U.S. Department of Labor | ||||||
Occupational Safety & Health Administration |
Control of Hazardous Energy
Lockout/Tagout OSHA 3120 2002 (Revised) Contents
Background How should I use this booklet? What is "lockout/tagout"? Why do I need to be concerned about lockout/tagout? OSHA Coverage How do I know if the OSHA standard applies to me?. When does the standard not apply to service and maintenance activities performed in industries covered by Part 1910? How does the standard apply to general industry service and maintenance operations? Requirements of the Standard What are OSHA's requirements? What must an energy-control procedure include? What must workers do before they begin service or maintenance activities? What must workers do before they remove their lockout or tagout device and reenergize the machine? When do I use lockout and how do I do it? How can I determine if the energy-isolating device can be locked out? What do I do if I cannot lock out the equipment? What other options do I have? When can tagout devices be used instead of lockout devices? What are the limitations of tagout devices? What are the requirements for lockout/tagout devices? What do employees need to know about lockout/tagout programs? When is training necessary? What if I need power to test or position machines, equipment, or components? What if I use outside contractors for service or maintenance procedures? What if a group performs service or maintenance activities? What if a shift changes during machine service or maintenance? How often do I need to review my lockout/tagout procedures? What does a review entail? What additional information does OSHA provide about lockout/tagout? Commonly Used Terms OSHA Assistance, Programs, and Services How can OSHA help me? How does safety and health program management assistance help employers and employees? What are state plans? How can consultation assistance help employers? Who can get consultation assistance and what does it cost? Can OSHA assure privacy to an employer who asks for consultation assistance? Can an employer be cited for violations after receiving consultation assistance? What incentives does OSHA provide for seeking consultation assistance? What are the Voluntary Protection Programs? How does the VPP work? How does VPP help employers and employees? How does OSHA monitor VPP sites? Can OSHA inspect an employer who is participating in the VPP? How can a partnership with OSHA improve worker safety and health? What is OSHA's Strategic Partnership Program (OSPP)? What do OSPPs do? What are the different kinds of OSPPs? What are the benefits of participation in the OSPP? Does OSHA have occupational safety and health training for employers and employees? Does OSHA give money to organizations for training and education? Does OSHA have other assistance materials available? What do I do in case of an emergency or to file a complaint? OSHA Regional and Area Offices OSHA Consultation Projects OSHA-Approved Safety and Health Plans Background
How should I use this booklet? This booklet presents OSHA's general requirements for controlling hazardous energy during service or maintenance of machines or equipment. It is not intended to replace or to supplement OSHA standards regarding the control of hazardous energy. After reading this booklet, employers and other interested parties are urged to review the OSHA standards on the control of hazardous energy to gain a complete understanding of the requirements regarding the control of hazardous energy. These standards, as well as other relevant resources, are identified throughout this publication. What is lockout/tagout? "Lockout/tagout" refers to specific practices and procedures to safeguard employees from the unexpected energization or startup of machinery and equipment, or the release of hazardous energy during service or maintenance activities.1 This requires, in part, that a designated individual turns off and disconnects the machinery or equipment from its energy source(s) before performing service or maintenance and that the authorized employee(s) either lock or tag the energy-isolating device(s) to prevent the release of hazardous energy and take steps to verify that the energy has been isolated effectively. If the potential exists for the release of hazardous stored energy or for the reaccumulation of stored energy to a hazardous level, the employer must ensure that the employee(s) take steps to prevent injury that may result from the release of the stored energy. Lockout devices hold energy-isolation devices in a safe or"off" position. They provide protection by preventing machines or equipment from becoming energized because they are positive restraints that no one can remove without a key or other unlocking mechanism, or through extraordinary means, such as bolt cutters. Tagout devices, by contrast, are prominent warning devices that an authorized employee fastens to energy-isolating devices to warn employees not to reenergize the machine while he or she services or maintains it. Tagout devices are easier to remove and, by themselves, provide employees with less protection than do lockout devices. Why do I need to be concerned about lockout/tagout? Employees can be seriously or fatally injured if machinery they service or maintain unexpectedly energizes, starts up, or releases stored energy. OSHA's standard on the Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout), found in Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 1910.147, spells out the steps employers must take to prevent accidents associated with hazardous energy. The standard addresses practices and procedures necessary to disable machinery and prevent the release of potentially hazardous energy while maintenance or servicing activities are performed. Two other OSHA standards also contain energy control provisions: 29 CFR 1910.269 and 1910.333. In addition, some standards relating to specific types of machinery contain deenergization requirements—such as 29 CFR 1910.179(l)(2)(i)(c) (requiring the switches to be "open and locked in the open position" before performing preventive maintenance on overhead and gantry cranes).2 The provisions of Part 1910.147 apply in conjunction with these machine-specific standards to assure that employees will be adequately protected against hazardous energy. 