May Safety Spotlight and Featured OSHA Training Center Classes

Protecting Workers from Falls a Top Priority

Employers can protect workers from falls through the use of guardrail systems, safety net systems and personal fall protection systems; by adopting and enforcing safe work practices; and by providing the appropriate training. Whether conducting a hazard assessment or developing a comprehensive fall protection plan, thinking about fall hazards before the work begins will help the employer manage fall hazards and focus attention on prevention efforts. If personal fall protection systems are used, particular attention should be given to identifying attachment points and to ensuring that employees are trained in how to properly use and inspect the equipment.

The OSHA Training Center is offering OSHA 3115 - Fall Protection at the following locations in 2016:

May 18-20 | Dublin, California (San Francisco Bay Area)

July 26-28 | Henderson, Nevada (Las Vegas Area)

October 3-5 | Sacramento, California

Excavation and Trenching Protection Saves Lives

Excavation and trenching are among the most hazardous construction operations. Cave-ins pose the greatest risk and are much more likely than other excavation related accidents to result in worker fatalities. Other potential hazards include falls, falling loads, hazardous atmospheres and incidents involving mobile equipment. Trench collapses cause dozens of fatalities and hundreds of injuries each year.

Upcoming 2016 OSHA 3015 - Excavation, Trenching, and Soil Mechanics classes include:

May 23-25 | Dublin, California (San Francisco Bay Area)

July 20-22 | Sacramento, California

September 19-21 | Bakersfield, California

Respiratory Protection Averts Deaths and Illness

An estimated 5 million workers are required to wear respirators in 1.3 million workplaces throughout the United States. Respirators protect workers against insufficient oxygen environments, harmful dusts, fogs, smokes, mists, gases, vapors and sprays. These hazards may cause cancer, lung impairment, diseases, or death. Compliance with the OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard could avert hundreds of deaths and thousands of illnesses annually.

TThe OSHA Training Center is offering OSHA 2225 - Respiratory Protection on:

May 24-27, 2016 | Henderson, Nevada (Las Vegas Area)

How OSHA Helps Small Business

OSHA's Small Business Assistance provides resources and information designed specifically for small business employers, including safety and health tools and publications, easy-to-follow guides for specific OSHA standards, and descriptions of benefits that small businesses receive from OSHA.

OSHA's On-site Consultation Program offers free and confidential safety and occupational health advice to small and medium-sized businesses in all states across the country, with priority given to high-hazard worksites.

The On-site Consultation Program's Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) recognizes small business employers who operate an exemplary injury and illness prevention program.

Compliance Assistance Quick Start is a tool to introduce employers and workers, especially those at new or small businesses, to the compliance assistance resources on OSHA's website. Quick Start currently includes modules for General Industry, Construction, Health Care and Hispanic Outreach. By following the step-by-step guides, employers can generate an initial set of compliance assistance materials tailored to their workplace.

For more information on all the benefits and resources available to small business, visit OSHA's Small Business webpage.

The OSHA Training Center is offering OSHA 7510 - Introduction to OSHA for Small Business on:

May 20, 2016 | Dublin, California (San Francisco Bay Area)