Be Prepared to Protect Workers from Winter Weather-Related Hazards

As outdoor temperatures drop and winter storms approach, employers should take measures to keep their workers safe. OSHA's Winter Weather webpage provides information on protecting workers from hazards while working outside during severe cold and snow storms. This guidance includes information on staying safe while clearing snow from walkways and rooftops.

OSHA Proposes Revised Beryllium Standard for General Industry

OSHA issued a proposed rule on Dec. 10 to revise the beryllium standard for general industry. The proposed changes are designed to clarify the safety standard and improve compliance. The proposed rule would amend selected paragraphs of the standard, and also replace Appendix A, Operations for Establishing Beryllium Work Areas. Comments on the proposed rule must be submitted by Feb. 9, 2019. For more information, read the news release.

OSHA Announces National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls May 6-10, 2019

Employers and workers are invited to participate in the fourth annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, May 6-10, 2019. The weeklong outreach event encourages employers and workers to pause during the workday to discuss fall hazards and how to prevent them. Falls are the leading cause of death in the construction industry, accounting for 37 percent of fatalities industry-wide. For resources on fall prevention visit OSHA's webpage.

Stand-Up for Grain Safety Week Set for March 25-29, 2019

Grain handling and storage is a key safety issue for the grain, feed, and processing industries. OSHA and its Alliance partner, the National Grain and Feed Association, in cooperation with the Grain Elevator and Processing Society, will hold Stand-Up for Grain Safety Week, March 25-29, 2019. The event will focus on grain bin entry, machine guarding, respiratory protection, falls, heat, lockout/tagout, and other industry issues. Employers and workers are encouraged to participate in local stand-up events. Visit the Stand-Up website for more information on the national outreach campaign.

OSHA Continues to Provide Support in Areas Hardest Hit by Hurricane Michael

OSHA continues to provide technical assistance and outreach in areas impacted by Hurricane Michael. To date, OSHA has reached more than 2,400 workers, and helped remove more than 600 workers from serious hazards through on-site interventions. Normal enforcement operations have returned throughout most of Florida and Georgia. For more information, see the news release.

.S. Department of Labor Provides Assistance for California Wildfires Recovery

OSHA is joining with other federal agencies to help those impacted by devastating wildfires in California. OSHA is partnering with the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, and the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division to help protect worker safety and wages during cleanup and recovery operations. To learn about other Labor Department assistance efforts, read the news release.

New Publication on Lockout/Tagout Addresses Safety for Temporary Workers

A new OSHA bulletin on lockout/tagout explains the joint responsibility of host employers and staffing agencies to ensure that temporary employees are properly protected against the sudden release of stored energy. Prior to beginning work, both employers should review the task assignments and job hazards to identify, eliminate, and control the release of hazardous energy before workers perform service or maintenance on machinery. This is part of a series of guidance documents that focuses on compliance with safety and health requirements for temporary workers.

OSHA Resources Can Help Workers Stay Safe During Holiday Season

Retailers and other businesses temporarily increase staffing levels to accommodate the busy holiday shopping season. OSHA has resources to help keep warehouse employees, tractor trailer drivers, and forklift operators safe as they work to get merchandise to people's home. Retailers are encouraged to follow crowd control safety guidelines, such as using trained security personnel or rope lines for customers. For more information, visit OSHA's Holiday Workplace Safety webpage.

Safety Conversations with Workers Can Help Prevent Workplace Injuries

Every day, safety conversations take place at all levels of a company, from executives and managers to front-line supervisors and workers. These conversations have great potential for improving workplace safety and health. OSHA's Safe + Sound Campaign resource, Better Safety Conversations, provides tips for making safety conversations more effective, and the importance of leading by example.

OSHA and ISEA Distribute PPE to People Recovering from Hurricane Florence

OSHA and the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA), an Alliance Program participant, teamed up to distribute personal protective equipment (PPE) to workers, residents, and businesses affected by Hurricane Florence in North and South Carolina. "OSHA's goal is to keep workers and volunteers safe while they perform cleanup and recovery operations, and the ISEA is an important partner in these efforts," said OSHA Deputy Assistant Secretary Loren Sweatt. Information on specific safety equipment and how to stay safe during storm cleanup and recovery can be found on OSHA's Hurricane Preparedness and Response page, and on the ISEA Storm Cleanup: Safety Equipment Resource Center page.

OSHA Launches Program to Target High Injury and Illness Rates

OSHA is initiating the Site-Specific Targeting Program to target workplaces with high injury rates for inspection. Using injury and illness information electronically submitted by employers for calendar year 2016, OSHA will inspect establishments that should have provided 300A data, but did not. This program helps OSHA ensure that employers provide safe and healthful workplaces by directing enforcement resources to those workplaces with the highest rates of injuries and illnesses. For details on the program, and recordkeeping and reporting requirements, read the news release.