1 The standard refers to servicing and maintaining "machines or equipment." Although the terms "machine" and "equipment" have distinct meanings, this booklet uses the term "machines" to refer both to machines and equipment. This is done for purposes of brevity only, and readers should not infer that it is intended to limit the scope of the standard. The term "equipment" is broad in scope and encompasses all types of equipment, including process equipment such as piping systems. 2 The standard provides a limited exception to the requirement that energy control procedures be documented. If an employer can demonstrate the existence of EACH of the eight elements listed in 1910.147(c)(4)(i), the employer is not required to document the energy control procedure. However, the exception terminates if circumstances change and ANY of the elements no longer exist. OSHA Coverage
How do I know if the OSHA standard applies to me? If your employees service or maintain machines where the unexpected startup, energization, or the release of stored energy could cause injury, the standard likely applies to you. The standard applies to all sources of energy, including, but not limited to: mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, and thermal energy. The standard does not cover electrical hazards from work on, near, or with conductors or equipment in electric utilization (premise wiring) installations, which are outlined by Subpart S of 29 CFR Part 1910. You can find the specific lockout and tagout provisions for electrical shock and burn hazards in 29 CFR Part 1910.333. Controlling hazardous energy in installations for the exclusive purpose of power generation, transmission, and distribution, including related equipment for communication or metering, is covered by 29 CFR 1910.269. The standard also does not cover the agriculture, construction, and maritime industries or oil and gas well drilling and servicing. Other standards concerning the control of hazardous energy, however, apply in many of these industries/situations. When does the standard not apply to service and maintenance activities performed in industries covered by Part 1910? The standard does not apply to general industry service and maintenance activities in the following situations, when:
The standard applies to the control of hazardous energy when employees are involved in service or maintenance activities such as constructing, installing, setting up, adjusting, inspecting, modifying, and maintaining or servicing machines or equipment. These activities include lubricating, cleaning or unjamming machines, and making adjustments or tool changes, where the employees may be exposed to hazardous energy. If a service or maintenance activity is part of the normal production operation, the employee performing the servicing may be subjected to hazards not normally associated with the production operation itself. Although machine guarding provisions in Subpart O of 29 CFR 1910 cover most normal production operations, workers doing service or maintenance activities during normal production operations must follow lockout/tagout procedures if they:
Work involving minor tool changes and adjustments or other minor servicing activities that are routine, repetitive, and integral to the use of the production equipment and that occur during normal production operations are not covered by the lockout/tagout standard. This exception is limited, however, and applies only when economic considerations prevent the use of prescribed energy-isolation measures and when the employer provides and requires alternative measures to ensure effective, alternative protection. Whenever the standard is applicable, the machinery must be shut off and isolated from its energy sources, and lockout or tagout devices must be applied to the energy-isolation devices. In addition, the authorized employee(s) must take steps to verify that he or she has effectively isolated the energy. When there is stored or residual energy, the authorized employee(s) must take steps to render that energy safe. If the possibility exists for reaccumulation of stored energy to hazardous levels, the employer must ensure that the worker(s) perform verification steps regularly to detect such reaccumulation before it has the potential to cause injury. Requirements of the Standard
What are OSHAs requirements? OSHA's standard establishes minimum performance requirements for controlling hazardous energy. The standard specifies that employers must establish an energy-control program to ensure that employees isolate machines from their energy sources and render them inoperative before any employee services or maintains them. As part of an energy-control program, employers must:
What must an energy-control procedure include? Employers must develop, document, and use procedures to control potentially hazardous energy.3 The procedures explain what employees must know and do to control hazardous energy effectively when they service or maintain machinery. If this information is the same for the various machines used at a workplace, then a single energy-control procedure may suffice. For example, similar machines (those using the same type and magnitude of energy) that have the same or similar types of control measures can be covered by a single procedure. Employers must develop separate energy-control procedures if their workplaces have more variable conditions such as multiple energy sources, different power connections, or different control sequences that workers must follow to shut down various pieces of machinery. The energy-control procedures must outline the scope, purpose, authorization, rules, and techniques that employees will use to control hazardous energy sources, as well as the means that will be used to enforce compliance. These procedures must provide employees at least the following information:
3The standard provides a limited exception to the requirement that energy control procedures be documented. If an employer can demonstrate the existence of EACH of the eight elements listed in 1910.147(c)(4)(i), the employer is not required to document the energy control procedure. However, the exception terminates if circumstances change and ANY of the elements no longer exist. In Appendix A to 1910.147, OSHA provides a Typical Minimal Lockout Procedure for employers to consult when preparing their own specific energy-control procedures. The outline is a nonmandatory guideline to help employers and employees comply with the standard. Nothing in the appendix adds to or detracts from any of the requirements in the standard. What must workers do before they begin service or maintenance activities? Before beginning service or maintenance, the following steps must be accomplished in sequence and according to the specific provisions of the employer's energy-control procedure:
Employees who work on deenergized machinery may be seriously injured or killed if someone removes lockout/tagout devices and reenergizes machinery without their knowledge. Thus, it is extremely important that all employees respect lockout and tagout devices and that only the person(s) who applied these devices remove them. Before removing lockout or tagout devices, the employees must take the following steps in accordance with the specific provisions of the employer's energy-control procedure:
When do I use lockout and how do I do it? You must use a lockout program (or tagout program that provides a level of protection equal to that achieved through lockout) whenever your employees engage in service or maintenance operations on machines that are capable of being locked out and that expose them to hazardous energy from unexpected energization, startup, or release of stored energy. The primary way to prevent the release of hazardous energy during service and maintenance activities is by using energy-isolating devices such as manually operated circuit breakers, disconnect switches, and line valves and safety blocks. Lockout requires use of a lock or other lockout device to hold the energy-isolating device in a safe position to prevent machinery from becoming reenergized. Lockout also requires employees to follow an established procedure to ensure that machinery will not be reenergized until the same employee who placed the lockout device on the energy-isolating device removes it. How can I determine if the energy-isolating device can be locked out? An energy-isolating device is considered "capable of being locked out" if it meets one of the following requirements:
Sometimes it is not possible to lock out the energy-isolating device associated with the machinery. In that case, you must securely fasten a tagout device as close as safely possible to the energy-isolating device in a position where it will be immediately obvious to anyone attempting to operate the device. You also must meet all of the tagout provisions of the standard. The tag alerts employees to the hazard of reenergization and states that employees may not operate the machinery to which it is attached until the tag is removed in accordance with an established procedure. What other options do I have? If it is possible to lock out an energy-isolating device, employers must use lockout devices unless they develop, document, and use a tagout procedure that provides employees with a level of protection equal to that provided by a lockout device. In a tagout program, an employer can attain an equal level of protection by complying with all tagout-related provisions of the standard and using at least one added safety measure that prevents unexpected reenergization. Such measures might include removing an isolating circuit element, blocking a controlling switch, opening an extra disconnecting device, or removing a valve handle to minimize the possibility that machines might inadvertently be reenergized while employees perform service and maintenance activities. When can tagout devices be used instead of lockout devices? When an energy-isolating device cannot be locked out, the employer must modify or replace the energy-isolating device to make it capable of being locked out or use a tagout system. Whenever employers significantly repair, renovate, or modify machinery or install new or replacement machinery, however, they must ensure that the energy-isolating devices for the machinery are capable of being locked out. Tagout devices may be used on energy-isolating devices that are capable of being locked out if the employer develops and implements the tagout in a way that provides employees with a level of protection equal to that achieved through a lockout system. When using a tagout system, the employer must comply with all tagout-related provisions of the standard and train employees in the limitations of tags, in addition to providing normal hazardous energy control training for all employees. What are the limitations of tagout devices? A tagout device is a prominent warning that clearly states that the machinery being controlled must not be operated until the tag is removed in accordance with an established procedure. Tags are essentially warning devices and do not provide the physical restraint of a lock. Tags may evoke a false sense of security. For these reasons, OSHA considers lockout devices to be more secure and more effective than tagout devices in protecting employees from hazardous energy. What are the requirements for lockout/tagout devices? Whether lockout or tagout devices are used, they must be the only devices the employer uses in conjunction with energy-isolating devices to control hazardous energy. The employer must provide these devices and they must be singularly identified and not used for other purposes. In addition, they must have the following characteristics:
