Cal/OSHA recently advised employers that continued vigilance is essential as the extended heat wave continues with brutal temperatures forecast through Friday in Southern California and the Central Valley.
“Although some areas in the state are beginning to cool down, the extended heat wave in the Central Valley and Southern California will require employers to take special precautions. Rest, water, shade, and increased vigilance are absolutely essential in high heat conditions,” said Christine Baker, Director of the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). Cal/OSHA is a division of DIR.
Cal/OSHA is actively investigating two outdoor worksite deaths that occurred during the heat wave: a 55-year-old construction worker died last Friday in Yuba City and a 30-year-old farmworker who had been working at a watermelon field southwest of Fresno near Coalinga in the Fresno region died yesterday. The investigations are ongoing and are pending determination of cause of death by the coroner.
“Cal/OSHA is out in force throughout the state, reviewing outdoor worksites to ensure that employers are following heat illness prevention regulations,” said Cal/OSHA Chief Ellen Widess. “Employers should know that workers who labor under excessive heat for extended periods of time are likely to exhibit fatigue more quickly than in shorter heat waves. The probability of serious heat illness for outdoor workers is much higher right now.”
California’s heat regulations require all employers with outdoor workers take basic steps to protect their workers:
- Train all employees and supervisors about heat illness prevention before work begins
- Provide plenty of cool, fresh water and encourage employees to drink water frequently
- Provide a readily accessible shaded area for workers to take a cool down recovery break, and provide rest breaks when workers request them
- Ensure that workers are given enough time to adjust, or acclimatize to the heat. This is especially important for new workers and for all workers during a sudden heat wave. This step can mean the difference between life and death.
- Prepare an emergency heat illness prevention plan for the worksite, with training for supervisors and workers on the steps to take if a worker shows signs or symptoms of heat illness
- Special “High Heat” procedures are also required when temperatures reach 95 degrees. Since workers are at greater risk, supervisors must take extra precautions:
- Observe workers for signs and symptoms of heat illness
- Remind workers to drink water frequently
- Provide close supervision of workers in the first 14 days of their employment (to ensure acclimatization)
- Have effective communication systems in place to be able to summon emergency assistance if necessary.
- Ensure effective emergency procedures are in place in case workers become ill
- Employers may want to adjust work schedules to avoid the peak heat times of the day. In all cases, employers need to be extremely vigilant.
GHS Worker Training PowerPoint Now Available
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 covers all of OSHA’s required GHS Hazard Communication training requirements in a format that is easy to understand.
Pricing and options:
Options:
- 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
- If you have not updated your hazard communication plan, let Environmental Resource Center update it for you: $799
- Customized PowerPoint and hazard communication plan: $1600.
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.
New Hours-of-Service Safety Regulations to Reduce Truck Driver Fatigue
The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced that new federal regulations designed to improve safety for the motoring public by reducing truck driver fatigue took full effect on July 1, 2013.
“Safety is our highest priority,” said US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “These rules make common sense, data-driven changes to reduce truck driver fatigue and improve safety for every traveler on our highways and roads.”
Trucking companies were provided 18 months to adopt the new hours-of-service rules for truck drivers. First announced in December 2011 by FMCSA, the rules limit the average workweek for truck drivers to 70 hours to ensure that all truck operators have adequate rest. Only the most extreme schedules will be impacted, and more than 85% of the truck-driving workforce will see no changes.
Working long daily and weekly hours on a continuing basis is associated with chronic fatigue, a high risk of crashes, and a number of serious chronic health conditions in drivers. It is estimated that these new safety regulations will save 19 lives and prevent approximately 1,400 crashes and 560 injuries each year.
“These fatigue-fighting rules for truck drivers were carefully crafted based on years of scientific research and unprecedented stakeholder outreach,” said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. “The result is a fair and balanced approach that will result in an estimated $280 million in savings from fewer large truck crashes and $470 million in savings from improved driver health. Most importantly, it will save lives.”
FMCSA's new hours-of service final rule:
- Limits the maximum average work week for truck drivers to 70 hours, a decrease from the current maximum of 82 hours
- Allows truck drivers who reach the maximum 70 hours of driving within a week to resume if they rest for 34 consecutive hours, including at least two nights when their body clock demands sleep the most—from 1- 5 a.m.
- Requires truck drivers to take a 30-minute break during the first eight hours of a shift
The final rule retains the current 11-hour daily driving limit and 14-hour workday
Companies and drivers that commit egregious violations of the rule could face the maximum penalties for each offense. Trucking companies and passenger carriers that allow drivers to exceed driving limits by more than three hours could be fined $11,000 per offense, and the drivers themselves could face civil penalties of up to $2,750 for each offense.
