November 2005 OSHA Newquist

Greater Illinois OSHA News              November 1, 2005

Vol 1. No. 7 

Lockout?

 

This sign was found in a machine shop. Notice that the word lockout is not present. Simply turning a switch off is not lockout. We would expect lockout at the energy source, a written lockout program with specific procedures, training of all authorized and affected employees, and annual audits that are documented. (photo by Ken Koroll)

SIOSH Days 

We had a successful day partnering with other companies in the annual SIOSH days on October 18 at John Logan College in Carterville. Wes Taylor, John Newquist, Anthony Gilson, and Bonnie Knisch all helped to make the OSHA side work well. We presented an OSHA update, confined space, and most frequently cited. This is an annual event in the far Southern area of the state. 

DIOSH Days

http://www.dioshday.com is the website for one of the largest Illinois Safety days in the state. Going on its 15th year, there will be many speakers and sessions to choose from. Mark March 1st on your calendar. See the website for the brochure and registration. 

Recent Court Decisions

10/12/2005    Favorable Lake Erie Construction decision received in a case appealed to the Review Commission (Cleveland Area Office, SOL Ashley, Commissioners Railton and Rogers).  Fall protection violations and penalties when changing an overhead highway sign sustained.  One of these was a Repeat.  The Commission agreed with the ALJ that we proved constructive knowledge.  In addition, OSHRC rejected the company's argument that one violation was not a Repeat because the method of abatement was different - the Repeat was based on a substantially similar hazard,  therefore it's a Repeat.

10/14/2005    Favorable decision in the Ruhlin Company case received (Cleveland Area Office, SOL Garvey, Judge Welsch).  The judge vacated 1926.95(a) high visibility garments on the basis that reflective vests are a warning signal not a barrier or shield.  The general duty clause was cited “in the alternative” and sustained for reflective vests for employees in the work zone. OSHA will continue to cite 1926.95(a) with 5(a)(1) in the alternative for not wearing reflective vests.

10/20/2005    Favorable decision in the Pegasus Tower case received (Madison Area Office, SOL Walanka, expert Jocko Vermilion from Cleveland AO, Judge Barkley).  Two general duty clause citations were sustained (fall from hoist line used to raise and lower an employee when a load was attached; 940 foot fall and struck by hazards from improper Flemish eye rigging and unknown capacity of non-engineered gin pole) as well as a serious violation.  One ladder violation was vacated for an employee jumping from tree to tree, judge agreed it was a hazard but that the standard did not contemplate or address tree jumping!

Shocking Scaffold Tieback!

Compliance Office Tony Gilson was driving in Belleville and saw this unusual scaffold tieback and conducted an inspection. 

OSHA expects the power to be de-energized or to maintain a 10 foot safe distance for this 440 volt incoming electrical feed. (photo by Tony Gilson)

FREE Residential Fall Protection Training Seminar

Since we have emphasized residential fall protection lately, our compliance officers are putting on a free Residential Safety training session:

Topics to be covered:

Scaffolding

Trenching 

Health Topics such as – Silica, Asbestos, and Personal Protective Equipment

Truss Erection

Wall Erection

Sheathing

Shingling

Electrical

Accident Prevention and Training Programs

HOW TO PREVENT RECEIVING OSHA CITATIONS!

Where: Illinois Central College North Campus 

  Arbor Hall – 5407 N. University - Free parking in Lot #1 

When: Thursday, Nov 10, 2005 @ 4:30pm – 6:00pm

For information call (309) 589-7033 and ask any safety specialist for details.

Comments

If you would like to receive this newsletter via E-mail, contact "newquist.john@dol.gov". Due to costs, we cannot mail to individual companies. 

Comments on the newsletter should be addressed to John Newquist c/o OSHA, 2918 West Willow Knolls Rd.,  Peoria, IL 61614 

Peoria office - Phone (309) 589-7033. 

Fairview Heights office - Phone (618) 632-8612

The information contained herein has been compiled and reported with the intent that it is

both reliable and up-to-date, and is offered for general guidance only. Additional safety

measures may be required by your facility under certain conditions or circumstances.

Professional advice should be sought for specific situations.  The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (IL DCEO) can be contacted at 1-800-972-4216