Safe Workplace and Safety News

OSHA Cites New Bedford, Mass., Seafood Processor Following Worker Death In Ice Machine

2009-11-10T15:37:00.000-08:00

OSHA has cited Northern Wind Inc., a New Bedford, Mass., seafood processor, for 23 alleged violations of workplace safety standards after a worker was killed on May 4 when he became caught in the moving parts of a large industrial ice-making machine that activated while he was performing maintenance work inside it.

OSHA found that the plant lacked specific steps and procedures to power down and lock out the ice machine's power source before employees entered it. The agency's investigation also found that workers were not trained to recognize and address the hazard of the machine operating without warning. In addition, the plant lacked a program and employee training for working in confined spaces, such as the ice machine, and ladders were not available to ensure safe entry and exit from the ice machine.

"This is exactly the type of grave accident that OSHA's hazardous energy control, or 'lockout/tagout' standard, is designed to prevent," said Brenda Gordon, OSHA's area director for southeastern Massachusetts. "For the safety of their workers, employers must always ensure that machinery is powered down and its power sources locked out before workers perform maintenance. Employers must also ensure that workers are properly trained for work in confined spaces."

Additionally, OSHA's inspection identified unmarked exit doors and a lack of emergency exit route lighting, no eyewash or drenching facilities for employees working with corrosive chemicals, a lack of material safety data sheets and chemical hazard communication training, unguarded open-sided floors, a missing safety latch on a hoisting hook and several electrical-related hazards.

All told, these conditions resulted in the issuance of 19 serious citations, with $62,800 in proposed 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 $4,000 for four other-than-serious hazards, including incomplete recording of injuries and illnesses. The combined penalties total $66,800.

Northern Wind Inc. has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, meet with OSHA or contest the citations and penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The inspection was conducted by OSHA's Braintree Area Office; telephone 617-565-6924. Detailed information on hazardous energy control, including an interactive e-Tool, is available at http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/controlhazardousenergy/index.html.

OSHA Cites Loren Cook Company $511,000 Following Worker's Death

2009-11-10T15:31:00.000-08:00

OSHA has cited Loren Cook Co. of Springfield, MO with seven alleged willful and three alleged serious violations after Charles Knapp, 59, of Walnut Grove, MO was killed on May 13, 2009 when a piece of metal was ejected from a machine and hit him in the head.

"Loren Cook Co. willfully allowed its employees to work on dangerous equipment without safeguarding the machinery and exposed workers to debris ejected while operating manual spinning lathes," said acting Assistant Secretary for OSHA Jordan Barab. "It is imperative that employers take steps to eliminate hazards and provide a safe working environment."

Seven instance-by-instance willful citations at $70,000 each are proposed for failing to guard seven manual spinning lathes, with a total proposed willful penalty of $490,000. OSHA issues a willful violation when an employer exhibits plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health.

Three serious citations with penalties totaling $21,000 are proposed for a lack of adequate personal protective equipment for workers' faces, extremities and hands. OSHA issues a serious citation when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from a hazard about which an employer knew or should have known.

The proposed fines total $511,000.

Loren Cook manufactures industrial ventilation equipment and employs approximately 800 workers, with about 580 located at the Springfield site and the remainder at a North Carolina site.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director in Kansas City, MO., or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Be Careful About Hiring Obese People

2009-11-05T15:15:00.000-08:00

Yesterday's edition of the Kansas City Star includes an article titled "Obesity becomes a workers’ comp complication". It describes situations in which workers were injured had weight loss surgery paid for by worker's comp.

One of the examples in the article states:

"...the Oregon Supreme Court said an employer must pay for surgery for an employee who suffered a workplace knee injury — not for knee replacement but for a weight-loss procedure. Decisions like those are causing employment law attorneys and human resource consultants to send an alert..."

Read the entire article here.

Preliminary Top OSHA Violations For 2009

2009-11-05T15:09:00.000-08:00

OSHA has revealed the preliminary top 10 most-frequent workplace safety violations for 2009 as part of a presentation at the NSC's annual Congress & Expo. The number of top 10 violations has increased almost 30 percent over the same time period in 2008.

"We appreciate our colleagues at OSHA presenting their new violation data to such a receptive audience," said National Safety Council President and CEO Janet Froetscher. "The sheer number of violations gives us new resolve in raising awareness about the importance of having sounds safety procedures."

The workplace violations are:

1. Scaffolding - 9,093 violations

Scaffold accidents most often result from the planking or support giving way, or from the employee slipping or being struck by a falling object.

