Once again, Fall Protection tops the list of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s most-cited workplace safety violations. The presentation of the Top 10 was given before a crowded group of spectators recently on the Expo floor at the 2013 National Safety Council Congress & Expo.
“We appreciate our colleagues at OSHA sharing their most recent data as we look toward Leading Safety into the Future,” said National Safety Council President and CEO Janet Froetscher. “Today’s presentation reminds us that it’s very important to learn from the past and address these top violations to help make our workplaces safer.”
The preliminary figures for the FY 2013 Top 10 are:
Standard Total Violations
1. 1926.501 – Fall Protection 8,241
2. 1910.1200 –
3. 1926.451 – Scaffolding 5,423
4. 1910.134 – Respiratory Protection 3,879
5. 1910.305 – Electrical, Wiring Methods 3,452
6. 1910.178 – Powered Industrial Trucks 3,340
7. 1926.1053 – Ladders 3,311
8. 1910.147 – Lockout/Tagout 3,254
9. 1910.303 – Electrical, General Requirements 2,745
10. 1910.212 – Machine Guarding 2,701
GHS OSHA Hazard Communication Training PowerPoint Now Available in English and Spanish
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.
By December 1, 2013, all employees at your site that work with, or are exposed to, hazardous chemicals must 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.
Pricing and options:
Multiple PDF copies can be purchased for $99/copy (1–10); $79/copy (11–20); or $69/copy (21+).
Multiple copies can be purchased for $199/copy (1–10), $179/copy (11–20), or $169/copy (21+).
Additional 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 SDSs.
Environmental Resource Center is offering live online training for you to learn how the new rule differs from current requirements, how to implement the changes, and when the changes must be implemented.
2014 Indiana Governor’s Workplace Safety Award Applications Now Open
The opportunity to apply for the 2014 Governor’s Workplace Safety Awards is now open. These annual occupational safety and health awards honor Hoosiers and Hoosier businesses for innovations, internal education and outreach, external education and outreach, and partnerships.
Indiana workplaces of all types and sizes are eligible for the awards, including businesses, municipalities, unions, schools, service organizations and nonprofits. Awards are presented to organizations that have proven effective workplace safety and health programs, processes or techniques relative to each organization’s size.
The annual Governor’s Workplace Safety Awards is a combined effort between the Indiana Department of Labor, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the Central Indiana Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers.
Atlanta Environmental, Transportation, and Safety Training
San Diego RCRA and DOT Training
Williamsburg RCRA and DOT Training
MIOSHA Program Recognized for Exemplary Workplace Practices
The Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) is proud to announce that the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA), an agency of LARA, was awarded the prestigious Alfred P. Sloan Award for Business Excellence in Workplace Flexibility for the sixth year in a row.
MIOSHA was one of 23 winners in Michigan, and the only government agency, recognized at an awards ceremony sponsored by the Michigan Council of the Society for Human Resource Management (MISHRM) during the MISHRM 2013 State Conference at the Devos Hall in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
This prestigious award honors organizations of all sizes and all types in Michigan and across the country that are using workplace flexibility as a strategy to increase workplace effectiveness and yield positive business results.
"We are very pleased that MIOSHA is again being recognized for their outstanding workplace practices," said LARA Deputy Director Stephanie Comai. "MIOSHA provides an excellent example of how a public agency can create effective work practices to meet the needs of employees while providing the best service possible to their customers."
Applicants were evaluated in a rigorous two-step process, first comparing the employer's application to nationally representative data from Families and Work Institute's National Study of Employers, and then corroborating the employer responses through a survey of employees.
Each of the 2013 Sloan Award winners will be recognized nationally and will be featured in next year's edition of the Guide to Bold New Ideas for Making Work Work, co-published by Families and Work Institute and The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).
The 2013 Alfred P. Sloan Award Michigan Winners are:
- Amerisure Insurance
- BDO USA, LLP – Grand Rapids, MI – Kenmoor SE
- BDO USA, LLP – Grand Rapids, MI – Ottawa
- BDO USA, LLP – Kalamazoo, MI
- BDO USA, LLP – Troy, MI
- Deloitte LLP – Michigan
- Dynamic Edge, Inc. – Ann Arbor, MI
- E-IT Professionals Corp.
- EDSI
- Employees Only
- Greenleaf Trust
- Health Management Systems of America
- IMAGE ONE
- Menlo Innovations LLC
- Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration
- National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Michigan Chapter
- Peckham, Inc.
- ProtectCELL
- Public Policy Associates, Inc.
- Pure Visibility, Inc. – Ann Arbor, MI
- ROSSETTI
- Ryan – Detroit, MI
- Visteon Corporation
When Work Works is one of the foremost providers of resources, rigorous research and best practices on workplace effectiveness and flexibility in the nation. The initiative administers the prestigious Alfred P. Sloan Awards for Excellence in Workplace Effectiveness and Flexibility annually, which recognizes exemplary employers for using flexibility as an effective workplace strategy to increase business and employee success.
