Environmental Health and Safety

OSHA The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) imposes three major obligations on employers: 1. To provide a safe and healthy work environment 2. To comply with specific occupational safety and health standards 3. To keep records of occupational injuries and illnesses Covers private employers and Federal Government Occupational Safety and Health Administration National Inst. for Occupational Safety and Health

OSHA Duties Setting standards Setting standards Granting variances Granting variances Gear certification Gear certification Record keeping Record keeping Workplace inspections Workplace inspections Investigation Investigation Citations and penalties Citations and penalties Education programs Education programs

Safety Conditions Regulated by OSHA Excessive noise Confined spaces Unlabeled substances Hazardous chemicals Electrical hazards Fire and explosion hazards Unguarded machines Magnetic fields Heights Some repetitive motions Infectious diseases And many many others....

OSHA Mandated Training The following citations include annual retraining requirements: Access to medical records-29CFR (g)(1). Bloodborne pathogens-29 CFR.1030(e)(2)(ii)(M); and (g)(2)(ii)(C). Fire brigades-29 CFR (c)(2); and Appendix A, paragraph 5. Fixed extinguishing systems-29 CFR (b)(10). Grain handling facilities-29 CFR (e)(1). Mechanical power presses-29 CFR (h)(13)(i). Occupational noise-29 CFR (k)(2). Permit-required confined space-20 CFR (k)(2)(iv)-(rescue). Portable fire extinguishers-29 CFR (g)(2) & (4). Respiratory protection-29 CFR (k)(5). In addition, the chemical-specific regulations in Subpart Z require annual retraining.

HR Safety Responsibilities Self-inspections Inform workers Posting proper signs and labels Posting proper signs and labels Providing appropriate training Providing appropriate training Record keeping Training records on file Training records on file Post the OSHA 300 – Log and Summary of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Post the OSHA 300 – Log and Summary of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Report accidents that results in a fatality or hospitalization of 3 or more workers within 8 hours Report accidents that results in a fatality or hospitalization of 3 or more workers within 8 hours Disciplining safety violations

OSHA Guide to Reporting Cases

Citations and Penalties Other-Than- Serious SeriousSerious WillfulWillful A violation that has a direct relationship to job safety and health, but one unlikely to cause death or serious physical harm. OSHA may propose a penalty of up to $7,000 for each violation. A violation where there is substantial probability that death or serious physical harm could result and the employer knew, or should have known, of the hazard. OSHA may propose a mandatory penalty of up to $7,000 for each violation. A violation that the employer intentionally and knowingly commits, or a violation that the employer commits with plain indifference to the law. OSHA may propose penalties of up to $70,000 for each violation.

Hazardous Materials Regulation Right-to-Know Laws Laws that require employers to advise employees about the hazardous chemicals they handle. Laws that require employers to advise employees about the hazardous chemicals they handle. Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) OSHA-published hazardous chemical regulations known as the HCS prescribes a system for communicating data on health risks of handling certain materials. OSHA-published hazardous chemical regulations known as the HCS prescribes a system for communicating data on health risks of handling certain materials. Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) Documents that contain vital information about hazardous substances. Documents that contain vital information about hazardous substances.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Employers are required to provide and to pay for PPE required to do a job safely in compliance with OSHA standards. Where equipment is usable by workers off the job, the matter of payment may be left to labor-management negotiations. Shoes or outerwear subject to contamination which cannot be safely worn off-site must be paid for by the employer. Examples of PPE that would not be used away from the worksite: Welding gloves / wire mesh gloves Welding gloves / wire mesh gloves Respirators Respirators Hard hats Hard hats Specialty glasses (e.g., designed ultraviolet radiation protection) Specialty glasses (e.g., designed ultraviolet radiation protection) Examples of PPE that is personal in nature: Non-specialty safety glasses Non-specialty safety glasses Safety shoes Safety shoes Cold-weather outer wear Cold-weather outer wear

Safety Programs Safety committees with participation by all departments. Employees participate in safety decisions. Communicate safety as much as possible. Lectures Lectures Posters and signs Posters and signs Videos Videos Use incentives and rewards to encourage safe behavior. They communicate safety rules and enforce them. Regular self-inspection and accident research.

Required Posters Generally, workplaces should post the following applicable notices: Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Job Safety and Health Protection (OSHA), Equal Employment Opportunity (EEOC), Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and Employee Polygraph Protection Act.