Monday, February 21, 2011

Preparing for OSHA Inspections

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is tasked with ensuring safety for workers in the United States. It is in your best interests to comply as fully as possible with all applicable OSHA standards. By implementing a preventative occupational safety and health program we achieve a number of valuable results.

By taking steps to reduce the incidence of employee injuries and illnesses, employers show employees that they care for their welfare. If properly communicated to employees, a good program can lead to increased loyalty, job satisfaction and productivity and to decreased turnover.

To secure a safe work place and fight rising costs associated with injuries ad illnesses, your defense is a good offense. By instituting a comprehensive safety program and by preparing yourselves in the event that an OSHA inspection does occur, you can strengthen your business both financially and productively.

It is helpful to know some of the common forms of documentation OSHA requests during inspections so that they can be prepared ahead of time for maximum benefit and compliance. Consider enlisting outside help if any of these areas are deficient a your workplace.

1. Safety Program – A written safety program is the cornerstone to any effective workplace safety plan. The program should be specific to the employer, and address hazards that are particular to the worksite. The program should be reviewed periodically to be sure that it addresses hazards in the workplace in a meaningful way. There are resources available to help prepare an effective document, so you should resist the urge to adopt a program from another company, or to copy a program from the internet.

2. Recordkeeping – Each employer with ten or more employees must keep records regarding workplace injuries and illnesses. These are commonly referred to by their form number – the 300 Logs. Employers must keep logs up to date with any injuries and illnesses that meet the criteria set forth in the standard. At the end of each calendar year, the information must be compiled into the Summary (300A) Log and posted conspicuously in February, March, and April. Summary logs must be posted at each jobsite that lasts longer than one year. The logs must also be archived for at least five years.

3. Training – It is incumbent on the employer to provide training to employees regarding the safe performance of their duties. Although documentation for most types of training is not strictly required by the standards, it is a very good practice to retain documentation for any training that employees receive, including dates, topics, and attendees. Be especially aware of the requirements for specialized training like, powered industrial trucks, crane certifications, respirator use, hearing protection, etc. If you are not sure if your workplace requires specialized training, contact Comprehensive Safety Resource to schedule an audit of your jobsite.

4. Hazard Communication – Each employer must keep copies of Material Safety Data Sheets for most chemicals in use in the workplace available to employees. It is important that MSDS’s are reviewed at least annually to ensure that they are up to date and accurate.


No matter how careful we are, there is always a chance that an OSHA official will conduct an inspection of the facility or jobsite. OSHA may carry out an inspection for any of the following five reasons, in order of priority:

1. Imminent Danger – If there is a report of a condition with a high probability of causing death or serious physical harm, an inspection will be initiated.

2. A catastrophe or fatality - If an employment-related fatality or an accident that results in the hospitalization of three or more of your employees occurs, you must report it to OSHA within 8 hours. In this case, OSHA is required to make an inspection.

3. An employee complaint - Generally, OSHA will limit its inspection to the condition(s) alleged in the complaint. At your request, OSHA must provide you with a copy of this complaint, although the employee's name will not be included.

4. Targeted Industry Program investigation - Each year, OSHA selects several industries with high rates of injuries and targets them for increased levels of inspections.

5. General Inspections - Area OSHA offices randomly inspect employers within their jurisdictions.

By preparing the required documentation and training employees in the safe execution of their tasks, you can elevate safety, reduce injury, and increase the chance of a favorable outcome to an OSHA inspection.

Jason

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Untangling Extension Cord Usage

Extension cords are a common sight on both Construction and General Industry jobsites. When used properly, they provide convenience and flexibility. Improperly used, they pose serious health and physical hazards to the work.

When using extension cords, the first step is to ensure that the cord chosen is appropriate for the task. Both the General Industry and the Construction standards require that only ‘hard service’ or ‘junior hard-service’ cords may be used on the jobsite. In practical terms, this means the cord type should be SO or SJ. The type will be embossed on the outside cable jacket, so make sure it contains those letters. Flat-style extension cords, like the ones commonly used to connect decorative, holiday lighting are not approved for use at work.

The next step is to make sure that the cord has the appropriate current-carrying capacity to safely connect the load. Check the tool or appliance for its amperage-rating, then select a cord that has conductors large enough for the application. Consult the manufacturer, or consult with a qualified person if there is any question about the appropriate size.

The cord must be inspected before use to determine that it is safe to put in operation. Some examples of inspection points are the strain relief, making sure the prongs are in good condition, and checking the cable jacket for any burns, cuts, or abrasions that could affect the integrity of the insulation. Employees must receive training from the employer regarding the safe use of extension cords on the jobsite, and regarding the inspection process that is required. It is never a bad idea to document the inspections. If the cord is in any way deficient, then it must be removed from service and replaced or repaired by a qualified worker.

Lastly, the cord must be used in a safe manner. This includes making sure the cord is not damaged while in use. Employers should take care to see that cords are not subject to physical hazards on the jobsite such as sharp corners, having doors and windows closed on them, and heat damage from welding, cutting, or brazing operations on the jobsite. Cords should also be routed in such a way as to reduce the trip hazard they can cause. When the work is finished, the cord should be rolled up and stored safely.

Cords may not be used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure, so make sure that extension cords are only used in a temporary fashion. Choose the right cord for the task, inspect them before use, and repair or replace any damaged cords. These steps will help reduce shock and physical hazards associated with extension cord use on the jobsite.

-Jason