OSHA is hosting an open informal public meeting of the US Interagency GHS Coordinating Group to provide interested groups and individuals with an update on GHS-related issues and an opportunity to express their views orally and in writing for consideration in developing US Government positions for the upcoming UNSCEGHS meeting. Interested stakeholders may also provide input on issues related to OSHA's activities in the US—Canada Regulatory Cooperation Council at the meeting.
General topics on the agenda include:
- Review of Working papers
- Correspondence Group updates
- Regulatory Cooperation Council Update
The UNSCEGHS bases its decisions on Working Papers. Informal Papers submitted to the UNSCEGHS provide information for the subcommittee and are used either as a mechanism to provide information to the subcommittee or as the basis for future Working Papers.
The meeting will be held on June 11, 2014 at the DOT Headquarters Conference Center, West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590, from 1–4 p.m. EDT, in Conference Room 3.
Failure to pre-register may delay your access to the DOT building. Participants attending in person are encouraged to arrive early to allow time for security checks necessary to obtain access to the building.
Rasi Laboratories Inc. Fails to Correct Violations, Fined $210,000
The violations included failing to protect workers from dangerous levels of noise that can cause permanent hearing loss and failing to protect them from dangerous equipment. Following the inspection, the nutritional supplement manufacturer faces a $210,000 proposed penalty.
"This employer continues to endanger its workers by failing to correct hazardous conditions and failing to implement an injury and illness prevention program," said Robert Kulick, OSHA regional administrator in New York. "Such disregard for worker safety is unacceptable."
The new violations involve the company's failure-to-abate hazards related to implementing a continual and effective hearing conservation program for workers exposed to noise above 85 decibels. It also failed to develop and implement a lockout/tagout program to protect workers from dangerous machinery during servicing or maintenance and train employees on proper procedures. A failure-to-abate citation is issued when an employer fails to fix or address previously cited hazardous conditions, practices or noncompliant equipment.
"OSHA's safety and health standards exist to prevent injuries and fatalities. It is the employer's responsibility to protect its workers by following these standards," said Patricia Jones, OSHA's area director in Avenel.
EPA’s New Solvent Wipe, Shop Towel Rule Demystified
- Does the rule apply to both cloth and paper wipes and rags?
- What solvents can be on the towels, and which are prohibited?
- Does the rule also apply to towels that contain characteristic hazardous waste?
- Can P or U-listed wastes be on the towels?
- How must the towels be stored on-site?
- Do they need to be tested for anything?
- How long can they be stored?
- How must the containers be marked or labeled?
- How must they be prepared for transportation?
- Where can you ship them and what are the disposal and recycling options?
- What are the documentation requirements?
- How is the new rule impacted by current state regulations?
Did You Miss OSHA’s December 1 GHS Hazard Communication Training Deadline? Use Environmental Resource Center’s GHS OSHA Hazard Communication Training PowerPoint
With OSHA’s adoption of the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) for the classification and labeling of hazardous chemicals, virtually every chemical label, MSDS—now called Safety Data Sheet (SDS), and written hazard communication plan must be revised to meet the new standard.
OSHA’s December 1, 2013, deadline under the revised Hazard Communication Standard required that all employees at your site who work with, or are exposed to, hazardous chemicals be trained to understand the new classification system, labels, warning statements, precautions, pictograms, and safety data sheets for chemicals at your worksite.
Environmental Resource Center is making available a PDF presentation or a customizable PowerPoint that you can use for on-site worker training. The training program, which is designed to cover your site’s GHS Hazard Communication training requirements, is in a format that is easy to understand.
Price and options:
Multiple PDF copies can be purchased for $99/copy (1–10), $79/copy (11–20), or $69/copy (21+).
Multiple PowerPoint copies can be purchased for $199/copy (1–10), $179/copy (11–20), or $169/copy (21+).