As a preeminent think tank, FWI is known for being ahead of the curve, identifying emerging issues, and then conducting rigorous research that often challenges common wisdom and provides insight and knowledge. As an action tank, FWI conducts numerous studies that put its research into action and then evaluates the results. Its purpose is to create research to live by.
Representing more than 260,000 members in more than 140 countries, the Society serves the needs of HR professionals and advances the interests of the HR profession. Founded in 1948, SHRM has more than 575 affiliated chapters within the United States and subsidiary offices in China, India and the United Arab Emirates.
DTE Energy Company, Building Trades, Contractors, and MIOSHA Sign Partnership to Protect Workers
DTE Energy Company, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA), the Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council, and the Partnering Contractors, signed a formal partnership on Monday, October 7, 2013, to protect workers during construction activities. The partnership goal is enhanced safety and health protection and zero injuries for workers on this facility project.
“We’re honored today to recognize the exemplary leadership of DTE Energy and their commitment to worker safety and health on this project for DTE and Barton Malow,” said LARA Deputy Director Stephanie Comai. “Their commitment sends a strong message that providing a safe and healthy work environment is a sound business decision."
The DTE North Area MATS Program includes the addition of Dry Sorbent Injection (DSI) Systems and Activated Carbon Injection (ACI) Systems at Belle River Units 1 and 2; St. Clair Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7. The program may also include the addition of a central sorbent storage Depot-Terminal that will serve as the central receiving location for both power plants. Modifications to the grounds and infrastructure are anticipated along with heavy construction in connection with additions to the current operating Power Plants in East China Township, Michigan.
Signing partners included: Russel Pogats, Director, DTE Energy North Area Power Plants; Justin Morren, Plant Manager, Belle River Power Plant; Leanne Warner, Plant Manager, St. Clair Power Plant; Daniel Fahrer, Director of Environmental, Fossil and Facilities, MEP; Stephen Booker, Manager Capital Projects, MEP; Dennis Decator, Senior Project Manager, MEP; Alan Albert, Construction Manager, Barton Malow; Steven Freed, Project Director Barton Malow; Chuck Binkowski, Industrial Group Vice President, Barton Malow; Martha Yoder, Director, MIOSHA. Also signing were all of the subcontractors and building trades unions working on the project.
Partnerships are an important emphasis in MIOSHA’s Strategic Plan to improve the health and safety of workers through cooperative relationships with groups, including trade associations, labor organizations, and employers. Partnerships move away from traditional enforcement methods and embrace collaborative agreements.
The Partnering Employers include: DTE Energy Company and Barton Malow Company.
The active integration of the DTE Energy Safety and Health Program along with this partnership with the trade unions, subcontractors, and MIOSHA, will endorse the ultimate goal of ZERO INJURIES.
Recognizing that engineering techniques alone are not enough to ensure that exposure to hazards is controlled; the partnering employers will implement common safety goals to assure safety through these elements:
- Adherence to all safety policies, procedures, and MIOSHA standards
- 100% fall protection over 6 feet, including steel erection and roof work
- 100% Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including hard hats, eye protection—prescription eye wear with side shields or ANSI Z-87.1 protective safety glasses with built in side shields, high visibility apparel and appropriate work footwear.
- All crane operators will be Certified Crane Operators (CCO) as recognized by National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) and other recognized certification agencies
- Substance Abuse Testing through M.U.S.T. or equivalent program—adherence by All Trade Contractors.
- Pre-Task Safety Plan (“PTP’s”) are to be completed and submitted to Barton Malow Company prior to beginning the work defined as but not limited to—Excavations, Trenching and Shoring, Sewer and Underground Piping Tasks, Confined Space Entry, Fall Protection, Steel Erection and Decking Work, Concrete Slab Installation, Siding Installation, Lock Out/Tag Out, High Voltage Electrical Exposure, Critical Lifts, etc.
- PTP’s must be posted at the work area and reviewed with workers prior to beginning work
- Contractors shall provide a Competent and/or Qualified Person for work operations as identified by a MIOSHA standards and/or Barton Malow/Black and Veatch
- DTE Electric Company and the partnering employers on this project will uniformly enforce a disciplinary action plan for employees who fail to work in a safe manner. Automatic dismissal from this project shall result from any willful or deliberate violation of safety rules or safety policies and procedures.
“The MIOSHA program is dedicated to working with employers to find innovative ways to enhance workplace safety and health,” said Martha Yoder, MIOSHA Director. “Through partnerships, MIOSHA can offer employers a voluntary, cooperative relationship to eliminate serious hazards and achieve a high level of safety and health.”
The partnership does not preclude MIOSHA from enforcing its mission of addressing complaints, fatalities, or serious accidents, nor does it infringe on the rights of employees to report workplace hazards.
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