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OSHA Announces Meeting of Construction Advisory Committee

2010-11-19T13:36:00.000-06:00

WASHINGTON — The Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH) will meet Dec. 9-10, 2010, in Washington, D.C. In conjunction with the ACCSH, committee work groups, including the newly-established Injury and Illness Prevention Program work group, will meet Dec. 7-8.

The agenda for the ACCSH meeting includes remarks from Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA David Michaels and the Directorate of Construction, updates on Injury and Illness Prevention Program rulemaking and the Severe Violator Enforcement Program, and ACCSH work group reports.

The Injury and Illness Prevention Program work group will hold its first meeting at 1-3 p.m., Dec. 7. The other ACCSH work groups that will meet are Silica and Other Construction Health Hazards, Green Jobs, Diversity - Women in Construction, Multilingual Issues, Nailguns, Training and Education and Prevention by Design.

Established as a continuing advisory committee under the Construction Safety Act of 1969, ACCSH and the Assistant Secretary have consulted for nearly 40 years on construction safety issues such as women in construction, recordkeeping, crane safety, and safety and health resources for Latino construction workers.

ACCSH and its work group meetings are open to the public and will be held in Room N-3437, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210. The full committee will meet from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 9, and 8 a.m. to noon, Friday, Dec. 10. ACCSH meetings are open to the public. See the Federal Register notice for further details and a list ACCSH work group meeting times.

Written comments, requests to address the committee, and speaker presentations must be submitted electronically at www.regulations.gov, via mail, or facsimile by November 30. For general information, contact Mr. Francis Dougherty, OSHA Directorate of Construction, 202-693-2020. Press inquiries should be directed to MaryAnn Garrahan, OSHA Office of Communications, 202-693-1999.

OSHA Will Hold Informal Public Hearing on Proposed Rule to Prevent Worker Injuries on Walking-Working Surfaces

2010-11-17T11:07:00.001-06:00

WASHINGTON – OSHA will hold an informal public hearing starting Jan. 18, 2011, on the proposed rule revising the Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) standards to improve worker protection from slip, trip, and fall hazards.

"These public hearings will provide an important opportunity for stakeholders who will be impacted by the rule to share their concerns and provide input on the proposal," said OSHA Assistant Secretary Dr. David Michaels.

The proposed rule, described in the May 24 Federal Register, will prevent annually about 20 workplace fatalities and more than 3,700 injuries that are serious enough to result in lost work days. "Injuries and fatalities from fall hazards are a leading cause of work-related injuries and we need to have the best rule possible to ensure that we effectively address this serious hazard," said Michaels.

Proposed revisions will include specific criteria for personal fall protection equipment that are consistent with industry voluntary consensus standards. Revisions will also better align OSHA's general industry walking-working surfaces standards with the Agency's construction and shipyard industry standards.

The hearing will begin at 9:30 a.m., at the U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210. If necessary, the hearing will continue on subsequent days at the same time and location.

Individuals interested in testifying at the hearing must submit a notice of intent to appear by Nov. 30. Only those persons submitting notices will be permitted to present testimony, questions witness and OSHA, and participate in the post-hearing comment period. Individuals who request to testify for more than 10 minutes or who intend to submit documentary evidence at the hearing must submit the full text of their testimony and evidence by Dec. 21. See the hearing notice for submission details.

Technical questions and public hearing inquiries should be directed to Virginia Fitzner, Office of Safety Systems, at 202-693-2052. Individuals requesting special accommodations to attend or testify at the hearing should contact Veneta Chatmon, Office of Communications, at 202-693-1999.

Ask the Expert

2010-11-12T17:22:00.001-06:00

Q. We put our used utility knife blades in a sharps container. What is defined as “appropriate disposal” after the container is full?

A. If the blades did not come in contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials then they are not classified as a regulated medical waste and should not be placed in a sharps container designated as a regulated medical waste. If you are using this type of sharps container then you must use a medical waste company for disposal.

However if you are using a container for utility knife or razor blades contact your local municipal waste disposal company to see if these containers can be disposed of with your regular trash. Otherwise you could place them in a metal can and encase the contents with cement (see attached DAP concrete patch). The land fill should allow the encased blades to be disposed of in your normal trash.

1910.1030(b) Bloodborne Pathogens
Contaminated Sharps means any contaminated object that can penetrate the skin including, but not limited to, needles, scalpels, broken glass, broken capillary tubes, and exposed ends of dental wires.
Regulated Waste means liquid or semi-liquid blood or other potentially infectious materials; contaminated items that would release blood or other potentially infectious materials in a liquid or semi-liquid state if compressed; items that are caked with dried blood or other potentially infectious materials and are capable of releasing these materials during handling; contaminated sharps; and pathological and microbiological wastes containing blood or other potentially infectious materials.

Email your questions to our SafetyCertified OSHA & Safety Expert at oshadvisor@safetycertified.com

Statement by US Department of Labor's OSHA Assistant Secretary Dr. David Michaels on injuries and illnesses requiring days away from work in 2009

2010-11-11T13:00:00.000-06:00

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics today announced that the number of reported nonfatal occupational injury and illness cases that required days away from work to recuperate decreased by nine percent to 1,238,490 cases in 2009 for private industry, state government and local government. Additionally, BLS reported that the total incidence rate decreased by 5 percent to 117 cases per 10,000 full-time workers. BLS also reported that local and state government workers had much higher rates of injuries and illnesses requiring days away from work than workers in private industry. In response, Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health, issued this statement:

"Injuries and illnesses requiring time away from work to recuperate can be costly to both employers and employees alike, often resulting in lost productivity for employers and lost wages for workers. All employers, private and government, can use the data released today to focus on areas with high incidence rates, and find and fix hazards to prevent future occurrences. We are continuing our efforts to ensure that these data are complete and accurate, so that they will assist employers in that effort.

