August 1, 2005 · Volume 4, Issue 15
A bi-weekly e-news memo with information, updates, and results from OSHA about safety and health in America's workplaces.

In This Issue Safety and Health Bulletin Focuses on Excavator Bucket Hazards OSHA Extends Comment Period for Occupational Exposure to Ionizing Radiation Acting Assistant Secretary Set to Address VPPPA Conference Spanish-language PSA Available OSHA Posters and Publications: Free for the Asking OSHA Reaching Out to Bolster Safety for Workers in Trucking Industry Texas Worksite Captures VPP Spotlight OSHA and SWRI Renew National Alliance Regional Alliances Forged with OSHA Voluntary Protection Programs Activity OSHA Certifies Newest "SHARP" Companies Safety and Health Bulletin Focuses on Excavator Bucket Hazards     OSHA has published a new Safety and Health Information Bulletin to highlight specific workplace hazards. OSHA's Madison, Wisc., Area Office recently investigated a fatal accident where an excavator bucket was released unexpectedly from a quick coupler. The Hazards of Inadequately Securing Hydraulic Excavator Buckets When Using Quick Coupling Devices outlines specific methods for workers and employers to address the hazards and prevent further accidents. OSHA Extends Comment Period for Occupational Exposure to Ionizing Radiation     OSHA is extending until Nov. 28, 2005, the period for the public to submit comments and information to help the agency determine what action, if any, it should take to update its standards for occupational exposure to ionizing radiation. This extension will give stakeholders adequate time to comment on the National Academy of Sciences' Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation (BEIR) VII report on health risks for exposure to low levels of ionizing radiation, which was not issued until June 29, 2005. Details appear in today's Federal Register. Acting Assistant Secretary Set to Address VPPPA Conference     On Aug. 22, Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jonathan L. Snare will speak to more than 2,500 safety and health professionals at the Voluntary Protection Programs Participants' Association conference in Dallas. OSHA will also set up an exhibit booth with compliance assistance and informative materials for conference attendees. Spanish-language PSA Available    OSHA recently produced a Spanish-language public service announcement (PSA) featuring World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) personality Rey Mysterio. The PSA, developed by OSHA's New York Region and WWE, is a 60-second Spanish-language video featuring footage of Mysterio performing his trademark high-flying maneuvers and then discussing the value of being safety conscious on the job. Mysterio explains that a safe work place is everyone's right and urges viewers to call OSHA's toll-free hotline (1-800-321-OSHA) if they are injured on the job, or if they would like to receive general safety and health information. OSHA Posters and Publications: Free for the Asking    Advertisements suggesting that OSHA workplace posters must be purchased from private companies may be misleading employers. OSHA reminds employers that official posters—such as the OSHA Workplace Poster-are available free for the asking. Posters, and most publications, are available at no cost to anyone who asks simply by visiting the publications page on the agency's Web site, or by calling the publications office at (202) 693-1888. OSHA Reaching Out to Bolster Safety for Workers in Trucking Industry     OSHA is presenting a half-day seminar Aug. 4 from 9 a.m. until noon to help trucking industry employers protect their workers from a variety of health- and life-threatening occupational hazards. This free event will be held at the Safety Council of Northwest Ohio, 8015 Rinker Pointe Court, Northwood, Ohio. OSHA professionals will provide advice and guidance on OSHA regulations and best practices in dealing with electrical hazards, lockout/tagout issues, hazard communication, ergonomics and a host of other topics, including information on the top ten OSHA standards cited. Registration information can be faxed to (419) 259-6355. For more information, contact OSHA's Toledo Area Office at (419) 259-7542. Texas Worksite Captures VPP Spotlight    OSHA's Dallas Region recognized Koch Carbon LLC, of Corpus Christi, Texas, as a Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) "Star" site during a July 19 ceremony. John Miles, regional administrator, presented the award and applauded Koch Carbon's "outstanding efforts in maintaining an extremely low injury and illness rate compared to the national average for their industry." Koch Carbon, a subsidiary of Koch Mineral Services in Wichita, Kan., provides contract services for the Flint Hills Resources Corpus Christi Coker Unit. OSHA and SWRI Renew National Alliance    OSHA renewed an alliance with Sealant, Waterproofing and Restoration Institute that will continue to focus on safety and health protection efforts for workers in that industry. The renewal calls for a continuing focus on providing information and guidance on reducing and preventing exposure to lead and silica, and emphasizes safety concerns in the areas of