Options*:
1. Customized PowerPoint: Send us your written GHS hazard communication plan and 10–20 safety data sheets. We’ll create a custom training program for your site: $899
2. If you have not updated your hazard communication plan, let Environmental Resource Center update it for you: $799
3. Customized PowerPoint and hazard communication plan: $1600
*Call 800-537-2372 for Spanish pricing.
How to Implement OSHA’s Globally Harmonized Hazard Communication Standard (GHS)
OSHA has issued a final rule revising its Hazard Communication Standard, aligning it with the United Nations’ globally harmonized system (GHS) for the classification and labeling of hazardous chemicals. This means that virtually every product label, safety data sheet (formerly called “material safety data sheet” or MSDS), 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 safety data sheets.
Hilton Head RCRA and DOT Training
Orlando RCRA and DOT Training
Baltimore RCRA, Transportation, and Hazard Communication Training
OSHA to Hold Meeting of National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health Temporary Worker Workgroup
OSHA has scheduled a meeting of the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health's Temporary Worker workgroup. The meeting will be held May 9, 2014, in Washington, D.C.
The workgroup is meeting to continue its discussion of issues regarding temporary workers including gaps in the protection of temporary workers, difference between temporary workers and contract workers and the joint responsibility of host employer and staffing agency. The group previously met during the last NACOSH meeting in February.
The meeting will be held from 2–4 p.m. ET, Friday, May 9 in Room N-3437C at the US Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20210. Workgroup members will either attend in person or via teleconference. Members of the public cannot listen to the meeting via telephone but are welcome to attend the meeting in person.
Wall Collapse, Fall Hazards Land Connecticut Contractor $196,000 in Fines
The building being demolished was located at 810 Boston Ave.
"This employer's disregard of basic demolition safety fundamentals is unacceptable. The seriousness of this hazard can be seen in the June 5, 2013, building collapse in Philadelphia that killed six people and injured 14," said Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health. "While no collapse occurred in Bridgeport, the hazard was real, present, and entirely avoidable."
"The removal of flooring from the second and thirds floors left an empty, unsupported shell that was vulnerable to collapse," said Robert Kowalski, OSHA's area director in Bridgeport. "Employees at this job site were also exposed to falls of up to 36 feet from unguarded wall openings and to health hazards from inadequate measures to protect them from exposure to lead at the worksite. Worker safety and health were blatantly ignored."
OSHA defines a willful violation as one committed with intentional, knowing or voluntary disregard for the law's requirements or with plain indifference to worker safety and health.
A total of 12 serious violations, with $56,000 in fines, were cited for a variety of health and safety hazards. These included having workers dry sweep and shovel lead-containing waste materials and debris, as well as failing to supply workers with proper training, respiratory protection, protective clothing, and equipment. In addition, employees were provided inadequate demolition, fall and fire protection, and general safety training.
Other safety hazards included unmarked emergency exits, improper storage of oxygen and fuel gas cylinders, and electrical hazards. 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 if an accident were to occur.
American Plant Food Corp. Fined $181,000 Following Serious Injury
"This worker's debilitating injury was preventable had the employer used certain safeguards," said Casey Perkins, OSHA's area director in Austin. "As an established company in this industry with long-term management in place, American Plant Food Corp. should not allow such dangerous workplace practices."
OSHA's Austin Area Office found that the company did not provide adequate training for workers entering confined spaces and encountering industrial machinery that could unexpectedly startup. Willful violations were cited for failing to ensure adequate safeguards were in place to prevent workers from coming into contact with the auger during servicing and maintenance.
The company was cited for nine serious safety violations, including failure to properly guard machines, electrical equipment and floor openings, such as pits and edges, implement lockout procedures for hazardous energy control, and provide access to first aid medical treatment.
The company has a history of OSHA inspections, including two fatality investigations in December 1991 and June 1997 and an inspection of a Fort Worth facility in 2000 where citations were issued related to the control of hazardous energy.
