OSHA watch

OSHA to retailers: Take precautions during sales events

OSHA sent a letter to CEOs of 14 major retail companies, encouraging them to take steps to protect workers during big sales events. In addition to the letter, OSHA provided a fact sheet with crowd management safety tips for retailers, such as:

• Have trained security personnel or officers on-site.
• Set up barricades or ropes in advance for pedestrians and crowd control.
• Develop emergency procedures to address potential problems.
• Explain entrance procedures to the public.
• Do not allow more customers into the store once it reaches capacity.

Fact sheets address cranes and derricks standard

OSHA recently posted information to aid compliance with subpart CC of the cranes and derricks in construction final rule.

The qualified rigger fact sheet explains how to determine if a worker is qualified to load the rig for a job. The signal person fact sheet details the qualifications for workers who direct a crane under certain conditions. OSHA's cranes and derricks page also includes fact sheets for the rule, assembly and disassembly and operator qualifications and certification.

OSHA reissues NEP shipbreaking instruction, PPE guidance

OSHA has reissued instructions on a National Emphasis Program on shipbreaking operations.

Major changes to the instruction include a reference to OSHA's goal to reduce injuries and illnesses among Latino workers and updates to guidance on Integrated Management Information System recording of shipbreaking operations.

The agency also reissued a guidance document that advises compliance officers on personal protective equipment enforcement in shipyard employment, including rules requiring employer-provided PPE be given to employees for free and enforcement policies reflected by court decisions concerning PPE.

Recent fines

Interstate Brand Corp, IL a manufacturer of bakery products, was cited with 20 alleged safety violations for failing to properly train workers who operate powered industrial trucks, and protect workers from electrical shock hazards and dangerous high-speed rotating equipment. Proposed penalties from two OSHA inspections at the company's plant total $274,500.

Litho Press Inc, TX was cited with 19 alleged serious violations at the company's worksite in San Antonio, including leaving workers vulnerable to amputations from improper machine guarding. Proposed penalties total of $53,550.

Lowe's Home Centers Inc. was fined $182,000 for failing to document and report worker injuries and illnesses at its Rockford, Ill. regional distribution center.

For more information and additional cases visit www.osha.gov/whatsnew.html