More dates added for the "The Nature of Chemical Hazards and Implications of GHS Applied to Industry" course

More dates have been added for the free "Nature of Chemical Hazards and Implications of GHS Applied to Industry" course.

Workers must be in compliance by Dec. 1, 2013

March 22, 2013

April 12, 2013

May 10, 2013

May 30, 2013

June 14, 2013

The use of chemical products to enhance and improve life is a worldwide practice.  Along with their benefits, chemicals have potential adverse effects to the environment and populations.  The goal of GHS is to identify the intrinsic hazards found in chemical substances and mixtures and to convey hazard information to the workers who may come in contact with them. Topics Covered:

        · Employee general safety and rights under the OSH Act

        · Employer responsibilities under the OSHA Act

        · Nature of Chemical Hazards and Worker Protection

        · Global Harmonization System (GHS) and Hazard Communication

        · Signal words, pictograms, SDS, and labeling elements

        · Conducting A Job Hazard Analysis

        · Applying GHS to targeted industries

        · Training requirements

Register here for our "Nature of Chemical Hazards and Implications of GHS Applied to Industry" course. 

OSHA has published a new slide presentation on the value of injury and illness prevention programs — a proactive process to help employers find and fix workplace hazards before workers are hurt. Not only are these programs effective at reducing injuries, illnesses, and fatalities, but also many employers report that they have transformed their workplace culture and led to higher productivity and quality, reduced turnover, reduced costs, and greater worker satisfaction.

Many workplaces have already chosen to adopt injury and illness prevention programs as part of OSHA's cooperative programs, and 34 states and many nations around the world already require or encourage employers to implement such programs. The key elements common to all of these programs are: management leadership, worker participation, hazard identification and assessment, hazard prevention and control, education and training, and program evaluation and improvement. To learn more and to view the downloadable presentation, visit OSHA's Injury and Illness Prevention Programs webpage.

OSHA, NIOSH present webinar on preventing deadly falls in construction

On April 10, at 11 a.m. EST, OSHA's Director of Construction Jim Maddux, and NIOSH's Director of Construction Safety and Health, Dr. Christine Branche, will co-moderate a webinar to discuss ways of stopping the leading killer of construction workers — falls from heights. To register for the free webinar and to learn more about efforts by OSHA, NIOSH, and CPWR to protect construction workers from fatal falls, visit the registration page.

Find resources to support the OSHA-NIOSH-CPWR Fall Prevention campaign in your community at www.osha.gov/stopfalls (y en Español), including http://www.osha.gov/pls/publications/publication.searchResults?pSearch=0078, wallet cards, fact sheets and posters. To order these or any of OSHA's outreach materials, call OSHA's Office of Communications at 202-693-1999 or visit OSHA's Publications page.

OSHA's General Industry and Construction Digests spell out summary of OSHA standards (available free)

OSHA's General Industry Digest and Construction Industry Digest summarize safety and health standards to help employers, supervisors, workers, health and safety committee members, and safety and health personnel learn about OSHA standards in the workplace. The two digests contain summaries of OSHA standards that are frequently cited or cover particular hazardous situations in general industry and construction. The General Industry Digestincludes updated information on revisions to General Industry standards since the digest was last published in 2001. A Spanish-language version of the Construction Industry Digest (PDF*) is also available.

Help for Construction Employers: New fact sheets help employers minimize exposure to silica when using construction equipment

OSHA has published seven new educational resources to help employers control exposure to respirable crystalline silica at construction sites. The new fact sheets provide information for employers and for workers who operate handheld grinders, angle grinders, jackhammers, rotary hammers, stationary masonry saws, handheld masonry saws or vehicle-mounted drilling rigs.

Respirable silica dust is a common hazard at many construction sites. Workers who breathe high concentrations of silica day after day are at risk of developing silicosis, a progressive and potentially disabling lung disease. Exposure to silica dust also can increase the risk of lung cancer and has been linked to other diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and kidney and autoimmune diseases. For more information on the hazards of silica exposure in the construction industry, visit OSHA'sCrystalline Silica Safety and Health Topics Page and read OSHA's educational publication on Controlling Silica Exposures in Construction (PDF*).

New OSHA Web page warns of hydrogen sulfide exposure

OSHA's new Hydrogen Sulfide Web page warns employers and workers of the dangerous health effects from breathing hydrogen sulfide and provides methods for controlling exposure to this toxic gas. 

Hydrogen sulfide, or H2S, is a colorless and highly flammable gas produced in industries such as mining, oil and gas refining, and paper and pulp processing. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicate H2S caused 60 worker deaths between 2001 and 2010. The effects on workers' health depend on how much of the gas workers breathe but symptoms can range from headaches, nausea and fatigue to respiratory tract irritation, unconsciousness and death. The Web page explains how training and the use of exhaust/ventilation systems and personal protective equipment can protect workers from harmful H2S exposure.