October 02, 2018 • Volume 17, Issue 19 • A twice monthly newsletter with information about workplace safety and health.
TOP STORIES
OSHA Updates National Emphasis Program on Trenching and Excavation
OSHA has updated its National Emphasis Program (NEP) on preventing trenching and excavation collapses in response to a recent spike in trenching fatalities. Under the NEP, OSHA will increase its education and enforcement efforts; inspectors will record trenching and excavation inspections in a national reporting system; and each area office will develop outreach programs. The NEP began Oct. 1, with a three-month period of education and prevention outreach. For more information, read the news release.
OSHA Awards $9.3 Million in Safety and Health Training Grants
OSHA has awarded $9.3 million in grants to 74 nonprofit organizations through the agency's Susan Harwood Training Grants Program. The grants will provide educational and training programs to help workers and employers recognize workplace hazards, implement injury prevention measures, and understand their rights and responsibilities. Six organizations were awarded $1.2 million in direct grants to train and protect workers involved in hurricane recovery activities. For more information, read the news release.
Regional Emphasis Program Focuses on Reducing Employee Exposure to Ammonium
OSHA launched a Regional Emphasis Program to address fertilizer-grade ammonium nitrate and agricultural anhydrous ammonium hazards in Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. Workers employed in the fertilizer storage, mixing/blending, and distribution industry can face hazards leading to serious injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. The emphasis program begins Oct. 1 with a 90-day outreach period. Read the news release for more information.
Workers and the Public Urged to be Mindful of Hazards Following Hurricane Florence
OSHA urges emergency crews in the areas affected by Hurricane Florence to be aware of hazards from flooding, restoring electricity and communications, removing debris, repairing water damage, trimming trees, and repairing roofs. Only individuals with proper training, equipment, and experience should conduct recovery and cleanup activities. OSHA's webpages on hurricane and flood response can help employers and workers stay safe.
ENFORCEMENT
Georgia Peanut Processor Cited and Placed in Severe Violator Enforcement Program
OSHA cited Great Southern Peanut, LLC, for safety and health violations after conducting a follow-up inspection as part of a formal settlement with the agency. The company faces $309,505 in proposed penalties for failing to develop and implement procedures for confined space entry; train employees on confined space hazards; reduce compressed air to the required level; and meet recordkeeping requirements. The company was placed in OSHA's Severe Violator Enforcement Program. For more information, read the news release.
Ohio Wood Pallet Manufacturer Cited After Employee Amputation
Buckeye Diamond Logistics, Inc., was cited for lockout/tagout violations after an employee's finger was amputated while working with an energized pallet stack machine. The pallet manufacturer was also cited for failing to install machine guards, train employees on procedures to prevent unintentional machine start-up, and exposing employees to electrical hazards. The company faces $190,794 in proposed penalties. Read the news release for more information.
Connecticut Employer Cited for Exposing Employees to Fall Hazards at Construction Jobsite
L.L.E. Construction, LLC, faces $146,554 in proposed penalties for failure to provide fall and eye protection; train workers on hazard recognition; conduct regular inspections of worksite; properly anchor fall protection equipment; and for using a damaged ladder. For more information, read the news release.
Colorado Metal Forming Company Cited for Exposing Workers to Machine Hazards
Vforge Inc., was cited for machine safety hazards after an employee was fatally injured while working on a forging machine. The company was cited for failing to develop lockout/tagout procedures, provide machine guarding, and train employees in a language they understood. The company faces proposed penalties of $225,046. Read the news release for more information.
California Cites Waste Recycling Company after Worker Fatality
California OSHA issued four citations and $46,270 in penalties to GreenWaste Recovery, Inc., after a worker was fatally struck by the truck he was operating. Inspectors determined that the company failed to ensure the truck's safety restraint was in working order. Read the news release for more information.
Hawaii Cites Import Company after Fatal Forklift Incident
The Hawaii Occupational Safety and Health Division issued five citations and $70,619 in penalties to Native Imports, LLC, after an unrestrained forklift operator was fatally injured by an overturned forklift. Inspectors concluded that the company failed to train and evaluate workers on the safe operation of forklifts, and allowed workers to operate forklifts without requiring the use of safety restraint systems.
COOPERATIVE PROGRAMS
On-Site Consultation Program Helps Oklahoma Manufacturer Reduce Injuries and Costs
McElroy Manufacturing, Inc., worked with OSHA's On-Site Consultation Program to identify workplace hazards, ensure compliance with agency standards, and improve its safety and health program. Through this collaboration, the company has instituted incident and near miss reporting mechanisms, job hazard analyses, and refresher safety training. All three of McElroy's Tulsa pipe fusion facilities were accepted into OSHA's Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program. The company's workers' compensation rate is the lowest in Oklahoma, and its injury rate has remained below the industry average for several years. For more information, see the success story.
Mexican Consulate Renews Commitment to Improving Worker Safety and Health
The Consulate of Mexico in Miami renewed a two-year agreement to provide training and education programs on workers' rights and employers' responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The alliance participants will develop educational resources on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, and train workers and employers on the OSHA complaint process.
Texas Power Plant Recognized for Safety Excellence
OSHA recognized Tenaska Gateway Generation Station in Longbranch, Texas, as a Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) Star site. This designation is given to companies that develop, implement, and commit to continuously improve their safety and health programs. Additionally, employees have worked more than 14 years without any occupational injuries and illnesses resulting in days away from work.
SAFETY AND HEALTH RESOURCES
New Resources for the Construction Industry
CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training, an OSHA Alliance program participant, recently launched six new safety resources for the construction industry:
- A training program on noise hazards and preventing hearing loss, and a training moduleon effective safety leadership for construction foremen and team leaders.
- Online tools to help prevent injuries from manually lifting and moving heavy materials, and conducting Safety Climate Assessments to improve worker safety perceptions at jobsites.
- A list of personal protective equipment designed for female construction workers.
- An online network of construction safety and health experts and resources.
Free Webinar on Respiratory Protection Targets Temporary Worker Safety
Through an alliance with OSHA, the American Staffing Association will host a free webinar on Nov. 9 to educate staffing agencies and host employers on how to protect temporary workers are from exposure to airborne contaminants. Participants will also review OSHA's new temporary worker bulletin on respiratory protection. For more information and to register, visit the webinar website.
Video Provides Tips on Reducing Healthcare Worker Injuries
A new video developed by OSHA Training Institute Education Centers offers guidance on how to prevent injuries from hazards in the healthcare industry, including exposure to bloodborne pathogens, chemicals and drugs, respiratory hazards, workplace violence, radioactive material and x-rays, and musculoskeletal injuries from lifting and repetitive tasks. The video will be available for free viewing from Oct. 22-26 by completing an online registration form.
OSHA Poster Now Available In Cebuano
OSHA's It's the Law poster is now available in the Cebuano language of the Philippines. The poster describes workers' rights and employers' responsibilities. Employers are required to display the poster where workers can see it. The poster is now available in 12 languages.
SOCIAL MEDIA
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Occupational Safety and Health Administration
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