Fall 2018 Rutgers School of Public Health OPEN HOUSE

Rutgers School of Public Health will host our Fall 2018 Open House on Friday, November 16, 2018 from 11:00AM to 1:00PM. If you are interested in learning more about the Masters in Public Health (MPH) with a Concentration in Occupational Safety and Health (OSH), please join us. 

                Location, 683 Hoes Lane West, 

               Piscataway, New Jersey 

               Dr. Koshy, OSH Track Coordinator

NIOSH Fact Sheet Addresses Opioid Overdoses in the Workplace

Opioid overdoses are increasing in the workplace, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics finding that between 2013 and 2016, overdose deaths from non-medical use of drugs and alcohol increased by 38 percent annually. In response to this trend, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health has released a new fact sheet, Using Naloxone to Reverse Opioid Overdose in the Workplace. It provides a series of steps for employers to consider when deciding whether to make the overdose reversal medication available in the workplace. For more information, see the news release. When implementing a naloxone program, employers are reminded of their responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act to provide their employees with a safe and healthful workplace.

Safety Summit Held to Reduce Trenching Fatalities

Every year, more than 50 workers die in trench-related incidents and thousands more are injured. OSHA and the North American Excavation Shoring Association recently hosted the Colorado Trench Safety Summit to raise awareness of hazards and best practices. More than 500 attendees participated in training and demonstrations, including a mock trench rescue by local first responders. OSHA also shared compliance assistance resources to help keep workers safe from trenching hazards.

U.S. Department of Labor Announces Actions to Assist Americans Affected by Hurricane Michael

U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta announced that the Department of Labor (DOL) is engaged in administration-wide efforts to help those in the path of Hurricane Michael. OSHA will cease programmed enforcement actions in the affected areas and provide compliance assistance during the recovery effort. Seven other DOL agencies are assisting those impacted by the storm. For more information, read the news release. For resources to keep workers safe, visit OSHA's website.

Free Webinar on Respiratory Protection Targets Temporary Worker Safety

Through an alliance with OSHA, the American Staffing Association will host a free webinar on Nov. 9 to educate staffing agencies and host employers on how to protect temporary workers are from exposure to airborne contaminants. Participants will also review OSHA's new temporary worker bulletin on respiratory protection. For more information and to register, visit the webinar website.

New Resources for the Construction Industry

CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training, an OSHA Alliance program participant, recently launched six new safety resources for the construction industry:

• A training program on noise hazards and preventing hearing loss, and a training moduleon effective safety leadership for construction foremen and team leaders.
• Online tools to help prevent injuries from manually lifting and moving heavy materials, and conducting Safety Climate Assessments to improve worker safety perceptions at jobsites.
• A list of personal protective equipment designed for female construction workers.
• An online network of construction safety and health experts and resources.

Workers and the Public Urged to be Mindful of Hazards Following Hurricane Florence

OSHA urges emergency crews in the areas affected by Hurricane Florence to be aware of hazards from flooding, restoring electricity and communications, removing debris, repairing water damage, trimming trees, and repairing roofs. Only individuals with proper training, equipment, and experience should conduct recovery and cleanup activities. OSHA's webpages on hurricane and flood response can help employers and workers stay safe.

OSHA Updates National Emphasis Program on Trenching and Excavation

OSHA has updated its National Emphasis Program (NEP) on preventing trenching and excavation collapses in response to a recent spike in trenching fatalities. Under the NEP, OSHA will increase its education and enforcement efforts; inspectors will record trenching and excavation inspections in a national reporting system; and each area office will develop outreach programs. The NEP began Oct. 1, with a three-month period of education and prevention outreach. For more information, read the news release.

New Trenching Publication Available From OSHA

An updated trenching operations QuickCard provides information on protecting workers around trenches, including daily inspections, and trench wall safety. Before entering a trench, remember: Slope It. Shore It. Shield It.

New Public Service Announcement on Trench Safety Available

OSHA released a new public service announcement on trench safety that features U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta. The 45-second video, "5 Things You Should Know to Stay Safe," highlights well-known and proven safety measures that can eliminate hazards and prevent worker injuries. For more information on protecting workers in trenches, see OSHA's Trenching and Excavation webpage.

