Introduction to OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration

What’s wrong in this hallway?

Injuries and Deaths >6, 000 workers die each year 5.7 mil (out of 105 mil) workers are injured on the job each year (1999) – strains and sprains are very common 1.7 mil workers are disabled each year (1999)  Permanent or temporary

Accident Triangle Lost workdays (3,000,000) Deaths (6,000) Recordables (6,000,000) First aid Not reported Near misses 500 x 1000 x ? x Note: Based on Bureau of Labor and Statistics (Approximate Numbers)

Workplace Injuries All industry-6.3 per 100 workers Health services-7.7 per 100 workers Hospitals-8.4 per 100 workers Nursing and Personal Care workers 13.8 per 100 workers Note: Based on Bureau of Labor and Statistics

Purpose of OSHA & MIOSHA PROVIDE A SAFE WORKPLACE 

OSH ACT 1970 Created these divisions to oversee safety: OSHA (enforces compliance via inspections)  Occupational Safety and Health Administration NIOSH (conducts research for safety products)  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health OSHRC (appeals & citation management)  The Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission

General Duty Clause 5(a) OSH act 1970 5(a) Employer Responsibility -  “(1) furnish employees employment which is free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees”

General Duty Clause 5(b) 5(b) Employee Responsibility-  “(b) Employee shall comply with OSHA standards and all rules and regulations which are applicable to his own actions and conduct.”

Michigan Act 154 R Section 11:  An employer shall:...Furnish a place of employment which is free from recognized hazards that are... likely to cause…death or serious harm...

Michigan Act 154  Section 12  An employee shall: Comply with (safety) rules and standards...

INSPECTONS (without advanced notice) Imminent danger Catastrophes and fatal accidents Employee complaints Programmed high hazard inspections (i.e. hospitals) Follow-up

Imminent Danger IDLH (“A REASONABLE PERSON”) IMMEDIATLY DANGEROUS TO LIFE & HEALTH (i.e. exposed electrical wire) Need correction ASAP

Catastrophes and Fatal Accidents Must Report in 8 Hours  3 EMPLOYEES HOSPITALIZED FROM SAME ACCIDENT or  1 FATALITY

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Each day regulations are passed by Congress, they are published in Federal Register Each rule is placed in 1 of 50 Titles  Title 29 is LABOR

Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 29 CFR - rules for “Department of Labor” Title 29 CFR rules for Labor in General Industry Healthcare is "General Industry“ Healthcare must follow all federal & state rules & standards

OSHA 200/300 Log Helps identify:  Types of accidents  Departments that are having accidents  Employees that are having accidents By knowing this information, accidents can be reduced in numbers

OSHA 200 Log Legal form to record injuries & illnesses (& medical tx for work-related injury) Must be posted in your work area for the month of February Must be kept up-to-date

Common Hospital Violations 1. No annual BBP training for employees 2. Employees not wearing PPE 3. Failure to act appropriately for post- exposure 4. Failure to consider safer medical devices 5. Recapping needles 6. Employer not offering Hep B Vaccine

State Plans The OSH Act of 1970 allowed states “to assume responsibility for…OSHA standards…” The stipulation was they must “… be at least as effective...” as federal government’s standards. 26 states have state plans.

MIOSHA Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act Act 154 of 1974 “state plan state” “state program”

Whistleblower Protection Section 11( c ) of the OSH Act of 1970 “Workers have the right to complain to OSHA and seek an OSHA inspection...” (without discrimination)

What should you do? 1. If you see a hazard in the work area? 2. If you spill something? 3. After you finish working with a sharp object?