The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recently released two revised personal protective equipment (PPE) certification standards. As part of a Memorandum of Understanding between NIOSH and NFPA, personnel from the NIOSH National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory serve as members of the NFPA committees revising the standards and contributed scientific, technical and user information that was critical to the revision process. The revised standard sets ensemble protective performance of hazard environments requiring the use of respiratory protective devices approved to NIOSH CBRN respirator standards. NFPA 1971 Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural and Proximity Fire Fighting now includes an optional protection category for CBRN hazards.
OSHA Fines OCS $61,600 after Employee Trapped in Trench
OSHA has cited OCS, an underground utility contractor, for exposing workers to trenching hazards at a job site located at Deer Creek and Fairway Drives in Swainsboro, Ga. The agency is proposing penalties totaling $61,600.
"Trenching is one of the most hazardous construction jobs," said John J. Deifer, OSHA's area director in Savannah. "To speed up the job, this employer ignored safe trench practices and exposed workers to cave-ins."
One OCS employee was trapped when part of the trench collapsed. The Emanuel County Fire Department rescued the worker and notified the OSHA office of the unsafe conditions.
OSHA issued one willful citation with a proposed penalty of $56,000 for allowing employees to work in a vertical-wall trench approximately 18 feet deep without any cave-in protection, such as a trench box or sloping and shoring of the walls. The agency issues a willful citation when an employer has shown an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations.
The company also received one repeat citation with a proposed penalty of $5,600 for failing to provide employees with hard hats when they were exposed to falling rock and soil from the sides and top of the trench. OCS has previously been cited for similar conditions, and those citations have become a final order of the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
The company had a designated competent person on-site whose responsibilities included assuring that workers were protected from cave-ins.
OSHA has a statewide trench-safety alliance that focuses on providing construction employers and employees with best-practices information to reduce safety hazards during trenching and excavation operations.
OSHA Cites Conner Steel Products for Safety and Health Hazards
OSHA has cited Conner Steel Products Ltd. in San Angelo, Tex., for failing to protect employees adequately from health and safety hazards involving respiratory protection, fire protection, confined spaces and material-handling devices. OSHA is proposing penalties totaling $79,760.
OSHA personnel cited the company for two alleged serious violations, six repeat and two failure-to-abate violations of the health and safety standards in two inspections initiated on March 22 as a follow-up to earlier OSHA inspections. In 2005, a joint safety and health complaint inspection resulted in 54 violations with a total proposed penalty of $78,800. OSHA and the company entered into a settlement agreement for penalties totaling $44,160, provided the employer complied with and corrected the violations. However, in the follow-up visit of March 22, OSHA found that the employer failed to correct several hazards.
"Although the company corrected most of its previous violations, the company continues to employ certain procedures that pose safety and health risks to its employees," said Eric Harbin, OSHA's area office director in Austin.
Serious violations included failing to install rigging devices properly on a crane, which could result in injury if the load disengaged, and overexposure to particulates in a welding process occurred. Repeat violations included respiratory hazards, confined-space hazards and injury and illness recordkeeping discrepancies. The employer only partially abated one violation where eyewash stations were necessary to prevent corrosive chemical splashes from causing permanent injury, and the company failed to install a sprinkler system to extinguish fires, as required by a previous OSHA inspection.
Conner Steel Products Ltd. produces metal tanks and employs about 138 people at its San Angelo plant.
OSHA VPP Challenge Pilot Program Participant First to Earn "Star" Status
Michael G. Connors, OSHA's regional administrator in Chicago, presented the award Sept. 15 during a ceremony at the company's Oshkosh, Wis. headquarters.
OSHA's VPP recognizes the outstanding efforts of employers and employees who have achieved exemplary occupational safety and health. The VPP Challenge Pilot was designed to help companies take a more proactive approach to occupational safety and health by providing a detailed roadmap that guides them on how to improve their safety and health management systems and meet VPP recognition criteria. C.R. Meyer joined the Challenge Pilot in November 2004 and graduated in August 2005.
