In This Issue
- OSHA issues final rule updating personal protective equipment standards
- Nursing homes and manufacturing establishments are among sites on targeted inspection list
- OSHA updates national consensus standards in its acetylene standard
- New bi-lingual construction safety training resource aims to help improve worker safety
- Grantee offers training on process safety management standard
- More than 50 percent of OSHA’s Region V area offices attain VPP recognition
- Strategic partnership aids in reducing construction injuries, illnesses and fatalities
- Events page features conference on work zone traffic control
- QuickTips for National Preparedness Month
OSHA issues final rule updating personal protective equipment standards
OSHA published a final rule Sept. 9 revising the personal protective equipment sections of its general industry, shipyard employment, longshoring and marine terminals standards concerning requirements for eye- and face-protective devices, and head and foot protection. More information can be found in the Sept. 9 Federal Register.
Nursing homes and manufacturing establishments are among sites on targeted inspection list
Nearly 4,000 high-hazard worksites are scheduled for comprehensive safety inspections under OSHA’s 2009 Site-Specific Targeting Program. The program helps the agency direct enforcement resources to workplaces such as manufacturing and nursing homes where the highest rate of injuries and illnesses occur. Visit the directive to learn about changes to this year’s program such as dividing the list of establishments into three categories – manufacturing, non-manufacturing and nursing homes – and establishing minimum injury and illness rates for each category instead of one rate for all 4,000 worksites.
OSHA updates national consensus standards in its acetylene standard
OSHA has revised its acetylene standard by replacing references to outdated consensus standards with updated references reflecting current acetylene industry work practices. Details on the notice of proposed rulemaking and direct final rule are available in the Aug. 11 Federal Register.
New bi-lingual construction safety training resource aims to help improve worker safety
The Construction Safety Council, a Susan Harwood Training Grant Program recipient, developed a training kit on the four major construction hazards (fall, electrical, health, and struck-by and caught-in-between) and methods to avoid those hazards. It is available in English, Spanish and Polish and presents the information in an easy-to-understand format for non-English-speaking workers. Visit the Council’s Web site for more information and to access the kit.
Grantee offers training on process safety management standard
The New Jersey Work Environment Council, an OSHA Susan Harwood Training Grant Program recipient, is offering a workshop Sept. 29 on OSHA’s process safety management standard and its relation to New Jersey’s Toxic Catastrophe Prevention Act from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Rutgers University Institute of Management and Labor Relations in New Brunswick, N.J. Private or public sector facility employers and workers in New Jersey covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the standard are eligible to participate. For more information, visit WEC’s Web site.
More than 50 percent of OSHA’s Region V area offices attain VPP recognition
OSHA’s Region V continues to lead by example as its Cincinnati, Ohio, Area Office becomes the latest agency participant earning Voluntary Protection Programs approval. With this addition, more than 50 percent of the Region’s area offices have attained recognition. A team of Special Government Employees, led by a Defense Logistics Agency representative, conducted the extensive on-site evaluation last spring.
Strategic partnership aids in reducing construction injuries, illnesses and fatalities
The Associated Builders and Contractors Heart of America Chapter formed an OSHA strategic partnership to promote workplace safety and health at construction projects in Kansas. Results from the partnership’s annual report show the average injury and illness rates were 38 percent below the 2007 Bureau of Labor Statistics’ national average. Other accomplishments include nearly 700 workers and managers receiving more than 11,000 hours of safety and health training.
Events page features conference on work zone traffic control
OSHA posted more occupational safety- and health-related conference information to its events Web page. Search for activities in your area.
QuickTips for National Preparedness Month
In observance of National Preparedness Month, OSHA is reminding employers about the importance of preparing for emergencies. Emergencies can be the result of man-made or natural causes, and include hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, explosions, civil disturbances, fires, toxic gas releases, chemical spills, radiological accidents, workplace violence and terrorism. All too often, people are forced to evacuate their workplace without warning and when they least expect it. Few people can think clearly in a crisis, and that is why it is so important to prepare for an emergency before it happens. Visit OSHA’s Evacuation Plans and Procedures eTool to learn how employers can help prevent severe worker injuries during emergencies.
For more information on Department of Labor news, visit DOL’s electronic newsletter.
Editor: Elaine Fraser, OSHA Office of Communications, 202-693-1999
For more information on occupational safety and health, visit OSHA’s Web site.
Visit OSHA’s “QuickTakes” page to view previous issues.
EHS Safety News America 