San Cast Fined $155,900 for Repeatedly Exposing Workers to Falls, Amputation Hazards
OSHA has issued 17 additional violations, carrying proposed penalties of $155,900 as a result of the November 2013 inspection.
"San Cast continues to demonstrate a complete disregard for the health and safety of its workers by failing to correct known hazards," said Deborah Zubaty, OSHA's area director in Columbus. "These hazards expose workers to potential lacerations and amputation injuries daily. No one should be risking injury on a job because their employer consistently fails to follow safety practices."
OSHA cited repeat violations for failing to protect employees from the ingoing nip points of belts, pulleys, chains and sprockets. San Cast also was cited for failing to protect employees from fall hazards associated with an unguarded platform. OSHA issues repeat violations if an employer previously was cited for the same or a similar violation of any standard, regulation, rule, or order at any other facility in federal enforcement sates within the last five years. San Cast was cited for these violations in both March and September 2013.
San Cast also was cited for 11 serious safety violations involving lack of lockout/tagout procedures, exposing workers to struck-by hazards and failing to maintain an overhead trolley system.
OSHA has inspected San Cast five times since 2009. San Cast is a subsidiary of Wabtec, based in Wilmerding, Pennsylvania; Wabtec employs about 8,500 workers worldwide and specializes in the manufacture of parts and equipment used on locomotives, freight cars, and passenger transit vehicles. The Coshocton plant employs about 53 workers.
Dollar Tree Fined $143,000 for Blocked Exits, Inaccessible Fire Extinguishers
OSHA cited the company for three safety violations-including two willful-following an October 2013 inspection initiated in response to a complaint alleging that emergency exits were blocked and boxes were stacked dangerously high. Proposed penalties total $143,000.
"These are common hazards found at retail establishments," said Prentice Cline, acting director of OSHA's Wilmington Area Office. "It is imperative that Dollar Tree take the appropriate steps to protect its workers by not only fixing the dangers at this store, but by evaluating all locations for similar safety concerns."
Carrying a $140,000 penalty, the willful violations were cited because the company failed to keep exit routes unobstructed and ensure material stored in tiers was stacked in a way that was stable to prevent sliding and collapse.
The company also was cited for one serious violation, which carries a $3,000 penalty, for failure to ensure fire extinguishers were readily accessible to employees without subjecting them to injury.
Bennett Building Systems Cited for Fall Protection Violations
Bennett Building Systems, LLC, which builds metal and wooden structures, such as barns, carports, and garages, has been cited by OSHA for eight violations, including one willful violation, six serious violations and one other-than-serious violation. The agency initiated the November 2103 inspection at the company's facility on Dixon Airline Road in Augusta because of a complaint. The proposed citations total $89,000.
"Management asserted that they 'had not gotten around to providing fall protection' at this facility," said Bill Fulcher, director of OSHA's Atlanta-East Area Office. "I find the employer's decision to disregard established safety procedures and knowingly put workers at risk of serious injury or death very troubling. OSHA standards are there to protect workers from predictable and preventable injuries and deaths."
The willful citation is for the employer failing to provide fall protection for employees working on roofs of metal and wooden structures. Falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry. OSHA discovered that employees were working at heights higher than 9 feet without fall protection, and proposed $55,000 in penalties for the willful violation.
Six serious safety and health violations were cited against the employer for exposing workers to unguarded grinders and saw blades; noise levels in excess of safe levels; and failing to protect workers from welding rays by using flameproof screens or shields. OSHA proposed $34,000 in penalties for the serious violations. Additionally, the company was cited for one other-than-serious violation for failing to implement a written hazard communication plan.
The page offers fact sheets, posters, and videos that vividly illustrate various fall hazards and appropriate preventive measures.
Bennett Building Systems is a Texas-based manufacturing company that employs approximately 700 workers nationwide. The Augusta facility employs approximately 65 workers.