"The BLS report is significant in that, for the first time, it reports incidence rates for workers in state and local governments, half of whom work in states where public employees have no OSHA coverage. We find it very troubling to note that the rate among local and state government workers was 185 cases and 180 cases per 10,000 full-time workers, respectively. That compares with 106 cases per 10,000 full-time employees in private industry. Specifically, we see a high occurrence among many public employee occupations, particularly among transit and intercity bus drivers, law enforcement officers, emergency response workers, and nursing aides and orderlies. We are also concerned that musculoskeletal disorders continue for the second year in a row to comprise almost 30 percent of all workplace injuries and illnesses requiring time away from work.

"Although it is encouraging to see a reduction in the total number of days away from work for injuries and illnesses suffered by workers in 2009, we know that economic conditions may have weighed heavily on the decline. Specifically, a decrease in employment and total hours worked, especially in construction and manufacturing, has led to fewer workers exposed to safety and health hazards in the workplace.

"As the economy improves, more Americans back on the job could potentially lead to easily preventable work-related injuries and illnesses. OSHA's challenge, and therefore America's challenge, is to remain vigilant and keep the health and safety of America's workers a priority, for no job is a good job unless it's a safe job."

Cranes & Derricks Final Rule

2010-11-04T21:05:00.001-05:00

Don’t forget the Final Rule for Cranes and Derricks go into effect TODAY, November 4th. OSHA hasn’t yet updated their website, but SafetyCertified has. If you subscribe to the Online Manager, you can see all the updates in the Regulation Section. If you are interested in a free trial, please email sales@safetycertified.com.

US Labor Department's OSHA encourages major retailers to provide crowd management measures to protect workers during Black Friday, other sales events

2010-11-03T13:27:00.000-05:00

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is encouraging CEOs of 14 major retail companies to take precautions to prevent worker injuries during Black Friday and the holiday season's other major sales events. Toward that end, OSHA has sent a letter and fact sheet on "Crowd Management Safety Tips for Retailers" to the CEOs.

In 2008, a worker was trampled to death while a mob of shoppers rushed through the doors of a large store to take advantage of an after-Thanksgiving Day Black Friday sales event. The store was not using the kind of crowd management measures recommended in OSHA's fact sheet, which is available online at http://www.osha.gov/OshDoc/data_General_Facts/Crowd_Control.html.

"Crowd-related injuries during special retail sales and promotional events have increased during recent years," said Assistant Secretary for OSHA Dr. David Michaels. "Many of these incidents can be prevented by adopting a crowd management plan, and this fact sheet provides retail employers with guidelines for avoiding injuries during the holiday shopping season."

The fact sheet provides employers with recommended elements for crowd management plans. Plans should include having trained security personnel or police officers on-site, setting up barricades or rope lines for pedestrians and crowd control well in advance of customers arriving at the store, making sure that barricades are set up so that the customers' line does not start right at the entrance of the store, having in place emergency procedures that address potential dangers, and having security personnel or customer service representatives explain approach and entrance procedures to the arriving public.

OSHA also recommends not allowing additional customers to enter the store when it reaches its maximum occupancy level and not blocking or locking exit doors.

For a copy of the letter sent to the CEOs and a list of the retailers they represent, visit http://www.osha.gov/ooc/blackfridayletter.pdf.

Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis Renews Charter of National Safety and Health Advisory Committee

2010-11-01T15:42:00.001-05:00

WASHINGTON – Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today renewed the charter of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health. The charter will expire in two years.

"Since OSHA's inception, NACOSH has played an important role in advising the secretaries of labor and health and human services on worker safety issues such as hazard communication, the whistleblower program and providing ideas and input on ways to reduce worker deaths, injuries and illnesses," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels. "The members' advice and recommendations are extremely valuable because they have a wealth of knowledge and real-world experience on a wide range of worker health and safety matters."

Established as a continuing advisory committee under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, NACOSH advises, consults with and makes recommendations to the secretaries of labor and HHS on matters relating to the administration of the OSH Act, including providing feedback on OSHA and HHS initiatives to improve occupational safety and health.

NACOSH is comprised of 12 representative members. Eight members are appointed by the secretary of labor, one of whom the secretary appoints to serve as chair, and four members are appointed by the secretary of HHS. The composition of NACOSH is as follows:

Two members represent management.
Two members represent labor.
Two members represent the occupational health professions. The secretary of HHS designates these members.
Two members represent the occupational safety professions.
Four members represent the public. The secretary of HHS designates two of these members.

For more information on NACOSH and the charter, go to http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2010/2010-27439.htm or http://63.234.227.130/dop/nacosh/nacosh.html.

OSHA Seeks Comments on its Official Interpretation of Workplace Noise Exposure Controls

2010-10-20T16:11:00.000-05:00

WASHINGTON - OSHA is proposing to issue an interpretation of the term "feasible administrative or engineering controls" as used in the general industry and construction occupational noise exposure standards and to amend its current enforcement policy to reflect the interpretation. For the purpose of enforcing compliance with these standards, the proposal states that "feasible" has its ordinary meaning of capable of being done.

