OSHA Compliance Posts

Where does the time go?  As most practicing safety professionals in the USA know, the time has come to do our annual summary of our OSHA 300 Log.  But for many these logs can be very confusing.  So here is a reminder and what is required for us to comply…… Membership Required You must be...

Last week OSHA sent another “Hazard Alert” letter to an employer regarding their practice of using on-site EMT’s to provide care to employees.  In this case, OSHA is again asserting that the EMT’s are performing duties outside their certifications and the purpose of the EMT’s is to avoid recording injuries.   Medical care must be…...

Over the holidays I came across this “letter” from OSHA to an employer regarding how the facility was “managing” their “1st Aid cases” using on-site EMTs who were not actually state certified EMT’s, nor had they been trained to identify and assess musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs).  In reading the letter, OSHA was clearly implying that these 1st…...

UPDATED on 1/10/2016 Here is a look at OSHA’s PRCS activity in 2015 (October 2014 – September 2015). As you can see, OSHA did 206 PRCS inspections and issued 545 citations for a total of $1,435,301 in fines. This is the SETTLED amount and NOT the initial citations. Here is a quick breakdown of activity:…...

Here is a look at OSHA’s Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) activity in 2015 (October 2014 – September 2015).  As you can see, OSHA did 1,796 LOTO inspections and issued 3,139 citations for a total of $9,013,808 in fines.  This is the SETTLED amount and NOT the initial citations.  Here is a quick breakdown of activity: NAICS Code:…...

Here is a look at OSHA’s PSM activity in 2015 (October 2014 – September 2015).  As you can see, OSHA did 109 PSM inspections and issued 477 citations for a total of $2,344,741 in fines.  This is the SETTLED amount and NOT the initial citations.  Here is a quick breakdown of activity: NAICS Code: 311…...

OSHA’s Control of Hazardous Energy (lockout/tagout) standard has a paragraph called “Outside personnel (contractors, etc.)” and although it indicates that a contractor CAN use their own LOTO program within our facilities, I will attempt to convince you that it is MORE challenging than many may have considered.  Here is what 1910.147 states about “Outside personnel…...

An Administrative Law judge has decided that the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission may have authority under the Occupational Safety and Health Act to order abatement measures sought by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration beyond the specific violations OSHA identified in its the citations.  OSHA cited Central Transport LLC in November 2014 for 14 violations of workplace…...

This only one part of a case, but it is about the “minor servicing” exception and how it can be applied. It is also critical in that the case revolves doing servicing and maintenance on presses using only the “safety blocks” in lieu of LOTO. Item 1, Alleged Violation of Section 1910.147(c)(4)(i) of the LOTO…...

Here is a listing of OSHA’s “Wish List” they hope to accomplish in the coming months/years…. Membership Required You must be a member to access this content.View Membership LevelsAlready a member? Log in here...

This variance provides us with some detailed insight in what OSHA accepts as an “alternative” to LOTO.  Facilities do not have to request a variance for their “minor servicing” exception; however, this variance does provide us with some valuable insights into what OSHA believes is an “acceptable alternative” to LOTO when using these alternate methods…...

The Department of Labor (DOL) administers the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) and the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (Mine Act), as amended by the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006 (MINER Act). DOL’s effective enforcement of these laws is critical to protecting workers from…...