OSHA Compliance

February 1st is just around the corner and this is a reminder for those of you who maintain OSHA 300 Log(s) that it is time to:

One of the questions I get often is “What if an OSHA standard says one thing and my fire code says something else?” First, let me say I am so pleased when I get this question as it means there’s a business utilizing the fire code; as so many do not even know it exist.

A total of 4,836 fatal work injuries were recorded in the United States in 2015, a slight increase from the 4,821 fatal injuries reported in 2014, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.  Key findings of the 2015 Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries:

On Monday (12/19/2016) OSHA will issue a final rule that clarifies an employer’s continuing obligation to make and maintain an accurate record of each recordable injury and illness. The final rule becomes effective Jan. 18, 2017.

The company was engaged in repairing and refurbishing railcars and related activities when it was cited by OSHA on October 30, 2015, for serious violations. The citation contained 5 items and proposed penalties totaling $23,000.00. After [The company] timely contested the citation, the Secretary filed a formal complaint with the Commission charging [The company] with

Following an inspection conducted at a facility from 06/03/2016 to 12/02/2016, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued citations for ergonomic hazards. During the inspection OSHA’s Office of Occupational Medicine and Nursing identified characteristics of the facility’s medical management program that pose several problems that contribute to injured workers receiving treatments that do not

Recently OSHA completed an inspection at a workplace where they identified a hazard that was not a violation of a specific OSHA standard, nor was it considered appropriate at the time to invoke Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (e.g. General Duty Clause). In these cases, OSHA may send the employer a

With OSHA’s new Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal Protective Equipment (Fall Protection Systems) standard comes some new requirements for protecting workers in “hoist areas”.  Paragraph (b)(2) establishes fall protection requirements for workers who work in “hoist areas” that are four (4) feet or more above a lower level. The final rule defines a “hoist area” as an elevated

With OSHA’s new Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal Protective Equipment (Fall Protection Systems) standard comes some clarification as to when “stairs” must be provided vs. using a ladder.  In the new standard, paragraphs (b)(7) through (9) specify when and where employers MUST provide standard stairs, and under what conditions employers may use spiral, ship, or alternating tread-type stairs.

OSHA’s new Fall Protection standard for General Industry has a lot of MAJOR changes (for the better!) that we will be dealing with over the next several years (up to 20 years for some).  One that caught my eye was the new requirements for our maintenance personnel who may be doing work on low-sloped roofs