OSHA’s Enforcement Measures in Residential Construction Extended Through December 15

OSHA has recently announced that their temporary enforcement measures in residential construction will be extended for three more months, until December 15, 2012.

These measures include:

Priority free onsite compliance assistance;
Penalty reductions;
Extended abatement dates;
Measures to ensure consistency; and
Increased outreach.

As part of their efforts, OSHA has been actively working closely with the industry. Since October of last year, their On-Site Consultation Projects completed more than 2,500 onsite visits, conducted 925 training sessions, and delivered 438 presentations regarding residential construction. They also conducted more than 800 outreach activities on the directive. Another method they use to assist companies and organizations is by providing information of the industry on their website. They will continue to assist with educational and training materials to help facilitate employers with compliance.

All this is available in their webpage here and their Fall Prevention Campaign.

For more information on our Residential Fall Protection training, give us a call at 407-353-8165 or visit us here https://safetylinks.net/index.php/training/construction-safety-courses/residential-fall-protection.

Is your profession in the deadliest workplace professions range?

According to a recent study by eTraining, a workplace safety education firm, you may face a higher danger on your job depending on the amount of driving involved rather than the specific type of profession you hold, such as being a sheriff or hunter, for example. The good news, however, shows on the graph which states that as the OSHA budget has increased, fatalities have certainly decreased.

In the study, it shows that all combined transportation incidents, including highway incidents, aircraft incidents, and other, make up a total of 49% of all multiple fatalities in the workplace. This is compared to the 20% of incidents that happen from fires and explosions, 17% from homicides and 13% of other uncategorized accidents.

And which states rate as the highest of this 2010 study? Texas tops the chart with the most workplace fatalities with a total of 456, California is next with 302, Pennsylvania is third with 219 and Florida in fourth with 215.

It’s important to remember, though, that falls are still the highest occurring incident in the construction industry, with electrocutions, being struck by an object, and caught-in/between as shown in the “Fatal Four” chart. According to eTraining, eliminating all of these four most common categories in construction would save 431 workers’ lives in America every year.

At the end of the page it shows 2011’s most frequently violated OSHA standards. Follow this link to view the study: http://etraintoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Workplace-Fatality-Data1.jpg.

To inquire about safety consultation or training for your staff, call us at 407-353-8165 or email us at info@transportins.net.

Removal Criteria from the Severe Violator Enforcement Program Is Released

OSHA’s Severe Violator Enforcement Program (SVEP), which lists companies and organizations as employers who demonstrate indifference to OSHA regulations, has published criteria that will allow them to be removed from the list. This criteria was issued on August 16 and the employer on it may be considered for removal after the following:

A period of three years from the date of the final disposition of the SVEP inspection citation items including: including to contest, settlement agreement, review commission final order, or court of appeals decision.
All affirmed violations have been abated, all final penalties have been paid, the employer has abided by and completed all settlement provision, and has not received any additional serious citations related to the hazards identified in the SVEP inspection at the initial establishment or at any related establishments.

For more information regarding the SVEP, visit http://s.dol.gov/VD.

For safety consulting, contact us at info@transportins.net

Direct Final Rule for Cranes And Derricks Issued by OSHA

Last week, OSHA issued a direct final rule and notice of proposed rulemaking of the August 2010 cranes and derricks in construction standard to demolition work and underground construction with the goal to protect workers from hazards associated with hoisting equipment used during construction activities.

This rule is also to apply to underground construction and demolition that are already being used by other construction sectors, and will streamline OSHA's standards by eliminating the separate cranes and derricks standard currently used for underground and demolition work. The rulemaking also corrects several errors introduced in the 2010 rulemaking to make it easier for workers and employers to understand and implement these standards.

The direct final rule will become effective November 15, 2012, unless OSHA receives a significant adverse comment by September 17. If the agency receives significant adverse comments, the accompanying notice of proposed rulemaking will allow the agency to continue the notice-and-comment component of the rulemaking by withdrawing the direct final rule.

To submit comments, visit: http://www.regulations.gov, the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Submissions may also be sent via faxor mail. See the Federal Register notice for details. Comments must be submitted by September 17.

Professional Safety Development

Type in Safety Certification into a search engine and you’ll get a plethora of options.