Training must ensure that employees understand the purpose, function, and restrictions of the energy-control program. Employers must provide training specific to the needs of "authorized," "affected," and "other" employees. "Authorized" employees are those responsible for implementing the energy-control procedures or performing the service or maintenance activities. They need the knowledge and skills necessary for the safe application, use, and removal of energy-isolating devices. They also need training in the following:
In addition, if tagout devices are used, all employees must receive training regarding the limitations of tags. (See 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(ii).) When is training necessary? The employer must provide initial training before starting service and maintenance activities and must provide retraining as necessary. In addition, the employer must certify that the training has been given to all employees covered by the standard. The certification must contain each employee's name and dates of training. Employers must provide retraining for all authorized and affected employees whenever there is a change in the following:
What if I need power to test or position machines, equipment, or components? OSHA allows the temporary removal of lockout or tagout devices and the reenergization of the machine only in limited situations for particular tasks that require energization—for example, when power is needed to test or position machines, equipment, or components. However, this temporary exception applies only for the limited time required to perform the particular task requiring energization. Employers must provide effective protection from hazardous energy when employees perform these operations. The following steps must be performed in sequence before reenergization:
The employer must develop, document, and use energy-control procedures that establish a sequence of actions to follow whenever reenergization is required as a part of a service or maintenance activity, since employees may be exposed to significant risks during these transition periods. What if I use outside contractors for service or maintenance procedures? If an outside contractor services or maintains machinery, the onsite employer and the contractor must inform each other of their respective lockout or tagout procedures. The onsite employer also must ensure that employees understand and comply with all requirements of the contractor's energy-control program(s). What if a group performs service or maintenance activities? When a crew, department, or other group performs service or maintenance, they must use a procedure that provides all employees a level of protection equal to that provided by a personal lockout or tagout device. Each employee in the group must have control over the sources of hazardous energy while he or she is involved in service and maintenance activities covered by the standard. Personal control is achieved when each authorized employee affixes a personal lockout/tagout device to a group lockout mechanism instead of relying on a supervisor or other person to provide protection against hazardous energy. Detailed requirements of individual responsibilities are provided in 29 CFR 1910.147(f)(3)(ii)(A) through (D). Appendix C of OSHA Directive STD 1-7.3, 29 CFR 1910.147, the Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout)-Inspection Procedures and Interpretive Guidance, (September 11, 1990), provides additional guidance. What if a shift changes during machine service or maintenance? Employers must make sure that there is a continuity of lockout or tagout protection. This includes the orderly transfer of lockout or tagout device protection between outgoing and incoming shifts to control hazardous energy. When lockout or tagout devices remain on energy-isolation devices from a previous shift, the incoming shift members must verify for themselves that the machinery is effectively isolated and deenergized. How often do I need to review my lockout/tagout procedures? Employees are required to review their procedures at least once a year to ensure that they provide adequate worker protection. As part of the review, employers must correct any deviations and inadequacies identified in the energy-control procedure or its application. What does a review entail? The periodic inspection is intended to assure that employees are familiar with their responsibilities under the procedure and continue to implement energy-control procedures properly. The inspector, who must be an authorized person not involved in using the particular control procedure being inspected, must be able to determine the following:
To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the requirements for controlling hazardous energy, employers and other interested persons should review the following:
Additionally, OSHA offers a variety of web-based tools to help educate employers and employees about the lockout/tagout standard and how to apply it in their workplace. These include the following:
Commonly Used Terms
