New educational resources: Hazard Communication: Small Entity Compliance Guide, fact sheet on work-related asthma

Two new OSHA resources, “Hazard Communication: Small Entity Compliance Guide for Employers That Use Hazardous Chemicals” (PDF*) and a new fact sheet, “Steps to an Effective Hazardous Communication Program for Employers That Use Hazardous Chemicals” (PDF*), offer employers clear steps to create an effective hazard communication program — including a sample program and a quick guide to hazard communication training.

Also available is a new OSHA Fact Sheet, “Do You Have Work-Related Asthma? A Guide for You and Your Doctor” (PDF*) which offers key questions to ask, quick facts, helpful resources for workers, and a guide for clinicians to diagnose work-related asthma.

OSHA partners with NOAA for Flood Safety Awareness Week

OSHA and the National Oceanic and the Atmospheric Administration are working together to promote Flood Safety Awareness Week, March 16-22.

OSHA and NOAA encourage employers to stay aware of weather forecasts, train workers on workplace severe weather plans, and keep emergency supplies, including a battery-operated weather radio, on hand to be better prepared for severe weather, including floods and flash floods. Employers must also ensure that workers involved in response and recovery are protected from potential safety and health hazards.

Follow all of the week’s activities on NOAA’s Web page and visit OSHA’s Flood Preparedness and Response page for more information on protecting workers from floods, including during flood response and recovery. OSHA also provides resources on workplace preparedness and response for severe weather emergencies including wildfires, tornadoes and winter weather, among others.

OSHA publishes new educational bulletin on recordkeeping requirements for temporary workers

OSHA has released a new educational bulletin for staffing agencies and host employers on current requirements for recording injuries and illnesses of temporary workers. The new Recordkeeping Bulletin (PDF*), which is part of OSHA’s Temporary Worker Initiative, addresses how to identify which employer is responsible for recording these work-related injuries and illnesses on the OSHA 300 log.

"The Recordkeeping Bulletin is the first of many materials we are releasing and helps clarify which employers are responsible for reporting injuries and illnesses," said Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health. "These materials will provide valuable information for both host employers and staffing agencies on how they can work together to make sure their workers are properly trained and protected."

The temporary worker Recordkeeping Bulletin helps businesses determine which employer is responsible for recording work-related injuries and illness on the OSHA 300 log. For more information, read the news release and visit OSHA's temporary worker page.

OSHA and NOAA partner for National Severe Weather Preparedness Week

OSHA and the National Oceanic and the Atmospheric Administration have joined forces for National Severe Weather Preparedness Week, to address the unique hazards that severe weather poses for workers and employers.

OSHA and NOAA encourage employers to stay aware of weather forecasts, train workers on workplace severe weather plans, and keep emergency supplies, including a battery-operated weather radio, on hand to be better prepared when severe weather strikes. Employers must also ensure that workers involved in response and recovery are protected from potential safety and health hazards.

OSHA provides resources on workplace preparedness and response for severe weather emergencies including tornadoes, floods, and winter weather, among others. Follow all of the week’s activities on NOAA’s Web page and visit OSHA’s Tornado Preparedness and Response page for more information on protecting workers from severe weather events.

New educational resources: Safe patient handling in nursing homes and anti-retaliation rights under the Food Safety Modernization Act

OSHA has developed Safe Patient Handling (PDF*), a new brochure that addresses the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders among nursing home and residential care workers and explains the benefits of implementing safe patient handling programs. For more information about safe patient handling and on protecting healthcare workers, visit OSHA’s Healthcare Web page.

In addition, a new Spanish-language Whistleblower Fact Sheet (PDF*) is available, which details the rights of whistleblowers under the Food Safety Modernization Act. Visit www.whistleblowers.gov for additional fact sheets in English and Spanish.