confined spaces, fall protection and staging requirements. Regional Alliances Forged with OSHA     Region I: Signing on with OSHA's Concord, N.H., Area Office was the state's consultation program and Dartmouth College. The alliance will focus on providing training to college contractors and Upper Connecticut River Valley employers on the recognition and prevention of a variety of common construction hazards, including falls and electrical, struck-by and caught between hazards as well as lead and silica exposure. Region V: Reducing and preventing exposure to hazardous substances for workers employed in the application of spray-on truck bed liners is the focus of a new alliance between OSHA's Chicago Region and the Alliance for the Polyurethanes Industry. The two organizations will work together to address health and safety issues including proper use, storage, fit and evaluation of personal protective equipment and respirators, proper use and maintenance of truck bed liner application equipment and design of a ventilation booth, and clear, consistent interpretation of OSHA federal or state regulations pertaining to the industry. Region VI: Electrical industry workers in North Texas will benefit from an alliance formed between OSHA's Dallas Region and Independent Electrical Contractors. The alliance will increase awareness among its participants about the hazards associated with electrical work and various building trades through forums, roundtable discussions and meetings. Region X: Joining forces last month with OSHA's Seattle Region was the Idaho Transportation Department (ITD). Alliance members will develop training and education programs for ITD construction inspectors on construction and work zone safety, and provide expertise in communicating such information to employers and employees in the industry. Voluntary Protection Programs Activity     The following companies were approved last month for new or continued participation in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP): Region I: Calpine Dighton Power, Dighton, Mass. (New Star); Wheelabrator Concord Company LP, Penacook, N.H. (Cont. Star) Region II: Wheelabrator Westchester, Peekskill, N.Y. (New Star) Region III: Ferro Corporation, Washington, Pa. (New Star); PPL Susquehanna Steam Electric Plant, Berwick, Pa. (Cont. Star); U.S. Department of Defense, NSA, MTSO, Ft. Meade, Md. (New Star); National Semiconductor of Maryland, Ft. Meade, Md. (New Star) and Region IV: Smurfit-Stone Container Corporation, Stevenson, Ala. (Cont. Star). OSHA Certifies Newest "SHARP" Companies     OSHA recently certified the following companies as Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) sites: Region VI: Spencer Harris of Arkansas, Magnolia, Ark.; Southern Plug & Manufacturing, Bastrop, La.; Elder Wood Preserving, Mansura, La.; Morris Hebert Inc., Houma, La.; Metal USA Plates & Shapes, Enid, Okla.; SMC Technologies Inc., Midwest, Okla.; Bellville Tube Company, Bellville, Texas; Cares Inn Inc., Bonham, Texas; Denison Industries Buildings 3908 & 3904, Denison, Texas; Gull Industries, Houston; Hill Plastics, Lewisville, Texas; Region VII: Full Vision Inc., Newton, Kan.; Doing Steel Inc., Springfield, Mo.; Aurora Cooperative Elevator, Clarks, Neb.; Belle Terrace, Tecumseh, Neb.; Norfolk Iron & Metal Co., Norfolk, Neb.; Region VIII: Eaton Car Wash; Eaton, Colo.; Eaton Agronomy, Eaton, Colo.; Stillwater Mining (all sites), Columbus, Mont.; Lou-Rich Inc., Brandon, S.D.; Sioux Valley Energy, Brandon, S.D.; Dakota Manufacturing, Platte, S.D.; BDL Mill, Salt Lake City; Casper Star Tribune, Casper, Wyo.; White Davis Motors, Gillette, Wyo.; Philip's Welding Services, Gillette, Wyo.; Equipment Maintenance, Gillette, Wyo.; Mr. D's Food Center Inc., Lander, Wyo.; Snow King Resort, Jackson, Wyo.; Lincoln Self Reliance Inc., Afton, Wyo.; Cody Paint and Body, Cody, Wyo.; P & H Mine Pro Services, Gillette, Wyo.; Ellingford Brothers Inc., Evanston, Wyo.; Big Horn Mountain Quick Lube, Sheridan, Wyo.; Arrowhead Inc., Casper, Wyo.; Children's Center, Sheridan, Wyo.; Riverview Rentals, Riverton, Wyo.; Region IX: High Grade Forms Inc., Perris, Calif.; Kvaerner Songer, Burbank, Calif.; McCarthy Building Companies, Southern Calif., Division, Newport Beach, Calif.; NOR-Cal Produce Inc., Sacramento, Calif.; Paradise Post Printing Inc., Paradise, Calif.; PSI Industrial Outsourcing, Benicia, Calif.; Shea Homes, Livermore, Calif.; Sunol Resins & Polymers Inc., Fairfield, Calif.; Big Island Candies Inc., Honolulu, Hawaii; Hilo Mechanical Inc., Kapolei, Hawaii; Integrated Renal Care of the Pacific, Aiea, Hawaii; JAL Hawaii Inc., Hilo, Hawaii; Kimi Hotels Inc. (Kauai Sands Hotel) Kapaa, Hawaii; Mauna Kea Electric Inc., Honolulu, Hawaii; and Region X: Qb Corporation, Salmon, Idaho; U.S. Ecology Idaho, Grand View, Idaho; Alaskan Physical Therapy Inc., Soldotna, Alaska; North Slope School District, Borrow, Alaska. (See the July 15, 2005, issue of QuickTakes for the most recent SHARP-certified companies from Regions I-IV.) Correction: In the July 15, 2005, issue of QuickTakes, Hi-Tech Profiles Inc., Pawcatuck, Conn., was identified in Massachusetts. Editor: Elaine Fraser, OSHA Office of Communications, 202-693-1999