2. Fall Protection - 6,771 violations

Any time a worker is at a height of four feet or more, the worker is at risk and needs to be protected. Fall protection must be provided at four feet in general industry, five feet in maritime and six feet in construction.

3. Hazard Communication - 6,378 violations

Chemical manufacturers and importers are required to evaluate the hazards of the chemicals they produce or import, and prepare labels and safety data sheets to convey the hazard information to their downstream customers.

4. Respiratory Protection - 3,803 violations

Respirators protect workers against insufficient oxygen environments, harmful dusts, fogs, smokes, mists, gases, vapors and sprays. These hazards may cause cancer, lung impairment, other diseases or death.

5. Lockout-Tag out - 3,321 violations

"Lockout-Tag out" refers to specific practices and procedures to safeguard employees from the unexpected startup of machinery and equipment, or the release of hazardous energy during service or maintenance activities.

6. Electrical (Wiring) - 3,079 violations

Working with electricity can be dangerous. Engineers, electricians and other professionals work with electricity directly, including working on overhead lines, cable harnesses, and circuit assemblies. Others, such as office workers and sales people, work with electricity indirectly and may also be exposed to electrical hazards.

7. Ladders - 3,072 violations

Occupational fatalities caused by falls remain a serious public health problem. The US Department of Labor (DOL) lists falls as one of the leading causes of traumatic occupational death, accounting for eight percent of all occupational fatalities from trauma.

8. Powered Industrial Trucks - 2,993 violations

Each year, tens of thousands of injuries related to powered industrial trucks (PIT), or forklifts, occur in US workplaces. Many employees are injured when lift trucks are inadvertently driven off loading docks, lifts fall between docks and an unsecured trailer, they are struck by a lift truck, or when they fall while on elevated pallets and tines.

9. Electrical - 2,556 violations

Working with electricity can be dangerous. Engineers, electricians, and other professionals work with electricity directly, including working on overhead lines, cable harnesses, and circuit assemblies. Others, such as office workers and sales people, work with electricity indirectly and may also be exposed to electrical hazards.

10. Machine Guarding - 2,364 violations

Any machine part, function, or process that may cause injury must be safeguarded. When the operation of a machine or accidental contact injures the operator or others in the vicinity, the hazards must be eliminated or controlled.

The final report on the Top 10 for 2009 violations will be published in December.

Get Ready For A More Aggressive OSHA

2009-10-01T10:58:00.000-07:00

An article on HealthCarePOV, an online blog of Advance News magazines, provides a overview of the "new" OSHA. The article opens with the statement:

The Obama administration's "new OSHA" has a simple message for U.S. industry. This message has been delivered loudly and clearly by both Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and Acting Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Jordan Barab. Their message: "There is a new sheriff in town." And we all know what sheriffs do. They aggressively enforce the law. That is exactly what the new Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) intends to do.

Written by James A. Lastowka, a partner in the law firm of McDermott Will & Emery LLP, the article discusses the new OSHA's leadership team; the Top priorities for the new OSHA; and What companies must do to prepare for the new OSHA

You can read the entire article here: The New OSHA

OSHA Revises Enforcement Policies For Fall Protection During Steel Erection

2009-10-01T10:50:00.000-07:00

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently revised the steel erection compliance directive for the agency's Steel Erection Standard to change two enforcement policies related to tripping hazards and installation of nets or floors during steel erection.

One of the revised policies addresses the standard's requirement that employers install a floor or net within two stories or 30 feet, whichever is less.

The other policy states that employers must comply with the requirement that steel studs, known as shear connectors, be installed at the worksite. Shear connectors bind concrete to the steel.

"Falls are the leading cause of death among construction workers," said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab. "We are intent on reducing the number of injuries and fatalities in the construction industry and believe these policy revisions will help us attain that goal."

Bureau of Labor Statistics 2007 data show that 1,204 fatalities occurred in the construction industry, 447 of which resulted from falls. The steel erection standard sets forth requirements to protect workers from the hazards associated with steel erection activities when constructing, altering, and repairing single and multi-story buildings, bridges, and other structures where steel erection occurs.

OSHA Issues Proposed Rule To Adopt The Globally Harmonized Hazard Communication System

2009-10-01T10:45:00.000-07:00

A proposed rule to align the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) with provisions of the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) was published in yesterday's Federal Register.

