| April 15, 2008 · Volume 7, Issue 8 | |
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| A twice monthly e-news memo with information, updates, and results from OSHA about safety and health in America's workplaces. | |
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In This Issue
OSHA Accepting Applications for $6.7 Million in New Safety and Health Training Grants New Safety and Health Information Bulletin Focuses on Oil and Gas Production Industry OSHA Implements RSS Web-based Technology North American Occupational Safety and Health Week is May 4-10 OSHA Supports National Work Zone Awareness Week OSHA Takes National Exhibit on the Road Latest Alliance Program Update Strategic Partnership Program Activity Voluntary Protection Programs News New Information Posted on Events Page "QuickTips" from QuickTakes OSHA Accepting Applications for $6.7 Million in New Safety and Health Training Grants Applications are being accepted for Susan Harwood Training Grants. This year, approximately $6.7 million is available for training on topics including combustible dust; falls from scaffolds, ladders and roofs in construction; and food processing health hazards such as diacetyl exposures in popcorn and other food flavoring manufacturing facilities. These grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations to provide training and education programs for employers and employees on OSHA-selected safety and health topics. Applications must be submitted no later than May 23, 2008, using the government-wide http://www.grants.gov Web site. New Safety and Health Information Bulletin Focuses on Oil and Gas Production Industry OSHA published a new Safety and Health Information Bulletin to highlight specific workplace hazards. OSHA and the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board investigated a fatal incident involving the ignition of hydrocarbon vapor released during the off-loading of basic sediment and water from two vacuum trucks into an open area collection pit. The Potential Flammability Hazard Associated with Bulk Transportation of Oilfield Exploration and Production Waste Liquids outlines specific methods for employers and employees to address the hazards and prevent future incidents. OSHA Implements RSS Web-based Technology Visitors to OSHA's Web site can now receive OSHA news releases using Really Simple Syndication (RSS) Feeds. This web-based technology provides a personal, direct channel "to ensure subscribers receive real-time news from OSHA," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Edwin G. Foulke, Jr. An RSS Reader regularly checks OSHA's Web site and provides the user with a headline that links to the news posting plus a short description. More information on the use of RSS Feeds is available on the new OSHA RSS Feeds page. North American Occupational Safety and Health Week is May 4-10 OSHA, the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) and the Canadian Society of Safety Engineering will kick off a week highlighting how developing and implementing effective safety systems are good for business and for life. The North American Occupational Safety and Health (NAOSH) Week is May 4-10 and is a joint venture with the United States, Canada and Mexico to raise awareness of occupational safety, health and environmental programs among employers, employees and the public. Winners of the ASSE kids' "Safety-on-the-Job" poster contest and their families, along with partners representing all industries and close to 150,000 businesses will celebrate during NAOSH kickoff events on May 5 at the U.S. Department of Labor and the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. At the National Gallery of Art, a "Family Activity" will be held for the poster contest entrants and their families. In addition to holding events throughout North America during NAOSH week, ASSE's more than 32,000 members wil also be celebrating Occupational Safety and Health Professional Day on May 7. OSHA Supports National Work Zone Awareness Week In support of National Work Zone Awareness Week from April 7-11, OSHA reminds employers of the many resources available that address safety and health for road construction crews and others working in highway work zones. This year's theme was "Slow for the Cone Zone," and sought to bring national attention to motorist and employee safety and mobility issues in work zones. For more information, visit OSHA's Directorate of Construction page on Highway Work Zones and Signs, Signals, and Barricades and the Safety and Health Topics Page titled "Motor Vehicle Safety" on OSHA's Web site. OSHA Takes National Exhibit on the Road OSHA will host an exhibit with compliance assistance and other informative materials for attendees at the American Association of Occupational Health Nurses Symposium and Expo in Salt Lake City, April 29-30. This forum offers a comprehensive educational program with sessions focusing on providing, maintaining and preserving workplace and community health and safety. Latest Alliance Program Update National Office: A renewed alliance with the Brick Industry Association will focus on reducing ergonomic injuries and preventing exposure to hazardous levels of silica. OSHA also renewed its alliance with the National Telecommunications Safety Panel to continue developing information on the recognition and prevention of ergonomics-related workplace hazards. Additionally, OSHA and the Concrete Sawing and Drilling Association renewed their alliance to continue offering training resources to help protect the safety and health of construction workers. Employers and employees involved in the manufacturing of kitchen cabinets will benefit from a new alliance formed between OSHA and the Kitchen Cabinet Manufacturers Association. The organizations will work together to provide association members and others with materials, guidance and access to training resources that will help them protect employees' health and safety, especially in reducing and preventing exposure to amputation hazards. Region I: OSHA's Springfield area office, American Safety and Supply Inc., and Industrial Hearing Testing joined in a new alliance to help reduce noise hazards in central and western Massachusetts workplaces. In addition, enhancing the safety and health of employees in western Massachusetts' residential construction industry is the goal of a new alliance with OSHA's Springfield area office and the Home Builders Association of Western Massachusetts. Region III: Promoting workplace safety and health for local roofing employees is the focus of an alliance between OSHA's Philadelphia area office and the Home Builders Association of Western Massachusetts. Region IV: OSHA's Tampa area office and the Tampa Area Safety Council formed an alliance that will focus on warehouse and distribution center safety. Region V: Reducing injuries, illnesses and fatalities among residential construction employees in Wisconsin is the focus of an alliance between OSHA's Eau Claire area office and the Wisconsin Builders Association. OSHA's Columbus area office formed an alliance with the Central Ohio Golf Course Superintendents Association to reduce injuries and illnesses and provide a safer work environment for golf course employees. Strategic Partnership Program Activity Region I: Ensuring the highest level of employee safety and health is the goal of a new partnership between OSHA's Providence, R.I., Area Office and Consigli Construction Co. The company is constructing a new training and support facility at the U.S. Naval Station and Officer Training Command in Newport, R.I. In addition, OSHA's Bangor district office formed a partnership with Consigli Construction Co. to enhance safety and health for employees constructing the new Penobscot County Judicial Center. Furthermore, a partnership was formed between OSHA's Bridgeport area office and Petra Construction Corp. and CONN-OSHA to ensure safeguards for subcontractors and employees constructing a 12,000-square-foot home. Region V: A renewed partnership between OSHA's Houston area office, the Houston Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America and the AGC Texas Building Branch will promote construction safety among contractors and their employees. Voluntary Protection Programs News Visit "recent approvals" on the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) page of OSHA's Web site to view the latest list of employers approved for new or continued participation in VPP. We encourage you to examine the entire VPP site to learn more about how OSHA's cooperative programs can help protect employees and reduce workers' compensation costs. New Information Posted on Events Page OSHA posted more safety and health-related conference and meeting information to the events page on its Web site. Look for activities in your area. "QuickTips" from QuickTakes Physicians and other medical professionals are dedicated to helping patients mend their injuries and cure their illnesses. Employers whose workplaces are in medical facilities must be aware of the importance of protecting their staff from hazards as well. Doctors, nurses and other staff face potential dangers from needlesticks, exposure to infectious diseases, contamination and dangerous chemicals. OSHA recognizes the significance of medical employees having a work environment reasonably free of occupational hazards. OSHA's Medical and Dental Offices: A Guide to Compliance with OSHA Standards (OSHA 3187), provides a brief overview of the hazards most frequently found in medical and dental offices. It also highlights the OSHA-approved standards and guidelines employers must follow to promote employee safety and health. The brochure summarizes standards on:
Editors: Elaine Fraser & Kimberly Tucker, OSHA Office of Communications, 202-693-1999 |