Tag Archives: OSHA

New OSHA regulations – going into effect August 10

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New OSHA regulations, going into effect August 10, are sending a ripple of controversy throughout manufacturing, construction, and other hazardous industries. The new law requires that companies that operate in hazardous industries, with a staff of fewer than 250, file OSHA form 300A in the event of work-related injury or illness. Those with more employees will file 300, 300A, and 301.The new regulations require companies to file electronically with OSHA. Previously, these forms and reports were kept on hand by an employer, and only received by OSHA in the event of an investigation. Under the new law, not only will OSHA receive all reports, the reports will also be available to the public, online.

The transparency of the inner workings of these companies could positively impact the industries by highlighting areas of concern, leading to better work environments for employees. On the flip side, the public accessibility of the information could open the doors to unfavorable press and lawsuits.

Workers in hazardous industries are divided by the new rules. Those in favor of the changes suggest that OSHA’s accessibility to those records can help the administration better target their investigations. Believing that regularly occurring accidents may be symbolic of poor management or other company shortcomings, there is significant hope that the rules will inevitably lead to safer, well-operated workplaces.

Those who oppose the changes feel that the new rules “shame” those in hazardous industries. While few would argue against a push for greater transparency, it is the method and lack of employee and company privacy, that has many concerned. Others raise concerns about the ability to revise reports, after investigation. If the initial information is shared to the public, but is later revised for accuracy, it is easy for the information to be misinterpreted by anyone who comes across the report.

Although the law goes into effect this summer, the record keeping will change over beginning January 1, 2017. The mandatory submission of reports will begin July 2017. The records will be available online shortly after OSHA receives them.

You can get the forms here: https://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/RKforms.html

Announcing OSHA’s New Draft Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines

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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is updating its Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines and wants your help in shaping the new document.

Intended to help employers establish safety and health management plans at their workplaces, the guidelines were first published in 1989. They are being updated to reflect modern technology and practices. As revised, the guidelines should be particularly helpful to small- and medium-sized businesses. And for the first time, they address ways in which multiple employers at the same worksite can coordinate efforts to make sure all workers are protected.

The guidelines are advisory only and do not create any new legal obligations or alter existing obligations under OSHA standards or regulations.

OSHA has made available a draft of the revised document on its website, at www.osha.gov/shpmguidelines, along with a set of questions to consider when reviewing the guidelines. The page also has a direct link to post comments, which will be accepted until February 15. Comments will be taken into consideration when creating a final set of guidelines.

“The goal of safety and health management is to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. “Employers who embrace these guidelines will experience lower injury and illness rates, and their progress in improving the safety culture at their worksites will contribute to higher productivity, reduced costs and greater worker satisfaction.”

About LIA

The Laser Institute of America (LIA) is the professional society for laser applications and safety serving the industrial, educational, medical, research and government communities throughout the world since 1968. LIA is committed to keeping the workplace safe from hazards associated with lasers. The joined alliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) helps achieve these goals. www.lia.org, 13501 Ingenuity Drive, Ste 128, Orlando, FL 32826, +1.407.380.1553.

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Capitol Hill Stands Down for Construction Fall Safety

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OSHA and Turner Construction Join Together for Fall Stand-Down in Senate Park

WASHINGTON – Restoration work at the U.S. Capitol Dome has been a prominent feature of the D.C. skyline for more than a year now. Inside an impressive 288-foot vault wrapped by a web of scaffolding, the dome’s workers safely climb in and out every day making repairs to cracks in the iconic structure. In the shadow of this historic project, Turner Construction will stop work to remind those responsible for its completion and the nation why fall prevention is so vital.

On May 6, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health and Administration will be joining Turner in Senate Park for a fall prevention safety stand-down. Deputy Labor Secretary Christopher Lu will deliver remarks alongside the company’s high-level representatives and safety experts.

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OSHA, Laser Institute of America renew alliance to protect workers from laser hazards

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WASHINGTON – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has renewed an alliance with the Laser Institute of America to help protect workers from exposure to beam and non-beam laser hazards in industrial, construction, medical and research workplaces.

“Workers unprotected from laser exposure can suffer serious eye and skin injuries including permanent blindness and tissue damage,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. “We will continue to work together to produce valuable safety and health information and training to protect workers using laser technology.”

During the five-year alliance, participants will provide annual training on the Best Practices Seminar on Laser Safety and develop a Webinar training program based on the seminar, and distribute laser safety guidance products at safety conferences and exhibits. OSHA and LIA previously developed fact sheets on the effects of lasers on the eye and skin, hazards associated with using high-power welders and cutters, and materials for use during hazard analysis of workplaces with lasers. The alliance also developed a guidance document outlining 10 steps necessary to begin a laser safety program in the health industry, and conducted 18 Laser Safety Best Practices seminars that trained more than 500 OSHA compliance personnel on what to look for and ask when entering facilities that use lasers.

LIA, founded in 1968, is a professional society for laser applications and safety that provides information to industrial, medical, research and government communities. The organization includes more than 1,600 corporate and individual members.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

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 U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The department’s Reasonable Accommodation Resource Center converts departmental information and documents into alternative formats, which include Braille and large print. For alternative format requests, please contact the department at (202) 693-7828 (voice) or (800) 877-8339 (federal relay).

Laser Institute of America Joins with American Society of Safety Engineers, OSHA, to Promote Work Safety During N. American Occupational Safety & Health Week This May

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Orlando, FL (May 2, 2014) – The Laser Institute of America (LIA) will join with thousands of people and businesses worldwide, the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Alliance Program participants, in raising awareness of the importance of being safe at work during the annual North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week this May 4-10, 2014, and Occupational Safety and Health Professional (OSHP) Day on May 7.

North American Occupational Safety and Health Week, or NAOSH Week, occurs every year during the first full week of May. NAOSH Week is intended to raise awareness about occupational safety, health and the environment. The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) joined with the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering (CSSE) and the Interdisciplinary Association of Occupational Health and Hygiene of Mexico, Civil Association , (AISOHMEX) to raise the public’s awareness of occupational safety, health and the environment in North America during NAOSH Week. This is just one tool the 100-year-old ASSE and its 35,000 occupational safety, health and environmental professional members use throughout the year to promote occupational safety aimed at preventing injuries and illnesses. Several organizations representing thousands of businesses have partnered with ASSE, CSSE and AISOHMEX to support NAOSH Week, including U.S. federal agencies such as the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to reach millions of people around the globe on the importance of being safe at work.

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