In fact there are about 300 certification programs and titles available in the United States in safety, health, environment and ergonomics fields. With so many options you have to question, which ones are better? Getting the best certification possible is especially important in today’s economy because many employers and government organizations rely on the certification process to select employees or award contracts.

Program Accreditation:

Of course many of the “not so accredited safety certifications” realize the importance of accreditation so they have aligned themselves with accreditation groups which are themselves, not accredited.The first thing you need to look at is the programs accreditation. Accredited peer certification programs set standards and evaluate people against the standards. The standards include minimum requirements for education/training and experience and demonstrated knowledge and skill through examinations.

True accreditation of peer certification programs provides an independent, third-party evaluation of many factors which contribute to ensuring candidates, certificate holders, employers, government agencies and the public that a certification program operates fairly, openly and effectively.

The two organizations most commonly awarding accreditation in the environmental, safety, and health fields are the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and the American National Standards Institute's (ANSI) administration of the ISO 17024 standard. Both organizations evaluate peer certification boards for compliance with national and international standards.

If the certification you are looking at is not accredited by at least one of these two entities you may want to look elsewhere!

What Safety Certifications are best?

When shopping for a safety certification, it is imperative to review the quality of the program. Holding accredited certifications and demonstrating competency through quality certification programs can open doors to employment, advancement, leadership, contracts and compensation.

There are generally speaking 6 certifications which are well respected in the safety, health, environment and ergonomics fields.

OHST/ CLCS- The OSHT or CLCS are technologist level certifications offered by the Board Of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP). An Occupational Health and Safety Technologist (OHST) or a Certified Loss Control Specialist (CLCS) is a person who performs occupational health and safety activities on a full-time or part-time basis as part of their job duties. These certificate holders do not require a college degree and the certification requirements are less stringent than some of the other certifications listed below. For more information click here. http://www.bcsp.org/ohst_clcs.
Like the OHST/ CLCS, the Construction Health and Safety Technician (CHST) certification is offered by the BCSP as a technologist level certification for individuals who demonstrate competency and work part-time or full-time in health and safety activities in the construction industry. For more information click here. http://www.bcsp.org/chst.
CHMM- The Certified Hazardous Materials Manager (CHMM) certificate is offered by the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management (IHMM). This certificate offers the hazmat industry’s premier accredited professional credentials and required a Baccalaureate degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university in hazardous materials management, environmental science, one of the physical sciences, or a related field. For more information click here. http://www.ihmm.org/4. CIH- The Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) designation is provided by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH). The CIH is the premier occupational hygiene certification in the world. CIH’s required at least a Bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, engineering, physics or an ABET accredited program in industrial hygiene or safety. For more information click here. http://www.abih.org/.
CPE- The Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE) designation is offered by the Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics (BCPE). CPE’s required at least a master's degree and three years of practice in human factors/ergonomics. For more information click here. http://www.bcpe.org/.#mce_temp_url#
CSP- The Certified Safety Profesional (CSP) credential is the mark of the safety professional. Like the Professional Engineer designation for engineers or the Certified Public Accountant designation for accountants, the CSP certification marks individuals who have met educational and experience standards and passed rigorous examinations validated against the practice of hundreds of safety professionals. No other safety certification holds the same level of demand by employers and government agencies. Also no other safety credential has the same impact on salary. CSP’s required at least a bachelor’s degree and 5 years of professional experience. For more information click here. http://www.bcsp.org/csp.

In summary, as the need for certified safety, health, environment and ergonomic professionals increases so does the importance of your certification. Obtaining an accredited certificate will identify you as a source of expertise, and enhance your reputation and professional credibility.

If you would like more information on obtaining the OHST/ CLCS credential visit https://safetylinks.net/index.php/training/safety-management-courses/ohst-prep-.

Safety Tip – Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Everyday, a whopping 1,000 eye injuries happen in a US workplace. Due to the high number, the Department of Labor's survey research has revealed that nearly 3 out of 5 workers failed to wear eye protection and about 40% had the wrong type of protection.

With this month's safety tip you'll get a great overview on how to properly select, wear, and maintain your protective equipment. Don't be another statistic and develop a "safety first" mentality and workplace culture.

Watch Presentation Now

Putting Out A Fire on Electric Vehicle With Water?

Did you know?...

When it comes to a hybrid or electrical car fire, you can actually put it out with WATER?