"We congratulate C.R. Meyer on being the first workplace from the Challenge Pilot to earn acceptance into the VPP 'Star' family," said OSHA Administrator Ed Foulke. "Their outstanding efforts have included management commitment to safety and health and employee involvement in safety and health programs."
Added C.R. Meyer's Director of Risk Management Fred R. Rideout, CSP, ARM: "We are proud of this noteworthy achievement, and we understand the real challenge is before us. We look forward to steady, continued improvement in our safety and health management system as we grow our program nationally."
C.R. Meyer employs nearly 1,000 people and is one of the leading industrial and commercial general contractors in the Midwest. It now joins a select group of about 1,550 worksites nationwide that have earned VPP status. VPP companies achieve average injury and illness rates 50 percent below other companies in their industry.
In qualifying for "Star" status, C.R. Meyer verified that it had implemented programs and procedures beyond those required under OSHA standards with extensive involvement by both management and employees. Its written safety and health management system effectively addresses worksite hazards by identifying and tracking them to ensure their correction and control. Its safety and health training programs ensure that employees understand occupational hazards and how to control them.
BMC West in Fort Collins Recognized for Excellence in Occupational Safety and Health
OSHA has recognized the BMC West work site in Fort Collins, Colo., for achievement in its employee safety and health program.
The lumber-and-building-materials supplier was designated a Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) "Merit" site during a ceremony at the plant. A VPP Merit site maintains employee safety and health programs that far exceed minimum OSHA standards.
"This VPP award recognizes BMC West for its dedication to world-class safety and health excellence and a commitment to continual improvement," said Greg Baxter, OSHA regional administrator in Denver. "It's a tremendous accomplishment made possible through significant employee involvement and a dedicated management team."
Baxter and Bill Wright, OSHA's regional alliance and partnership coordinator, presented a VPP flag and plaque to the BMC West team at the ceremony. According to Wright, BMC West's safety and health program has many aspects he considers "best practices."
"One noteworthy example of this site's efforts is its development of an innovative driver enclosure to protect forklift operators from harsh weather conditions," Wright noted.
VPP offers employers a unique opportunity to move beyond traditional safety programs by recognizing participants that successfully incorporate comprehensive safety and health programs into their total management systems. The VPP program is open to deserving employers in any industry.
Requirements for application to VPP, which has approximately 1,535 sites in the country, include a high degree of management support and employee involvement, a high-quality work-site hazard analysis, hazard prevention and control programs and comprehensive safety and health training for all employees. Each of these elements must be effective, in place and in operation for at least one year before applying to join the program.
For additional information on VPP in Region 8, contact Brad Baptiste, OSHA VPP manager, at (720) 264-6555 in Denver.
Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., Reveals OSHA’s Direction to Audience in China
He said that OSHA will be suggesting changes in workplaces that can reduce the spread of influenza, and recommend procedures that businesses can put in place to help ensure that they can continue to operate during a pandemic. He also said that OSHA is working toward adoption of GHS to facilitate international trade by giving employers and employees consistent information about chemicals during their production, transportation, use, and disposal.
OSHA and Wisconsin Public Health Agency Launch Effort to Prevent Ammonia Hazards
The Wisconsin Division of Public Health's Bureau of Environmental and Occupational Health joined with OSHA in an effort to inform workers and employers about the risks of ammonia, especially in workplaces where the substance is used as a refrigerant.
"The accidental release of ammonia from refrigeration facilities has resulted in both injuries and deaths," said Kimberly Stille, OSHA area director in Madison, Wis. "This alliance with the state environmental and occupational health unit will aid us to prevent these tragedies in Wisconsin workplaces."
Because refrigeration systems operate at elevated pressures, additional care must be taken to maintain and operate these systems to prevent releases with potentially catastrophic consequences. The alliance will work to develop training, education and prevention/outreach programs for workers and employers. It will allow the two cooperating agencies to share expertise on the issue.
Crashes on the Road Take Toll in Worker Deaths
Motor vehicle crashes were the number one cause of worker deaths in South Carolina in 2005. Accidents occurred while employees were driving company vehicles, or when they were driving their personal vehicles on company business.