OSHA's noise standards specify that feasible administrative or engineering controls must be used to reduce noise to acceptable levels and that personal protective equipment, such as ear plugs and ear muffs, must be used only as supplements when administrative or engineering controls are not completely effective. The preference for engineering and administrative controls over personal protective equipment is consistent with the approach taken in all of OSHA's health standards and reflects the fact that such controls are generally more effective. Under the agency's current enforcement policy, however, the agency issues citations for failure to use engineering and administrative controls only when they cost less than a hearing conservation program or such equipment is ineffective.

OSHA today proposes to interpret the term "feasible" in conformity with its ordinary meaning and with the safety and health purposes of the OSH Act. The Supreme Court has held that the term "feasible" as used in the standard-setting provision of the Occupational Safety and Health Act means capable of being done. The proposal aligns the interpretation of the noise standard with the Court's holding and with OSHA's other standards that require feasible engineering controls. The Agency intends to change its noise enforcement policy to authorize issuing citations requiring the use of administrative and engineering controls when feasible as indicated in the interpretation described in the FR notice.

Every year, approximately 30 million workers are exposed to hazardous noise that is often ignored because the harmful effects of overexposure are typically not visible and develop over an extended period of time. Workers exposed to high noise levels can develop elevated blood pressure, ringing in the ears or permanent hearing loss.

Comments on the interpretation must be submitted on or before Dec. 20, 2010. Submit comments at http://www.regulations.gov. Individuals who mail or deliver comments must submit three copies to the OSHA Docket Office, Docket No. OSHA-2010-0032, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210. Submissions not longer than 10 pages may be faxed to 202-693-1648.

US Labor Department's OSHA Reaches out to Prevent Distracted Driving

2010-10-08T14:34:00.000-05:00

WASHINGTON – In conjunction with Drive Safely Work Week, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced an education campaign calling on employers to prevent work-related distracted driving, with a special focus on prohibiting texting while driving.

"Year after year, the leading cause of worker fatalities is motor vehicle crashes," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels. "There's no question that new communications technologies are helping businesses work smarter and faster. But getting work done faster does not justify the dramatically increased risk of injury and death that comes with texting while driving."

Part of OSHA's education outreach is a new Web page aimed at those whose workplaces are the cars, vans and trucks that deliver the goods and services on which the nation's economy depends, and their employers. This online resource will inform workers of their rights, and employers of their responsibility to provide safe workplaces, and offer best practices and policies on achieving safe workplaces in motor vehicles. Information and continual updates is available at http://www.osha.gov/distracted-driving.

An open letter to employers, also posted online, requests that companies examine their policies and practices, informs them that they have a legal obligation to prohibit workplace hazards such as texting while driving, and asks them to immediately remove any incentives that may motivate employees to text while behind the wheel.

"OSHA's message to all companies whose employees drive on the job is straightforward: It is your responsibility and legal obligation to have a clear, unequivocal and enforced policy against texting while driving," said Michaels. "Companies are in violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act if, by policy or practice, they require texting while driving, or create incentives that encourage or condone it, or they structure work so that texting is a practical necessity for workers to carry out their jobs. OSHA will investigate worker complaints, and employers who violate the law will be subject to citations and penalties."

Last month, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis announced a partnership with the U.S. Department of Transportation to combat distracted driving. Prohibiting texting while driving is also the subject of an executive order signed by President Barack Obama last year for federal employees and the subject of rulemaking by the Department of Transportation.

The Transportation Department reports that in 2009 more than 5,400 people died in crashes linked to distraction and thousands more were injured. In particular, texting while driving has become such a prominent hazard that 30 states now ban text messaging for all drivers. Learn more about combating texting while driving and other distracted driver hazards at the Transportation Department website http://www.distraction.gov.

This year, distracted driving is the theme of the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety's annual campaign. During "Drive Safely Work Week" this Oct. 4 through 8 and throughout the year, OSHA, the Transportation Department and other partners invite employers to help prevent their workers from being injured and killed on the road.

US Labor Department's OSHA Reports on State-run Occupational Safety and Health Programs

2010-09-29T17:12:00.000-05:00

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced that it has concluded a special evaluation of state-run occupational safety and health programs under its jurisdiction. Enhanced Federal Annual Monitoring and Evaluation reports provide detailed findings and recommendations on the operations of state-run OSHA programs in 25 states and territories. The enhanced review was initiated after a 2009 special OSHA report on Nevada's program, prompted by numerous construction-related fatalities in Las Vegas, identified serious operational deficiencies in that state.

"Our goal is to identify problems in state-run programs before they result in serious injuries or fatalities," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels. "While we found many positives in the state programs, we also found deficiencies including concerns about identification of hazards, proper classification of violations, proposed penalty levels, and failure to follow up on violations to ensure that workplace safety and health problems are corrected."

The EFAME report and appendices for each of the 25 states, as well as each state's comment and fiscal year 2009 self-evaluation report, are now available on OSHA's website at http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/osp/efame/index.html.

States will have 30 days to provide a formal response, including a detailed corrective action plan for addressing findings and recommendations. Each state's formal response will be public information and available online as soon as it is received.

The EFAME review also identified areas where states have adopted standards and procedures exceeding federal OSHA's requirements, such as injury and illness prevention programs in California, Washington, Oregon, Minnesota and other states; the adoption of a cranes and derricks rule prior to OSHA's in North Carolina, Washington and Maryland; and Oregon's requirement that employers abate serious workplace violations during the contest period, a legal tool under consideration in Congress but still lacking in federal OSHA.

The review of the Hawaii program highlights significant performance problems resulting from staffing and funding cutbacks. OSHA is addressing these problems directly with the governor's office and has offered to provide supplemental federal enforcement assistance until the state can address its problems. If Hawaii is unable to present a reasonable strategy for expeditiously improving its worker safety and health oversight, consideration will be given to the state's current authority to operate its own program independently and could result in a federal takeover.