The current HCS requires chemical manufacturers and importers to evaluate the hazards of the chemicals they produce or import and provide information to subsequent users. The current standard requires all employers to have a hazard communication program for workers exposed to hazardous chemicals. The program includes materials such as container labels, safety data sheets, and employee training.

A number of countries, including the United States, international organizations and stakeholders participated in developing the GHS to address inconsistencies in hazard classification and communications. The GHS was developed to provide a single, harmonized system to classify chemicals, labels and safety data sheets with the primary benefit of increasing the quality and consistency of information provided to workers, employers and chemical users. Under the GHS, labels would include signal words, pictograms, and hazard and precautionary statements. Additionally, information on safety data sheets would be presented in a designated order.

"The proposal to align the hazard communication standard with the GHS will improve the consistency and effectiveness of hazard communications and reduce chemical-related injuries, illnesses and fatalities," said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab. "Following the GHS approach will increase workplace safety, facilitate international trade in chemicals, and generate cost savings from production efficiencies for firms that manufacture and use hazardous chemicals."

New OSHA Injury and Illness Recordkeeping National Emphasis Program

2009-09-30T15:08:00.000-07:00

Recently, several academic studies have asserted varying degrees of under-recording of workplace injuries and illnesses on the OSHA Form 300. At the request of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions and the House Committee on Education and Labor, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) initiated a study on the accuracy of employer injury and illness records.

In an effort to identify and correct under-recorded and incorrectly recorded cases and to work cooperatively with the GAO, OSHA is initiating this NEP. This NEP also complements the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ efforts to investigate factors accounting for differences in the number of workplace injuries and illnesses estimated by the BLS and other data sources.

OSHA postulates the most likely places where under-recorded injuries and illnesses may exist would be low rate establishments operating in historically high rate industries. The NEP will pilot test OSHA’s ability to effectively target establishments to identify under-recording of occupational injuries and illnesses.

This NEP is one component of OSHA’s effort to address the issue of inaccurate recording of occupational injuries and illnesses. In addition to this NEP, OSHA will address the issue through comprehensive training of its compliance staff to identify and correct violations of the recordkeeping regulation. OSHA will also develop other enforcement and quality assurance programs to address the recordkeeping issue in establishments and industries outside the scope of this NEP (e.g., the construction industry, Partnerships, VPP and SHARP establishments).

You can read the OSHA notice on this NEP here.

Emergency Communication - NIOSH Safety Talk

2009-09-29T15:04:00.000-07:00

Research has shown that when an emergency occurs, workers often do not get the information they need to take appropriate action. Important information about incidents is either not communicated effectively or not at all to those affected by the event.

The NIOSH "Emergency Communication Triangle" safety talk focuses on the content of emergency warning messages. It presents a procedure using mental cues that can be used by senders and receivers of emergency warnings. The talk includes graphics for use during the presentation, as well as references for more information.

The NIOSH Technology Notes #507 describes the NIOSH safety talk and the Emergency Communication Triangle.

The material was developed for use in short safety training sessions such as start-of-shift safety talks. The information can be presented in about 15 minutes. Although the illustrations were taken from the underground coal mining industry, the training can be tailored to any work setting by substituting appropriate examples.

Related Past Posts
Planning For A Workplace Emergency
NFPA Issues Emergency Evacuation Planning Guide For People With Disabilities
New OSHA Combustible Dust Web Page

SHA Levies Nearly $295,000 In Fines Against Superior Dairy

2009-09-29T14:44:00.000-07:00

OSHA has cited Superior Dairy Inc. in Canton with alleged serious and willful citations of federal workplace safety standards. Fines proposed total $294,950.

OSHA began its safety and health inspections at the Canton dairy after receiving information alleging numerous safety violations at the company. The resulting inspection revealed 11 alleged serious safety violations and five alleged willful violations.

Hazards identified as serious violations include electrical problems, safety guarding of moving machinery parts, energy lockout deficiencies and confined space entry violations. Serious citations are issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

Alleged willful violations address the lack of a confined space entry permit program, failure to document or utilize machine specific procedures for control of potentially hazardous energy, training deficiencies and the lack or intentional bypass of machine guarding. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health.

"Confined spaces hold the potential for suffocation and exposure to hazardous, sometimes deadly chemical fumes, and must be addressed as a threat to workers' lives," said OSHA Area Director Rob Medlock in Cleveland, Ohio. "I believe that all of us share a common interest and desire in seeing that every worker goes home safe and healthy at the end of every work shift."