Surprisingly enough, the Emergency Response Guide (ERG) from the NFPA states explains why. It states that the electrical circuits in HEVs or EVs are "isolated from the vehicle chassis with no direct connection to the ground". Because of this, a circuit cannot be completed by a fire stream, through the person or firefighter, and into the ground. Where as normally, when you are in the path between the electrical source and the earth or ground you complete the circuit, causing electrocution.

For information on NFPA 70e / Arc Flash courses, visit us at https://safetylinks.net/index.php/training/safety-courses-for-all-industries/arc-flash.

New “Tool Shed” Directive by OSHA for Marine Hazards Released

OSHA has released a newly revised directive as guidance for the marine cargo handling industry. The enforcement is aimed at eliminating their workplace hazards and includes requirements on updated personal protective equipment (PPE) and the safe operation of Vertical Tandem Lifts (VTL).

Some of the updates in the document include:

clarification that PPE that employers must provide at no cost to their workers, when employers must pay for replacement PPE, and when employers are not required to pay for PPE;
information and guidance on VTLs, both on the regulations and the recent court ruling on a challenge by industry to those regulations;
changes to the Marine Terminals and Safety and Health Regulations for Longshoring provisions based on Phase III of the Standards Improvement Project;
settlement agreement between the National Grain and Feed Association Inc. and OSHA;
updated answers to commonly asked maritime cargo handling questions; and
marine cargo handling safety and health information in a Web-based format with electronic links.

In 2010, seven workers died on the job in the marine cargo handling industry and approximately 2,900 suffered of injuries.

The Marine Terminals standards and the Longshoring standards are the two main standards that regulate the industry. To view OSHA’s Marine Industry standards and regulations, visit http://www.osha.gov/dts/maritime/index.html.

To view the directive, visit http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/Directive_pdf/CPL_02-00-154.pdf.

Safety Tips for Working With Ammonia

The article below focuses on the dangers of working with ammonia and gives some helpful tips to remember to stay as safe as possible.

Ammonia can be found in two different forms: ammonium hydroxide or pressurized gas. Most are familiar with the soluble one, ammonium hydroxide, as that is the liquid one. Exposure to ammonia is even more alarming when it is frequent because most people will become desensitized. The chemical is corrosive to the skin, eyes, and lungs, which can cause harm from eye and respiratory irritation to swelling and accumulation of fluid in the lungs.

Here are the tips listed in the article to be aware of:

Train employees to work safely with ammonia by following these general precautions and the safe work practices that apply in this facility:
Wear personal protective equipment. To work with liquid ammonia, you may need eye, face, and skin protection. To work with liquid or gaseous ammonia, you may require respiratory protection.
Take hot work permitting precautions whenever hot work will be performed in areas where ammonia is present. If piping, vessels, or containers that have held ammonia will be welded, soldered, drilled, or cut, purge all ammonia first.
Use proper ventilation. Never work with ammonia in an unventilated area. Always ensure that you have adequate ventilation, and make sure that ventilation is nonsparking or explosion-proof.
Store ammonia separately from incompatible chemicals, away from heat and ignition sources.
Know what to do in case of a spill or leak. When you work with ammonia, know where the emergency escape respirators are located. If ammonia leaks or is spilled, put on a respirator, and leave the area immediately. Report the spill or leak so it can be appropriately controlled.
Know how to respond to splashes. Liquid ammonia can burn your eyes. Know where the emergency eyewash is stored in your work area and how to use it.

Why It Matters

On November 1, 2011, a hazardous materials release occurred at the San Onofre nuclear power plant, just south of San Clemente, California, prompting the immediate evacuation of the plant's personnel—but it wasn't a radiation release. The chemical that posed an immediate hazard to the health and safety of workers at the plant was ammonia. You can avoid this kind of incident in your workplace by training your workers on how to work safely around ammonia.

To view the original article, visit http://safetydailyadvisor.blr.com/archive/2012/08/03/training_safety_ammonia_hazardous_materials.aspx?Source=SDF&effort=19.

To learn more about Hazard Communication and working safety with chemicals, visit https://safetylinks.net/index.php/training/safety-courses-for-all-industries/hazcom or call us at 407-303-8165 to schedule an onsite class for your employees.

« Older Articles Newer Articles »