Macon RCRA and DOT Training
Cleveland RCRA and DOT Training
Greensboro RCRA and DOT Training
Texas Meatpacking Plant Fined $120,000 for Failing to Protect Workers from Hazards
OSHA's Lubbock District Office initiated an inspection in January under the agency's Process Safety Management Covered Chemical Facilities National Emphasis Program. PSM encompasses a detailed set of requirements and procedures employers must proactively follow to address hazards associated with processes and equipment that use large amounts of hazardous chemicals. In this case, the chemical was anhydrous ammonia in the refrigeration system. The intent of the NEP is to conduct focused inspections at facilities randomly selected from a list of work sites likely to have highly hazardous chemicals in quantities covered by the standard.
Twenty-three serious violations, with a penalty of $118,000, regard PSM, electrical, confined space, and lockout-tagout of hazardous energy sources and respirator protection standards. Some of the serious PSM violations include failing to develop a written plan of action ensuring worker involvement in the PSM program; conduct inspections and tests of process equipment, such as compressors and pressure vessels; implement management-of-change procedures for the replacement of ammonia process equipment; conduct an investigation following the release of ammonia from a leaking shaft seal on a compressor; conduct incident investigations within 48 hours following ammonia vapor releases from pipes and valves; and provide workers with the appropriate respirator for chlorine and sodium hydroxide releases. 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.
"Process safety management prevents the unexpected release of toxic, reactive or flammable liquids and gases in processes involving highly hazardous chemicals," said JoAnn Figueroa, OSHA's area director in El Paso. "It's vital that Caviness ensures safeguards are in place to protect its workers."
Two other-than-serious violations, with a penalty of $2,000, were cited for failing to ensure all workers had access to material safety data sheets for anhydrous ammonia and that they were provided adequate training and information regarding the hazards of anhydrous ammonia. 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.
Great Western Products Co. Cited for Failing to Train Workers in Grain-Handling Safety
Great Western Products Co., has been cited for 33 safety and health violations, including three repeat and 24 serious violations. The citations follow three inspections by OSHA and carry penalties of $93,250. Twelve of the serious violations involve grain-handling standards at the company's Assumption facility, which handles raw grain before processing and packaging it for distribution as popcorn. The violations included exposing workers to engulfment hazards in bins storing corn.
"Engulfment, falls and entanglement are real hazards in grain bins, and exposing workers to those dangers is not acceptable," said Tom Bielema, OSHA's area director in Peoria. "Great Western Products is responsible for maintaining a safe and healthful workplace. The lack of commitment to worker safety and health must be addressed."
Three repeat safety violations involve failing to implement and maintain a written hazard communication program, failing to provide workers with hazardous chemicals training in their work areas, and failing to conduct periodic inspections of and train workers on energy control procedures. 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 states within the last five years. The same violations were cited in May 2010.
The 12 serious safety violations relating to OSHA's grain handling standards include: failing to provide fall protection to workers walking on grain bin roofs; failing to eliminate engulfment hazards; and failing to provide training, maintenance, and housekeeping. The company was cited for 12 additional serious violations including a lack of machine guarding, failing to provide medical evaluations for workers required to wear respirators, and modifying forklifts without manufacturer approval.
Six other-than-serious violations include failing to: implement a respiratory protection program, certify that a workplace hazard assessment had been performed, and certify that forklift operators were trained. OSHA also found electrical safety violations such as flexible cords in lieu of fixed wiring and unsecure electrical control panels.
Great Western Products Co. produces and distributes concession foods, popcorn, cotton candy sugar, snow cone syrup, paper and plastic products, and cleaning solutions.
These are engulfment, falls, auger entanglement, struck by, combustible dust explosion and electrocution hazards. Illinois is one of 25 states in which OSHA has implemented the emphasis program.
Regency Technologies Fined $66,000 for Exposing Workers to Cadmium
RSR Partners, operating as Regency Technologies, has been cited by OSHA for 11 health and safety violations, carrying proposed fines of $66,000. Nine of the violations cited involve exposing workers to cadmium, a metal found in the components of some televisions and other electronics equipment, at the Upper Sandusky electronics recycling facility.
"Regency Technologies has a responsibility to protect workers from unique hazards found in its facility, such as cadmium, and to conduct the proper exposure and medical monitoring necessary to ensure that permissible exposure levels are not exceeded," said Kim Nelson, OSHA's area director in Toledo. "Exposure to cadmium can cause adverse health effects on the kidneys, lungs and bones."
Eight serious citations involve violations of OSHA's standards on exposure to cadmium, including overexposure; surface contamination; lack of personal protective equipment; engineering controls; training; medical surveillance; and established regulated areas and changing rooms for cadmium exposure.
