OSHA watch
Important! New Electronic Injury and Illness Reporting requirements now in effect
The new requirements for submitting workplace injury and illness information went into effect Jan. 2. Employers that meet certain size and industry criteria must provide 2023 injury and illness data between Jan. 2 and March 2, 2024.This expands coverage to thousands more establishments, increases the scope of data required for submission, and is a tool for targeting inspections. Therefore, it's critical to get it right. Online aids, including new videos and a fact sheet, are available and we are here to help.
Form 300A posting deadline: February 1, 2024
The annual summary of injuries and illnesses recorded on OSHA Form 300A, Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses, must be posted where notices are customarily located in workplaces, no later than February 1, 2024, and kept in place until April 30.
Recommendations for hard hats vs. safety helmets
A new Safety and Health Information Bulletin details key differences between traditional hard hats and more modern safety helmets and the advancements in design, materials, and other features that provide better protection. It recommends safety helmets be used by people working on construction sites and in the oil and gas industry,as well as those working in high-temperature and specialized work environments. Also, for those doing electrical work, or working from heights, and even in low-risk environments and when required by regulations or industry standards.
REP on workplace noise in mid-Atlantic states renewed and expanded
As part of its October renewal, three manufacturing industry sectors were added to the Regional Emphasis Program (REP) on noise in Delaware, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and D.C.:
- Sawmills and Wood Preservation (NAICS code 32111)
- Other Wood Manufacturing (32199)
- Ornamental and Architectural Metal Products (33232)
The REP already included:
- Wood Container and Pallet Manufacturing (32192)
- Other Plastics and Product Manufacturing (32619)
- All Other Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing (32799)
- Plate Work and Fabricated Structural Product Manufacturing (33231)
- Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating and Allied Activities (33281)
- All Other Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (33299)
- Ship and Boat Building (33661)
REP for landscaping and horticultural industries launched in western states
The new REP includes employers in American Samoa, Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, the Northern Mariana Islands, and Nevada. Safety and health inspections of landscaping and horticultural industry employers will focus on tree care and related services, including tree and bush planting, pruning, bracing, spraying, removal, and surgery; commercial lawn and landscape maintenance; and utility line tree-trimming services.
NPRM to expand protections for emergency response workers expected soon
A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) will be published this month that updates the existing "Fire Brigades" standard, first published in 1980, and expands safety and health protections for emergency responders, including firefighters, emergency medical service providers, and technical search and rescue workers. The proposal will include major changes for protective clothing and equipment and significant improvements in safety and health practices. For more information.
State Plan whistleblower info added to webpage
Two series of FAQs were added to the State Plan whistleblower information website. The first series of FAQs addresses options for filing retaliation complaints and the second provides an overview of complaints that are filed with federal OSHA and a State Plan, also known as "dually filed complaints."
Reminder to protect workers from winter weather hazards
Employers are reminded of their obligation to protect workers from winter weather hazards and the resources on the winter weather webpage.
New resources in Spanish
- Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for General Industry and Maritime guide
- Exposure to Silica during Countertop Manufacturing, Finishing, and Installation hazard alert
MSHA final rule on surface mobile equipment
Effective January 19, 2024, the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) is requiring that mine operators with six or more miners develop, implement, and update, periodically or when necessary, a written safety program for surface mobile equipment (excluding belt conveyors) at surface mines and surface areas of underground mines. The written safety program must be developed and updated with input from miners and their representatives.
State OSHA
Cal/OSHA
Standards Board adopts emergency temporary standard to protect workers from silicosis
Effective December 29, 2023, the emergency temporary standard aims to protect workers in the stone fabrication industry from silicosis. It focuses on workers who engage in high-exposure tasks such as cutting, grinding, polishing, and cleanup of artificial stone products that contain more than 0.1 percent crystalline silica and natural stone with more than 10 percent crystalline silica.
MIOSHA
New cannabis safety webpage launched
Co-hosted by MIOSHA and the Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency, the new webpage provides resources for employers involved in the growing, harvesting, and processing of cannabis.
Calendar deadlines shift with new state holiday
Beginning on June 19, 2024, the newly recognized holiday, Juneteenth, will no longer be counted as a working day for purposes of counting MIOSHA deadlines.
Coffee with MIOSHA
A free, informal opportunity for employers and employees to meet with MIOSHA representatives, the next coffee with MIOSHA will have a construction emphasis and take place Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024 from 8-10:00 a.m.at the Associated Builders & Contractors: Southeastern Michigan Chapter, 31800 Sherman Ave., Madison Heights. RSVP by Feb. 7, 2024 by emailing Michelle Wood at mwood@abcsemi.org. Walk-ins welcome.
Information on upcoming training courses
MNOSHA
PTSD study
Legislation passed in 2023 requires the DLI to conduct a comprehensive study about work-related PTSD in the workers' compensation system. DLI has partnered with the Midwest Center for Occupational Health and Safety at the University of Minnesota to conduct the study, which will identify systemic or regulatory changes to improve the experience and outcomes of employees with work-related PTSD. It will be completed by Aug. 1, 2025. Interested parties are encouraged to submit input by completing the Workers' Compensation PTSD Policy form.
Recent fines and awards
California
- An Avocado Heights poultry processor and supplier, The Exclusive Poultry Inc., will pay nearly $3.8 million in back wages, damages and penalties for endangering young workers.
Florida
- The GEO Group Inc., which operates as South Bay Correctional and Rehabilitation Facility, was cited after an inmate's physical assault of an employee caused serious injuries and for not reporting a hospitalization within 24 hours. Proposed fines are $26,787.
Georgia
- A Cartersville chemical manufacturer, Chemical Products Corp. faces $55,403 in proposed penalties after a worker suffered fatal chemical and thermal burns.
Illinois
- A Westfield grain bin operator, Littlejohn Grain Inc., faces $115,855 in penalties for failing to de-energize and lock out an auger before allowing a worker to enter the bin, which resulted in a partial leg amputation.
- Twice within a month in summer 2023, inspectors found a Palatine contractor, Ricardo Gallardo, operating as R&R Construction Services Inc., did not provide roofing employees with required fall protection or training. The company was cited for one willful violation and four repeat violations and assessed $275,869 in penalties.
Massachusetts
- John Oliveira & Sons Stamp Concrete Inc., an East Freetown concrete contractor, faces $200,905 in proposed penalties, for energy and fall hazard violations after a worker was crushed and suffered fatal injuries.
Minnesota
- Despite signing a 2021 settlement agreement with promises to improve safety practices, Wagner Construction Inc. again exposed workers to trenching hazards. The International Falls company was cited for six instance-by-instance repeat violations for exposing workers to cave-in hazards by not using adequate protective systems with $1.8M in proposed penalties.
Wisconsin
- A 16-year-old worker died after being trapped in a machine while performing maintenance on equipment without training or following required safety procedures at the Florence Hardwoods LLC sawmill. Inspectors proposed fines of nearly $1.4M for six willful (5 egregious), six repeat, 29 serious, and four other-than-serious and placed the company in the Severe Violator Enforcement Program.
- A settlement agreement has been reached with the Cambria corn milling company, Didion Milling Inc., to pay more than $1.8 million in penalties after a 2017 explosion that killed five workers and injured more than a dozen others. The company has also agreed to make extensive safety and health improvements at the facility.