March 1, 2007 · Volume 6, Issue 5
A bi-weekly e-news memo with information, updates, and results from OSHA about safety and health in America's workplaces.

In This Issue OSHA Releases New "It's The Law" Poster Final Rule Issued on Electrical Installation Standard OSHA Seeking Nominations for NACOSH Federal Agencies Recognized for Safety and Health Achievement at Recent Ceremony OSHA Forms Partnership with Utility Contractors for Safety Latest Alliance Activity Upcoming Events 'QuickTips' from QuickTakes OSHA Releases New "It's The Law" Poster     OSHA recently announced publication of its new "It's The Law" poster. The free poster, also known as the OSHA notice of employee rights, is required to be displayed in every workplace in America. Employers are not required to replace their existing poster with the new version. The poster informs employers and employees of their rights and responsibilities for a safe and healthful workplace. Copies are available in both English and Spanish from OSHA's Web site. Free printed copies may be obtained from any OSHA regional or area office, or by writing to the OSHA Publications Office, Room N3101, 200 Constitution Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210; phone (202) 693-1888. Back to Top Final Rule Issued on Electrical Installation Standard     OSHA issued a final rule for an updated electrical installation standard. Changes to this general industry standard focus on safety in the design and installation of electric equipment in the workplace. Details appear in the Feb. 14 Federal Register. Back to Top OSHA Seeking Nominations for NACOSH    OSHA is seeking nominations for National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH) members. NACOSH was established under Section 7(a) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to advise the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health on matters relating to the administration of the Act. Nominations will be accepted for seven vacancies in the following categories: two public representatives, one management representative, one safety representative, two labor representatives and one health representative. Members will serve a two-year term. Details for the nomination procedure are in the Feb. 12 Federal Register. Nominations must be submitted (postmarked, sent or received) no later than March 14. Back to Top Federal Agencies Recognized for Safety and Health Achievement at Recent Ceremony     The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) celebrated the extension of the presidential Safety, Health and Return-to-Employment (SHARE) Initiative and presented achievement awards at a Feb. 15 ceremony in Washington, D.C., to five federal agencies. These agencies obtained exemplary results during the initiative's first three years. The Navy Department and Social Security Administration were recognized for best overall performance in accomplishing all four SHARE goals. DOL was recognized for achieving the highest timely filing rate of injury and illness notices, and Department of Defense agencies achieved the most notable reduction in the rate of lost production days among civilian employees due to injuries and illnesses. The Treasury Department was recognized for the greatest reduction in injury and illness case rates. Back to Top OSHA Forms Partnership with Utility Contractors for Safety     Construction employees in North Texas will benefit from a partnership formed between OSHA's Dallas Area Office and the Utility Contractors for Safety. The goal is to raise awareness on how to prevent electrocutions, falls, and injuries caused by being struck-by or caught-between objects. OSHA's Strategic Partnership Program is a voluntary and cooperative relationship geared to encourage, assist and recognize employer efforts to eliminate serious hazards and achieve high levels of worker safety and health. Back to Top Latest Alliance Activity     Region I: OSHA's Bridgeport, Conn., Area Office and the United States Surgical Division of Tyco Healthcare in North Haven, Conn., signed a new alliance to provide the Greater New Haven area manufacturers and their employees with safety and health training. Employees in the Granite State's construction industry will benefit from a new alliance formed among OSHA's Concord, N.H., Area Office, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services' Consultation Program, and the New Hampshire Construction Roundtable aimed to reduce and prevent workplace hazards. Providing safety and health training for employees in the landscaping industry on Cape Cod and the Massachusetts South Coast is the goal of an alliance signed between OSHA's Braintree, Mass., Area Office and the Cape Cod Landscape Association. Region II: Hotel and hospitality employees in the U.S. Virgin Islands will benefit from a new alliance created among OSHA's Puerto Rico Area Office, the U.S. Virgin Islands Hotel and Tourist Association, and the "Safety in Paradise" OSHA Consultation Program. The focus of the alliance is to reduce and prevent employees' exposure to common industry hazards through training and education programs. Region V: OSHA's Peoria, Ill., Area Office established an alliance with the John A. Logan College in Carterville, Ill., to develop workplace safety and health curricula. Region VII: Protecting the safety and health of residential construction industry employees is the goal of an alliance signed among OSHA's Omaha, Neb., Area Office, Metro Omaha Builders Association, and the Nebraska Workforce Development's OSHA Consultation Program. Region X: Shipyard employees stand to benefit from an alliance formed between OSHA's Region X Office in Seattle and the Puget Sound Shipbuilders Association. Under the alliance, the two organizations will develop training and educational tools for improving shipyard safety and health programs. Back to Top Upcoming Events     OSHA posted more safety and health-related training information to its events Web page. Check for events near you. Back to Top 'QuickTips' from QuickTakes     Between Feb. 1 and April 30 of each year, most employers must post a summary (OSHA 300A) of the total number of job-related injuries and illnesses that occurred the previous year. This is an excellent time for employers to review their 300 logs and determine where injuries and illnesses are occurring and determine a strategy to reduce, and hopefully eliminate, these safety and health hazards. Recordkeeping is a critical part of an employer's safety and health efforts for several reasons: Keeping track of work-related injuries and illnesses can help you prevent them in the future. Using injury and illness data helps identify problem areas. The more you know, the better you can identify and correct hazardous workplace conditions. You can better administer company safety and health programs with accurate records. As employee awareness about injuries, illnesses, and hazards in the workplace improves, employees are more likely to follow safe work practices and report workplace hazards.     OSHA's Recordkeeping Web page serves as a resource for more information on the benefits of effective recordkeeping under the revised recordkeeping rule. Look to OSHA for more safety and health-related 'QuickTips' in your next issue. Back to Top Editor: Elaine Fraser, OSHA Office of Communications, 202-693-1999