| December 15, 2007 · Volume 6, Issue 24 | |
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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. | |
In This Issue OSHA Introduces Maritime Industry Outreach Training Program Secretary of Labor Announces New ACCSH Members Four New OSHA Whistleblower Fact Sheets Available for Employees OSHA Commends the Ohio School Facilities Commission Latest Alliance Program Update Voluntary Protection Programs Update “QuickTips” from QuickTakes Happy Holidays! OSHA Introduces Maritime Industry Outreach Training Program OSHA has developed an OSHA Outreach Training Program for the Maritime industry. This new program builds on OSHA’s successful Outreach Training Program platform to extend safety and health training to employees and employers in the maritime industry. The second OSHA course #5400, Trainer Course in Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Maritime Industry, will be hosted by the University of South Florida (USF) in Jacksonville, Fla., on Jan. 14-18, 2008. USF is an OSHA Training Institute Education Center. Qualified participants will have maritime industry and safety and health experience. After completing the course, OSHA authorized maritime trainers will be able to teach 10- and 30-hour OSHA outreach classes in Shipyard Employment—including ship repairing, shipbuilding, and shipbreaking—Marine Terminals, and Longshoring. The 10- and 30-hour student cards will expire in five years. For additional information and to register, visit www.usfoticenter.org/. Secretary of Labor Announces New ACCSH Members Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao appointed seven members to the 15-person Advisory Committee on Construction Safety and Health (ACCSH). Established under the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act, ACCSH advises the Secretary of Labor on policy matters and the formulation of construction standards and regulations. Committee members are selected based on their occupational safety and health knowledge, experience and affiliation with the construction industry. Each member, with some exceptions, serves a two-year term. Four New OSHA Whistleblower Fact Sheets Available for Employees Employees who file a complaint against their employer for unsafe or unhealthy workplaces will benefit from four new OSHA whistleblower fact sheets. In addition to “Your Rights as a Whistleblower,” which provides a general overview of whistleblower laws, the new fact sheets outline federal statutes covering employees in the railroad, trucking and transportation industries (transportation sector/public transportation agencies). Employees will find information on the types of activities protected, personnel actions that may be in violation of the statute, and how to file a complaint. OSHA Commends the Ohio School Facilities Commission The Ohio School Facilities Commission has taken the lead in approving contracts on school construction projects from those bidders who have successfully completed the OSHA 10- or 30-hour Construction Course. Companies must certify that all project supervisors, foremen and employees working on the jobsite have fulfilled the requirements of the course. The criteria extend not only to employees of the bidding company, but also to employees of its subcontractors and any other contractor working on the project. OSHA salutes the Commission for its commitment to ensure that Ohio schools are built by a qualified, responsible workforce. Latest Alliance Program Update National Office: OSHA and Integrated Waste Services Association (IWSA) renewed their Alliance to continue providing IWSA members, small businesses and others in the municipal solid waste industry with information to reduce and prevent exposure to hazards in waste-to-energy facilities. The Alliance between OSHA and the Precision Metalforming Association was renewed to protect employees in the metalforming industry from ergonomic hazards and to address press safety issues including machine guarding and lockout/tagout. OSHA and Abbott renewed their Alliance to protect health care industry employees. The organizations will continue to offer guidance on emergency preparedness as well as the value of a workplace safety and health management system. Voluntary Protection Programs Update 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 premier cooperative program can help protect employees and lower workers’ compensation costs. “QuickTips” from QuickTakes As 2007 draws to a close, OSHA is grateful for the accomplishments it has achieved in helping America’s working men and women reduce and prevent injuries and illnesses. As we move into 2008, OSHA encourages everyone to make safety and health a top priority. There are a number of OSHA resources and programs available to assist employers and employees in identifying workplace hazards and possible solutions to such hazards. Visit OSHA’s Web site for additional information on workplace safety. Look for more safety and health tips in the next edition of QuickTakes. Happy Holidays! OSHA wishes you and yours a joyous holiday season and a safe, healthy and prosperous New Year. QuickTakes will not be published on Jan. 1, 2008, but will return for the Jan. 15, 2008, issue. Visit our Web site for news and updates. Editor: Elaine Fraser, OSHA Office of Communications, 202-693-1999 |