Affected employee. An employee whose job requires him/her to operate or use a machine or equipment on which servicing or maintenance is being performed under lockout or tagout, or whose job requires him/her to work in an area in which such servicing or maintenance is being performed. Authorized employee. A person who locks out or tags out machines or equipment in order to perform servicing or maintenance on that machine or equipment. An affected employee becomes an authorized employee when that employee's duties include performing servicing or maintenance covered under the standard. Capable of being locked out. An energy-isolating device is capable of being locked out if it has a hasp or other means of attachment to which, or through which, a lock can be affixed, or it has a locking mechanism built into it. Other energy-isolating devices are capable of being locked out, if lockout can be achieved, without the need to dismantle, rebuild, or replace the energyisolating device or permanently alter its energy control capability. Energized. Connected to an energy source or containing residual or stored energy. Energy-isolating device. A mechanical device that physically prevents the transmission or release of energy, including but not limited to the following: a manually operated electrical circuit breaker; a disconnect switch; a manually operated switch by which the conductors of a circuit can be disconnected from all ungrounded supply conductors, and in addition, no pole can be operated independently; a line valve; a block; and any similar device used to block or isolate energy. Push buttons, selector switches and other control circuit-type devices are not energy-isolating devices. Energy source. Any source of electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, or other energy. Hot tap. A procedure used in the repair, maintenance, and services activities, which involve welding on a piece of equipment (pipelines, vessels, or tanks) under pressure, in order to install connections or appurtenances. It is commonly used to replace or add sections of pipeline without the interruption of service for air, gas, water, steam, and petrochemical distribution systems. Lockout. The placement of a lockout device on an energy-isolating device, in accordance with an established procedure, ensuring that the energy-isolating device and the equipment being controlled cannot be operated until the lockout device is removed. Lockout device. A device that uses a positive means such as a lock, either key or combination type, to hold an energy-isolating device in the safe position and prevent the energizing of a machine or equipment. Included are blank flanges and bolted slip blinds. Normal production operations. The utilization of a machine or equipment to perform its intended production function. Servicing and/or maintenance. Workplace activities such as constructing, installing, setting up, adjusting, inspecting, modifying, and maintaining and/or servicing machines or equipment. These activities include lubricating, cleaning or unjamming machines or equipment and making adjustments or tool changes where the employee may be exposed to the unexpected energization or startup of the equipment or release of hazardous energy. Setting up. Any work performed to prepare a machine or equipment to perform its normal production operation. Tagout. The placement of a tagout device on an energy-isolating device, in accordance with an established procedure, to indicate that the energy-isolating device and the equipment being controlled may not be operated until the tagout device is removed. Tagout device. A prominent warning device, such as a tag and a means of attachment, which can be securely fastened to an energy-isolating device in accordance with an established procedure, to indicate that the energy-isolating device and the equipment being controlled may not be operated until the tagout device is removed. OSHA Assistance, Programs, and Services
How can OSHA help me? OSHA can provide extensive help through a variety of programs, including assistance about safety and health programs, state plans, workplace consultations, voluntary protection programs, strategic partnerships, training and education, and more. How does safety and health program management assistance help employers and employees? Effective management of worker safety and health protection is a decisive factor in reducing the extent and severity of work-related injuries and illnesses and their related costs. In fact, an effective safety and health program forms the basis of good worker protection and can save time and money —about $4 for every dollar spent—and increase productivity. To assist employers and employees in developing effective safety and health programs, OSHA published recommended Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines (Federal Register 54(18):3908-3916, January 26, 1989). These voluntary guidelines can be applied to all worksites covered by OSHA. The guidelines identify four general elements that are critical to the development of a successful safety and health management program:
What are state plans? State plans are OSHA-approved job safety and health programs operated by individual states or territories instead of Federal OSHA. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act) encourages states to develop and operate their own job safety and health plans and permits state enforcement of OSHA standards if the state has an approved plan. Once OSHA approves a state plan, it funds 50 percent of the program's operating costs. State plans must provide standards and enforcement programs, as well as voluntary compliance activities that are at least as effective as those of Federal OSHA. There are 26 state plans: 23 cover both private and public (state and local governments) employment, and 3 (Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York) cover only the public sector. For more information on state plans, see the listing at the end of this publication, or visit OSHA's website at www.osha.gov. How can consultation assistance help employers? In addition to helping employers identify and correct specific hazards, OSHA's consultation service provides free, onsite assistance in developing and implementing effective workplace safety and health management systems that emphasize the prevention of worker injuries and illnesses. Comprehensive consultation assistance provided by OSHA includes a hazard survey of the worksite and an appraisal of all aspects of the employer's existing safety and health management system. In addition, the service offers assistance to employers in developing and implementing an effective safety and health management system. Employers also may receive training and education services, as well as limited assistance away from the worksite. Who can get consultation assistance and what does it cost? Consultation assistance is available to small employers with fewer than 250 employees at a fixed site and no more than 500 corporatewide who want help in establishing and maintaining a safe and healthful workplace. Funded largely by OSHA, the service is provided at no cost to the employer. Primarily developed for smaller employers with more hazardous operations, the consultation service is delivered by state governments employing professional safety and health consultants. No penalties are proposed or citations issued for hazards identified by the consultant. The employer's only obligation is to correct all identified serious hazards within the agreed-upon correction time frame. Can OSHA assure privacy to an employer who asks for consultation assistance? OSHA provides consultation assistance to the employer with the assurance that his or her name and firm and any information about the workplace will not be routinely reported to OSHA enforcement staff. Can an employer be cited for violations after receiving consultation assistance? If an employer fails to eliminate or control a serious hazard within the agreed-upon timeframe, the Consultation Project Manager must refer the situation to the OSHA enforcement office for appropriate action. This is a rare occurrence, however, since employers request the service for the expressed purpose of identifying and fixing hazards in their workplaces. What incentives does OSHA provide for seeking consultation assistance? Under the consultation program, certain exemplary employers may request participation in OSHA's Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP). Eligibility for participation in SHARP includes, but is not limited to, receiving a full-service, comprehensive consultation visit, correcting all identified hazards, and developing an effective safety and health management system. Employers accepted into SHARP may receive an exemption from programmed inspections (not complaint or accident investigation inspections) for a period of 1 year initially, or 2 years upon renewal. For more information concerning consultation assistance, see the list of consultation offices beginning on page 34, contact your regional or area OSHA office, or visit OSHA's website at www.osha.gov. What are the Voluntary Protection Programs? Voluntary Protection Programs (VPPs) represent one part of OSHA's effort to extend worker protection beyond the minimum required by OSHA standards. VPP—along with onsite consultation services, full-service area offices, and OSHA's Strategic Partnership Program (OSPP)—represents a cooperative approach which, when coupled with an effective enforcement program, expands worker protection to help meet the goals of the OSH Act. How does the VPP work? There are three levels of VPPs: Star, Merit, and Demonstration. All are designed to do the following:
VPP participation can mean the following:
OSHA reviews an employer's VPP application and conducts a VPP Onsite Evaluation to verify that the safety and health management systems described are operating effectively at the site. OSHA conducts onsite evaluations on a regular basis, annually for participants at the Demonstration level, every 18 months for Merit, and every 3 to 5 years for Star. Each February, all participants must send a copy of their most recent annual evaluation to their OSHA regional office. This evaluation must include the worksite's record of injuries and illnesses for the past year. Can OSHA inspect an employer who is participating in the VPP? Sites participating in VPP are not scheduled for regular, programmed inspections. OSHA handles any employee complaints, serious accidents, or significant chemical releases that may occur at VPP sites according to routine enforcement procedures. Additional information on VPP is available from OSHA national, regional, and area offices, listed beginning on page 34. Also, see Outreach at OSHA's website at www.osha.gov. How can a partnership with OSHA improve worker safety and health? OSHA has learned firsthand that voluntary, cooperative partnerships with employers, employees, and unions can be a useful alternative to traditional enforcement and an effective way to reduce worker deaths, injuries, and illnesses. This is especially true when a partnership leads to the development and implementation of a comprehensive workplace safety and health management system. What is OSHAs Strategic Partnership Program (OSPP)? OSHA Strategic Partnerships are alliances among labor, management, and government to foster improvements in workplace safety and health. These partnerships are voluntary, cooperative relationships between OSHA, employers, employee representatives, and others such as trade unions, trade and professional associations, universities, and other government agencies. OSPPs are the newest member of OSHA's family of cooperative programs. What do OSPPs do? These partnerships encourage, assist, and recognize the efforts of the partners to eliminate serious workplace hazards and achieve a high level of worker safety and health. Whereas OSHA's Consultation Program and VPP entail one-on-one relationships between OSHA and individual worksites, most strategic partnerships seek to have a broader impact by building cooperative relationships with groups of employers and employees. What are the different kinds of OSPPs? There are two major types:
What are the benefits of participation in the OSPP? Like VPP, OSPP can mean the following:
Does OSHA have occupational safety and health training for employers and employees? Yes. The OSHA Training Institute in Des Plaines, IL, provides basic and advanced training and education in safety and health for federal and state compliance officers, state consultants, other federal agency personnel, and private-sector employers, employees, and their representatives. Institute courses cover diverse safety and health topics including electrical hazards, machine guarding, personal protective equipment, ventilation, and ergonomics. The facility includes classrooms, laboratories, a library, and an audiovisual unit. The laboratories contain various demonstrations and equipment, such as power presses, woodworking and welding shops, a complete industrial ventilation unit, and a sound demonstration laboratory. More than 57 courses dealing with subjects such as safety and health in the construction industry and methods of compliance with OSHA standards are available for personnel in the private sector. In addition, OSHA's 73 area offices are full-service centers offering a variety of informational services such as personnel for speaking engagements, publications, audiovisual aids on workplace hazards, and technical advice. Does OSHA give money to organizations for training and education? OSHA awards grants through its Susan Harwood Training Grant Program to nonprofit organizations to provide safety and health training and education to employers and workers in the workplace. The grants focus on programs that will educate workers and employers in small business (fewer than 250 employees), train workers and employers about new OSHA standards, or a high-risk activities or hazards. Grants are awarded for 1 year and may be renewed for an additional 12 months depending on whether the grantee has performed satisfactorily. OSHA expects each organization awarded a grant to develop a training and/or education program that addresses a safety and health topic named by OSHA, recruit workers and employers for the training, and conduct the training. Grantees are also expected to follow up with people who have been trained to find out what changes were made to reduce the hazards in their workplaces as a result of the training. Each year OSHA has a national competition that is announced in the Federal Register and on the Internet at www.osha.gov/ Training/sharwood/sharwood.html. If you do not have access to the Internet, you can contact the OSHA Office of Training and Education, 1555 Times Drive, Des Plaines, IL 60018, (847) 297–4810, for more information. Does OSHA have other assistance materials available? Yes. OSHA has a variety of materials and tools available on its website at www.osha.gov. These include eTools, Expert Advisors, Electronic Compliance Assistance Tools (eCATS), Technical Links, regulations, directives, publications, videos, and other information for employers and employees. OSHA's software programs and compliance assistance tools walk you through challenging safety and health issues and common problems to find the best solutions for your workplace. OSHA's comprehensive publications program includes more than 100 titles to help you understand OSHA requirements and programs. OSHA's CD-ROM includes standards, interpretations, directives, and more and can be purchased on CD-ROM from the U.S. Government Printing Office. To order, write to the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402, or phone (202) 512–1800. Specify OSHA Regulations, Documents and Technical Information on CD-ROM (ORDT), GPO Order No. S/N 729-013-00000-5. What do I do in case of an emergency or to file a complaint? To report an emergency, file a complaint, or seek OSHA advice, assistance, or products, call (800) 321–OSHA or contact your nearest OSHA regional or area office listed at the end of this publication. The teletypewriter (TTY) number is (877) 889–5627. You can also file a complaint online and obtain more information on OSHA federal and state programs by visiting OSHA's website at www.osha.gov. For more information on grants, training, and education, write: OSHA Training Institute, Office of Training and Education, 1555 Times Drive, Des Plaines, IL 60018; call (847) 297-4810; or see Outreach on OSHA's website at www.osha.gov. OSHA Regional and Area Offices
OSHA Regional Offices Region I (CT,* MA, ME, NH, RI, VT*) JFK Federal Building Room E-340 Boston, MA 02203 Telephone: (617) 565–9860 Region II (NJ,* NY,* PR,* VI*) 201 Varick Street Room 670 New York, NY 10014 Telephone: (212) 337–2378 Region III (DC, DE, MD,* PA, VA,* WV) The Curtis Center—Suite 740 West 170 S. Independence Mall West Philadelphia, PA 19106-3309 Telephone: (215) 861–4900 Region IV (AL, FL, GA, KY,* MS, NC,* SC,* TN*) Atlanta Federal Center 61 Forsyth Street, SW, Room 6T50 Atlanta, GA 30303 Telephone: (404) 562–2300 Region V (IL, IN,* MI,* MN,* OH, WI) 230 South Dearborn Street Room 3244 Chicago, IL 60604 Telephone: (312) 353–2220 Region VI (AR, LA, MN,* OK, TX) 525 Griffin Street Room 602 Dallas, TX 75202 Telephone: (214) 767–4731 Region VII (IA,* KS, MO, NE) City Center Square 1100 Main Street, Suite 800 Kansas City, MO 64105 Telephone: (816) 426–5861 Region VIII (CO, MT, ND, SD, UT,* WY*) 1999 Broadway Suite 1690 Denver, CO 80802-5716 Telephone: (303) 844–1600 Region IX (American Samoa, AZ,* CA,* Guam, HI,* NV,* Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands) 