"We recognize that some of the problems we identified could stem from significant budget constraints in many of the states and may also be the result of less intensive federal oversight in recent years," Michaels added. "OSHA, through its regional offices, intends to provide assistance in the implementation of corrective actions and will work closely with state officials to review progress. We are confident that by working together to address identified problems, we can improve state operations and provide more consistent protection to all of America's workers."

The 25 states and territories evaluated are Alaska, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington and Wyoming. No reports are being issued on the Nevada and Illinois state plans; a special study was issued on the Nevada state plan in October 2009, and the Illinois state plan was not approved until September 2009. The status of each state's efforts to improve its plans will be reflected in the fiscal year 2010 Federal Annual Monitoring and Evaluation report expected in 2011. For more information about those states operating their own plans, visit http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/osp/index.html.

When Congress enacted the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, it created an opportunity for federal-state partnerships to promote safety and health. Section 18 of the law allows states to develop and enforce occupational safety and health standards in the context of an OSHA-approved state plan. Twenty-seven states and territories have sought and obtained approval. Twenty-one states and Puerto Rico have complete programs covering both the private sector and state and local governments. Four states and the U.S. Virgin Islands have programs limited in coverage to public sector employees. Currently, state plans deliver the OSHA program to 40 percent of the nation's workplaces, with federal OSHA responsible for the other 60 percent.

State plan standards and enforcement must be at least as effective as federal OSHA in providing safe and healthful employment to workers. In addition, state plans operate under authority of state law, not delegated federal authority. Thus, in order to operate its own plan, a state must enact an equivalent of the federal OSH Act and must use administrative and regulatory procedures to adopt its own standards, regulations and operating procedures, all of which must be updated within six months of any change in the federal program.

Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis Announces Partnership with US Department of Transportation to Combat Distracted Driving by Workers

2010-09-24T13:49:00.002-05:00

WASHINGTON - Because motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of worker fatalities, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today announced a partnership between the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the U.S. Department of Transportation to combat distracted driving.

"It is imperative that employers eliminate financial and other incentives that encourage workers to text while driving," said Secretary Solis. "It is well recognized that texting while driving dramatically increases the risk of a motor vehicle injury or fatality."

Prohibiting texting while driving is the subject of an executive order signed by President Barack Obama last year for federal employees and the subject of rulemaking by the Department of Transportation.

OSHA is launching a multi-pronged initiative that includes:

An education campaign for employers, to be launched during "Drive Safely Work Week" in early October, will call on employers to prevent occupationally related distracted driving, with a special focus on prohibiting texting while driving.

An open letter to employers to be posted on OSHA's website, http://www.osha.gov during "Drive Safely Work Week." The website also will showcase model employer policies and encourage employer and labor associations to communicate OSHA's message.

Alliances with the National Safety Council and other key organizations as outreach to employers, especially small employers, aimed at combating distracted driving and prohibit texting while driving.

Special emphasis on reaching younger workers by coordinating with other Labor Department agencies as well as alliance partners and stakeholders.

Investigate and issue citations and penalties where necessary to end the practice when OSHA receives a credible complaint that an employer requires texting while driving.

"We call upon all employers to prohibit any work policy or practice that requires or encourages workers to text while driving," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels. "The Occupational Safety and Health Act is clear; employers must provide a workplace free of recognized hazards."

Safety Standards for Possession, Handling, and Use of Explosives Public Hearing

2010-09-20T14:41:00.001-05:00

The Department of Labor and Industries will hold a public hearing to receive comments on the proposed language changes to Chapter 296-52 WAC, Safety Standards for Possession, Handling, and Use of Explosives
The public hearing will be held as follows:

Date: October 18, 2010
Time: 10 a.m.
Department of Labor and Industries (Room S117)
7273 Linderson Way S.W.
Tumwater, WA 98501

More information about the proposed changes will be published in the Washington State Register 10-18on September 15, 2010. Request copies of the proposal by calling toll free at 1-800-423-7233; or writing to the Department of Labor and Industries, Division of Occupational Safety and Health, Devin Proctor, Standards Section, Post Office Box 44620, Olympia, Washington 98504-4620; or by e-mail at prof235@lni.wa.gov. A copy of the proposed rule is available here.

"A Monument to Worker Safety"

2010-09-15T16:11:00.000-05:00

Remarks by
DAVID MICHAELS
Assistant Secretary of Labor
For Occupational Safety and Health

"Rebuilding Through Unity" event
One World Trade Center Construction Project
World Trade Center, Manhattan
Thursday, September 2, 2010

There are special places in America that inspire reverence and awe - Grand Canyon National Park, Gettysburg battlefield, the Jefferson Memorial, and the Statue of Liberty.

Freedom Plaza is such a place. We are in awe of what happened here nine years ago, and we hold great reverence for the lost lives that consecrated this ground.

Now, on this site, workers are building a monument to those lives, a symbol of American resilience, and a testament to human engineering.

When it is completed, this will be the tallest building in the nation, and the workers who helped build this monument will be filled with pride for the rest of their lives whenever they remember what they achieved here.

I also hope that this building will stand as a towering monument to worker safety.

Speaking not only as the administrator for OSHA -- the Federal agency in charge of protecting our nation's workforce -- but also as a proud, native New Yorker: This site needs no more tragedy, no more wounded workers, and no more grieving families.