Superior Dairy has been in business since 1922 providing milk, ice cream and other dairy products to customers. The company also manufactures their own milk containers. A 2004 catastrophic fire at the plant resulted in numerous citations for process safety management and hazardous waste operations and emergency response.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with the OSHA area director or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

To Avoid Liability, Create a No-Driving-While-Texting Policy

2009-09-24T08:54:00.000-07:00

An article in yesterday's online edition of Business Week points out:

"Cell phone usage and texting have grown to become a leading factor in automobile accidents. As of this writing, only nine states have legislated against driving while texting. That means that 41 states have no laws restricting DWT. And that can mean trouble for any business owner."

You may have heard about the mass transit accidents that have happened as a result of drivers texting while driving. Those are the high-profile accidents that make the news. To protect your business the Business Week article (read here) recommends that all business have a written policy against texting while driving.

Related Past Posts:
Working Safety With Forklifts
Online Training For Required OSHA Certifications

Obese Workers’ Comp Claims Far Exceed Slimmer Employee Costs

2009-09-24T08:36:00.001-07:00

An article in the online edition of National Underwriter reports on a recent study done by the National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) that shows the Workers Compensation costs for obese workers exceed those for other workers by up to a level of being 5.3 times more costly. The article reports that:

..."obese claims are 2.8-times more expensive than non-obese claims at the 12-month maturity, but this cost difference climbs to a factor of 4.5 at the three-year maturity and to 5.3 at the five-year maturity."

Read the complete article on the National Underwriters web site.

The NCCI announce about the study reports:

"There is increasing evidence that obesity contributes to the cost of medical care in workers compensation, and that this contribution is significant in magnitude. For instance, a recent study of workers compensation claims of Duke University employees shows that, for the morbidly obese, the medical costs per 100 full-time equivalent employees are nearly seven times as high as for employees of recommended weight. "

More detailed information, and a complete report on the study is available on the NCCI web site.

Past Blog Postings:
Obesity Rates Take Toll On Employers
Preventing Worker Foot Injuries
Older Workers Mean Greater Safety & Productivity

OSHA Document Describes Silica Control

2009-09-21T11:12:00.000-07:00

Controlling Silica Exposures in Construction, a guidance document recently published by the OSHA addresses the control of worker exposure to dust containing crystalline silica, known to cause the lung disease silicosis.

The publication, intended to assist employers in providing a safe and healthful workplace, includes methods for controlling silica such as wet cutting during construction operations. Wet cutting controls silica dust generated when using hand-held saws, grinders and jackhammers. Wetting materials at the point of impact makes the dust particles heavier and more likely to stick to each other, reducing the chance of dust becoming airborne.

Vacuum dust collection systems also effectively control silica by drawing dust particles away from the worker's breathing zone and depositing them into a filtered dust collection chamber.

"Workers in the construction trades not only suffer serious injuries and illnesses resulting from unsafe equipment but also from inhaling harmful dusts," said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab. "Providing guidance for reducing potentially fatal hazards associated with occupational exposure to silica dust is one of this agency's priorities."

Employers should conduct periodic monitoring of silica exposure by testing air samples at the construction site to determine if the level of silica in the air exceeds the permissible exposure limit (PEL) outlined in the construction PEL standard. As one of OSHA's areas of emphasis, the agency has developed standards for silica to assure work practice controls are effective.

For more information, visit OSHA's Safety and Health Topics page on crystalline silica.

OSHA Opens Record On Proposed Rule On Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution

2009-09-21T11:09:00.001-07:00

OSHA announced today that it is opening the record on a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on electric power generation, transmission, and distribution and for electrical protective equipment. This limited opening seeks to obtain comments related to safe proximity between a worker and exposed electrical parts.

OSHA published a proposed rule to revise the general industry and construction standards for electric power generation, transmission, and distribution and for electrical protective equipment, such as insulating blankets, gloves and rubber sleeves. That proposal included revised minimum approach distances (MAD) to determine how close a worker or an object that the worker is holding can get to an electrical part. The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers later made further corrections for calculating MAD and the current proposed rule includes those revisions.

"We want to incorporate the most accurate data for keeping workers at safe distances from dangerous electrical sources," said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab. "Extending this rulemaking process will provide us with the information we need to provide the best possible protection for working men and women."