While the Week Is Over, the Safe + Sound Campaign Continues

With more than 2,000 events held across the U.S. and abroad, Safe + Sound Week 2018 helped organizations of all sizes and industries show their commitment to safety. Even though the week is over, Safe + Sound Campaign’s resources are available throughout the year to help improve your workplace safety and health programs. The American Industrial Hygiene Association is also offering an on-demand webinar, free of charge during September that explains how to improve workplace incident investigations and injury prevention strategies.

New Webpage Provides Updates on Protecting Workers from Legionnaire’s Disease

OSHA recently revised the Legionellosis Safety and Health Topics page to provide the latest information on preventing, identifying, and controlling Legionella bacteria hazards in workplaces. The new page updates Chapter 7 of the OSHA Technical Manual, as well as OSHA’s Legionella eTool. Employers, healthcare providers, and health and safety professionals can use the new resource to protect workers and collaborate during worksite investigations of Legionellosis (Legionnaire’s Disease and the milder Pontiac Fever). Approximately 6,000 cases are reported each year in the United States.

Free Webinar on Protecting Temporary Workers from Noise Exposure

Through its alliance with OSHA, the American Staffing Association will host a free webinar on Sep. 12 at 3 p.m. ET on protecting temporary workers from workplace noise exposure. This webinar will review OSHA’s new temporary worker bulletin on Noise Exposure and Hearing Conservation, summarize the elements of a hearing conservation program, and outline staffing firm and host employer responsibilities. For more information and to register, visit the webinar website.

return to top of page Safety and Health Outreach NIOSH and Partners Devote Day to Respiratory Protection

N95 respirators are the most widely used respiratory protection in the workplace. Because they are so commonly used to eliminate exposure to hazardous airborne particles, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health designated Sept. 5 as N95 Day to share resources that promote proper use of NIOSH-certified respirators. Visit theN95 Day webpage for more information.

September is National Preparedness Month: Keep Workers Safe from Natural Disasters

Hurricane season peaks in September, and wildfires are still burning throughout the Pacific Northwest and from California to Colorado. OSHA urges employers to be prepared to keep their workers safe during extreme weather events. The agency’sEmergency Preparedness and Response webpage provides information on protecting workers before and after hurricanes,wildfires, tornadoes, floods, and other natural disasters strike.

Free Workplace Violence Prevention Webinar Available Online

A free 60-minute webinar on preventing workplace violence in healthcare settings is available from The Joint Commission, a long-standing OSHA national alliance partner. The webinar includes an overview of OSHA’s Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Healthcare and Social Service Workers, as well as a discussion of a multi-hospital intervention study that reduced violent events.

Redesigned OSHA Enforcement Webpage Easier to Navigate

OSHA has redesigned the agency’s enforcement webpage to make it easier for users to find information on inspections, penalties, policy, guidance, and compliance assistance. Users can also access information by industry.

It's Safe + Sound Week

More than 1,700 organizations are participating in Safe + Sound Week, a nationwide event Aug. 13-19 to raise awareness and understanding of the value of safety and health programs.

More than 2,000 participants have registered workplace events. The governors of Kansas, Missouri andNebraska issued proclamations officially recognizing this outreach effort.

Visit the Safe + Sound website to find free training and events near you. Participants can also download a certificate or share their successes through social media.

OSHA Extends Some Compliance Dates for General Industry Beryllium Standard

OSHA issued a final rule to extend the compliance date for specific ancillary requirements in the general industry beryllium standard to Dec. 12. The extensionapplies to methods of compliance, beryllium work areas, regulated areas, personal protective clothing and equipment, hygiene facilities and practices, housekeeping, hazard communication, and recordkeeping. During this time, the agency will prepare a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking to clarify certain provisions that maintain worker safety and health, and address employers’ concerns with compliance. Read the news release for more information.

Redesigned OSHA Regulations Webpage Provides Easier Navigation

OSHA redesigned the Law and Regulations webpage that features information on standards and rulemaking. Users can now search standards by keyword or number, find a list of key resources, and see the latest updates on active rulemaking. The page also features information buttons to explain regulatory language that may be unfamiliar to some users. Visit the revised page to learn how OSHA accomplishes its mission through rulemaking.

Center for Public Health Workforce Development Offers Free One-day Workshop

To celebrate OSHA’s safe and sound week, the Rutgers School of Public Health, Center for Public Health Workforce Development will offer this one-day workshop to review strategies for a company to effectively implement safety and health management systems. Special emphasis is placed on the core elements of management systems (management leadership, employee involvement, worksite analysis, hazard prevention and control, and training). Participants will learn strategies to prevent workplace injuries and illness, improve compliance, reduce costs, including workers’ compensation premiums, engage workers, enhance social responsibilities, and increase productivity and enhance overall business operations. 

Click here to register.

