Monday, May 5, 2014

April OSHA News


This month’s draft powerpoint is Supported Scaffold Safety. I use this in teaching the OSHA 30 hour class. It covers only the highlights of the standard. OSHA consistently has cited 1926.454 for scaffold training in the top 20 violations so the users should have more training than one hour. I am still running into several workers that do not realize scaffold rules from OSHA existed for over 40 years with the last changes made in 1995. 

 

This year, I am tracking the Illinois worker fatalities. I can find four who died in April bringing the total to 19 for 2014. 

 

It was a slower training month with more audits. I took advantage of several professional seminars in the areas. I conducted some free training for associations and Worker Memorial Day. My goal for 2014 is 2500 people trained. The first four months was 818 people trained total. I expect it to go down during the summer and pick up in the fall.

 

I am working on a training ppt for the new Power Transmission standard and will be glad to visit any site where you are entering a substation or erecting power lines.

 

Here is the news for April

 

1) Accident Prevention Programs. There is not a specific rule for written programs under 1926.20(b)(1). The OSHA Review Commission usually says it is not effective if not in writing. It this case OSHA ask for the program and was not given a copy.

 

For example http://www.oshrc.gov/decisions/pdf_2007/06-1551.pdf.

 

2) OSHA today announced that it would be issuing a final rule* to improve workplace safety and health for workers performing electric power generation, transmission and distribution work. 1600 pages to final rule. 18 chapters to the regs.

 

https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=NEWS_RELEASES&p_id=25806

 

3) Does OSHA require Construction to develop a Hearing Conservation Program?

Yes. 1926.52(d)(1)

 

“In all cases where the sound levels exceed the values shown herein, a continuing, effective hearing conservation program shall be administered.”

 

4) The OSHA Reg agenda includes movement on combustible dust, I2P2 (NPRM Sep 2014), beryllium (NPRM Apr 2014), and recordkeeping NAICS update (NPRM April 2014).

 

http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaMain?operation=OPERATION_GET_AGENCY_RULE_LIST&currentPub=true&agencyCode=&showStage=active&agencyCd=1200

 

5) A fixed ladders requires a ladder safety device in the ANSI A14.3 – 2008 standard when it is above the 24 feet level. OSHA has fall triggers at 20 feet.

 

1910.27(d)(1)(ii)

Cages or wells (except as provided in subparagraph (5) of this paragraph) conforming to the dimensions shown in figures D-7, D-8, and D-9 shall be provided on ladders of more than 20 feet to a maximum unbroken length of 30 feet.

 

Many companies are requiring ladder safety devices at 6 feet because it is feasible. Ladder falls are the top killer cause for fall deaths.

 

6) Jail time for two that exposed CA high school students to asbestos.

 

http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2014/03/31/3578027/two-men-sentenced-in-firm-build.html?sp=/99/215/167/

 

7) A question came up whether antibiotic drops for prevention is OSHA recordable.

 

“If the antibiotic was a prescription medication, the case is recordable regardless of whether the medication was given solely as a preventive measure. In the preamble to the final recordkeeping rule, OSHA specifically addressed the use of prescription antibiotics for prophylactic reasons. The agency concluded that all prescription medications should be considered medical treatment because they are powerful substances that can only be prescribed by a licensed health care professional.”

https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=25233

 

 

8) First Aid, CPR, AED training required? I have several workers that are not familiar with the NFPA 70E.

 

NFPA 70E, section 111.2(C) Emergency Procedures. Employees exposed to shock hazards and those employees responsible for taking action in case of emergency shall be trained in methods of release of victims from contact with exposed energized electrical conductors or circuit parts. Employees shall be regularly instructed in methods of first aid and emergency procedures, such as approved methods of resuscitation, if their duties warrant such training. Training of employees in approved methods of resuscitation, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation and automatic external defibrillator (AED) use, shall be certified by the employer annually.

 

9) State and local government workers made up 14.6 percent of the employees covered in the BLS’s 2011 survey data, but accounted for 21.6 percent of the injury and illness cases that year.

 

http://safety.blr.com/workplace-safety-news/safety-administration/safety-general/BLS-releases-report-on-state-and-local-government-/

 

10) High winds are defined in 1926.958

 

High wind. A wind of such velocity that one or more of the following hazards would be present:

(1) The wind could blow an employee from an elevated location,

(2) The wind could cause an employee or equipment handling material to lose control of the material, or

(3) The wind would expose an employee to other hazards not controlled by the standard involved.

Note to the definition of “high wind”: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration normally considers winds exceeding 64.4 kilometers per hour (40 miles per hour), or 48.3 kilometers per hour (30 miles per hour) if the work involves material handling, as meeting this criteria, unless the employer takes precautions to protect employees from the hazardous effects of the wind.

 

11) Also the appendix to the power transmission standard has safe distance requirements.  

 

“Installations energized at 50 to 300 volts. The hazards posed by installations energized at 50 to 300 volts are the same as those found in many other workplaces. That is not to say that there is no hazard, but the complexity of electrical protection required does not compare to that required for high-voltage systems. The employee must avoid contact with the exposed parts, and the protective equipment used (such as rubber insulating gloves) must provide insulation for the voltages involved.”