Only a skilled, qualified and trained workforce can build a project of this magnitude -- and this project can succeed only when everyone's knowledge, expertise, experience and awareness contribute to a safe and healthful workplace.

Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis is fond of talking about her vision of "Good Jobs For Everyone" -- a vision that all of us can embrace. Of course, the only good jobs are safe jobs, which is why we are here today.

I want to recognize and thank a number of people for their commitment to worker safety and health here at Ground Zero:

Joe Hunt with Iron Workers International
Gary LaBarbera and Ed Malloy with the New York State Building and Construction Trades Council
Lou Coletti and Hank Kita with the New York State Building Trades Employers' Association
Steve Rank and Kevin Byrnes with IMPACT
Louis Iglesias and Dan Conway with Chartis insurance
Chris Ward and Steve Plate with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey
Shari Natovitz and Silverstein Properties
Local OSHA staff -- many of whom were here on 9/11 and in the harrowing days, weeks and months that followed
And -- most of all -- the workers!
A total of 61 New York City building trade workers died on September 11, 2001. Among them --

Ironworkers, Local 40, lost member Peter Vega who was working his other job as a Fireman on September 11.
Ironworkers, Local 580, lost three members that day: David Weiss, Kenneth Watson and John Collins.
On September 12, dock builder and U.S. Marine Rick Ostrander from Local 1456 arrived here and volunteered to help the city and the nation recover and rebuild. On that Friday he was employed full time and worked 309 shifts throughout the ten months of the project. As a shop steward responsible for the safety and health of his members and working continuously through those dark days of September, Rick remembers a particularly rough night three weeks into the job. Slumped in his seat in the cafeteria, exhausted, with no end in sight, Rick was ready to quit. Then a volunteer approached and said he had mail waiting for him. Confused about how he could be getting mail at a disaster site, Rick opened a letter written by nine-year-old Nancy Hudson from Kentucky.

Her handmade card said how sorry she was about the terrible thing that had happened but she thanked God that he was there in New York, making sure that all the workers would be kept safe and that no more lives would be lost. Young Nancy urged him to never give up, never quit -- and this tough Marine broke down and wept.

That was the beginning of a flood of correspondence between school children all over America and members of the building trade union. Their letters were addressed to "The Construction Worker Heroes." Rick personally received and responded to 300 letters and they kept him going until the job was done.

In the weeks following 9/11, as construction workers, Federal, State and local government workers and others reported early each morning to the disaster site in lower Manhattan, people from all walks of life lined West Street. They applauded, cheered and shouted their thank-yous to the workers for their daily courage and commitment. They expressed through their cheers and tears that everyone was connected, and that our nation's future -- our security and our ability to prevail through those dark days -- was in the hands of these construction workers and public servants.

Today the hands of those are ironworkers and their brothers and sisters in the construction trades, their managers, the leadership of IMPACT, and everyone else overseeing this complex project are joined in a solemn promise to themselves, to their fellow workers, and to those who have perished here:

Each day -- and every day -- labor and management will work together to discuss safety, identify hazards, come up with solutions and track progress.

Each day -- and every day on the job -- they will enter this site with the goal of ensuring that worker safety and health is the number one priority.

Each day -- and every day -- everyone on this site will look out for each other and call out when they see anything that poses a hazard.

The eyes of the Nation will follow your progress and their hearts will be with you. Everyone wants you to succeed -- but you can only succeed by working together. This is the meaning behind this construction project's theme: "Rebuilding Through Unity."

Earlier this week, the Iron Workers / IMPACT / OSHA National Training Partnership came together for two days of comprehensive training. The training covered all the regulations of the Steel Erection Standard to make sure everyone understands the rules and is clear about the best ways we know to stay healthy and safe on the job.

In this spirit of cooperation and assistance, let us set a goal of ZERO worker deaths and ZERO serious injuries.

Let us pledge to do everything in our power to see that every last worker on this project returns home to friends and families, safe and healthy, every day.

And, on this day, as we imagine the completion of this exciting, soaring addition to New York's famous skyline, let us embrace the war cry of that great worker advocate, Mother Jones, who instructed us to "Pray for the dead ... and fight like hell for the living!"

Thank you.

OSHA Seeks Members to Serve on Committee Protecting Construction Workers' Safety, Health

2010-09-14T16:29:00.001-05:00

WASHINGTON - OSHA is seeking nominations for individuals to serve on the Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH). The committee advises the Secretary of Labor on developing standards and policies that affect the safety and health of construction workers.

Established as a continuing advisory committee under the Construction Safety Act of 1969, ACCSH and the Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA have consulted for nearly 40 years on construction safety issues such as women in construction, recordkeeping, crane safety, and safety and health resources for Latino construction workers.

OSHA seeks nominees with experience and expertise in construction-related safety and health issues. In support of the Department of Labor's commitment to equal opportunity in the workplace, the agency is also interested in women and individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds to serve on the committee. Selected nominees will fill eight vacancies in employee, employer, public and state safety and health agency representative groups. All 15 ACCSH members serve two year terms, except the representative designated by the Department of Health and Human Services and appointed by the Secretary of Labor, who serves indefinitely. ACCSH meets two to four times a year.

Nominations may be submitted at www.regulations.gov, the Federal eRulemaking Portal. If submitting nominations by mail, send them to the OSHA Docket Office, Docket No. OSHA-2010-0028, U.S. Department of Labor, N-2625, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210. Nominations not exceeding 10 pages may be faxed to 202-693-1648. The deadline for submissions is Nov. 12, 2010.