Slope It. Shore It. Shield It. New Stickers Emphasize Trench Safety

When done safely, trenching operations can limit worker exposure to cave-ins, falling loads, hazardous atmospheres, and hazards from mobile equipment. The best way to prevent a trench collapse is to slope or bench trench walls, shore trench walls with supports, or shield trench walls with trench boxes. The new “Slope It, Shore It, Shield It” sticker can be affixed to equipment on a worksite. To order, visit OSHA’s Publications page.

Free Heat Illness Prevention Webinar on July 25

Through an alliance with OSHA, the National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) will host a free webinar on July 25 focusing on heat illness prevention. Understanding heat stress hazards and solutions is crucial to the safety and health of landscape and lawn care workers. Visit the NALP website to create an account and register for the webinar. See OSHA’s website for resources on how to keep workers cool and healthy whether their jobs expose them to indoor or outdoor heat hazards.

New Publications Available from OSHA

OSHA recently issued several new publications providing solutions to hazards in specific occupations and industries:

• Two Temporary Worker Initiative Bulletins explain the shared responsibility of staffing agencies and host employers to ensure temporary workers are provided with hearing and respiratory protection, when required.
• Two shipyard employment fact sheets detail the safe use of portable and hand‑held power tools, and the proper assessment, selection, and use of personal protective equipment.
• An indoor firing range fact sheet and QuickCard provide information on protecting workers from lead hazards.

Safe + Sound Week 2018: Show Your Commitment to Safety

Join the more than 350 organizations worldwide that have signed up to participate in Safe + Sound WeekAugust 13-19. If your business is looking for ways to get started, OSHA’s Safe + Sound Week for Any Schedule guide outlines activities your organization can do if you have a day, half day, or just an hour to engage your workers. Register now to get your organization on the map.

OSHA Focuses on Worker Heat Hazards

With the official start of summer, OSHA is urging employers across the country to protect workers from heat-related illnesses and hazards. While workers in construction, agriculture, and landscaping are often exposed to excessive heat, so are workers in kitchens, foundries, warehouses, and other indoor settings. OSHA offers guidance on how to keep workers cool and healthy whether they are exposed to indoor or outdoor heat hazards.

June is National Safety Month

The National Safety Council (NSC), one of the Safe + Sound Campaign organizers, designates each June as National Safety Month to focus on reducing leading causes of injuries and fatalities at work, on the road, and at home. NSC offers free resources to help ensure that “No 1 Gets Hurt” on the job or at home, and is hosting a free June 19 webinar, Building a Culture of Safety from the Ground Up, on how to create an effective workplace safety and health program.

OSHA Promotes Fireworks Safety Ahead of July 4 Festivities

With Independence Day celebrations approaching, OSHA is encouraging the fireworks and pyrotechnics industry to protect workers from hazards while manufacturing, storing, transporting, displaying, and selling fireworks. OSHA offers information on common hazards and solutions, including safety posters for workplaces.

Labor Secretary Speaks Out on Trench Safety

U.S. Secretary of Labor R. Alexander Acosta recorded Public Service Announcements to address the increase in preventable trenching- related fatalities. Recorded in both English and Spanish, the PSAs highlight effective ways to stay safe when working around trenches or excavations.

Additional information on trenching hazards and solutions is available on OSHA’s trenching and excavation webpage. OSHA’s newly revised “Protect Workers in Trenches” poster provides a quick reminder of the three ways to prevent dangerous trench collapses: SLOPE or bench trench walls, SHORE trench walls with supports, or SHIELD trench walls with trench boxes. The poster is available in English and Spanish.

Safe + Sound Campaign: Register + Participate

Safe + Sound Week 2018, a nationwide event to raise awareness and understanding of the value of workplace safety and health programs, will be held August 13-19. It is an opportunity for employers to show commitment to health and safety by launching or renewing efforts to identify and manage hazards before they cause injuries or illnesses.

• Visit the Safe + Sound Week webpage to register your organization as a participant and get ideas on how to recognize the week in your workplace.
• Join the June 26 webinar to learn more about Safe + Sound Week, the tools and resources available, and how to participate.

OSHA’s National Focus on Preventing Trenching Fatalities Includes Workshop and Safety Stand-Down

As a result of a rise in preventable trench-related fatalities, such as the tragic incident in Alabama described in this issue, OSHA has made trench safety an agency priority. Outreach efforts include Alliances with industry groups and other activities:

• OSHA is joining the National Utility Contractor Association in a Trench Safety Stand-Down June 18-23. The week-long event will focus on trench and excavation hazards and reinforce the importance of using trench protective systems to keep workers safe.
• OSHA also recently partnered with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, Allied Construction Industries, and Turner Construction to host a trench safety workshop in Cincinnati. The workshop followed a recent fatal trench injury in Ohio, and aimed to help prevent future fatalities, particularly in smaller residential construction operations.