71 Stevenson Street 4th Floor San Francisco, CA 94105 Telephone: (415) 975–4310 Region X (AK,* ID, OR,* WA*) 1111 Third Avenue Suite 715 Seattle, WA 98101-3212 Telephone: (206) 553–5930 * These states and territories operate their own OSHA-approved job safety and health programs (Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York plans cover public employees only). States with approved programs must have a standard that is identical to, or at least as effective as, the federal standard. OSHA Area Offices Anchorage, AK (907) 271–5152 Birmingham, AL (205) 731–1534 Mobile, AL (334) 441–6131 Little Rock, AR (501) 324–6291 (5818) Phoenix, AZ (602) 640–2348 Sacramento, CA (916) 566–7471 San Diego, CA (619) 557–5909 Denver, CO (303) 844–5285 Englewood, CO (303) 843–4500 Bridgeport, CT (203) 579–5581 Hartford, CT (860) 240–3152 Wilmington, DE (302) 573–6518 Fort Lauderdale, FL (954) 424–0242 Jacksonville, FL (904) 232–2895 Tampa, FL (813) 626–1177 Savannah, GA (912) 652–4393 Smyrna, GA (770) 984–8700 Tucker, GA (770) 493–6644/6742/8419 Des Moines, IA (515) 284–4794 Boise, ID (208) 321–2960 Calumet City, IL (708) 891–3800 Des Plaines, IL (847) 803–4800 Fairview Heights, IL (618) 632–8612 North Aurora, IL (630) 896–8700 Peoria, IL (309) 671–7033 Indianapolis, IN (317) 226–7290 Wichita, KS (316) 269–6644 Frankfort, KY (502) 227–7024 Baton Rouge, LA (225) 389–0474 (0431) Braintree, MA (617) 565–6924 Methuen, MA (617) 565–8110 Springfield, MA (413) 785–0123 Linthicum, MD (410) 865–2055/2056 Augusta, ME (207) 622–8417 Bangor, ME (207) 941–8177 Portland, ME (207) 780–3178 Lansing, MI (517) 327–0904 Minneapolis, MN (612) 664–5460 Kansas City, MO (816) 483–9531 St. Louis, MO (314) 425–4289 Jackson, MS (601) 965–4606 Billings, MT (406) 247–7494 Raleigh, NC (919) 856–4770 Bismark, ND (701) 250–4521 Omaha, NE (402) 221–3182 Concord, NH (603) 225–1629 Avenel, NJ (732) 750–3270 Hasbrouck Heights, NJ (201) 288–1700 Marlton, NJ (609) 757–5181 Parsippany, NJ (973) 263–1003 Albuquerque, NM (505) 248–5302 Carson City, NV (775) 885–6963 Albany, NY (518) 464–4338 Bayside, NY (718) 279–9060 Bowmansville, NY (716) 684–3891 New York, NY (212) 466–2482 North Syracuse, NY (315) 451–0808 Tarrytown, NY (914) 524–7510 Westbury, NY (516) 334–3344 Cincinnati, OH (513) 841–4132 Cleveland, OH (216) 522–3818 Columbus, OH (614) 469–5582 Toledo, OH (419) 259–7542 Oklahoma City, OK (405) 231–5351 (5389) Portland, OR (503) 326–2251 Allentown, PA (610) 776–0592 Erie, PA (814) 833–5758 Harrisburg, PA (717) 782–3902 Philadelphia, PA (215) 597–4955 Pittsburgh, PA (412) 395–4903 Wilkes–Barre, PA (570) 826–6538 Guaynabo, PR (787) 277–1560 Providence, RI (401) 528–4669 Columbia, SC (803) 765–5904 Nashville, TN (615) 781–5423 Austin, TX (512) 916–5783 (5788) Corpus Christi, TX (512) 888–3420 Dallas, TX (214) 320–2400 (2558) El Paso, TX (915) 534–6251 Fort Worth, TX (817) 428–2470 (485–7647) Houston, TX (281) 591–2438 (2787) Houston, TX (281) 286–0583/0584 (5922) Lubbock, TX (806) 472–7681 (7685) Salt Lake City, UT (801) 530–6901 Norfolk, VA (757) 441–3820 Bellevue, WA (206) 553–7520 Appleton, WI (920) 734–4521 Eau Claire, WI (715) 832–9019 Madison, WI (608) 264–5388 Milwaukee, WI (414) 297–3315 Charleston, WV (304) 347–5937 OSHA Consultation Projects Anchorage, AK (907) 269–4957 Tuscaloosa, AL (205) 348–3033 Little Rock, AR (501) 682–4522 Phoenix, AZ (602) 542–1695 Sacramento, CA (916) 574–2555 Fort Collins, CO (970) 491–6151 Wethersfield, CT (860) 566–4550 Washington, DC (202) 541–3727 Wilmington, DE (302) 761–8219 Tampa, FL (813) 974–9962 Atlanta, GA (404) 894–2643 Tiyam, GU 9–1–(671) 475–1101 Honolulu, HI (808) 586–9100 Des Moines, IA (515) 281–7629 Boise, ID (208) 426–3283 Chicago, IL (312) 814–2337 Indianapolis, IN (317) 232–2688 Topeka, KS (785) 296–7476 Frankfort, KY (502) 564–6895 Baton Rouge, LA (225) 342–9601 West Newton, MA (617) 727–3982 Laurel, MD (410) 880–4970 Augusta, ME (207) 624–6460 Lansing, MI (517) 322–1809 Saint Paul, MN (651) 297–2393 Jefferson City, MO (573) 751–3403 Jackson, MS (601) 987–3981 Helena, MT (406) 444–6418 Raleigh, NC (919) 807–2905 Bismarck, ND (701) 328–5188 Lincoln, NE (402) 471–4717 Concord, NH (603) 271–2024 Trenton, NJ (609) 292–3923 Santa Fe, NM (505) 827–4230 Albany, NY (518) 457–2238 Henderson, NV (702) 486–9140 Columbus, OH (614) 644–2631 Oklahoma City, OK (405) 528–1500 Salem, OR (503) 378–3272 Indiana, PA (724) 357–2396 Hato Rey, PR (787) 754–2171 Providence, RI (401) 222–2438 Columbia, SC (803) 734–9614 Brookings, SD (605) 688–4101 Nashville, TN (615) 741–7036 Austin, TX (512) 804–4640 Salt Lake City, UT (801) 530–6901 Richmond, VA (804) 786–6359 Christiansted St. Croix, VI (809) 772–1315 Montepilier, VT (802) 828–2765 Olympia, WA (360) 902–5638 Madison, WI (608) 266–9383 Waukesha, WI (262) 523–3044 Charleston, WV (304) 558–7890 Cheyenne, WY (307) 777–7786 OSHA-Approved Safety and Health Plans Juneau, AK (907) 465–2700 Phoenix, AZ (602) 542–5795 San Francisco, CA (415) 703–5050 Wethersfield, CT (860) 263–6505 Honolulu, HI (808) 586–8844 Des Moines, IA (515) 281–3447 Indianapolis, ID (317) 232–2378 Indianapolis, IN (317) 232–3325 Frankfort, KY (502) 564–3070 Baltimore, MD (410) 767–2215 Lansing, MI (517) 322–1814 St. Paul, MN (651) 284–5010 Raleigh, NC (919) 807–2900 Trenton, NJ (609) 292–2975 Santa Fe, NM (505) 827–2850 Carson City, NV (775) 684–7260 Salem, OR (503) 378–3272 Hato Rey, PR (787) 754–2119 Columbia, SC (803) 896–4300 Nashville, TN (615) 741–2582 Salt Lake City, UT (801) 530–6901 Richmond, VA (804) 786–2377 Christiansted, St. Croix, VI (340) 773–1990 Montpelier VT (802) 828–2288 Olympia, WA (360) 902–4200 (360) 902–5430 Cheyenne, WY (307) 777–7786 |
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Occupational Safety & Health Administration 200 Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20210 |
Page last updated: 07/15/2005 |