May 15, 2004 · Volume 3, Issue 10
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 to Announce FY2004 Safety and Health Training Grants New Safety and Health Bulletins Focus on Small Tire Repair, Gas Monitoring Instruments Site-Specific Targeting Program Out for Comment OSHA's Strategic Partnership Program Highlighted on Revamped Web Page Cranes and Derrick Meeting Heading for Phoenix Ireland and Northern Ireland to Pilot Voluntary Protection Programs New Web Page has Safety Guidance for Teens During Summer Work Season Small Business Administration's Expo 2004 Culminates SBA's Half-Century Mark Regional Alliances Formed in Dallas, New York, Philadelphia Construction Partnership in Atlanta, New VPP "Star" Site in Kansas Voluntary Protection Program Activity OSHA Certifies Newest "SHARP" Companies OSHA to Announce FY2004 Safety and Health Training Grants     The FY2004 Susan B. Harwood Training Grants Program is scheduled to be announced May 17. OSHA will begin accepting proposals for safety and health training grants to nonprofit, community and faith-based organizations. Grants will be awarded in two categories: Targeted Topic Training Grants focusing on construction and general industry hazards, ergonomics, and the health care industry; and Training Materials Development Grants that support the development, evaluation, and validation of training materials for construction and general industry hazards, lead hazards and work-related transportation hazards. Further details on the program will be published in the May 18, 2004, Federal Register. Check OSHA's website on May 17 for the announcement. New Safety and Health Bulletins Focus on Small Tire Repair, Gas Monitoring Instruments      OSHA published two new Safety and Health Bulletins this month to highlight specific workplace hazards. Hazards while Servicing Light Truck, Automobile, and other Small Tires was designed for service station and other tire repair shops to alert managers and workers of hazards associated with the repair of light truck and automobile tires. OSHA's Hartford, CT area office has investigated numerous serious injuries and one fatality that occurred during the repair of small tires. Most incidents have occurred when workers attempt to service mismatched tires and rims. The bulletin describes the most prevalent hazards found in this line of work and offers recommendations to ensure safe tire servicing procedures are followed. The risk of injury or death due to respiratory hazards caused by the presence of toxic gases is the rationale for the bulletin Verification of Calibration for Direct-Reading Portable Gas Monitors. Gas monitoring instruments are designed to protect personnel from unseen hazards that may exist in workplace environments, including confined spaces. When those devices are not maintained or calibrated properly, tragedy can result. This bulletin explains calibration rules and procedures and also offers recommendations from the International Safety Equipment Association (ISEA) that suggests, at a minimum, verification of sensor accuracy before each day's use. Site-Specific Targeting Program Out for Comment     OSHA is asking interested members of the public to comment by July 6, 2004, on the agency's Site-Specific Targeting (SST) inspection program. The six-year old program uses data from OSHA's Data Initiative survey to focus agency inspection resources on workplaces that have reported high injury and illness rates. OSHA is soliciting suggestions from the public on how to improve the SST program, as well as obtain information on how the program is perceived by workers and employers. The full announcement was published in the May 6, 2004, Federal Register. OSHA's Strategic Partnership Program Highlighted on Revamped Web Page     A streamlined web page full of information on OSHA's strategic partnership program was unveiled recently. The new page includes a description of the program, explains eligibility criteria, offers a complete list of current national and regional partnerships-including those most recently signed-and also provides quick links to the program's directives and a list of frequently asked questions. Visit the site to see what stakeholders are saying about the program, and also read results from partnership success stories. Cranes and Derrick Meeting Heading for Phoenix     The Home Builders Association of Central Arizona in Phoenix will host the next Cranes and Derrick Negotiated Rulemaking Committee meeting, June 1-4. The 23-member committee is chartered to function as part of OSHA's rulemaking process to revise existing standards for cranes and derricks in construction. Details of the meeting will be published in the May 17, 2004, Federal Register. Ireland and Northern Ireland to Pilot Voluntary Protection Programs     A delegation from Ireland and Northern Ireland participated in a study tour Mar. 22-30 in Washington to learn about OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP). Respective representatives agreed to work with their government, business and labor partners to pilot VPP in their countries. During the study tour, the group met with OSHA Administrator John Henshaw, observed a VPP onsite review, visited a VPP site, and met with officials of the Voluntary Protection Programs Participants' Association. New Web Page has Safety Guidance for Teens During Summer Work Season     The summer season is around the corner and along with sun, sand, beach and time off, it also means employment for many young