For more on protecting workers in trenches, see OSHA’s Trenching and Excavation webpage.

General Industry and Maritime Silica Standard Effective June 23

General industry and maritime employers must comply with OSHA’s silica standard by June 23, except for phase-in dates for medical surveillance and for engineering controls in the oil and gas industry. Visit the silica webpage for guidance on complying with the standard, as well as information on silica sampling and analysis, health effects of silica exposure, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Safe + Sound Campaign: Learn How to Spot Hazards on the Job

OSHA’s Safe + Sound Campaign offers many resources for employers who want to find and fix hazards in the workplace:

• OSHA’s Hazard Identification Training Tool shows how to identify and prioritize hazards in manufacturing, construction, and healthcare settings.
• OSHA Training Institute Education Centers around the country offer a course on Health Hazard Awareness in the workplace.
• The National Safety Council provides a list of 7 Common Workplace Safety Hazards.

For more information, visit the Safe + Sound Campaign webpage.

New Bulletins Provide Information on Horizontal Drilling Hazards and Chemically Induced Hearing Loss

Bulletins warning of potentially serious workplace hazards. "Preventing Hearing Loss Caused by Chemical (Ototoxicity) and Noise Exposure" was published in conjunction with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. This bulletin provides recommendations to employers and safety professionals about identifying ototoxicants in the workplace and establishing hearing conservation programs where these chemicals cannot be replaced.

"Avoiding Underground Utilities during Horizontal Directional Drilling Operations" highlights the hazards associated with striking different underground utilities. Horizontal directional drilling has reduced visibility compared to vertical drilling. The bulletin was based on an incident that led to an explosion at a nearby restaurant that resulted in a worker fatality.

OSHA Will Enforce Beryllium Standard Starting in May

OSHA will start enforcement of the final rule on occupational exposure to beryllium in construction, shipyard, and general industries on May 11, 2018. The start of enforcement had previously been set for March 12, 2018. In response to feedback from stakeholders, the agency is considering technical updates to clarify and simplify compliance. In the interim, if an employer fails to meet the new exposure limits, OSHA will inform the employer and offer assistance to ensure compliance. For more information, read the news release.

Regional Campaign Focuses on Four Most Deadly Construction Hazards

On March 1, OSHA will launch a Focus Four Campaign in the Mid-Atlantic States to address the four leading causes of fatal injuries in construction. Throughout March, the campaign will use toolbox talks and outreach events to focus on electrical hazards. In April, the focus will be on struck-by hazards; May will target fall hazards; and June will focus on caught-in/between hazards. The campaign partners include OSHA consultation projects, state occupational safety and health agencies in Maryland and Virginia, the Mid-Atlantic Construction Safety Council, and the General Builders and Contractors Association. For more information, contact OSHA Assistant Regional Administrator Nicholas DeJesse.

Secretary of Labor Discusses Efforts to Protect Children from Lead Exposure

On Feb. 15, Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta joined Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt and fellow Cabinet members to outline a federal strategy to reduce childhood lead exposure and associated health risks.

“Far too many Americans are exposed to lead in their workplace,” said Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta. “Finding solutions to better protect these workers and minimize the amount of lead that is taken home, and potentially exposed to their children, is a priority.”

OSHA’s resource, If You Work Around Lead, Don’t Take It Home!, highlights the dangers to children of lead being transported home from work, and offers precautions that can be taken.

For more information, read the EPA news release.

Managing Fall Hazards in Multiple Employer Construction Sites course dates offered

Falls continue to be the leading cause of serious injuries and death on construction sites.  Controlling contractors exert the most influence on multiemployer jobsites and set a general tone for work. This is often referred to as a “culture of safety.”  The OSHA Susan Harwood 

sponsored fall prevention training will address: 

1. Fall protection as a general condition on construction worksites 

2. Examples of multi-employer roles & responsibilities

3. Fall protection training requirements 

Topics Covered:

   •  Understand Key Terms

          • The Exposed Employer

          • The Creating Employer

          • The Correcting Employer

          • The Controlling Employer

   •  Fall Hazards

       • Fall to lower level

       • Fall to same level

       • Struck by falling object 

   •  Understanding Gravity

   •  Hazards from inadvertently removing fall protection

   •  Working in controlled access zones

   •  Controlling hazards of shafts (HVACS, elevator shafts, 

      stairwells, and coring)

   •  Ladders, last choice. 

   •  Supported Scaffolding

   •  Personnel Lifts 

   •  Aerial Lifts 

Register online