Author Archives: Admin

SafeAndCompliant.Net – Supporting your OSHA Safety and Compliancy Requirements

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One of the requirements for being a Certified Stone and Tile PRO Partner is to operate your business in an OSHA health and safety compliant manner. It is not uncommon when bidding jobs with some contractors and government or state facilities that you must provide proof of having a HAZCOM and health and safety program in place. Although all Partners have full access to SafeAndCompliant.net, a Stone and Tile PRO/SurpHaces Partner your membership to safeandcompliant.net is free.

SAFEANDCOMPLIANT.NET

A written HAZCOM and a Safety and Health program is
designed to keep you and your staff safe in the workplace. It
may also be required by law.

• Do you have at least one employee? (Includes temporary,
and part-time)
• Do they use chemicals and/or cleaners in their job?
• Do they use machines or equipment as part of their job?

These are just some of the basic questions that if you answered
yes to, means that you are mandated by law to have a HAZCOM
and safety program in place and to follow it. Not having one
could have costly consequences.
Many small service companies are totally unaware that this is
required by OSHA and other agencies. As a result, many are
getting fined every day, sometimes totaling tens of thousands
— or more dollars.

SafeandCompliant.net is one of your Core benefits.

The top 10 benefits of SafeandCompliant.net are:

1. Save lives, avoid accidents and minimize health issues
for your employees and customers by having a safety
program in place.
2. Avoid potentially huge fines for not having an OSHA
required safety and HAZCOM program.
3. No need to worry about employees (or ex-employees)
or competitors or anyone else turning you in to OSHA
as a non-compliant company.
4. Be ready for an OSHA inspection at any time.
5. Provide required safety meetings and save time in
preparation with “Safety Meetings in a Box.”
6. Many general contractors are now requiring that you
provide a copy of your safety program in order to bid.
This is a growing trend.
7. Show your employees that you care about providing
them with a safe work environment.
8. Show your customers that your company complies with
OSHA requirements, etc. by posting your Certified Safe
and Compliant Company badge.
9. Avoid or minimize costly lawsuits or at least provide
your attorney with evidence that you comply with all
safety laws, etc.
10. It’s fast and easy to get your Safety Program in place.

Visit the site and familiarize yourself with this very important benefit.

www.safeandcompliant.net

 

 

 

What triggers OSHA inspections in 2019?

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March 20, 2019 By  

Just how likely is OSHA to follow up if one of your disgruntled employees lodges a safety complaint?

Consider this: In fiscal years 2016 and 2017, OSHA conducted more than 21,000 inspections due to complaints in each 12-month period.

You may have read a recent report from the National Employment Law Project that notes a decline in certain types of OSHA inspections.

But, the difference in inspections due to complaints from 2016 to 2017 is minimal:

  • In FY 2016, OSHA conducted 21,738 inspections due to complaints, and
  • in FY 2017, there were 21,244 complaint inspections, a decrease
    of only 2%.

When it comes to inspections, OSHA’s priorities are clear: Responding to complaints is at the top of the list.

Number of inspections up

The total number of federal OSHA inspections conducted rose for the first time in five years from 31,948 in 2016  to 32,408 in 2017. That’s a 1.4% increase.

Another type of inspection that increased by 7.6% from 2016 to 2017: (Rapid Response Investigations.)

RRIs are part of OSHA’s 2015 initiative that requires companies to report various workplace incidents within a given time period:

  • fatalities within 8 hours, and
  • inpatient hospitalizations, amputations or losses of an eye within 24 hours.

Instead of sending an inspector, RRIs ask employers to conduct their own incident investigations and report back to OSHA about how they plan to abate the hazard that caused the injury. If the company doesn’t report or if OSHA isn’t satisfied with the response, the agency has the option to send an inspector.

OSHA says RRIs have led to contact with industries that aren’t often on its radar, such as companies that sell parts or supplies to manufacturers.

OSHA’s not a paper tiger

What’s this mean to you? It’s true federal OSHA’s budget has been cut or, at best, stable for several years. The agency has fewer inspectors than it had previously.

But OSHA is finding creative ways to keep its eyes on businesses under these conditions: relying on complaints, RRI program, etc.

With a potential maximum fine of $132,598 for one willful violation, companies can’t afford to assume OSHA has become a paper tiger.

About Fred Hosier

Fred Hosier is a Group Publisher for Progressive Business Publications’ Compliance Group of publications. He is the managing editor of Safety Compliance Alert and Environmental Compliance Alert. He is editor-in-chief of Safety and Compliant Alert.  Previously, Fred worked for 11 years at WILM Newsradio in Wilmington, DE, where he was News Director.

Emergency Eyewash Stations

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10 Essential Tips for Emergency Eyewash Stations

A chemical eye injury is something to avoid at all costs; it is a painful and frightening experience and one that may leave a person blinded for life. So if your employees are exposed to hazardous chemicals and other substances, it’s imperative that you do everything you can to ensure that your emergency eyewash stations meet the required safety standards to best protect workers. Here are some suggestions.

