OSHA will hold a Maritime Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (MACOSH) meeting July 13-14, 2010, in Long Beach, Calif. Meeting discussions will include an update on OSHA activities and their impact on maritime workers, and agenda topics such as scaffolding and fall hazards, repairing terminal equipment safely and providing workers with proper ventilation during welding operations.
MACOSH was established in 1995 to advise the Secretary of Labor on various issues related to safe and healthful work conditions in maritime industries, such as ways to increase the effectiveness of maritime safety and health standards; injury and illness prevention; use of stakeholder partnerships to improve training and outreach initiatives; and enforcement initiatives that will help improve the safety, health and working conditions of maritime workers.
The committee and workgroups will meet at the Renaissance Long Beach Hotel, 111 East Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, Calif., 90802. The Longshoring and Shipyard workgroups will meet Tuesday, July 13, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., PDT. The committee will meet Wednesday, July 14, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., PDT. MACOSH meetings are open to the public.
Written data or comments on MACOSH agenda items should be mailed to Vanessa Welch, Office of Maritime, OSHA, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-3609, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210. Materials may also be sent by facsimile to 202-693-1663. Submissions received by July 13, 2010, will be provided to committee members and will be included in the meeting record. Requests to make oral presentations to the committee may be granted as time permits.
General information inquiries should be directed to Joseph Daddura, OSHA Office of Maritime, at 202-693-2067. Individuals with disabilities wishing to attend the meeting should contact Vanessa Welch at 202-693-2080 no later than July 13, 2010, to obtain appropriate accommodations.
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. Comprehensive Safety Resource is a nationwide provider of 10 and 40-hour training, both on-site and online. More information can be found in the links on this blog.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
US Department of Labor's OSHA assistant secretary concerned some oil spill workers not receiving proper training
U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels today issued a statement on July 7 regarding training for Gulf Coast oil spill clean-up:
"Employees hired to be supervisors in the onshore and marine cleanup are required to receive extensive training. A rigorous 40-hour program is required under OSHA's Hazardous Waste Operation and Emergency Response Standard.
"In order to meet the certifications of this 40-hour training, a combination of classroom and hands-on, applicable experience is required. This includes instruction on the makeup and risks associated with the hazardous material(s) involved, and experience with the equipment needed for the work, safety gear and local environment.
"We have received reports that some are offering this training in significantly less than 40 hours, showing video presentations and offering only limited instruction. This training cannot be shortened to anything less than 40 hours. Moreover, computer-based training, which could be offered over the Internet, can be used as part of an overall 40-hour HAZWOPER training course. However, such training alone does not meet the full course requirements.
"OSHA also recommends that the trainer-to-student ratio for this type of training be one trainer for every 30 students in the class.
"If a worker feels the training he or she received by a private company or organization does not meet the HAZWOPER training requirements, he or she may contact the closest OSHA area office to file a complaint or call 800-321-OSHA (6742) for more information."
Comprehensive Safety Resources has specialists in HAZWOPER training that have worked exhaustively in the oil and gas industry. 10 and 30-hour training programs are available both on-site and online for convenience.
"Employees hired to be supervisors in the onshore and marine cleanup are required to receive extensive training. A rigorous 40-hour program is required under OSHA's Hazardous Waste Operation and Emergency Response Standard.
"In order to meet the certifications of this 40-hour training, a combination of classroom and hands-on, applicable experience is required. This includes instruction on the makeup and risks associated with the hazardous material(s) involved, and experience with the equipment needed for the work, safety gear and local environment.
"We have received reports that some are offering this training in significantly less than 40 hours, showing video presentations and offering only limited instruction. This training cannot be shortened to anything less than 40 hours. Moreover, computer-based training, which could be offered over the Internet, can be used as part of an overall 40-hour HAZWOPER training course. However, such training alone does not meet the full course requirements.
"OSHA also recommends that the trainer-to-student ratio for this type of training be one trainer for every 30 students in the class.
"If a worker feels the training he or she received by a private company or organization does not meet the HAZWOPER training requirements, he or she may contact the closest OSHA area office to file a complaint or call 800-321-OSHA (6742) for more information."
Comprehensive Safety Resources has specialists in HAZWOPER training that have worked exhaustively in the oil and gas industry. 10 and 30-hour training programs are available both on-site and online for convenience.
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