One other-than-serious violation was cited for failing to post warning signs for cadmium-regulated areas.
OSHA Fines Midland Davis Corp. $64,680 for Repeat Safety Violations
OSHA has cited Midland Davis Corp., for 19 safety violations, carrying proposed fines of $64,680. The citation follows an April inspection at the Moline scrap metal recycling center. OSHA initiated the inspection under the Site-Specific Targeting Program which targets employers who record a higher than average injury and illness rate.
"Failing to conduct periodic inspections and remove damaged equipment creates an atmosphere in which workers are vulnerable to injury on the job," said Tom Bielema, OSHA's area director in Peoria. "By failing to correct previous deficiencies, Midland Davis has demonstrated a lack of commitment to employee safety and health."
Midland Davis was cited for two repeat safety violations for failing to conduct periodic inspections of energy control procedures and failing to train and evaluate each power industrial vehicle operator. The same violation was cited in April 2012 at the company's Pekin, Illinois, facility.
A total of 13 serious safety violations includes lack of fall protection for employees working on elevated platforms, lack of machine guarding, and failure to remove damaged vehicles and other equipment from service.
Additionally, four other-than-serious violations involve failing to certify in writing the completion of a hazard assessment, provide safety information to employees voluntarily using filtering face pieces, maintain inspection records for ropes on the locomotive crane and to ensure powered industrial vehicles were properly marked.
OSHA and US Postal Service Agree to Terms on Improving Worker Safety at Postal Facilities
OSHA, the US Postal Service and the American Postal Workers Union have agreed to terms of a settlement that will improve safety in postal facilities across the country. The settlement follows negotiations stemming from inspections at 42 Postal Service sites in 2009 and 2010 that found violations of OSHA standards on electrical work practices. USPS contested the citations, and OSHA then sought enterprise-wide relief before the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
"As a large employer, with a substantial number of affected employees throughout many different types of facilities, the US Postal Service faced many challenges in improving their electrical safe-work program," said Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health. "In entering this agreement, OSHA recognizes the Postal Service's commitment and dedication to worker safety."
As part of the settlement, which covers all Postal Service facilities nationwide, including processing and distribution centers and post offices, USPS has revised its written policies and procedures on electrical work, prohibiting workers from working on electrically energized equipment except for a defined set of tasks that can only be performed while equipment is energized, such as troubleshooting and testing. To ensure compliance with these electrical safety policies, USPS will assign a trained electrical work plan coordinator at each facility. In addition, USPS will provide and require the use of electrically protective gloves and full body arc flash protection for energized work, including voltage testing.
"Employee safety has always been a top priority for the Postal Service," said Jeffrey Williamson, USPS chief human resources officer and executive vice president. "We are happy to have resolved this issue amicably and in the best interests of the safety of our employees."
USPS has also agreed to audit the implementation of the electrical safe-work program at all maintenance-capable facilities, and report the results in detail to OSHA quarterly during the two-year term of the agreement. In addition, OSHA will meet with the Postal Service on a regular basis to discuss the results of OSHA monitoring inspections and USPS audits, as well as any concerns or problems encountered. Also, USPS will retrain all employees performing electrical work to comply with OSHA requirements for electrical work. Supervisors and affected employees also will receive additional training on electrical safe-work practices.
Cliff Guffey, president of the American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO, said, "The APWU is pleased to be a part of this landmark commitment to worker safety, which will ensure the protection of postal workers from electrical hazards."
Under the settlement, the Postal Service has agreed to pay $100,000 at signing and a suspended payment of $3 million pending full abatement of the hazards. OSHA will monitor the Postal Service's progress toward abatement and evaluate that progress against negotiated milestones.
3M Company Achieves Highest Recognition for Safety and Health
With its three-year occupational injury and illness rate at nearly 40% below the national industry average, 3M Company is leading the movement towards greater Hoosier workplace safety and health excellence.
The Indiana Department of Labor (IDOL) welcomed 3M Company’s Hartford City, Indiana facility into the Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) as a “Star” site in May 2013.
“3M Company has been successful in fostering a culture of workplace safety and health,” said IDOL Commissioner Sean M. Keefer. “These efforts are evident in the 3M site’s employee- driven work teams including KAIZEN, Lean Six Sigma, process hazard analysis and many other employee-driven safety programs.”
Fewer than 60 Indiana workplaces have achieved VPP certification.
To be eligible for VPP participation, a company must develop, implement and maintain an exemplary worker safety and health management system. In addition, the facility’s occupational injury and illness rates must be below the national average for its industry.
The 3M facility in Hartford City manufactures specialty tapes and abrasives used most often in industrial applications. The site employs nearly 185 full-time Hoosier workers.
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