General inquiries should be directed to Mr. Francis Dougherty, OSHA Office of Construction Services, at 202-693-2020. Press inquiries should be directed to MaryAnn Garrahan, OSHA Office of Communications, at 202-693-1999.

US Department of Labor's OSHA Awards $8 million in Safety and Health Training Grants

2010-09-09T16:43:00.001-05:00

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today awarded $8 million in Susan Harwood Capacity Building Grants to 45 organizations, including nonprofit and community/faith-based groups, employer associations, labor unions, joint labor/management associations, and colleges and universities. The grants will assist these organizations in providing safety and health training, and educational programs for workers and employers.

"Ensuring that workers and employers have the information they need is critical to safe and healthy workplaces," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "These grants will help provide training and education aimed at identifying hazards, understanding rights and responsibilities, protecting health and saving lives."

The Susan Harwood Capacity Building Grants support training programs that educate workers and employers in industries with high injury and fatality rates; low literacy, young, limited English proficiency and otherwise vulnerable workers; and small business employers. They fund long-term programs that build safety and health competency within organizations.

OSHA awarded approximately $6.7 million to 30 organizations already providing occupational safety and health training, education and related assistance to their constituents, and that are seeking to expand and develop their capacity. Another $1.3 million in smaller pilot grants was awarded to 15 organizations that seek to lay the groundwork for a robust safety and health education program. The agency received a total of 166 applications for the capacity building grants.

"The programs funded by these grants will have a long-lasting, positive impact on workers and employers alike," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels. "OSHA also has significantly reached out to non-English speaking, and historically hard to reach, vulnerable workers by awarding grants to organizations committed to serving those groups."

The training grants are named in honor of the late Susan Harwood, a former director of the Office of Risk Assessment in OSHA's health standards directorate, who died in 1996. The programs receiving grants are designed to prevent work-related injuries, illnesses and deaths by providing the knowledge and tools that workers and employers need to identify and correct workplace safety and health hazards. This grant program is an important component of OSHA's efforts to provide workers in high-risk industries with training about job hazards and their rights. It also provides employers with crucial information about unsafe working conditions, mitigation strategies and their responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.

For a complete list of the 2010 Susan Harwood Capacity Building grant recipients, visit http://www.osha.gov/dte/sharwood/2010_grant_recipients.html. For more information on the Susan Harwood grant program, visit http://www.osha.gov/dte/sharwood/index.html. Public inquiries should be directed to Kimberly Newell at 847-759-7705 or Jim Barnes at 847-759-7781. Media inquiries should be directed to Diana Petterson and Jason Surbey at the phone numbers and e-mail addresses provided above.

OSHA Proposes Improvements to its On-site Consultation Program

2010-09-03T15:27:00.001-05:00

WASHINGTON - OSHA published today a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to revise regulations covering the agency's On-site Consultation Program. The changes will provide the agency greater flexibility for inspecting worksites that are undergoing an on-site consultation visit and those that are granted Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) status, as well as ensure enhanced worker safety.

The proposed changes include clarifying the Assistant Secretary's authority to identify sites that will be inspected, even if those sites are normally exempt because of their SHARP status. For example, when workplace accidents occur that generate widespread public concern about a hazard or substance, such as diacetyl or combustible dust, the Assistant Secretary may require that OSHA respond to these hazards by inspecting all sites within a specific industry.

Another proposed change would add referrals as a basis to terminate an employer's on-site consultation visit and conduct an enforcement visit. Referrals are allegations of potential workplace hazards or violations from state or local health departments, media, and other sources. The proposal maintains current procedures that allow enforcement visits to terminate an on-site consultation visit or SHARP status based on an imminent danger, fatalities or catastrophes, and complaints from workers.

OSHA is also proposing to revise the existing initial exemption from programmed inspections of up to two years with an extension of up to three years for employers who have achieved SHARP status to one year with an extension of up to another year.

Comments on the proposed rule must be submitted by November 2, 2010. Individuals may submit comments at http://www.regulations.gov, the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Comments may also be submitted by mail or hand delivery to the OSHA Docket Office, Docket Number OSHA-2010-0010, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210. Submissions not longer than 10 pages may be faxed to the OSHA Docket Office at 202-693-1648.

OSHA's On-site Consultation Program offers employers free assistance in developing and implementing an effective safety and health management system, with priority given to small businesses in high-hazard industries. The On-site Consultation Program is largely funded by federal OSHA, but is administered by the States. Services are delivered by well-trained state government employees. SHARP provides incentives and support to employers who implement and continuously improve effective safety and health management systems at their worksite.

OSHA Announces Interim Final Rules and Invites Public Comment on Whistleblower Procedures

2010-09-01T12:42:00.002-05:00

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration published in the Aug. 31 Federal Register interim final rules that will help protect workers who voice safety, health, and security concerns. The regulations, which establish procedures for handling worker retaliation complaints, allow filing by phone as well as in writing and filing in languages other than English.

"When workers believe their employers are violating certain laws or government regulations, they have the right to file a complaint and should not fear retaliation. Silenced workers are not safe workers," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA David Michaels. "Changes in the whistleblower provisions make good on the promise to stand by those workers who have the courage to come forward when they believe their employer is violating the law and cutting corners on a variety of safety, health and security concerns in the affected industries."

The regulations, which cover workers filing complaints in the railroad, public transit, commercial motor carrier, and consumer product industries, also create greater consistency among various OSHA complaint procedures. The interim final rules establish procedures and time frames for handling complaints under the whistleblower sections of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 and the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008.

These regulations are effective immediately. Comments must be submitted by Nov. 1, 2010, and can be sent to www.regulations.gov, the Federal eRulemaking Portal, or by mail or fax.