1. Keep the doors open. Do not place an emergency eyewash station behind a closed or locked door. While the station may be used infrequently, remember that when it’s needed, someone’s vision is on the line. And every second counts.

2. Don’t hang the unit at an angle. This can interfere with the proper flow of flushing fluid and may force an injured person to stand in an uncomfortable position to flush properly for the duration of his or her 15-minute required flush.

3. Don’t block access. Avoid storing anything underneath or in front of an eyewash unit. This can block an injured worker’s ability to reach or stand comfortably at the station.

4. Watch the fluid’s temperature. Do not allow the flushing fluid to become too hot or too cold. Storing eyewash in extremely hot or cold environments can cause flushing fluid’s temperature to rise or fall outside of ANSI’s stated standard for tepid water. Flushing eyes with scalding or ice-cold solution can cause further damage to an already compromised eye.

5. Fill the unit properly. Avoid mistakes when mixing flushing fluid. ANSI requires that the unit be filled with flushing fluid or the pre-packaged fluid provided by the manufacturer. Always prepare fluid according to manufacturer’s instructions.

6. Clean thoroughly after use. Don’t forget to clean, disinfect, rinse and completely dry the unit after each activation, including hoses, nozzles and nozzle covers (this does not apply to sealed-fluid cartridges). Any lingering cleaning chemicals or particles may harm the next user’s eyes. When the wrong chemicals mix, the fluid may turn brown or another color, and colored fluid is never usable.

7. Don’t cover the unit. Do not place a plastic bag or other makeshift cover over the unit to keep dust or particles out. This can hinder an injured person’s ability to properly activate the unit in a single motion and start the flow in one second or less.

8. Mind the shelf life. Avoid using expired flushing fluid. Like any standing water, eyewash fluid can grow bacteria that may be harmful to eyes. Be sure that someone is responsible for checking stations’ expiration dates and refilling/replacing them according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. Generally, according to ANSI Z358.1-2009, weekly flushing is required for plumbed stations every three to six months for tank-style fluid stations and every two to three years for sealed-fluid cartridges and bottles.

9. Install the unit correctly. Do not install an eyewash unit without carefully following the manufacturer’s instructions. Stations vary and have precise installation instructions to ensure proper performance, including installation height, the rate of fluid flow, required spray pattern and much more.

10. Don’t alter or tamper with the unit. Again, the manufacturer’s instructions are the only ones that should be followed. Do not try to re-route hoses, change nozzles or otherwise compromise the station’s performance.

Final Word

Eyes are one of the most vulnerable parts of the body. By understanding how to use emergency eyewash properly, your facility can ensure greater workplace eye safety. And that’s a clear benefit everyone can see.

A safe workplace is sound business

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OSHA has recently updated the Guidelines for Safety and Health Programs it first released 30 years ago, to reflect changes in the economy, workplaces, and evolving safety and health issues. The new Recommended Practices have been well received by a wide variety of stakeholders and are designed to be used in a wide variety of small and medium-sized business settings. The Recommended Practices present a step-by-step approach to implementing a safety and health program, built around seven core elements that make up a successful program.

The main goal of safety and health programs is to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths, as well as the suffering and financial hardship these events can cause for workers, their families, and employers. The recommended practices use a proactive approach to managing workplace safety and health. Traditional approaches are often reactive –that is, problems are addressed only after a worker is injured or becomes sick, a new standard or regulation is published, or an outside inspection finds a problem that must be fixed. These recommended practices recognize that finding and fixing hazards before they cause injury or illness is a far more effective approach.

The idea is to begin with a basic program and simple goals and grow from there. If you focus on achieving goals, monitoring performance, and evaluating outcomes, your workplace can progress along the path to higher levels of safety and health achievement.

Employers will find that implementing these recommended practices also brings other benefits. Safety and health programs help businesses:

  • Prevent workplace injuries and illnesses
  • Improve compliance with laws and regulations
  • Reduce costs, including significant reductions in workers’ compensation premiums
  • Engage workers
  • Enhance their social responsibility goals
  • Increase productivity and enhance overall business operations

What about state-specific requirements?

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Certain states have their own Safety and Health programs.There are 26 state plans: 23 cover both private and public (state and local government) employment, and 3 (Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York) cover only the public sector.

State plans are OSHA-approved job safety and health programs operated by individual states or territories instead of Federal OSHA. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) encourages states to develop and operate their own job safety and health plans and permits state enforcement of OSHA standards if the state has an approved plan. Once OSHA approves a state plan, it funds 50 percent of the program’s operating costs. State plans must provide standards and enforcement programs, as well as voluntary compliance activities, that are at least as effective as those of Federal OSHA.

