 Revised OSHA Hazard Communication Rule Published After years of planning and watching much of the rest of the world adopt the Globally Harmonized System (GHS) of classifying and labeling chemicals, OSHA at last issued the final rule for the major modification of the Hazard Communication Standard, 1910.1200 on March 26. There is plenty of work ahead for both employers and chemical manufacturers and suppliers; but there is also good news.
For those concerned about the workload, employee training (the largest task for most employers) does not have to be completed until December 1 of 2013-20 months away. Final implementation is scheduled for June 1, 2015; but even that has some flexibility with full compliance mandated for mid-2016.
The other good news is that once employers start training workers and rolling out new labels and safety data sheets, you have the option of following either the old or the new rule or both at the same time. It's a little like working through a pantry full of food, you use what you have until new food replaces all the old and you end up with new nutrition labels on everything.
Here's our advice: Don't panic and rush to implementation. Lots of aids, guides and programs will be developed over the next few months by vendors and by OSHA.
At the RBA, we'll be offering you a new four-hour Hazard Communication course intended for HSE folks, managers and supervisors that will cover all the changes to the rule and teach the basics of the GHS system. We'll also be writing a revised Hazard Communication procedure as part of the Safety Solutions Guide that will give you both the language for your in-house procedure as well as a training outline for employee training. For your managers and HR staff, we'll be doing briefings in the various forums offered by the RBA.
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 Target Dropping Sandblasted Denim
In an effort to reduce silicosis hazards to denim factory workers, the Target Corporation announced Feb. 28 it would phase out sandblasted denim by the end of 2012. The Minneapolis-based company is joining Levi Strauss & Co. to end the practice of sandblasting to produce denim clothing that appears pre-worn. Inhalation of respirable crystalline silica particles has long been known to cause silicosis-a disabling and sometimes fatal lung disease-and lung cancer. Common workplace operations involving cutting, sawing, drilling, and crushing of concrete, brick, block, rock, and stone products (such as in construction operations), and operations using sand products (such as in glass manufacturing, foundries and sand blasting), can result in worker inhalation of small crystalline silica particles in the air. For more information, click here to access OSHA's Silica page. |
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 HSE Training Programs Scheduled for May at the RBA
Mid-May is HSE training time at the Rochester Business Alliance. Our most popular programs are again on the calendar. Leading the Safety Process, a course for managers and senior staff, runs from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday, May 14.
On Tuesday, May 15, the ever-popular OSHA Recordkeeping class is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. followed by Safety Committee Operations from 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Emergency Management and Business Continuity, an update to Managing the Emergency, covers the full day from 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 16. This program is designed for team participation with a number of practical, company-focused workshops.
The week wraps up on Thursday, May 17, with Accident Investigation Fundamentals on the schedule from 8:30 a.m. to noon.
To register for any session, click on the desired course title above.
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 Heart Attack? Administer Baby Aspirin
The question comes up periodically. Is it okay to give baby aspirin to someone with heart attack symptoms? The Red Cross says "yes." But, there are some cautions.
Does the individual have acute coronary symptoms (chest pain or pressure, shortness-of-breath, sweating, weakness, pain down left arm or into neck, nausea, fear of impending doom or change in usual angina pattern)? If yes, make them comfortable and call 9-1-1 or the local EMS response unit.
If the patient is conscious and able to take oral medications, make sure they do not have an allergy to aspirin, stomach ulcer disease, or are taking blood thinners. If they pass this test, offer two chewable baby aspirins or a maximum of one 325 mg adult aspirin with water. Do not administer other pain killers. They are not the equivalent of aspirin.
To see the American Red Cross ACFASP Advisory, click here.
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 Exploding Battery Injures Worker
A member of an on-line safety discussion group in which I participate recently advised that a worker in a municipal wastewater facility was injured when two leaking "C" cell batteries in a flow meter generated hydrogen gas causing the meter to explode when placed on a work bench. The explosion blew heavy plastic shards into a wall and cut the hands of the employee.
In response to the explosion post, another list member cited a test done several years ago to gain DOT approval to ship lithium-based "C" cells to a test facility. They put one "C" cell in a 55 gallon steel drum filled with vermiculite and remotely shorted the battery to simulate a malfunction. Following the expected small "pop", the lab director left the bunker to retrieve the battery, but was stopped by the safety officer for the 30 minute delay required by protocol. After 25 minutes, there was a huge explosion and the drum was propelled over a four-story building. Investigation showed that the pop was the safety vent, at which time the drum began to fill with the hydrogen off-gas. As the correspondent concluded, "we fuel rockets with hydrogen because of its huge energy potential."
The message: Check batteries regularly and dispose of using methods appropriate to the type of cell. Do not store old batteries in closed containers.
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This health, safety and environment electronic update comes from Chip Dawson and the 