OSHA enforces the whistleblower provisions of the OSH Act and 18 other statutes protecting employees who report violations of various commercial motor carrier, airline, nuclear power, pipeline, environmental, railroad, public transportation, securities, and health care reform laws. New fact sheets on these statutes and additional information will be available at http://www.whistleblowers.gov.

US Department of Labor's OSHA Cites US Postal Service in Kansas City,Kan., with $191,000 in Penalties for Serious and Repeat Safety Violations

2010-08-26T14:06:00.002-05:00

KANSAS CITY, Kan. - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited the U.S. Postal Service Bulk Mail Center in Kansas City, Kan., for numerous serious and repeat safety violations endangering the health and safety of its employees. OSHA has proposed $191,000 in penalties against the facility.

An OSHA inspection revealed seven alleged repeat and 21 alleged serious violations of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. OSHA's inspection was initiated under its site-specific targeting program which targets employers with high injury and illness rates.

"There is no excuse for the lack of attention to the work environment that resulted in a multitude of violations, including seven repeat violations," said Charles Adkins, OSHA's regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo. "It is imperative that employers take the necessary steps to eliminate hazards and provide a safe working environment for all of their employees to prevent accidents from occurring."

The serious violations stem from overall deficiencies in walking/working surfaces, fall protection, sling use, machine guarding, welding and electrical equipment. OSHA issues a serious violation when death or serious physical harm is likely to result from a hazard that an employer knew or should have known about.

The repeat violations address hazards associated with exit routes, eye wash facilities, electrical equipment and hazard communication. OSHA issues a repeat violation when an employer has been previously cited for the same, or a substantially similar, violation within three years of the final order date.

The Labor Department has filed an enterprise-wide complaint against the U.S. Postal Service for electrical work safety violations. The complaint asks the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission to order the USPS to correct electrical violations at all of its facilities nationwide. This complaint marks the first time OSHA has sought enterprise-wide relief as a remedy. Within the past five years, OSHA has conducted more than 900 inspections at USPS facilities across the country and has issued more than 600 citations.

The USPS Bulk Mail Center has 15 business days from receipt of the citations to comply, request an informal conference with OSHA's area director in Wichita, Kan., or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. To report workplace accidents, fatalities or situations posing imminent danger to workers, call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-6742.

Labor Secretary Hilda L. Solis Comments on Decline in Fatal Occupational Injuries during 2009

2010-08-23T14:17:00.000-05:00

WASHINGTON -- Preliminary results from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries released today show a decline in workplace fatalities in 2009 compared with 2008. Last year, 4,340 workers died from work-related injuries, down from a final count of 5,214 fatal work injuries in 2008. In response, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis issued the following statement:

"A single worker hurt or killed on the job is one too many.

"While a decrease in the number of fatal work injuries is encouraging, we cannot - and will not - relent from our continued strong enforcement of workplace safety laws.

"As the economy regains strength and more people re-enter the workforce, the Department of Labor will remain vigilant to ensure America's workers are kept safe while they earn a paycheck. After all, as I've said before, no job is a good job unless it is also safe."

Breaking OSHA 10 & 30 News

2010-08-16T15:17:00.001-05:00

OSHA has revised the Outreach Training guidelines - there may be a maximum of only 7.5 hours of training a day. The 10-hour course will now take a minimum of 2 days and the 30-hour course will take a minimum of 4 days!

This will increase the cost of onsite trainers and time off the job for employees. Although this requirement also applies to Online courses, only online training can be taken anytime from anywhere. With a now mandatory break of 8 hours in between 7.5 hour sessions, online training will simplify the new requirements and make the chore of sitting in a classroom from 8 to 5 for multiple days a distant memory.

SafetyCertified offers the OSHA 10 & 30 courses online – let us help make this new transition as simple as possible!

To read about the new changes click here
To sign up for SafetyCertified online and easy OSHA 10 & 30 courses click here

Ask the Expert

2010-08-10T10:14:00.000-05:00

Q. When do slips, trips, and falls occur most often?

A. With respect to falls, falls on the same level are more common, but falls to a lower level are more damaging. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries Summary for 2008, fatal workplace falls, which had risen to a high of 847 in 2007, declined by 20 percent in 2008.

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 fatal 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.

The exact exposure involved in the most common slips, trips, and falls, varies by industry. In a hospital setting, for example, many slips, trips, and falls are caused by water and body fluids on tile floors. In an office setting, slips, trips, and falls on foyer tile on a rainy day can be quite common.

Email your questions to our SafetyCertified OSHA & Safety Expert at oshadvisor@safetycertified.com

US Department of Labor's OSHA Publishes Final Rule on Cranes and Derricks in Construction

2010-07-29T16:15:00.001-05:00

Effective November 8, 2010

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced that it is issuing a new rule addressing the use of cranes and derricks in construction, which will replace a decades-old standard. Approximately 267,000 construction, crane rental and crane certification establishments employing about 4.8 million workers will be affected by the rule published today.

"The significant number of fatalities associated with the use of cranes in construction led the Labor Department to undertake this rulemaking," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "After years of extensive research, consultation and negotiation with industry experts, this long overdue rule will address the leading causes of fatalities related to cranes and derricks, including electrocution, boom collapse and overturning."

The previous rule, which dated back to 1971, was based on 40-year-old standards. Stakeholders from the construction industry recognized the need to update the safety requirements, methods and practices for cranes and derricks, and to incorporate technological advances in order to provide improved protection for those who work on and around cranes and derricks.

