Monday, January 23, 2017

Free course dates announced: Assessing, Controlling and Managing Dynamic Hazards Associated with Confined Spaces in Construction

Construction workers often perform tasks in confined spaces - work areas that (1) are large enough for a worker to enter, (2) have limited means of entry or exit, and (3) are not designed for continuous occupancy. These spaces can present physical and atmospheric hazards that can be prevented if addressed prior to entering the space to perform work. The construction confined space standard is expected to prevent roughly 780 serious injuries and five deaths yearly. 

Who will this course benefit? 
Small business owners, trainers, others with construction safety and 
health responsibilities 

Topics Covered: 
• Worker training requirements and employer responsibilities 
- Construction Industry Confined Spaces vs. General Industry 
Confined Spaces 
- Dynamic nature of Construction (things you don’t usually 
find in General Industry) 
- Identifying Construction Confined Spaces/Permit-Required 
Confined Spaces 
- Welding, burning chemicals, epoxies, shaft-work, vault work 
- Hot Work, Lock-out/Tag-out 
• Creating an inventory of Confined Spaces 
- Managing the Construction Industry Confined Space Program 
- Model site-specific orientation 
- precedent: Subpart R- Steel Erection: 
Controlling Contractor 
- precedent: Subpart CC- Host has the responsibility 
to inform contractors of existing hazards 
- precedent: Hazard Communication Model 
- Checklists and flowcharts 
- Completing Permit-Required Confined Space 
(PRCS) forms
- Labeling (signs, signal, and barricades) 

This course will be held at

on the following dates:
February 17, 2017 
March 1, 2017 
March 24, 2017 
April 3, 2017 
April 24, 2017 
May 12, 2017 
June 5, 2017 


Final rule clarifies recordkeeping obligations

OSHA's injury and illness recordkeeping Form 300.OSHA has issued a final rule that clarifies an employer's continuing obligation to make and maintain an accurate record of each recordable injury and illness. Effective Jan. 18, the new final rule more clearly states employers' obligations. "This rule simply returns us to the standard practice of the last 40 years," said OSHA Assistant Secretary Dr. David Michaels. "It is important to keep in mind that accurate records are not just paperwork; they have a valuable and potentially life-saving purpose." For more information, see the news release.

Worker health and safety should be an integral part of sustainability efforts

Worker safety and health should be part of any sustainability planA growing number of employers are incorporating the concept of sustainability in their business strategies. This approach factors financial, social and environmental concerns as part of a business' bottom line. OSHA recently launched several resources—including a white paper, blog, and organizational profiles—to demonstrate why protecting worker safety and health should also be part of any sustainability effort. The white paper highlights ways sustainability can include innovative approaches for advancing safety and health. To learn more, read the news release and visit OSHA's sustainability webpage. To share your questions, suggestions and successes, contact sustainability@dol.gov.

Recommendations for Anti-Retaliation Programs released

Five key elements to an effective anti-retaliation program: Management commitment, Compliance concern response system, Anti-retaliation response systeOSHA's Whistleblower Protection Programs has issued Recommended Practices for Anti-Retaliation Programs to help employers create workplaces in which workers feel comfortable voicing safety and other concerns without fear of retaliation. The recommendations, which are advisory only and create no new legal obligations, are intended to apply to all public and private sector employers covered by the 22 whistleblower protection laws that OSHA enforces.

Final rule on beryllium lowers exposure levels, will protect 62,000 workers

Beryllium products
An OSHA rule issued Jan. 6 dramatically lowers workplace exposure to beryllium, a useful metal that can be hazardous to workers when particles are inhaled through dust or fumes during processing. The new standards, which apply to general industry, construction, and shipyards, will lower the eight-hour permissible exposure limit to beryllium from 2.0 to 0.2 micrograms per cubic meter of air. When concentrations exceed those limits, employers will be required to take additional measures to protect workers. The rule becomes effective on March 10, 2017, after which employers have one year to implement most provisions. For more information, see the beryllium final rule webpage.