The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics recently released detailed data on nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses requiring days away from work in 2010. The incidence rate for health care support workers increased 6% to 283 cases per 10,000 full-time workers, almost 2 1/2 times the rate for all private and public sector workers at 118 cases per 10,000 full-time workers. The rate among nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants rose 7%, to 489 per 10,000 workers. Additionally, the rate of musculoskeletal disorder cases with days away from work for nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants increased 10% to a rate of 249 cases per 10,000 workers.
Assistant Secretary for the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration Dr. David Michaels issued the following statement in response:
It is unacceptable that the workers who have dedicated their lives to caring for our loved ones when they are sick are the very same workers who face the highest risk of work-related injury and illness. These injuries can end up destroying a family’s emotional and financial security. While workplace injuries, illnesses and fatalities take an enormous toll on this nation’s economy—the toll on injured workers and their families is intolerable.
The rates of injuries and illnesses among hospital and health care workers underscore OSHA’s concern about the safety and health of these workers. OSHA is responding by launching, in the next few months, a National Emphasis Program on Nursing Home and Residential Care Facilities. Through this initiative, we will increase our inspections of these facilities, focusing on back injuries from resident handling or lifting patients; exposure to bloodborne pathogens and other infectious diseases; workplace violence; and slips, trips and falls.
The workers that care for our loved ones deserve a safe workplace and OSHA is diligently working to make this happen.
How to Author GHS Safety Data Sheets
OSHA is adopting the new Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for the classification and labeling of hazardous chemicals. A cornerstone of GHS is the adoption of a completely revised Safety Data Sheet (SDS).
- December 15, 2011
- January 27, 2012
- February 29, 2012
How to Label Hazardous Chemicals Using OSHA’s New GHS Hazcom Standard
Workplace and supplier hazard communication labels are being reinvented as OSHA adopts the new Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for labeling hazardous chemicals.
- December 16, 2011
- February 3, 2012
- March 1, 2012
How to Prepare for OSHA Adoption of the GHS for Classification and Labeling of Chemicals
This means that virtually every product label, material safety data sheet (soon to be called “safety data sheet”), and written hazard communication plan must be revised to meet the new standard. Worker training must be updated so that workers can recognize and understand the symbols and pictograms on the new labels as well as the new hazard statements and precautions on MSDSs.
Environmental Resource Center is offering webcast training courses where you will learn how the new rule differs from current requirements, how to implement the changes, and when the changes must be implemented.
- December 12, 2011
- January 20, 2012
- February 28, 2012
Register early to ensure your spot in one of the upcoming sessions. You may register online or call 800-537-2372 to register by phone.
Charlotte, North Carolina RCRA and DOT Training
Cary, North Carolina 40-Hour and 24-Hour HAZWOPER Training
Wilmington, Delaware RCRA and DOT Training
Safety Consultant/Trainer
Environmental Resource Center has a new opening for a safety consultant and auditor. We are looking for a former OSHA CSHO, OSHA trainer, or state inspector for this position in our Cary, North Carolina, office. Applicants should have excellent writing and speaking skills and be willing to travel 7–14 days per month. We are looking for an expert in all of the General Industry and Construction standards who is capable of performing audits of industrial facilities as well as conducting on-site training.
Strong consideration will be given to applicants who also have experience providing HAZWOPER, Hazcom, lockout/tagout, confined spaces, and machine guarding training.
The position includes maintenance of training materials (books and presentations), working on consulting projects, development of classes and computer-based training programs, and ensuring customer satisfaction.
AIHA Asks OMB to Release Silica Rule
AIHA encourages OIRA to complete its work without additional delay so OSHA may begin the public rulemaking process on a comprehensive standard covering the construction industry and issue the rule as quickly as possible.
The letter expresses concern that industry groups may be using this review process to delay rulemaking and lobby OMB to pre-determine key issues involved with OSHA’s proposed rule, such as exempting the construction industry from this regulation. Regardless of the technical merits of any comments made to OMB, AIHA’s position is that extending review of the silica standard is an unacceptable attempt to short circuit the existing process and may make it unusually vulnerable to political influence.
AIHA asked the OMB to release the rule for publication in the Federal Register so the public, including industry groups and all others with interest in silica, can comment on and debate it in an open public forum. The publication of OSHA’s proposed rule provides an important starting point for additional discussion and input by industry, labor, and the safety and health community. Typically, these groups provide OSHA with significant input that is used to develop a final rule.
AIHA encouraged OMB to release the rule, defer to OSHA’s scientific judgment as much as possible, and publicly reassure stakeholders that they will have plenty of opportunity for comment and input into the development of a final rule on silica.
OSHA Issues Black Friday Recommendations to Retailers
OSHA is encouraging major retail employers to take precautions to prevent worker injuries during Black Friday and other major sales events during the holiday season.
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.
“Crowd control is critical to preventing injuries and deaths,” said OSHA Assistant Secretary Dr. David Michaels. “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 emergency procedures in place 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.