One way employers can ensure employee safety is to encourage them to follow safe driving practices. Here are just a few ways to stay safe on the road:
- Use a seat belt at all times─driver and passenger(s)
- Be well─rested before driving
- Avoid distractions, such as adjusting the radio or other controls, eating or drinking, and talking on the phone
- Keep your cool in traffic
OSHA and CCA Establish Alliance on Improving Safety and Health in Highway Work Zones
OSHA and the Colorado Contractors Association (CCA) have formed an alliance to improve health and safety in the workplace with an emphasis on work performed in highway work zones.
"This alliance formalizes our cooperative relationship. It stands as a statement of our commitment to work together to improve safety and health on highway construction projects," said John Healy, OSHA area office director in Englewood, Colo.
The goal of the OSHA and CCA alliance is to provide Colorado employers and employees with information, guidance and access to training resources.
According to Herb Gibson, OSHA area office director in Denver, OSHA will participate in area safety meetings organized by CCA throughout Colorado to address issues related to heavy highway, municipal and utility construction safety, including highway work-zone safety.
OSHA officials will take part in CCA regional round tables to share highway work-zone safety compliance information and best practices with the Colorado Department of Transportation, CCA and heavy highway, municipal and utility construction contractors. This information will be distributed using print and electronic media, including links from OSHA and CCA Web sites and e-newsletters.
Washington Group International Achieves OSHA Outstanding Safety and Health Recognition
Washington Group International, a resident contractor at Monsanto World Headquarters, has earned membership in the prestigious "Star" Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) of OSHA.
"Washington Group International is the first resident contractor in OSHA's Region 7 to receive the VPP Star award," said Charles E. Adkins, CIH, OSHA's regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo. "This company has exhibited excellence in safety and health management. Its outstanding effort has included a management commitment to safety and health and employee involvement in safety and health programs."
The company employs 56 workers who perform maintenance and building services for Monsanto's world headquarters in St. Louis.
OSHA's VPP recognizes and promotes effective workplace safety and health management. Companies in the VPP achieve average injury rates that are 50 percent lower than other companies in their industry. Approximately 1,500 work sites representing more than 280 industries nationwide participate in the program.
Information about the VPP application and approval process is available from the OSHA VPP manager at the agency's Kansas City regional office at (816) 426 5861.
SKF Sealing Solutions Receives Safety & Health Recognition
SKF Sealing Solutions has earned membership in the prestigious "Star" Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP). A recognition ceremony will take place on Sept. 27 at the facility.
"SKF Sealing Solutions has exhibited excellence in safety and health management," said Charles E. Adkins, CIH, OSHA's regional administrator in Kansas City, Mo. "The outstanding effort of company personnel has included a management commitment to safety and health and employee involvement in safety and health programs."
The facility employs 220 workers who manufacture seals and gaskets for the automotive industry.
OSHA Cites Trucking Company for Safety and Health Hazards Following Inspection of Brunswick, Ga., Facility
OSHA has cited The Waggoners Trucking for 28 safety and health hazards at the company's Brunswick, Ga., terminal. The agency is proposing penalties totaling $46,800.
In April, OSHA personnel conducted a comprehensive safety and health inspection at the facility under its site-specific targeting program that identifies workplaces with high rates of injuries and illnesses. The program is used to target inspections based on an annual survey of some 80,000 workplaces in high-hazard industries.
"The goal of site-specific targeting is to identify and correct hazards that contribute to worker injuries, illnesses and deaths," said John J. Deifer, OSHA's area director in Savannah.
The Brunswick site is a trucking terminal for car-hauling operations and includes a large maintenance and repair shop. OSHA issued 23 serious citations with penalties totaling $45,000. Alleged violations include exposing workers to falls, amputations, electrical and fire hazards.
The company also was cited for failure to develop and implement a hazard communication program; failure to provide eyewashes for employees working with corrosive materials; and failure to train forklift operators and employees who worked with hazardous chemicals. Serious citations are issued when there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazards.
