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OSHA Issues Updated PPE Guidance
OSHA has issued a new directive to compliance officers on how they should enforce the standards on personal protective equipment (PPE). Included in the directive are instructions to ensure that the employer is checking employee-owned PPE for adequacy, that hazard assessments have been done and certified in writing, and that the employer has paid for the PPE where required. To assist employers in this respect, the directive includes a lengthy list of examples of situations where PPE is or is not required on pages 26 and 30. Also included in the material is a chart that shows what sections of the OSHA regulations require PPE and a complete list of letters of interpretation that deal with PPE. A reading of all 54 pages is recommended for anyone who wants a good summary of what needs to be done for an effective PPE program and how OSHA might measure your efforts. To download a copy of the directive, click here. |
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Sustainability and Safety-Conflicting or Compatible?
"Sustainability" has been a corporate buzzword for a decade and there is still a question about whether it's real or simply marketing. That said, sustainability is getting a lot of attention and safety as a component, very little. ASSE's Tom Cecich points to 295 worldwide sustainability development conferences in the next year and none has safety and health as a focus. For those HSE managers who do want to get into the game, there is also a question about the role they play. For more on this discussion in an article by Dave Johnson, ISHN editor, click here. |
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New Injury and Illness Prevention Programs Web Page Available
OSHA has a new Injury and Illness Prevention Programs web page to provide guidance on how to implement an effective system for finding and fixing workplace safety and health hazards. Injury and illness prevention programs, known by a variety of names, are universal interventions that can substantially reduce the number and severity of workplace injuries and alleviate the associated financial burdens on U.S. workplaces. Many states (but not New York) have requirements or voluntary guidelines for workplace injury and illness prevention programs. Also, numerous employers in the United States already manage safety using injury and illness prevention programs and OSHA believes that all employers can and should do the same. To access the page, click here. If you'd like help implementing an injury and illness prevention program, call (585) 461-1549 or e-mail ChipDawson@aol.com. |
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 OSHA Booklet Covers Indoor Air Quality
A new OSHA educational booklet addresses concerns about poor indoor air quality and the impact it has to the health of office workers and other building occupants. Indoor Air Quality in Commercial and Institutional Buildings provides building owners, managers, employers and workers with recommendations to prevent or minimize IAQ problems in commercial and institutional buildings. The booklet is available by clicking here. In addition, OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Web page on indoor air quality provides more information on addressing IAQ hazards and can be accessed by clicking here. |
 Great Math and Science Resource Online
A safety pro recently asked an on-line group for help understanding statistics. There were several good answers, one not so good (an 800 page book selling for $400 was suggested) and one really great solution. Whether you're a safety pro looking for math and science help to deal with a work issue, a student seeking a better understanding of a subject, or simply curious for a refresher on a technical issue, check out Kahn Academy by clicking here. Sal Kahn started making algebra videos for his cousins and his effort has grown to 2,100 videos and 100 self-paced exercises covering all types of math, physics, biology, chemistry, astronomy, finance, history and many related topics. There is now a small team of people on a shared mission to deliver world-class education to anyone anywhere-for free! I may not need it for work, but I've bookmarked the site for anytime I have a spare ten minutes to stimulate my brain. |
 NIOSH Titanium Dioxide Bulletin Breaks New Ground
For the first time, a new bulletin issued by NIOSH suggests that there may be different levels of concern for materials depending on their particle size. Current Intelligence Bulletin 63: Occupational Exposure to Titanium Dioxide "may be the first document (originally released for external review as a draft in 2005) to recommend separate occupational exposure limits for the same material based on particle size," according to Vladimir Murashov, Ph.D, special assistant for nanotechnology to the NIOSH director. The current issue revolves around titanium dioxide in the nano state where it is widely used. For a copy of the report, click here. |
 Water-Rest-Shade: Protecting Workers from Heat-related Illness
OSHA has a national outreach initiative to educate workers and their employers about the hazards of working outdoors in the heat. OSHA is leveraging relationships with other state and local partners, employers, trade organizations, unions, community groups, educational institutions and healthcare professionals to disseminate training materials across the country with a very simple message: "water, rest and shade." OSHA's new Heat Illness Campaign web page provides educational materials in English and Spanish, as well as a curriculum to be used for workplace training. Access the page by clicking here. Additionally, OSHA is partnering with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on weather service alerts that will incorporate worker safety precautions when heat alerts are issued across the United States. NOAA is also including pertinent worker safety information on its Heat Watch web page, accessible by clicking here. |
 Hi-Viz Work Zone Protection Needs Regular Replacement
With a major change in requirements for high visibility clothing that came from the Federal Highway Administration in 2010 comes the need to ensure the clothing is still serviceable. An article in the current edition of ISHN magazine suggests the need for replacement every six months for daily-wear items and for paying close attention to service requirements on the label. Three years is probably the maximum life of any high-viz garments. Before you assume that such garments may not be needed in your operation, we found an interesting statement in the article. "The use of hi-vis apparel is mandatory for those who work in the right-of-way areas of all roads open to public travel, including private property." For example, someone mowing adjacent to the access roads to your parking lot must be in high-viz clothing. For more on this topic, click here. |
 Calling All Photographers: Get a Picture of Safety!
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has announced a nationwide photography contest - Picture It! Safe Workplaces for Everyone. OSHA challenges anyone with a passion for photography to capture an image of workplace safety and health and share it with the department. The contest, which is part of OSHA's year-long 40th anniversary celebration, is open to photographers aged 18 or older. It runs through July 29. For rules and guidelines, click here. |
 New Resource on Injuries, Illnesses & Fatalities in Wholesale and Retail Trade
A new NIOSH chart book features information on injuries, illness and fatalities in the wholesale and retail trade industries. The document addresses knowledge gaps in these industries and assists researchers, the public, and employers to better understand the occupational safety and health characteristics and risks, and to identify areas where prevention efforts might be needed. To access the chartbook, click here. |
OSHA Seeks Additional Comments on Proposed MSD Column on Logs
OSHA is reopening the public record on a proposed rule to revise the OSHA Recordkeeping regulation. Notice of the reopening will be published this week in the Federal Register. The purpose of the reopening is to allow interested individuals to comment on the small business teleconferences OSHA and the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy co-sponsored April 11-12, and on the issues raised during the teleconferences. OSHA has posted a summary of comments about the teleconferences in the public docket for this rulemaking. The proposed rule covers only MSDs that employers are already required to record under the longstanding OSHA Recordkeeping rule. Interested persons must submit comments by June 16 electronically, by fax, mail, hand delivery, express mail, messenger or courier. See the press release for more information by clicking here. |
 Sheet Sanders Recalled by One World Technologies Due to Laceration Hazard
The CPSC has announced a voluntary recall of Ryobi Sheet Sanders, model S651D, because pieces of the fan can break off from the fan assembly and be ejected from the product, posing a laceration hazard to consumers. The firm has received 31 reports of broken fan pieces being ejected from the sander, including two reports of minor lacerations. The sander is blue and black. About 300,000 units were sold at Home Depot, Gardner, and other outlets from June 2005 through August 2010 for about $30. For additional information, click here. |
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This health, safety and environment electronic update comes from Chip Dawson and the 