A public hearing will be held Oct. 28 from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The agency will accept comments on the proposed rule until Oct. 15. Interested parties who intend to speak at the hearing must submit notices of intention to appear no later than Oct. 1. Submit comments to the OSHA Docket Office, Docket No. OSHA-S215-2006-0063, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210. Comments may also be submitted to http://www.regulations.gov, the federal eRulemaking portal or faxed to the OSHA Docket Office at 202-693-1648.

Chemical Safety Board - Combustible Dust Video

2009-09-21T07:15:00.000-07:00

A 30 minute safety video from the U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) shows how accumulations of combustible dust at industrial workplaces can provide the fuel for devastating explosions that kill and maim workers, shut down plants, and harm local economies.

OSHA Levies $275,000 Fine On Metal Improvement Co. in Lombard, Ill.

2009-09-09T15:37:00.001-07:00

OSHA has cited Metal Improvement Co., doing business as E/M Coating Services in Lombard, with alleged serious and repeat citations of federal workplace safety and health standards. Proposed penalties total $275,000.

Based on a referral from another public agency alleging numerous fires and other safety issues, OSHA began a safety and health inspection at the Lombard site in March.

The safety inspection revealed 10 serious and six repeat violations with proposed penalties totaling $155,000. Some of the serious safety hazards include various electrical and equipment issues, lack of a spray booth sprinkler system and fire hazards in a spray booth. Some of the repeat violations addressed fall protection deficiencies, improper oxygen cylinder storage and other specific electrical hazards. The company had been cited for these violations in previous inspections.

The OSHA health inspection found 10 serious and three repeat violations with proposed penalties totaling $120,000. Some of the serious health hazards include a lack of personal protective equipment, confined entry space violations, a lack of emergency eyewash and shower facilities where required and problems with respirator equipment fit. Repeat violations pertain to the company's failure to evaluate if areas are permit-required confined spaces, training deficiencies and failure to provide an eyewash in an area where corrosive materials are used.

"OSHA has inspected this company on five occasions going back to 1997, resulting in numerous violations, including many we found again on this most recent inspection," said OSHA Area Director Kathy Webb, North Aurora, Ill. "It's time for this indifference to employee health and safety to stop."

The company, which provides decorative metal coating and blasting metal services, has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with the OSHA area director or contest the citations and proposed penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Nationwide, the company employs more than 500 workers with 20 in the Lombard facility.

Connecticut Manufacturer Faces $225,500 in OSHA Fines

2009-09-09T15:35:00.001-07:00

International Bridge & Iron Co., a manufacturer of structural steel bridge parts, faces a total of $225,500 in proposed fines from OSHA for new and recurring safety hazards at its Newington, Conn., manufacturing plant.

OSHA opened an inspection in February in response to a complaint and found several hazards similar to those cited in a 2007 OSHA inspection. These included unguarded stairs; lack of eye protection; incomplete and uncertified employee training to prevent the unintended startup of machinery during maintenance; cranes lacking bridge bumpers; unguarded moving machine parts; uninspected ropes and lifting hooks; slings not marked with their lifting capacity; unguarded grinders and pulleys; and ungrounded, uninspected or damaged electrical equipment or wiring.

These conditions resulted in the issuance of 17 repeat citations, carrying $150,000 in proposed fines. OSHA issues repeat citations when an employer has previously been cited for substantially similar hazards and those citations have become final.

"The sizable fines proposed here reflect both the breadth of hazards found in this workplace and this employer's failure to prevent the recurrence of hazardous conditions that can, if left unaddressed, lead to falls, lacerations, electrocution and crushing injuries," said C. William Freeman III, OSHA's area director in Hartford.

An additional $75,500 in fines have been proposed for 16 serious citations encompassing uninspected overhead cranes; uninspected lifting hooks; defective and unmarked lifting slings; unguarded live electrical parts; damaged electrode holders and insulation; incorrectly stored compressed gas cylinders; unmarked and unchecked fire extinguishers; and slipping hazards from an oil spill in a work area. A serious citation is issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result from a hazard about which the employer knew or should have known.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and proposed penalties to comply, meet with OSHA or contest the items before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. The inspection was conducted by OSHA's Hartford Area Office; telephone 860-240-3152.

Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health Addresses Influenza Preparedness

2009-09-09T15:33:00.000-07:00

Preparedness planning for the H1N1 flu is the focus of a special meeting of the OSHA's Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health (FACOSH). The meeting will be held Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009, in Washington, D.C.

Participants will discuss recommendations in a draft report provided by the FACOSH Emerging Issues Workgroup on federal agency pandemic influenza preparedness planning for the federal workforce. The workgroup will present findings from its analysis of lessons the agency learned from the Spring 2009 H1N1 influenza outbreak.