"The rule addresses critically important provisions for crane operator certification, and crane inspection, set-up and disassembly," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Dr. David Michaels. "Compliance with the rule will prevent needless worker injuries and death, and provide protection for the public and property owners."

The new rule is designed to prevent the leading causes of fatalities, including electrocution, crushed-by/struck-by hazards during assembly/disassembly, collapse and overturn. It also sets requirements for ground conditions and crane operator assessment. In addition, the rule addresses tower crane hazards, addresses the use of synthetic slings for assembly/disassembly work, and clarifies the scope of the regulation by providing both a functional description and a list of examples for the equipment that is covered.

In 2003, the secretary of labor appointed 23 experienced Cranes and Derricks Advisory Committee members representing manufacturers and trade associations, who met 11 times until a consensus on the regulatory text was reached in July 2004. The proposed rule was published Oct. 9, 2008, and the public was invited to submit comments until Jan. 22, 2009. Public hearings were held in March 2009, and the public comment period on those proceedings closed in June 2009. OSHA staff incorporated input from the public comments and testimony to develop the final regulatory text.

The complete rule is available at http://www.ofr.gov/OFRUpload/OFRData/2010-17818_PI.pdf. The regulation text is available at http://www.osha.gov/cranes-derricks/index.html. The new rule will take effect on Nov. 8, 2010.

US Labor Department's OSHA Proposes More Than $250,000 in Fines Against Two Employers Following Explosion at Nashua, NH, Manufacturing Plant

2010-07-27T14:27:00.003-05:00

CONCORD, N.H. - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited a manufacturing plant in Nashua, N.H., manufacturer of glues and adhesives, and a welding & fabrication plant, in Hudson, N.H., steel erection contractor, for alleged violations of workplace safety standards following a Jan. 23 explosion at the manufacturing plant. Combined penalties against the two employers total $257,500.

The explosion occurred when flammable vapors ignited while workers were installing a new motor on a vessel used in the plant's manufacturing process. OSHA found that the employer had not cleaned the vessel thoroughly enough to ensure the absence of flammable materials or vapors, and had not vented it prior to allowing welding to be performed. As a result, OSHA issued the employer one willful citation with a proposed fine of $63,000. OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with plain indifference to or intentional disregard for employee safety and health.

"Welding should not have been permitted until all feasible steps had been taken to remove flammable materials and the potential for ignition," said Rosemarie Ohar, OSHA's area director for New Hampshire. "This problem combined with numerous additional safety and health hazards identified at the plant account for the sizable proposed fines."

OSHA identified numerous other hazards at the plant including an incomplete and inadequate process safety management program, fall hazards from an unguarded mezzanine and floor openings, accumulations of ice on exit stairs, a variety of electrical hazards, lack of personal protective equipment and tools, an incomplete and inadequate respiratory protection program, inadequate chemical hazard communication, not conducting initial monitoring for employee exposure to formaldehyde and methylene chloride, and incomplete illness and injury logs. These conditions resulted in 48 serious and five other-than-serious citations for the employer with $162,400 in additional fines. 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 plant's fines total $225,400.

US Labor Department's OSHA, Workers Defense Project and Construction Safety and Health Inc. form alliance in Austin, Texas

2010-07-19T16:01:00.001-05:00

AUSTIN, Texas - Enhanced workplace safety for Spanish speaking workers in the construction industry is the goal of an alliance signed today by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Worker's Defense Project and Construction Safety and Health Inc.

"OSHA welcomes the opportunity to join the Worker's Defense Project and Construction Safety and Health in emphasizing awareness of hazardous working conditions in the construction industry," said William Burke, OSHA's acting regional administrator in Dallas. "All partners of this alliance will work diligently toward achieving a safe and healthy workplace as well as provide information on the hazards commonly encountered in the construction industry."

The Workers Defense Project was founded in August 2002 by employees and volunteers of Casa Marianella, a local shelter, to address the problem of unpaid wages for Austin's low-wage workers. WDP is part of a national movement of organizations that seeks to provide low-wage workers with the resources they need to eradicate hazardous and unsafe working conditions. WDP provides a source of power and hope for many low-wage workers who have access to few resources to improve their living and working conditions and is one of the few organizations in Texas working to address workplace abuse faced by low-wage workers.

"We are very pleased to be part of this alliance between OSHA and the Workers Defense Project" said CSHI President Greg Smith, "Educating workers about their rights and responsibilities relative to safety and health in a manner where they fully understand the concepts is a key component in preventing workplace accidents, illnesses and injuries."

CSHI, which is a non-profit safety training and safety services center in Austin, conducts multi-lingual training on both general Industry and construction topics.

US Labor Department's solicitor, assistant secretaries for MSHA and OSHA to testify on Miner Safety and Health Act of 2010

2010-07-13T12:16:00.001-05:00

WASHINGTON -- On Tuesday, July 13, Solicitor of Labor M. Patricia Smith, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Mine Safety and Health Joseph A. Main and Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels will testify on the Miner Safety and Health Act of 2010 legislation before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor.

WHO: M. Patricia Smith, solicitor
U.S. Department of Labor

Joseph A. Main, assistant secretary, Mine Safety and Health Administration
U.S. Department of Labor

Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary, Occupational Safety and Health Administration
U.S. Department of Labor

WHAT: Testimony on Miner Safety and Health Act of 2010 legislation before
U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor

WHERE: House Education and Labor Committee Hearing Room
2175 Rayburn House Office Buildin
Washington, D.C.

WHEN: July 13 at 3 p.m. EDT

For more, information visit http://www.edlabor.house.gov.