posts:
Mandatory Respirator Selection Provisions
Respirator Protection An Important Safety Issue
Respirator Training Scripts Available
Labels: Construction / Installation, PPE, Safety Software
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CAL/OSHA Passes Two Safety Regulations
The California Farmer magazine reports that CAL/OSHA (California OSHA) has "adopted two standards that are the first in the nation to protect workers from zoonotic aerosol transmissible pathogens (communicable diseases)."
Read the California Farmer article here.
The new regulations apply to people who have contact with live animals, or animal products. The regulation states:
"every employer who has employees with occupational exposure to animals or untreated animal products, byproducts or wastes that may be a source of exposure to zoonotic aerosol transmissible pathogens shall establish, implement, and maintain effective procedures for control of zoonotic diseases."
Read the California Farmer article here.
The new regulations apply to people who have contact with live animals, or animal products. The regulation states:
"every employer who has employees with occupational exposure to animals or untreated animal products, byproducts or wastes that may be a source of exposure to zoonotic aerosol transmissible pathogens shall establish, implement, and maintain effective procedures for control of zoonotic diseases."
Labels: hazardous materials, Industrial Health
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Monday, June 01, 2009
Thinking Outside the Box
An article in Athletic Business summarizes the status of fines related to the death of a Buffalo News sports reporter who fell from steep stairs going up to a press box in a high school stadium.
I originally wrote about this on April 8th in a post titled: "An OSHA Recommendation Run Amok".
Initially state safety regulators fined the school district. Then OSHA stepped in and said that the newspaper should be fined $31,500. And the discussion about what is right continues to swirl on the web.
You can read the Athletic Business article here.
I originally wrote about this on April 8th in a post titled: "An OSHA Recommendation Run Amok".
Initially state safety regulators fined the school district. Then OSHA stepped in and said that the newspaper should be fined $31,500. And the discussion about what is right continues to swirl on the web.
You can read the Athletic Business article here.
Labels: OSHA Fines, safety and the media
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OSHA Confirms VPP To Continue
The following is a press release from the Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’ Association, Inc. (VPPPA)
VPPPA has received confirmation from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Acting Assistant Secretary for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Jordan Barab, that OSHA is not suspending the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP).
VPPPA has received confirmation from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Acting Assistant Secretary for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Jordan Barab, that OSHA is not suspending the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP).
Recent media coverage of Acting Assistant Secretary Barab’s statement on April 30, 2009, before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Workforce Protections has caused some confusion for VPP sites and the safety and health community. He stated that, “We need to better utilize the resources that we already have. In order to direct more of OSHA’s existing resources into enforcement and to provide time to address concerns in an upcoming GAO Report on the efficacy of OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program, I have informed the field staff that we will suspend the previous administration’s practice of establishing goals for new Voluntary Protection Program sites and Alliances.”
In response to the resulting confusion, Acting Assistant Secretary Barab called VPPPA’s Executive Director R. Davis Layne and assured him that OSHA is not suspending VPP. Indicated changes represent a shift in focus toward enforcement but do not equate to an elimination of OSHA’s VPP. In the course of the conversation, Barab accepted an invitation to attend the association’s 25th Annual National VPPPA Conference in San Antonio, Texas, August 24-27, 2009, and address the anticipated 2,500 attendees.
VPPPA, Inc., a nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is dedicated to promoting advances in worker safety and health excellence through cooperation among communities, workers, industries and governments. The nearly 2,000 VPPPA member sites primarily consist of worksites that have been approved, or are seeking approval, into VPP as administered by OSHA, state-plan OSHA and the Department of Energy.
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