The meeting will be from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., in Room N-4437 B/C/D, U.S. Department of Labor, Frances Perkins Building, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C., 20210.

The committee advises the Secretary of Labor on occupational safety and health issues related to the federal workforce, including advice on how to reduce the number of injuries and illnesses. FACOSH members also recommend methods for establishing and maintaining effective occupational safety and health programs in each federal agency.

For general information, contact Francis Yebesi, OSHA Office of Federal Agency Programs, at 202-693-2122 or e-mail ofap@dol.gov. Press inquiries should be directed to Jennifer Ashley, OSHA Office of Communications, at 202-693-1999. Individuals who need special accommodations should contact Veneta Chatmon, OSHA Office of Communications, at 202-693-1999.

H1N1 influenza is a virus similar to regular seasonal influenza and is spread from person to person through coughing or sneezing from an infected person. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. The preparedness planning currently underway for the H1N1 influenza builds upon the preparedness planning the agency conducted after the 2005 avian influenza.

OSHA Issues final Rule Updating Personal Protective Equipment Standards Based On National Consensus Standards

2009-09-09T15:31:00.000-07:00

OSHA published today in the Federal Register a final rule revising the personal protective equipment (PPE) sections of its general industry, shipyard employment, longshoring and marine terminals standards concerning requirements for eye- and face-protective devices, and head and foot protection.

OSHA is updating the references in its regulations to reflect more recent editions of the applicable national consensus standards that incorporate advances in technology. OSHA requires that PPE be safely designed and constructed for the tasks performed.

"Workers exposed to occupational hazards requiring head, foot, or eye and face protection will now be provided protection based on a standard that reflects state-of-the-art technology and materials," said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab. "This final rule is another step in OSHA's efforts to update or remove references to outdated national consensus and industry standards."

Amendments to the PPE standards include a requirement that filter lenses and plates in eye-protective equipment meet a test for transmission of radiant energy such as light or infrared.

The final rule will become effective on Oct. 9. For technical inquiries, contact Ted Twardowski, Directorate of Standards and Guidance, at 202-693-2070.

Lowest Workplace Fatality Rate Ever Recorded

2009-08-21T10:00:00.000-07:00

The following is the report from the Bureau Of Labor Statistics. The bad news in this report is that workplace fatalities among 16 & 17 year old workers increased.

A total of 5,071 fatal work injuries were recorded in the United States in 2008, down from a total of 5,657 fatal work injuries reported for 2007. While the 2008 results are preliminary, this figure represents the smallest annual preliminary total since the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) program
was first conducted in 1992. Final results for 2008 will be released in April 2010.

Based on these preliminary counts, the rate of fatal injury for U.S. workers in 2008 was 3.6 fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers, down from the final rate of 4.0 in 2007.

Key findings of the 2008 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries:

- Fatal work injuries in the private construction sector in 2008 declined by 20 percent from the updated 2007 total, twice the all-worker decline of 10 percent.
- Fatal workplace falls, which had risen to a series high in 2007, also declined by 20 percent in 2008.
- Workplace suicides were up 28 percent to a series high of 251 cases in 2008, but workplace homicides declined 18 percent in 2008.
- The number and rate of fatal work injuries among 16 to 17 year-old workers were higher in 2008.
- Fatal occupational injuries involving Hispanic or Latino workers in 2008 were 17 percent lower than in 2007. Fatalities among non-Hispanic Black or African American workers were down 16 percent.
- The number of fatal workplace injuries in farming, fishing, and forestry occupations rose 6 percent in 2008 after declining in 2007.
- Transportation incidents, which accounted for approximately two-fifths of all the workplace fatalities in 2008, fell 13 percent from the previous series low of 2,351 cases reported in 2007.

In June of 2009, the Bureau of Labor Statistics introduced improved fatality rates for the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI). The new rates, based on hours worked as opposed to employment, are considered to be more accurate in measuring the risk of dying from an injury on the job. Further information on the rates is available at: http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshnotice10.htm. Hours-based rates for years 2006 through 2008 and employment-based rates for years 1992 through 2007 can be found at: http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshcfoi1.htm.

Economic factors likely played a role in the fatality decrease. Average hours worked at the national level fell by one percent in 2008, and some industries that have historically accounted for a significant share of worker fatalities, such as construction, experienced larger declines in employment or hours worked.