CSB Releases Findings on Three Combustible Iron Dust Incidents
The U.S. Chemical Safety Board (CSB) announced that it will be holding a public meeting on November 16, 2011, in Gallatin, Tennessee to present the findings of the CSB investigative team and collect additional information on three iron dust flash fires that occurred over a five month period in 2011 at the Hoeganaes facility. Two workers were killed in the first iron dust incident on January 31, 2011, and the second iron dust incident on March 29, 2011, injured another employee. The third incident, a hydrogen explosion and resulting iron dust flash fires, claimed three lives and injured two others on May 27, 2011.
The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. at the EPIC Event Center, 392 and 394 West Main St., Gallatin, Tennessee 37066.
At the meeting, the CSB investigative team will present its findings on the circumstances of the accident to three CSB board members and the public. The Board will ask questions of the team in front of the audience and will then invite comments from members of the public. The meeting will be videotaped and an official transcript will be included in the investigative file. Only after a vote of the Board will the investigation results be final.
Following the presentation of the CSB investigation team, a panel of outside witnesses will be invited to speak on a number of issues related to the investigation. Confirmed panel members include Dr. Robert Zalosh, former professor at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and an independent expert on combustible dust; Professor Paul Amyotte of Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia; Mr. John Cholin, P.E., who investigated a similar incident in 1992 at a Hoeganaes manufacturing facility in New Jersey; and Mr. Bruce Johnson of the International Code Council, the developer of the fire code followed in Tennessee.
Robinson Drilling of Texas Ltd. Cited Following Death of 2 Workers
OSHA’s Lubbock District Office began its investigation of the incident on June 11. About five employees were performing drilling operations in the area when the kelly bushing, a device that when fitted into the master bushing transmits torque and simultaneously permits vertical movement to make a hole, came apart and fatally struck two employees working on the drill floor.
One serious violation related to the incident was cited for failing to prevent “struck-by” injuries, which could have been prevented had the employer adhered to industry practices as enforced by OSHA under the general duty clause. The remaining serious violations include failing to provide covers on floor holes to prevent trip hazards, ensure that self-contained breathing apparatus are fully charged, ensure that work surfaces are clean and dry, ensure that stacked materials are blocked to prevent materials from moving when placed on a rack and ensure that flexible cords are used properly. A serious violation occurs 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 repeat violations include failing to complete the OSHA 301 form; failing to establish a written respiratory protection program and failing to provide strain relief for flexible cords. A repeat violation exists when an employer previously has been cited for the same or a similar violation of a standard, regulation, rule or order at any other facility in federal enforcement states within the last five years. OSHA cited the company for similar violations in 2007 and 2011.
The other-than-serious violations involve failing to properly complete the OSHA 300 logs for recording injuries and illnesses. An other-than-serious violation is one that has a direct relationship to job safety and health but probably would not cause death or serious physical harm.
“Two workers lost their lives because Robinson Drilling allowed serious hazards to exist in the workplace,” said Joann Figueroa, OSHA’s area director in El Paso. “It is the employer’s responsibility to follow OSHA standards and ensure that work environments free from all unnecessary hazards.”
Akzo Nobel Surface Chemistry Cited for Violating Process Safety Management Procedures at Chemical Plant
OSHA cited Akzo Nobel Surface Chemistry LLC, in Morris, Illinois, a manufacturer of chemical surfactants, for nine serious violations of OSHA’s process safety management standards. OSHA initiated the inspection in May after a release of methyl chloride was reported at the plant. Proposed fines total $63,000.
“Failing to follow process safety management procedures to reduce workers’ exposure to hazardous chemicals is unacceptable,” said Kathy Webb, OSHA’s area director in North Aurora, Illinois. “Employers have a responsibility to ensure that work environments are healthful and safe.”
The serious violations involve failing to conduct a process hazard analysis on the hydrogen storage and transfer unit, allowing seven pressure relief valves to be missing the required design basis, failing to ensure that written operating procedures covered abnormal operating situations, failing to record required equipment inspections and conduct testing at required intervals, allowing unqualified individuals to conduct equipment inspections, failing to take action to correct deficiencies noted during equipment inspections, failing to conduct a management of change analysis when required and failing to respond to deficiencies noted in an audit.
OSHA’s standards contain specific requirements for the management of hazards associated with processes using dangerous chemicals.
Callaway Contracting Inc. Cited for Willful and Serious Safety Violations Following Worker Death
OSHA cited Callaway Contracting Inc., of Jacksonville, Florida, for 13 safety violations. OSHA opened an inspection in May following the death of a worker who was electrocuted while unloading steel from a tractor-trailer for a roadway rehabilitation project on Normandy Boulevard. The inspection also was expanded to include the company’s main office on New Berlin Road. Proposed penalties total $208,670.
“This fatality could have been prevented. Management knew about the hazards associated with unloading the truck near power lines, but rushed to get the truck unloaded and failed to take the proper precautions,” said Brian Sturtecky, OSHA’s area director in Jacksonville.
