OSHA watch
New directive on inspections of crane operator's training, certification, and evaluation
A directive intended to help compliance officers understand when to initiate an inspection of a crane operator's training, certification, and evaluation and what to look for during the inspection, also helps employers in understanding the requirements of 1926.1427. The directive breaks down each paragraph of the section and includes flowcharts on crane operator-in-training, certification/licensing, and crane operator evaluation.
Comment period on proposal to amend recordkeeping rules extended to June 30
To give stakeholders additional time to prepare and submit responses to the proposal that would require establishments with 100-plus employees in high-hazard industries to submit injury and illness data from the more detailed Forms 300 and 301, in addition to Form 300A, each year, the comment period was extended to June 30. The proposal also involves ending the electronic reporting requirement for establishments with 250-plus employees that aren't on the list of high-hazard industries and updating the classification system that determines which industries are covered under the electronic reporting requirements and to require establishments to include a company name when submitting data.
Permanent standard on COVID-19 for the health care industry could be finalized in the fall
OSHA head Doug Parker testified May 25 during a House Workforce Protections Subcommittee hearing that a permanent standard on COVID-19 for the health care industry could be finalized in the fall. He also noted that in collaboration with the Small Business Administration the agency intends to convene a Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act panel to review a potential standard for preventing workplace violence in health care settings.
Employers are reminded of resources to protect workers from heat illness
OSHA's message is simple: Water. Rest. Shade.
- Encourage workers to drink water every 15 minutes.
- Take frequent rest breaks in the shade to cool down.
- Have an emergency plan ready to respond when a worker shows signs of heat-related illness.
- Train workers on the hazards of heat exposure, and how to prevent illness.
- Allow workers to build a tolerance for working in heat.
The Heat Safety Tool is a free, downloadable app that calculates a worksite's heat index and displays the associated risk levels. Users can receive precautionary recommendations specific to heat index risk levels to help protect employees from heat-related illness. The tool is available in English and Spanish.
The Occupational Heat Exposure page explains the symptoms of heat illness, first aid measures to provide while waiting for help, engineering controls, and work practices to reduce workers' exposure to heat, and training.
Fact Sheet on new National Emphasis Program to protect workers from the increasing threat of heat-related illness.
New resources on preventing suicide
A new resource that features tips on how to identify and respond to warning signs of suicide is now available.
Regional Emphasis Program on hearing loss
Following the 90-day outreach period, the enforcement phase of a Regional Emphasis Program (REP) on hearing loss began on May 17 in Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota. The program targets manufacturing industries with high rates of occupational hearing loss.
Cal/OSHA issues new guidance on the COVID-19 emergency temporary standard
Fact sheets and updated FAQs on the revised COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS) were posted to reflect revisions adopted by the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board on April 21, 2022.
These include:
- What Employers Need to Know About the April 21, 2022 Standards
- COVID-19 Isolation and Quarantine - What Employers and Workers Need to Know (Updated May 7, 2022)
- Revisions to the COVID-19 Prevention Emergency Temporary Standards Updated May 7, 2022 - FAQs
Cal/OSHA proposes revisions to workplace violence prevention requirement
On May 17, 2022, a revised discussion draft of a proposed regulation for workplace violence prevention in the general industry standard was released. Proposed changes include new definitions, expanding review procedures from those resulting in an injury to all incidents, and revising recording and training requirements.
Recent fines and awards
California (Cal/OSHA)
- The Process Safety Management Unit has cited Valero Refinery of Benicia and three contractors (Total Safety, JT. Thorpe & Son, Inc., and T.R.S.C., Inc.) a combined $1,753,375 for serious safety violations following a confined space death of a worker who suffocated in a regenerator overflow well. Three of the four employers received willful and serious violations after determining that they failed to follow confined space guidelines, including the failure to determine acceptable entry conditions for the employee, which resulted in exposure to an oxygen-deficient atmosphere.
Georgia
- Two construction companies, B&D Concrete Cutting Inc. of Atlanta and Georgia Bridge and Concrete LLC of Tucker, were cited for failing to conduct a proper engineering survey that would have prevented a bridge collapse that killed one worker. Proposed penalties are $31,283 for Georgia Bridge and Concrete and $25,669 for B&D Concrete Cutting.
Illinois
- Emerald Inc., a Roselle contractor that has ignored previous citations faces an additional $263,000 in fines for exposing workers to deadly fall hazards with inadequate fall protection. The company owes more than $378,561 in penalties from six previous inspections dating back to 2018.
- In two separate incidents on consecutive days, three workers at Continental Tire Plant in Mount Vernon suffered severe injuries in incidents associated with a mixer containing combustible dust and a flammable gas. Violations related to guarding moving equipment, and the failure to implement and enforce procedures to control the unintentional energization of equipment during servicing. The company faces $341,866 in proposed penalties.
Pennsylvania
- All Best Contractor Corp., a Philadelphia roofing company, faces $793,290 in penalties for exposing workers at five Southern New Jersey construction sites to fall hazards. Citations included failure to provide fall protection, unsafe use of ladders, electrical hazards, and failure to provide eye and head protection, and train employees on forklift use.
- TYK America Inc. was fined $108,769 for 11 safety violations after a worker suffered an arm amputation while operating a machine with a previously identified defect at the Clairton manufacturing facility. While the employer was aware of the hazard, repairs were never made and considered a willful violation.
Wisconsin
- A federal grand jury has indicted the operator and six management officials of Didion Milling Inc., a Cambria corn mill, on nine criminal counts including two counts related to willful violations of federal workplace safety standards for grain handling. A May 31, 2017 explosion killed five workers and injured 15 others.
- Four affiliated meat processing facilities, including JBS Green Bay Inc., that were cited for alleged COVID-19 safety failures will have to create an infectious disease preparedness plan and pay a $14,502 fine.