New interactive training tool highlights hazard identification

OSHA has announced a new interactive webtool that will help small businesses identify and correct hazards in the workplace. The tool allows employers and workers to explore how to identify workplace hazards in the manufacturing and construction industries and address them with practical and effective solutions.

"Hazard identification is a critical part of creating an injury and illness prevention program that will keep workers safe and healthy on the job," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. "This new tool not only educates employers about how to take control of their workplaces and protect workers, it also demonstrates that following well-established safety practices is also good for the bottom line."

For more information see the press release, blog and trailer. The hazard identification training tool can be found on OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov/hazfinder.

National safety stand-down reaches 1M workers

OSHA and partners from industry, labor, academia and community organizations reached more than one million workers and 25,000 businesses last week during the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction. From June 2 to 6, businesses paused their workday to focus on preventing falls in the workplace, the number one cause of death in the construction industry.

Clark Construction Group LLC hosted several events during the stand-down week, including a safety demonstration with Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels at the African American History Museum construction site in Washington, D.C. The United States Air Force also hosted stand-downs at bases worldwide, involving 650,000 workers. In Florida, NASCAR race car driver Greg Biffle demonstrated fall protection equipment with Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Jordan Barab at the Daytona International Speedway, which is currently under construction.

Workers and employers who participated in a safety stand-down can print their official certificate of participation from OSHA, which will be available through the end of July. View pictures on the Department of Labor Flickr page and read the latest blogs for more information on preventing falls: Stopping Falls Saves Lives and 1 Million Workers Standing Down for Safety.

New educational resources available to protect workers from heat illness and falls

New and updated materials for OSHA's Fall Prevention and Heat Illness campaigns are now available. OSHA's Fall Prevention Training Guide includes lesson plans, or "toolbox talks" in English or Spanish to help employers protect workers from fall hazards on the job. Resources for OSHA's 2014 campaign to prevent heat-related illnesses in outdoor workers include fact sheets, posters, wallet cards and a training guide.

To order quantities of these or any other OSHA materials, visit OSHA's Publications Web page or call the Office of Communications at (202) 693-1999.

"Deadly Dust" video wins award for getting out the message on silicosis

"Deadly Dust," an OSHA educational video on the hazards of silica exposure, won first place in the safety category in an international competition to find the best business communications videos.

OSHA's nine-minute documentary-style video puts a face on the debilitating and fatal effects of silicosis through images of construction workers on the job. Interviews with doctors, OSHA officials, safety consultants, stone carvers and others provide additional information on the disease and safety measures to prevent it. Visit OSHA's silica rulemaking Web page for more information and the Department of Labor's YouTube channel to watch this and other videos on protecting the safety and health of America's workers.

OSHA and the American Staffing Association form alliance to protect temporary workers

OSHA and the American Staffing Association form alliance to protect temporary workers

OSHA signed an alliance with the American Staffing Association May 21 to work together to further protect temporary employees from workplace hazards.

"We want to make sure that at the end of every work shift, all temporary workers in the United States are able to go home safely to their families," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. "Through this alliance with the ASA, we will increase outreach to staffing agencies and host employers and provide information and education that is vital to protecting temporary workers."

Through the alliance, OSHA and ASA will conduct outreach to workers about their rights, and work to educate staffing firms and their clients that all workers have the right to be safe, regardless of how long they have been on the job. The partners will work together to distribute OSHA guidance and additional information on the recognition and prevention of workplace hazards, and to further develop ways of communicating such information to staffing firms, host employers and temporary workers. See the news release and read about OSHA’s Alliance Program for more information.

OSHA launches annual summer campaign to prevent heat-related illnesses

OSHA announced May 22 the launch of its annual Campaign to Prevent Heat Illness in Outdoor Workers. For the fourth consecutive year, OSHA's campaign aims to raise awareness and educate workers and employers about the serious hazards of working in hot weather and provide resources and guidance to address these hazards.

"Heat-related illnesses can be fatal, and employers are responsible for keeping workers safe," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. "Employers can take a few easy steps to save lives, including scheduling frequent water breaks, providing shade and allowing ample time to rest."

In 2012, there were 31 heat-related worker deaths and 4,120 heat-related worker illnesses. Heat illness disproportionately affects those who have not built up a tolerance to heat, and it is especially important for employers to allow new and temporary workers time to acclimate. Workers at particular risk include those in outdoor industries, such as agriculture, construction, landscaping and transportation.

Visit OSHA's heat campaign Web page for free educational materials in English and Spanish, as well as a free heat app for mobile devices. See the news release and therecent blog by Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels for more on OSHA's heat illness campaign and resources.

June 2-6 National Safety Stand-Down aims to reach more than 25,000 employers and 1 million workers

On June 2-6, OSHA will host a National Safety Stand-Down for Fall Prevention in Construction to raise awareness about the hazards of falls – the leading cause of death in the construction industry. During this week, employers and workers are asked to voluntarily stop work to discuss fall prevention, including topics such as safe work on roofs, ladders and scaffolds.

"Almost 300 construction workers were killed in falls in 2012. Thousands more were seriously injured," said Secretary of Labor Tom Perez in a video statement. "Now is the time to focus on this vital safety issue. The economy is on the rebound, housing starts are on the rise, and the summer construction season is getting underway."

Participation in the stand-down for safety is open to all employers — including general industry. Large and small employers across the nation have committed to participate, including U.S. Air Force facilities nationwide. This year's stand-down expects to reach more than 25,000 employers and one million workers. To learn how you can join the June stand-down, visit www.osha.gov/StopFallsStandDown, or check out OSHA’s regional events page to access the latest information on stand-down events taking place across the country.

New “We Can Do This” video explains the value of Injury and Illness Prevention Programs

“We Can Do This!” is a new seven-minute video developed by OSHA that explains how injury and illness prevention programs enhance workplace safety and health. An injury and illness prevention program is a systematic process that employers can use to find and fix workplace hazards before workers get hurt. Instituting these programs helps transform workplace culture and can lead to higher productivity, reduced turnover, reduced costs and greater worker satisfaction. To learn about the basic elements of these programs and how they have been implemented by many employers with dramatic results, visit OSHA’s Injury and Illness Prevention Program topics page and watch the video.

April 28, 2014 Workers' Memorial Day

In an official proclamation, President Barack Obama declared April 28, 2014, to be Workers' Memorial Day. The President called upon all Americans to participate in ceremonies and activities in memory of those killed or injured due to unsafe working conditions.

"We must never accept that injury, illness, or death is the cost of doing business. Workers are the backbone of our economy, and no one's prosperity should come at the expense of their safety. Today, let us celebrate our workers by upholding their basic right to clock out and return home at the end of each shift,” said President Barack Obama.

“America is built on the promise of opportunity... Yet each year, workplace illness and injury threaten that promise for millions of Americans, and even more tragically, thousands die on the job,” President Obama continued. “This is unacceptable. On Workers Memorial Day, we honor those we have lost, and in their memory, affirm everyone's right to a safe workplace."

Read more in the Presidential Proclamation.

Anniversary of Triangle Shirtwaist Fire commemorated in New York

On March 25, OSHA staff joined community members in New York City to commemorate the 103rd anniversary of the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, which killed 146 garment factory workers in 1911. Frances Perkins was one of the many witnesses to the fire, which drove her efforts on behalf of workers’ rights across the nation and her eventual appointment as the first Secretary of Labor.

The anniversary of the Triangle factory fire serves as a reminder of the many improvements to workplace safety and health made over the last several decades, as well as the considerable work still to be done to ensure that every worker returns home safe at the end of the day. To learn more, visit www.osha.gov.