In addition, the company received five other-than-serious citations with $1,800 in proposed penalties for failure to do the following: develop and implement a respiratory program; provide annual training for employees who perform spray painting and fiberglass repair work; provide required safety labeling on equipment; and post the annual illness and injury summary. OSHA issues other-than-serious citations when hazards do not have a substantial probability of causing death or serious physical harm but could have a direct and immediate relationship to the safety and health of employees.
OSHA Cites Contractor for Unguarded 10-Foot Deep Trench in South Boston
An Allston, Mass., contractor faces $38,600 in fines from OSHA for allegedly allowing employees to work in a 10-foot deep trench that lacked protection against cave-ins. Shannon Construction Co. was cited for a total of six alleged willful, repeat and serious violations of safety standards.
OSHA's July 24 inspection of the sewer-installation work site also found that water was allowed to accumulate in the bottom of the trench, and excavated material was stored at the edge of the trench.
In addition, a ladder of inadequate size was used to access the trench, workers were not trained to recognize unsafe trenching conditions, and the work site had not been inspected by a competent person who could identify and correct hazards such as these.
"This was an accident waiting to happen," said Brenda Gordon, OSHA's area director for Boston and Southeastern Massachusetts. "While it's fortunate that no cave-in occurred, the potential was real and deadly. The walls of a trench can collapse without warning, crushing and burying workers beneath tons of soil and debris before they can react or escape."
OSHA issued a willful citation with a $28,000 fine for the lack of cave-in protection, a repeat citation with a $4,000 fine for piling excavated material at the trench's edge, and four serious citations carrying $6,600 in fines for the remaining items.
OSHA standards require that all excavations 5 feet or deeper be protected against collapse. For detailed information on excavation safety, including a trenching “Quick Card,” sees this link.
OSHA Partners with Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. to Protect Construction Workers
Better health and safety for construction workers is the goal of a new strategic partnership launched on Sept. 19 by OSHA and the Keystone Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. (ABC) in Manheim, Pa.
A key goal of the partnership is to increase the number of ABC member companies in the association's Safety Training and Evaluation Process (STEP), a voluntary program that guides employees in evaluating and increasing the effectiveness of their safety and health programs, policies and procedures.
OSHA's health and safety partnerships are part of U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao's effort to improve the health and safety of workers through cooperative relationships with trade associations, labor organizations and employers. The agency's area offices in Harrisburg, Allentown, Philadelphia and Wilkes-Barre, Pa., will represent OSHA in the partnership.
"The Labor Department is committed to protecting the well-being of construction workers," said Marie Cassady, OSHA's acting regional administrator in Philadelphia. "This partnership is an important step toward meeting that goal in Pennsylvania."
The ABC's Keystone Chapter in Manheim, one of 79 ABC chapters nationwide, joins many other chapters already partnering with OSHA. The Keystone Chapter has more than 726 member firms throughout South Central Pennsylvania and is one of the largest chapters in the country.
Besides increasing the number of companies taking part in ABC's STEP program, objectives of the partnership include reducing injuries from falls, struck-by and caught-in mishaps and electrocutions, and mentoring STEP applicants to move from bronze to platinum, ABC's highest STEP award level.
Employers and employees with questions about this or other OSHA partnerships may call the Harrisburg office at (717) 782-3902.
OSHA and Ozark Underground Laboratory Renew Safety Alliance
OSHA and the Ozark Underground Laboratory (OUL) recently renewed their alliance to provide show-cave industry employers with information, guidance and access to training resources to reduce and prevent exposure to alpha radiation, or "radon," hazards. The original alliance was signed Aug. 21, 2003.
"We are pleased to extend this alliance for another year and to continue offering technical knowledge and best practices to employers in this industry," said Charles E. Adkins, OSHA regional administrator in Kansas City.
OUL will continue to represent members of the National Caves Association and provide them with information to help minimize employee exposure to radon. Workers nationwide will continue to benefit from this collaborative effort to research radon hazards within the fragile environment of the show-cave industry.
Adkins said an implementation team with representatives from both organizations will develop a one-year plan of action, determine working procedures and identify roles and responsibilities for the alliance participants.
Additional information about the alliance may be obtained by contacting OSHA's Kansas City area office at 816-483-9531.
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