As a full Safe and Compliant member, your resources and information will be customized accordingly and your Safety Manual, HAZCOM, and forms will meet the requirements of your state or jurisdiction.

If you hire temporary employees they must be trained and made aware of your safety and HAZCOM program

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In meeting the requirements of OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard, the temporary agency employer would, for example, be expected to provide generic hazard training and information concerning categories of chemicals employees may potentially encounter. Host employers would then be responsible for providing site-specific hazard training pursuant to sections 1910.1200(h)(1) and 1926.59.

Do you know what to do if OSHA comes calling?

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Someone enters your shop and tells you he/she is an OSHA inspector and is here to conduct a safety audit. Your response is one of two:

A. Your heart plummets into your stomach and you find yourself searching for a quick exit.

B. You reach out your hand confidently and greet the inspector.

What to expect

With some exceptions, OSHA doesn’t notify the companies it inspects in advance. OSHA inspectors usually show up unannounced.

Before the inspection begins, the OSHA inspector will present his or her credentials to the owner, owner representative, or supervisor in charge.

TIP: As part of your training or orientation, tell staff in advance what to expect if an OSHA inspector shows up. Appoint a contact person and instruct her to notify other necessary company officials, escort the inspector directly to a pre-determined area (conference room or office), and remain with the inspector until a company official arrives. Tell the contact person not to take the inspector through any area but the designated area of your facility until you have determined the purpose of the inspection.

Ask to see the credentials of the person claiming to be an OSHA inspector, just as you would ask any stranger who shows up at your facility unannounced. Asking for credentials isn’t just your right, it is common sense and essential for your own safety and the safety of your workers. Be polite and respectful though. Chances are, anyone who shows up claiming to be an OSHA inspector is likely to be who he claims to be. If the visitor refuses to show credentials, take the necessary security precautions as instructed by your company policy guidelines.

Should You Let Them In?

You can’t refuse to let a bona fide OSHA inspector enter your facility. But you may ask the OSHA inspector to get a warrant to conduct the inspection before entering and refuse entry without a warrant. Exceptions: You can’t refuse entry for lack of a warrant if you or one of your representatives has already given consent to the inspection or if there’s an emergency or urgent reason for the inspector to enter.

Before exercising this right, remember that the inspector is only human. Making his/her job more difficult just to stall for more time to prepare may cause you more difficulties during your inspection. But if you have a good reason you shouldn’t hesitate to exercise your right to demand that the inspector get a warrant.

If the inspector does get the warrant, you must let them in. It is illegal to interfere with the inspector’s conduct of the inspection. But once the inspector is in, you may require them to follow the same policies, procedures and rules as any other employee or visitor. This includes insisting on the wearing of mandatory Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), the removal of dangling jewelry, etc.

Are you ready for an OSHA inspection? Is everything in order? Do you have all the required documentation, programs, posters, etc.?  You should be prepared every day at any moment for OSHA to come knocking. We at Safe and Compliant can help you meet all of these requirements. The proper Safety Program, HAZCOM program, required posters, SDS database and even a self inspection checklist, and more. Full members of Safe and Compliant can welcome an inspection and smile when OSHA comes knocking. Join today!

You may need an SDS for common household products such as Windex, Wite-Out, etc.

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OSHA does not require that SDSs be provided to purchasers of household consumer products when the products are used in the workplace in the same manner that a consumer would use them, i.e. where the duration and frequency of use (and therefore exposure) is not greater than what the typical consumer would experience. This exemption in OSHA’s regulation is based, however, not upon the chemical manufacturer’s intended use of his product, but upon how it actually is used in the workplace. Employees who are required to work with hazardous chemicals in a manner that results in a duration and frequency of exposure greater than what a normal consumer would experience have a right to know about the properties of those hazardous chemicals.

Residential jobsites are subject to OSHA inspection

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Most contractors are under the impression that if they only work in residences that they are not at risk of OSHA inspections. According to the following news release, OSHA is now targeting residential job sites as well. This following is directly from OSHA and has to do with Fall Protection. Even if you don’t work in areas where fall protection is a concern for you, If OSHA shows up on the job they could look for other violations as well.

News Release: OSHA announces three-month enforcement phase-in for residential construction fall protection

OSHA announced June 9 (2011) a three-month enforcement phase-in period to allow residential construction employers to come into compliance with the agency’s new directive to provide residential construction workers with fall protection. During the phase-in period June 16-September 15, if an employer is in full compliance with the old directive (STD 03-00-001), OSHA will not issue citations, but will instead issue a hazard alert letter informing the employer of the feasible methods that can be used to comply with OSHA’s fall protection standard or implement a written fall protection plan. If the employer’s practices do not meet the requirements set in the old directive, OSHA will issue appropriate citations. If an employer fails to implement the fall protection measures outlined in a hazard alert letter, and OSHA finds violations involving the same hazards during a subsequent inspection of one of the employer’s workplaces, the Area Office will issue appropriate citations.