In the previous post, we discussed how the Congress threw out OSHA’s 2001 “Ergonomics rule” and how, ever since then, OSHA has been looking for a way to get back in the Ergonomics Enforcement business.  (Not that OSHA has ever REALLY been out of the business; citations have been issued under the “General Duty Clause” before and since 2001.)  Under the current administration, there is expected to be a push for another new Ergonomics rule.

In what is viewed by some as “the camel’s nose under the tent“, in January, 2010, OSHA proposed adding a separate column on the OSHA 300 log for employers to record work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).  The rule also proposes the same definition of “MSDs” that OSHA had included in the initial 2001 final rule, and some say that this new definition is much more comprehensive and much more confusing than the traditional definition. 

OSHA is moving this Rule forward at what is, to a government agency, light speed.  The period for comments was only two months (now closed) and only one public hearing was held.

OSHA describes this proposed rule as a non-significant regulatory action involving only two small costs for employers. OSHA believes that:

1.  Employers - and specifically a human resources specialist - will be required to spend 5 minutes familiarizing themselves with the rule; and  

2.  Employers will need to spend one additional minute than they currently spend in analyzing an injury or illness to determine whether it should be classified as an “MSD” and put into the correct column on the new recordkeeping forms.

This may be true… but, after all, the camel’s nose is rather small and insignificant as well…

OSHA Press Release on the MSD recordkeeping rule:

http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=17124

Another more critical opinion on the matter:

http://www.nam.org/~/media/69BEB9300C684D7FA3054CC979D2BABA/Fact_Sheet_on_OSHAs_Proposed_Rulemaking_on_MSDs.pdf

Meanwhile, OSHA is continuing their plan for aggressive enforcement of ergonomic issues through the General Duty Clause, as discussed in this article:

http://ergonomicedge.wordpress.com/2010/04/30/oshas-new-ergonomic-regulation-hidden-in-plain-sight/

Safety is not just a series of unrelated activities… it is a way of doing business, a mindset, a culture… a Safety Culture.

 ”To be successful, safety must be more than a program or a book or a procedure. It must be a company philosophy - an attitude that is unquestioned.”
Les McGraw, Fluor Corporation Chairman and CEO

Over the years, safety professionals have identified a number of characteristics that are coming in companies with a superior safety culture.  Specific behaviors, attitudes, procedures, expectations and systems that are part of a dynamic safety culture environment, both for normal operations and for emergencies, have been identified:   (more…)

Because of their enforcement role, sometimes, we are inclined to regard OSHA as “the enemy”.  It is important to remember, though, that they are also a great source of safety and health resource material and training guides.

 In particular, OSHA’s Salt Lake Technical Center (SLTC) has a wealth of good information.  The entry point to their “Safety and Health Topics Pages” is found here.  Use the pop down in the “Quick Links” box to see the available topics, or use the SEARCH feature.

    http://osha.gov/SLTC/index.html

Also be sure to see the OSHA Publications List, from which you can download OSHA forms and booklets and/or order printed copies of them

    http://osha.gov/pls/publications/pubindex.list

OSHA has published a proposed rule that would revise requirements for the prevention of slips, trips, and falls in general industry workplaces.  OSHA’s “Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal Protective Equipment (Fall Protection Systems)” proposed rule would affect virtually every general industry workplace in the country.  Slips, trips, and falls have long been one of the leading causes of OSHA recordable injuries and OSHA estimates that its proposed rule will prevent 20 fatalities and eliminate 3,500 serious injuries every year.

The proposed OSHA rule revises OSHA’s Subparts D and I of the general industry standards related to ladders, scaffolds, and fall protection, among other things.  The rules also include a general requirement that employers keep places of employment, passageways, storerooms and service rooms clean and in a sanitary condition, a requirement that has been widely applied by OSHA to a number of workplace hazards, including combustible dust.

Some of the key aspects of the proposal are: (more…)

Summer is upon us, and is it HOT!  With warmer temperatures, employees working outdoors (or in a hot warehouse) should be especially careful of the sun, heat and other hazards brought on by the summer climate.

Who is most at risk?

• Infants, young children, elderly and pets
• Individuals with heart or circulatory problems or other long-term illness
• Employees working in the heat
• Athletes and people who like to exercise (especially beginners)
• Individuals taking certain medications that alter sweat production
• Alcoholics and drug abusers

To reduce the risk of heat stress, OSHA recommends that employees:

• Know symptoms, including headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness or fainting;
• Block out direct sun and other heat sources;
• Use cooling fans/air-conditioning; rest regularly;
• Wear a wide-brim hat, cap or bandana, and sunglasses that block UV rays; and
• Drink plenty of cool water, about a cup every 15 minutes.

It is especially important for you and your employees to know the difference between “heat exhaustion”, which requires prompt treatment, and “heat stroke”, which is a serious, call-911, medical emergency.  Read more about heat stroke and heat exhaustion in the National Safety Council’s “Surviving the Hot Weather” Fact Sheet.

http://www.nsc.org/news_resources/Resources/Documents/Surviving_the_Hot_Weather.pdf

OSHA has made available their printable Heat Stress QuickCard^® (English/Spanish) for employers and employees on preventing injury and illness while working in hot weather.  This is worth printing and distributing to your workers. 

Studies have shown that drivers using cell phones, and especially when trying to text and drive, are as impaired as if they have had several drinks.  Hands-free devices are a start, but not a final solution, because the real impairment comes from the fact that the driver’s MIND is not on the road (and, in the case of texting, neither are his EYES!)

Employers should take a strong role to ensure that mobile workers are using their cell phones safely and not putting their life or that of others at risk due to cell phone usage. Employers can create cell phone safety policies to outline situations and repercussions for those who fail to follow the policies. Polices can be created with input from both management and remote workers to help ensure that there is a fair balance and that the policies are realistically workable and enforceable.  Goals: (more…)