In addition to the impact of declining employment, another factor that should be considered when reviewing these preliminary results is how the economy may have impacted the government agencies that provide source documents used in the compilation of CFOI data. Budget constraints at some of these governmental agencies may have delayed the receipt and processing of the documents that are used by our State partners to classify and code CFOI cases.

The average net increase in CFOI cases as a result of updates over the past two years has been 153 cases, but the updated 2008 counts scheduled for release in April 2010 have the potential to be larger because of these delays.

Profile of 2008 fatal work injuries by type of incident

- Most types of transportation fatalities saw decreases in 2008 relative to 2007, including highway incidents (down 19 percent); railway incidents (down 31 percent); workers struck by vehicle or mobile equipment (down 7 percent); and nonhighway incidents such as tractor overturns (down 4 percent). Aircraft-related
fatalities were higher in 2008 (189 incidents in 2008, up from 174 incidents in 2007), as were water vehicle incidents.

- The 680 fatal falls in 2008 represent a 20 percent decline from the series high of 847 fatal falls in 2007. Fatal falls to a lower level, which accounted for 85 percent of all falls, were down 23 percent in 2008. Fatal falls from roofs were down 26 percent and falls from ladders decreased by 14 percent. The number of fatal falls on same level (to a floor or walkway or against an object) increased slightly in 2008.

- Workplace suicides rose from 196 cases in 2007 to 251 cases in 2008, an increase of 28 percent and the highest number ever reported by the fatality census. Suicides among protective service occupations rose from 14 in 2007 to 25 in 2008. Workplace homicides fell by 18 percent in 2008. Overall, the 2008 preliminary workplace homicide count (517 workplace homicides) represents a decline of 52 percent from the high of 1,080 homicides reported in 1994.

- The number of fatal work injuries involving fires and explosions was up 14 percent in 2008; fatalities involving contact with objects or equipment were also up slightly in 2008.

How Not To Do Training

2009-08-18T10:43:00.000-07:00

It's been over 60 years since this 1944 video was made, but there are still people who need to learn what it teaches.

Related Past Posts:
Free Safety Videos
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Top 10 Common Workplace Injuries and Ways to Prevent Them

2009-08-18T09:55:00.000-07:00

An article on the web site of the Health Diet Institute gives the top ten categories for workplace accidents. Written by Joanne Aika Castillo, the article opens by stating:

"Workplace injuries happen all the time. The most susceptible employees who experience workplace injuries are those working in more dangerous areas such as construction sites and factories. However the most common types of injuries which have greatly affected both employees and employers are those that we don't necessarily think as dangerous but are nevertheless detrimental to the health and safety of workers."

You can read the top ten list here.

Related Past Posts:
Company Cited For Poor Hazard Communication
Employee Complaint Results in $62,000 Fine
Revised OSHA Field Operations Manual

Zombies Increase Workplace Hazards

2009-08-18T09:33:00.000-07:00

A new online free interactive game from American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) features high quality graphics, sound, and everything you'd expect in a quality game... and it promotes a safe workplace.

Slippery floors, hot cooking equipment, heavy lifting, loud noises and working alone are some of the dangers teens face as they take that first job or seasonal employment. These dangers can lead to fatalities and serious injury if workers are not aware of them and how to protect themselves against being injured on the job. To help teens stay safe at work, ASSE has launched an interactive online computer game called “Don’t be a Zombie at Work” and to illustrate how occupational safety, health and environmental (SH&E) professionals are key to staying safe.

Located at http://www.dontbeazombieatwork.org, the new ASSE game is free and features the imaginary evil “BodgeDab” industries. Players find themselves helping their co-workers avoid becoming a “zombie” by finding tools and information from embedded SH&E professionals to stay safe on the job. The game involves a mysterious corporation that has just moved into a large city, led by reputed evil boss Damballa Bokor, and opening businesses all over town. At the same time, the people working at these establishments are becoming “unnatural” -- zombie like. And the “virus” is quickly spreading among all workers. The player’s job is to move through these establishments - a restaurant (Club BodgeDab), a warehouse and an office to save the workers by undoing the workplace hazards. This will save the zombiefied employees and create a safe work environment. If done successfully, the player moves to the final challenge - BodgeDab headquarters and a showdown with Damballa Bokor.

Throughout the game Elle, an ASSE member and SH&E professional, is working undercover to help stop BodgeDab industries and inform the player of the dangerous and underlying dangers of BodgeDab industries. Just a call away, Elle and a team of safety professionals provide the player with clues on how to prevent workplace hazards, save the zombies and stop the dreaded BodgeDab industries.

