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Greetings!
Welcome to our October issue!
We hope you're making good use of the "Monthly Safety Training" series from Sue Schauls. This month's installment deals with fire extinguishers, important information to share with your staff.
New and updated publications from OSHA on worker safety and health are also spotlighted below, along with environmental compliance information available from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and a collection of recent news items on enforcement and compliance actions from across the country.
We're always available to answer your compliance questions, either by email at ccarinfo@ccar-greenlink.org, or toll-free at 1-888-476-5465.
See you next month!
Regards,
DAREN FRISTOE CCAR President & Chief Operating Officer |
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S/P2 Monthly Safety Training: Fire Extinguishers
 by Sue Schauls
CCAR Environmental and Safety Consultant
OSHA rule 29 CFR 1910.157 states that an employer shall provide approved portable fire extinguishers and shall mount, locate and identify them so that they are readily accessible to employees without subjecting the employees to possible injury.
Fire extinguishers must be maintained in a fully charged and operable condition and kept in their designated places at all times except during use. Fire extinguishers for employee use should be selected and distributed based on the classes of anticipated workplace fires and on the size and degree of hazard which would affect their use. A multi-purpose ABC rated fire extinguisher is appropriate for an automotive repair operation.
Inspection Requirements
- Inspect Monthly - Portable fire extinguishers shall be visually inspected monthly.
- Conduct Annual Maintenance - Fire extinguishers are subjected to an annual maintenance check. Record the annual maintenance date and retain this record for one year after the last entry. Hire a professional.
Training and education
Provide an educational program for employees to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting. Provide training upon initial employment and at least annually thereafter. Hands-on practice may be conducted using fire extinguishers scheduled for recharging or those on recall lists.
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State Spotlight:
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Auto Repair Shops: Compliance Resources
Auto Body Shops: Compliance Resources
For additional state-specific information, click here or contact:
Ombudsman -
Brian Christian
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 13087
Austin, TX 78711-3087
512-239-5007
512-239-5678 (F)
SBEAP -
Andy Gardner
Small Business & Local Government Assistance Section Manager
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 13087, MC-106
Austin, TX 78711-3087
512-239-3100
512-239-1065 (F)
800-447-2827 (national)
Other SBEAP -Anne Marie Callery
Team Leader Small Business & Local Government Assistance Section Texas Commission on Environmental Quality P.O. Box 13087, MC-106 Austin, TX 78711 512-239-2342 512-239-1065 (F) acallery@tceq.state.tx.us
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OSHA Publishes New and Revised Materials on Worker Safety and Health
 The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has published new and revised information that explains workers' and employers' rights, as well as how to protect workers from hazards in the construction, general and maritime industries. To order free copies of these materials online, visit OSHA's Publications page at http://www.osha.gov/pls/publications/publication.html, or call OSHA's toll free number at 800-321-6742.
OSHA's Small Entity Compliance Guide for Respiratory Protection Standard provides small businesses with a comprehensive step-by-step guide complete with checklists and commonly asked questions that will aid both employees and workers in small businesses with a better understanding of OSHA's respiratory protection standard.
It's the law of the land that workers have a right to a safe workplace. OSHA's Workers Rights booklet describes the rights to which workers are legally entitled under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
The booklet covers many topics, including rights provided under OSHA standards, filing a complaint with OSHA, whistleblower protections, and educational and training resources available.
OSHA provides employers with information on their rights and responsibilities following a federal OSHA inspection. The booklet, Employer Rights and Responsibilities, explains what happens after an inspection, and defines the type of violations for which an employer may be cited as a result of an inspection.
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 http://www.osha.gov. |
Follow CCAR-GreenLink® on Twitter 
The Coordinating Committee For Automotive Repair is utilizing the "Twitter" online social networking service to notify interested individuals as new or updated information is posted on the CCAR-GreenLink® web site, or as environmental news items of interest to the automotive industry, including compliance and enforcement actions, are posted.
To receive updates via Twitter, users may click on the following link:
http://twitter.com/CCARGreenLink
Users may also receive RSS feeds of the CCAR-GreenLink updates at:
http://twitter.com/statuses/user_timeline/26807262.rss |
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