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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

OSHA Forms Alliance with Agribusiness Organizations to Protect Workers

OSHA recently signed a two-year alliance agreement with The Fertilizer Institute and Agricultural Retailers Association to provide training resources and information on protecting the safety, health, and security of industry workers, emergency responders, and communities. The alliance will focus on helping agricultural retail facilities comply with safety and health standards for safe storage and handling of ammonium nitrate and anhydrous ammonia. The first product developed as part of the agreement is a video describing the inspection process under the Agency's regional emphasis program on ammonium nitrate and anhydrous ammonia. Read the news release for more information.

OSHA Issues Final Rule to Protect Privacy of Workers

OSHA has issued a final rule that eliminates the requirement for establishments with 250 or more employees to submit information electronically from OSHA forms 300 and 301 to OSHA each year. These establishments are still required to submit information electronically from OSHA Form 300A. The final rule helps avoid the risk of publicly disclosing sensitive employee information. The rule does not alter an employer's duty to maintain the OSHA forms and employee records. The deadline for electronic submissions of 2018 data from the OSHA Form 300A is March 2, 2019. For more information, read the news release.

OSHA Provides Compliance Assistance Resources to Protect Workers from Falls

Falls remain the leading cause of worker fatalities in the construction industry. Working with industry stakeholders, OSHA developed a collection of compliance assistance resources to raise awareness of common fall hazards in construction, educate employers and workers on fall prevention, and reduce the number of fall-related injuries and fatalities. These resources include the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction to be held May 6-10; a series of fall safety videos; a Fall Prevention Training Guide; fact sheets on ladders and scaffolding; and a brief video, 5 Ways to Prevent Workplace Falls. For more information, read the news release and visit OSHA's Fall Prevention webpage.

New FAQs Available on Controlling Silica in General Industry

OSHA posted new frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the standard for respirable crystalline silica in general industry. OSHA developed the FAQs in consultation with industry and union stakeholders to provide guidance to employers and workers on the standard's requirements, including exposure assessments, regulated areas, methods of compliance, and communicating silica hazards to workers. Visit OSHA's silica standard for general industry webpage for more information and additional compliance assistance resources.

OSHA Signs Charter for Working Group to Improve Chemical Facility Security and Safety

The Department of Labor, Department of Homeland Security, and the Environmental Protection Agency recently created and signed the Chemical Facility Security and Safety Working Group Charter. The working group, which includes other federal agency representatives, was established by an Executive Order in response to several chemical facility catastrophes. The charter reaffirms the group's commitment to work with stakeholders to address safety and security at chemical facilities, and reduce risks associated with hazardous chemicals to workers and communities. For more information, visit OSHA's Chemical Facility and Security webpage.

Bulletin Addresses Safety for Workers Wearing Devices Containing Lithium Batteries

A new OSHA bulletin addresses hazards associated with small, wearable devices powered by lithium batteries, such as body cameras. If these devices are damaged or defective, they may catch fire or explode. Employers should ensure that workers are trained to properly use, store, and charge these devices; identify, remove, and properly dispose of damaged or defective devices and batteries; and provide information on their health and physical hazards.

Employers Must Post Injury/Illness Summary Until April 30

Employers are reminded of their obligation to post a copy of OSHA Form 300A, which summarizes job-related injuries and illnesses logged during 2018. Each year, from Feb. 1 through April 30, the summary must be displayed in a common area where notices to employees are usually posted. Businesses with 10 or fewer employees and those in certain low-hazard industries are exempt from OSHA recordkeeping and posting requirements. Visit OSHA's Recordkeeping Rule webpage for more information on recordkeeping requirements.

On-Site Consultation Program Helps South Dakota Company Reduce Injuries and Costs

Signage company ESCO Manufacturing, Inc., contacted OSHA's free On-Site Consultation Program for help identifying hazards and improving the safety and health program at its facility in Watertown, S.D. Working with the consultants, the company corrected hazards, instituted monthly safety training and inspections, and implemented an investigation process to be used on all first reports of hazardous situations. ESCO was accepted into OSHA's Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program. Its commitment to safety resulted in zero lost-time incidents in three years and a nearly 50 percent drop in workers' compensation premiums. For more information, read the success story.

OSHA Partnerships Aim to Protect Workers at Construction Projects in Georgia and Pennsylvania

• OSHA recently established a Strategic Partnership to promote worker safety and health during the construction of the airport terminal in Atlanta, Ga. The partnership will encourage construction companies to implement safety and health programs, provide safety and health training, and identify areas where workers might be exposed to health hazards. Partners include the Georgia Tech Enterprise Innovation Institute; Skanska, New South Construction, FS 360, and Synergy Construction (a joint venture); and the City of Atlanta's Department of Aviation. For more information, read the news release.
• OSHA is partnering with Turner Construction Company to promote workplace safety during a hospital building project in Erie, Pa. The partnership seeks to educate workers, control or eliminate serious hazards, and establish effective safety and health programs for the project. Read the news release for more information.

OSHA Alliance Partners Commit to Improving Worker Safety and Health

• The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Eastern Division and Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards renewed a two-year alliance to provide information and training resources to help raise awareness of mental health issues related to occupational deaths by suicide.
• Keene State College Workwise NH and the New Hampshire Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health renewed a five-year alliance to provide information to help protect workers and reduce exposure to workplace hazards.
• The Associated General Contractors of Oklahoma Building Chapter and the Oklahoma Department of Labor signed a two-year agreement to provide information to help protect workers from hazards associated with excavation, confined spaces, silica, heat, and cold.
• North Texas Exploration and Production Safety Network signed a two-year agreement to provide information and training resources to help protect workers from exposure to oil and gas exploration and production hazards.

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