In addition to Elle and the safety professionals, the player has several tools that can be moved to a tool box/inventory to fix the hazardous situations in each level. Instructions are provided throughout the game as are quizzes.

The “Don’t be a Zombie at Work” game, developed by ASSE members, is another tool ASSE has created and made available to its members and the public in an effort to prevent workplace injuries and fatalities. The other free young worker tools include the “Be Safe At Work: Tips for Teens” book mark and the brochures titled “Important Workplace Safety Guide for Young Workers” and “Preventing Roadway Crashes” available by contacting ASSE at customerservice@asse.org , by calling 847-699-2929 or downloading them from www.asse.org/newsroom in the press kit.

In 2007 a total of 117 teens under the age of 18 died from work-related injuries and another 77,000 teen workers were hurt badly enough to end up in hospital emergency rooms. Nationally, about 230,000 teens suffer work-related injuries, with most of those injuries occurring in the retail or service industries, according to the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Overall, close to 6,000 workers die from on-the-job injuries and 4.4 million more suffer from injuries and illnesses in the U.S. alone.

Related Past Posts:
Video Game Teaches Forklift Safety

OSHA Establishes "Watch List" To Strengthen Integrity of Outreach Training Program

2009-08-11T15:03:00.000-07:00

OSHA, in an effort to crack down on fraudulent trainers, is continuing to strengthen the integrity of its 36-year-old Outreach Training Program by publishing an "Outreach Trainer Watch List" of those who have had their trainer authorizations either revoked or suspended.

OSHA recently conducted an undercover investigation as part of its heightened effort to address fraudulent activity by trainers authorized through the OSHA Outreach Training Program. The investigation of a 10-hour course conducted by Don Barker, environmental health and safety director for Thor Construction in Las Vegas, revealed several examples of failure to comply with program guidelines. Barker's infractions included submitting falsified information regarding the instructional time spent on the topics, failing to collect and retain required documentation and inappropriately advising students not to contact OSHA to report hazards.

OSHA revoked Barker's Outreach Training authorization after he declined to appeal the decision and his name has been added to the "Watch List" on OSHA's Web site. The "Watch List," available at http://www.osha.gov/dte/outreach/construction_generalindustry/watchlist.html, will be updated weekly. OSHA is monitoring training programs and has provided a hotline at 847-297-4810 for individuals to file complaints about fraud and abuse.

"Trainers who fail to provide appropriate safety training will pay a stiff price for their fraudulent behavior," said Jordan Barab, acting assistant secretary of labor for OSHA. "A tighter record control procedure has been instituted requiring trainers to sign their reports and certify the class was conducted in accordance with OSHA's guidelines. Trainers face civil and criminal penalties under federal law if reports or certifications are found to have been falsified."

Trainers are authorized by completing a one-week OSHA trainer course through an OSHA Training Institute Education Center. The trainers are then eligible to teach 10-hour programs that provide basic information to workers and employers about workplace hazards and OSHA, and 30-hour courses in construction, maritime and general industry safety and health hazards.

The voluntary Outreach Training Program has grown to a national network of more than 16,000 independent trainers eligible to teach workers and employers about workplace hazards and provide OSHA 10-hour course completion cards. The program's success has prompted some states and cities to legislate a requirement that workers complete training to earn an OSHA 10-hour card as a condition of employment.

Does A Worker's Injury While Battling Vending Machine Merit Benefits?

2009-08-11T14:35:00.000-07:00

During normal work time (not on a break), on behalf of another employee, an employee injured his hip trying to free a purchase from a vending machine. Was this injury sustained within the scope of the employee's employment? Should he receive worker's comp benefits?

The injury happened in Illinois where there is a good Samaritan doctrine. That doctrine says that if in the course of a person's job someone is injured while aiding another employee, and if that action was reasonably foreseeable, then compensation should be paid under worker's comp.

Here is the story from Risk & Insurance Online (read the complete article):

"The employee injured his hip when he lunged at a vending machine with his right shoulder and hip. The employee was helping a coworker whose purchase got stuck in the machine. The facts did not fit squarely within the personal comfort doctrine because the employee was not seeking refreshment for himself and he was not on a break. However, the Illinois Appellate Court found the injury was compensable under the good Samaritan doctrine."

Related past posts:
Actual Workplace Injury Rates
Stress Of Injury Claim Results In Man's Death
Doctors Feel Push To Downplay Injuries