MTL Design Fined for Failing to Prevent Worker Falls
Following the death of 23-year-old construction worker Kyle Brown, OSHA found that his employer, Watertown-based general construction contractor MTL Design, Inc., failed to provide and ensure the use of fall protection safeguards that would have prevented his death. OSHA cited the company for a willful and a serious violation.
"This needless fall and resulting death were entirely preventable. Had this company provided its employees with required fall protection equipment, anchorage and training, this young man would be alive today," said Christopher Adams, OSHA's area director in Syracuse. "Falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry, yet they are also among the clearest hazards to identify and eliminate. Fall protection safeguards save lives, but only if they're properly and effectively implemented."
The fatality occurred on November 18, 2013, when Brown was part of a crew installing metal decking atop the roof of an automobile dealership under construction in Pulaski. As Brown attempted to secure sheets of decking, he was blown off the roof by a wind gust and fell 24 feet to his death.
OSHA's investigation found that while Brown was wearing a fall protection harness, it was useless, as the workers were not provided with a means to connect to an independent anchorage point to stop a fall. The company failed to train employees to recognize fall hazards, ensure adequate anchorage for lifelines, and secure the decking against displacement by the wind.
Brown's death was one of 22 fatal falls in New York's construction industry in 2012, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
This is a voluntary event where employers talk to their employees about fall hazards and reinforce the importance of fall prevention. Participating employers stop work and provide a focused toolbox talk on a safety topic, such as ladder safety, fall protection equipment, or scaffold safety
Because of its investigation, OSHA issued MTL Design one willful citation for the lack of fall protection. Three serious citations were issued for the remaining hazards.
MTL Design, which faces $88,900 in proposed fines for its violations, is a general contractor that specializes in site work, concrete work, and steel building construction.
Custom Valley Builders LLC Exposes Workers to Fall Hazards
Residential builder and remodeler Custom Valley Builders, LLC, located in Lykens, was cited by OSHA for exposing workers to safety hazards at a work site in Hegins. Workers were exposed to a fall hazard while replacing the roof, siding, and windows on a two-story residence. Citations were issued for one willful violation and two serious violations following an inspection initiated under the agency's Fall Protection Regional Emphasis Program. Proposed penalties total $33,200.
"Falls are the leading cause of death in construction," said Mark Stelmack, director of OSHA's Wilkes-Barre Area Office. "We and employers know how to prevent fall fatalities, and it is unacceptable that Custom Valley Builders failed to provide its employees with proper protection."
The willful violation, with a $28,000 penalty, was because of a lack of fall protection for employees working on a roof 19 to 24 feet off the ground.
The serious violations involve a lack of guarding on a portable angle grinder and the lack of fall protection for employees working from an aerial lift. Penalties for the serious violations total $5,200.
OSHA Cites TKO Custom Homes for Willfully Exposing Workers to Fall Hazards
After a worker was seriously injured from a fall at a construction site, OSHA has cited TKO, Inc., doing business as TKO Custom Homes, with three serious and one willful violation related to fall hazards. OSHA began its inspection of the Twin Falls-based company in November 2013. The employer faces $27,600 in proposed fines for the violations.
"The leading cause of death on construction jobs is falls," said Dave Kearns, area director of OSHA's Boise office. "No reputable contractor would admit to taking shortcuts in quality, but many do take shortcuts with regard to worker safety. Gambling with a worker's life is never an option."
The OSHA inspection revealed that workers for several TKO Custom Homes subcontractors were engaged in construction activities on the upper floors of an apartment complex in Twin Falls. The workers were exposed to fall hazards up to 9 feet 6 inches from the ground while walking and working on stairways and landings throughout the job site. The company did not provide guardrails, stair rails, or other required means of fall protection. OSHA cited the employer with a willful violation for failing to have these mandatory protection systems in place.
The serious violations involve failure to keep work areas clear from construction debris and for not having handrail systems on stairways.
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