people. OSHA has added a new web page full of information for teen workers, their families, and employers to ensure their safety and health over the summer work season. Links include construction, life guarding, agricultural work, parks and recreation, restaurants, lawn care and more. The page, also offered in Spanish, provides links to other related sources and includes details on rights and responsibilities for teen workers and employers alike. Small Business Administration's Expo 2004 Culminates SBA's Half-Century Mark     The Department of Labor and OSHA will participate in the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Expo '04 celebrating the nation's small businesses in Orlando, FL, May 19-21 at the Orange County Convention Center. The three-day event will focus on recognizing contributions made by America's small businesses and also provides educational and networking opportunities to budding entrepreneurs. Expo '04 concludes the numerous national and regional events launched last September to commemorate SBA's 50th anniversary. OSHA will provide an exhibit on workplace safety and health and offer information on cooperative programs and compliance assistance activities. Regional Alliances Formed in Dallas, New York, Philadelphia     OSHA's Dallas, TX Area Office formed an Alliance last month with QUOIN, a chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America, and Jordan Construction Services to further safety and health for construction workers in north Texas. The Alliance will allow parties to work cooperatively on safety and health issues faced by construction workers through roundtable discussions, meetings, and contractor training. Improving workplace safety and health for upstate New York workers is the goal of an Alliance signed earlier this month between OSHA's Syracuse, NY office and the Manufacturers Association of Central New York and the New York State Department of Labor's On-Site Consultation Program. Two area offices within the Philadelphia region signed two Alliance agreements earlier this month. The Harrisburg, PA Area Office joined with the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry to develop training and education programs for issues relevant to PCBI's 10,000 members. OSHA's Wilmington, DE office hopes to reduce injuries, illnesses and fatalities among Spanish-speaking workers after signing on with the Delmarva Safety Association. DSA is a safety and health education organization representing 125 members throughout the Mid-Atlantic States. Construction Partnership in Atlanta, New VPP "Star" Site in Kansas     Improving safety and health for construction workers at the Georgia Aquarium construction project is the focus of a partnership signed May 13 between OSHA's Atlanta-West Area Office, project general manager Brasfield & Gorrie, LLC, and the Georgia Tech Consultative Service. The Georgia Aquarium site sits on 20 acres in downtown Atlanta and is scheduled to open in 2005. Koch-Glitsch LP of Wichita, KS, will fly the VPP "Star" Flag after being recognized in a May 13 ceremony for its excellence in effective safety and health management. The company of about 350 workers fabricates mass transfer products for the refinery industry. Voluntary Protection Program Activity     The following companies were recently approved for new or continued participation in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program (VPP): Region III: GE Advanced Materials (Plastics), Washington, WV (Cont. Star); Weyerhaeuser Sutton OSB, Heaters, WV (New Star) Region IV: US Postal Service, P&DC, Montgomery, AL (New Merit); Region V: Dick Corporation, Howard M. Metzenbaum United States Courthouse Project (New Merit) Region VI: Halliburton Energy Svcs. - Gulf Coast Machine Shop, Broussard, LA (New Star); Shell Deer Park Refining Co., Deer Park, TX (New Merit), and Region VIII: Raytheon, Aurora Campus, Aurora, CO (New Merit). OSHA Certifies Newest "SHARP" Companies     OSHA recently certified the following companies as Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) sites: Region I: Ryegate Associates, East Ryegate, VT Region IV: Kinston Pulmonary Associates, PA, Kinston, NC Region VI: Zero Mountain, in the Arkansas cities of Fort Smith, Johnson, Lowell and Russellville; Farm Services, Inc., Corning, AR; Blackhawk Warehousing & Leasing Co., Helena, AR; Chateau Living Center, Kenner, LA; Golden Age Nursing Center, LLC, Jena, LA; C & C Trailers, Norman, OK; Tulsa Fin Tube, Tulsa, OK; Old Jacksonville Industries, Jacksonville, TX; Shippers Warehouse, Mesquite, TX; Ropak Southwest Inc., Ft. Worth, TX; Denison Industries Building 804, Denison, TX; Advanced Tabco, Kaufman, TX; Schrim USA Inc., Ennis; TX; Empire Countertops Inc., Pilot Point, TX; American Steel & Aluminum, Grand Prairie; TX Region VII: Machinery Fabrication, Inc., Ellington, MO; Prestressed Casting Co., Ozark, MO Region IX: Phoenix Pacific, Inc., Guam; Pacific Welding Services, Guam; Jayar Construction, Inc., Honolulu, HI; KD Construction, Inc. Honolulu, HI; Maui Seaside Hotel, Maui, HI; Nordic Construction Ltd., Waipahu, HI; RCI Construction Group Pacific Division, Honolulu, HI; American Buildings, Carson City, NV; Basalite, Carson City, NV; Capitol Beverages, Inc., Carson City, NV; Delmar Gardens, Las Vegas, NV; Life Care of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV; Mr. Gasket, Carson City, NV; Specialty Health, Reno, NV; and Trex Company, Inc., Fernley, NV. Editor: Bill Wright, OSHA Office of Communications, 202-693-1999