 

12) BLS revised the 2012 fatalities upward. 4,628 workers died in 2012.

 

http://www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/cfoi/cfoi_revised12.pdf

 

13) New bulletin to help clarify employer responsibilities for Temp Workers

 

https://www.osha.gov/temp_workers/OSHA_TWI_Bulletin.pdf

 

 

 

 

 

OSHA Citations in April

Penalty State Major Issues

 

1)         $51,800 NY Combustible Dust, Methylene Chloride, Cabinet maker

2)         $2,300,000 NY 45 Willful asbestos, construction mgr.

3)         $185,400 NJ Repeat machine guarding, amputation, Fabric mfr.

4)         $298,100 NY Repeat falls, eyewash, electrical, and machine guarding, Paper mfr

5)         $71,700 IL Complaint, AMPUTATE, machine guarding, rack mfr

6)         $90,600 OK Repeat Residential fall protection, Developer.

7)         $64,400 TX Falls, guarding, Recycler

8)         $46,000 TX Lockout, cranes, Tank Parts mfr.

9)         $45,780 AL Guarding, lockout, Lumber Co.

10)       $61,286 PA Repeat lockout, respirators, GHS, Concrete mfr.

11)       $70,000 TX Willful fall, Commercial Construction Co.

12)       $46,200 ND Willful Trench cave-in, Underground contractor

13)       $72,800 OH Machine guarding, lockout, RV parts mfr

14)       $211,000 MT Repeat confine space. Grain Handling facility

15)       $44,660 IL Willful Fall protection, Roofing contractor

16)       $124,000 TX Fail to Abate Machine guarding, PPE, cylinders. Metal Fab.

17)       $106,100 FL Hexchrome, Temp agency and Tank mfr.

18)       $166,000 WI Wilfull PPE and hazmat training during acid spill, Power Supply co.

 

 

 

Large Work Payouts

 

1)         Plaintiffs Awarded $7.25 Million in Asbestos Lawsuit

 

http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/articles/asbestos_mesothelioma/asbestos-lawsuit-mesothelioma-25-19655.html#.Uz6ZvLCPKUk

 

2)         $6.3 million in NY scaffold fall.

 

http://usa.greekreporter.com/2014/04/08/greek-american-construction-worker-gets-6-3m-settlement-after-accident/

 

3)         $1.3 million for comic injury in Vegas.

 

http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/celebrities/254425111.html

 

4)         $7.8 million for a jockey

 

http://pennrecord.com/news/13417-phila-jury-awards-7-8-million-to-family-of-jockey-killed-on-racetrack-after-horse-was-spooked-by-loose-chickens

 

5) $3 million award to family in fracking case.

 

http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/25/justice/texas-family-wins-fracking-lawsuit

 

 

Summary of the Major News Stories

 

1)         Both Fedex Driver and School Bus driver among ten dead in fiery crash. This is the 10th multiple fatality this year.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/9-dead-fiery-crash-california-highway-article-1.1752947

 

2)         Two workers died in an aerial lift incident in Bourne MA. This is the 11th Multiple fatality.

 

http://bostonherald.com/news_opinion/local_coverage/2014/04/two_men_die_after_crane_topples_in_bourne

 

 

 

 

Public Speeches in 2014

I do not charge for these speeches, but the host may charge or require membership.

 

Welding safety

Underground Contractors Association

May 1

Stoney Creek Inn, 101 Mariners Way | East Peoria, IL 61611

Michael Wiedmaier Executive Director

P: 630.467.1919

michael@uca.org

 

 

 

 

 

Safety Training at Non-Profits

 

5/2 Scaffold Awareness 4 hours

Construction Safety Council, Hillside, IL

www.buildsafe.org

708-449-8600 (new!)

 

 

5/6 & 5/7

OSHA 10 hour for construction

www.buildsafe.org

 

5/8 & 5/9

OSHA 10 hour for construction, Effingham IL

http://ilchamber.org/event/osha-construction-industry-10-hour-training/

 

OSHA 500

Monday, May 12 through Friday, May 16, 2014 I have the last day.

7:30 am to 4:00 pm

Construction Safety Council

www.buildsafe.org

 

5/13 & 5/15 Day 3 & 4 for the OSHA 30 hour class.

Construction Safety Council

www.buildsafe.org

 

OSHA 10 Hour for General Industry

May 19th & 20th, 2014

8am – 2pm

Location:

2601 W 63rd St

Chicago, IL 60629

Contact Liz at l.martinez@greatersouthwest.org

 

 

5/23

Crane Signaling and Rigging Awareness

Three Rivers Mfr Assoc.

1615 W Jefferson St, Joliet.

www.trma.org

815-744-3884

 

5/28

Excavation Safety

Three Rivers Mfr Assoc.

1615 W Jefferson St, Joliet.

www.trma.org

815-744-3884
 

 

5/30

Crane Signaling and Rigging Awareness
Construction Safety Council