Callaway, an underground utility contractor, was cited for one willful violation related to the fatality for failing to prevent the load line from contacting the energized overhead power lines. Three other willful violations involve failing to have a qualified person inspect the crane annually and exposing workers to being caught in a rotating superstructure, as well as “struck by” hazards. A willful violation is one committed with intentional knowing or voluntary disregard for the law’s requirements, or with plain indifference to worker safety and health.
Eight serious violations involve failing to train employees on procedures to be followed in the event the crane makes contact with power lines, failing to conduct daily inspections of the crane prior to its use, ensuring that the crane’s operating manual is readily available inside the cab, adequately training the crane operator, training and designating a signal person, and bolting the drill press to the floor. The employer was cited for exposing employees to flying chips of metal, electrical shocks and being drawn into the point-of-operation of equipment.
One other-than-serious violation was cited, with no monetary penalty, for exposed electrical wires.
OSHA has placed Callaway in its Severe Violator Enforcement Program, which mandates targeted follow-up inspections to ensure compliance with the law. Initiated in June 2010, the program focuses on recalcitrant employers that endanger workers by committing willful, repeat, or failure-to-abate violations.
OSHA Cites Fry’s Roofing and Construction for Willful Violations Including Lack of Fall Protection, Eye Safety
OSHA has cited Fry’s Roofing and Construction LLC, for four willful safety citations for failing to provide fall protection and ensure workers operating nail guns wore safety glasses at two separate job sites in Findlay and Toledo, Ohio. Proposed fines total $48,400.
“Falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry and employers like Fry’s Roofing and Construction have a responsibility to protect their workers,” said Kim Nelson, OSHA’s area director in Toledo. “OSHA is committed to protecting workers on the job, especially when employers fail to do so.”
OSHA inspected the Findlay job site on July 15, which resulted in a citation for a willful violation as a result of not using fall protection while roofing a residential structure, which exposed workers to an 18-foot fall hazard. A second willful violation was cited for failing to ensure workers wore safety glasses when operating a nail gun.
On July 19, OSHA inspected the Toledo job site and cited the same two violations. At this location, workers were exposed to a fall hazard of 23 feet without protection.
Both inspections were conducted under the local emphasis program for fall protection. Local emphasis programs are enforcement strategies intended to address hazards or industries that pose a particular risk to workers in the area. Fry’s Roofing and Construction has been cited for violations of both of these standards in 2008 and 2010 at other Ohio job sites.
OSHA Cites Sneed Shipbuilding for Serious and Repeat Violations
OSHA cited Sneed Shipbuilding Inc., for 14 serious, seven repeat, and four other-than-serious violations for exposing workers to multiple safety hazards at the company’s facility in Channelview, Texas. Proposed penalties total $150,700.
OSHA’s Houston North Area Office began its investigation on June 7 at the Market Street shipyard where workers perform electrical, plumbing, welding, and maintenance work.
Some of the serious violations include failing to repair a defective hook latch on a crane, ensure the appropriate use of lockout equipment for energy sources, provide training on confined spaces, repair damaged welding cables, and provide the required fall protection for employees working on scaffolds.
Repeat violations include failing to conduct crane inspections on a periodic basis, properly maintain flexible cords and cables, repair damaged electrical outlets and welding cables, and provide fire extinguishers. Similar violations were cited in June 2010.
The other-than-serious violations involve failing to provide the required testing in confined spaces for safe atmospheric conditions and failing to provide lavatory hand soap.
“This company has once again put the safety of its workers at risk by not adhering to OSHA standards,” said David Doucet, director of OSHA’s Houston North Area Office. “Employers will be held accountable for repeatedly jeopardizing the safety of employees.”
Sneed Shipbuilding employs approximately 150 workers.
Vinton Construction Co. Cited for Trench Hazards
OSHA cited Manitowoc, Wisconsin, utility contractor Vinton Construction Co., for one willful and four serious safety violations for failing to protect workers from cave-ins while performing trenching operations to install water main lines in Brookfield, Wisconsin. The company faces proposed penalties of $95,040 following an inspection conducted under OSHA’s Trenching and Excavation National Emphasis Program.
“Cave-ins during excavations are a leading cause of worker fatalities,” said George Yoksas, OSHA’s area director in Milwaukee. “Safety should be paramount on every job site and OSHA is committed to protecting workers, especially when employers fail to do so.”
The willful safety violation, with a proposed penalty of $69,300, was cited for failing to protect workers installing water mains in a trench approximately 6 feet below grade.
The serious violations, with proposed penalties of $25,740, were cited for failing to keep excavated materials or equipment at least 2 feet from the edge of excavations, have identification tags affixed to chain slings, and not performing proper trench inspections.
One other than serious violation was cited for not maintaining tabulated trench data on the job site.
Prior to this inspection, Vinton Construction Co., has been inspected several other times by OSHA and cited for violations of trenching and excavation standards.
OSHA standards mandate that all excavations 5 feet or deeper be protected against collapse.
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