| April 15, 2004 · Volume 3, Issue 8 | |
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| A bi-weekly e-news memo with information, updates, and results from OSHA about safety and health in America's workplaces. | |
| NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only. |
In This Issue OSHA Announces Targeted Inspection Plan for 2004 Trinational Occupational Safety and Health Working Group Launch Website Whistleblower Provisions under Pipeline Safety Improvement Act Published OSHA Seeking Public Comment on Two Initiatives Impacts of Long Working Hours Examined in April Research Conference OSHA Renews Alliance with IEC, Welcomes American Dental Association Regional Alliances Formed in Chicago, New York Public Hearing Planned for Longshoring Standard Proposal Henshaw Welcomes Michigan Manufacturer into VPP "Star" Family OSHA Partner in Wisconsin Receives Insurance Industry Award Strategic Partnerships in Seattle, New York Regions Voluntary Protection Program Activity OSHA Certifies Newest "SHARP" Companies OSHA Announces Targeted Inspection Plan for 2004 About 4,000 high-hazard worksites are on tap for inspection under OSHA's Site Specific Targeting Program for 2004, OSHA announced April 12. This year's program is effective April 19 and will initially target sites that reported 15 or more injuries or illnesses resulting in days away from work, restricted work activity or job transfer for every 100 full-time workers (known as the DART rate). The list will also include sites that have a days away from work injury and illness (DAFWII) rate of 10 or higher. The program stems from OSHA's Data Initiative for 2003 that surveyed approximately 80,000 employers to attain injury and illness data for 2002. Trinational Occupational Safety and Health Working Group Launch Website A new information source about the occupational safety and health activities of the U.S., Mexico and Canada is now available after the Trinational Occupational Safety and Health Working Group launched its new website. The group, formed under the auspices of the North American Free Trade Agreement's labor arm—the North American Agreement on Labor Cooperation (NAALC)—brings together technical experts from the three nations to advance cooperation and programs in key areas of occupational safety and health. The group is headed by each nation's top occupational safety and health official. Whistleblower Provisions under Pipeline Safety Improvement Act Published OSHA is seeking public comment on an interim final rule that establishes procedures for handling whistleblower complaints under the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002. That law, signed Dec. 17, 2002, applies to pipeline facilities that transport natural gas or hazardous liquids in interstate commerce. The interim rule establishes procedures for the expeditious handling of discrimination complaints made by employees or by persons acting on their behalf, and includes procedures for submitting complaints under the Act, investigations, and issuance of findings and preliminary orders. OSHA Seeking Public Comment on Two Initiatives OSHA is proposing to revise its two-decade old electrical installation standard and is asking for public comment on the proposed changes. The changes will focus on safety in the design and installation of electric equipment in the workplace. Comments are due by June 4; details are published in the April 5, 2004 Federal Register. The agency has also extended until May 17 the informal public comment period on two guidance documents associated with the hazard communication initiative announced last month. The documents are Guidance for Hazard Determination and Model Training Program for Hazard Communication. Impacts of Long Working Hours Examined in April Research Conference NIOSH, the University of Maryland School of Nursing, and the U.S. Department of Justice are sponsoring the "Long Working Hours, Safety, and Health" Conference on April 29-30 in Baltimore, Maryland. Researchers from the U.S. and abroad will share the latest research findings on the potential effects of long working hours and extended working schedules have on occupational health, safety and well-being. Agenda and registration information is available via the School of Nursing's website. Details on other occupational safety and health research-related issues are available through NIOSH and its new monthly electronic newsletter, NIOSH eNews. OSHA Renews Alliance with IEC, Welcomes American Dental Association The Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) extended their Alliance with OSHA for two years, April 5, to continue focusing on reducing fall and material handling hazards, and auto collisions. That agreement has already resulted in a web-based training tool called Ergonomic Solutions for Electrical Contractors, in addition to the development of a motor vehicle safety workshop. Meanwhile, the American Dental Association (ADA) signed on with OSHA, April 12, to further safety and health for dental employees, highlighting ergonomic-related issues. Regional Alliances Formed in Chicago, New York Landscapers across Illinois stand to reap the rewards of an alliance signed recently by OSHA's Des Plaines area office. The two-year agreement with the Illinois Landscape Contractors Association was signed last month and will focus on educating contractors about OSHA safety standards related to the industry. An alliance signed Apr. 8 between OSHA's New York Region and the New York Association of Realty Managers will focus on workplace safety and health for building service employees. Key to the agreement is information, guidance and access to training resources about health hazards related to methylene chloride. Also participating in the alliance is New York State's On-Site Consultation Program. Public Hearing Planned for Longshoring Standard Proposal OSHA has scheduled an informal public hearing in Washington, D.C., July 29, to discuss the agency's proposal to revise its Longshoring and Marine Terminals Standard and improve the safety of longshore workers dealing with vertical tandem lifting of containers. The hearing will be held at the Labor Department building beginning at 10 a.m. on July 29 and, if necessary, will commence at 9 a.m. on subsequent days. Details on the hearing are in the April 13, 2004 Federal Register. Henshaw Welcomes Michigan Manufacturer into VPP "Star" Family E&E Manufacturing in Plymouth, MI, joined an elite group of state businesses last month when they were welcomed into the prominent "Star" category of Michigan's Voluntary Protection Program. OSHA Administrator John Henshaw presented the Star Award to the company's president and owner saying "E&E now proudly joins the ranks of VPP companies that go beyond OSHA requirements by making safety and health an integral part of their company culture." The Michigan company of more than 200 employees manufactures heavy gage stampings, weld nuts, tapping plates and automotive seating component assemblies. OSHA Partner in Wisconsin Receives Insurance Industry Award The Wausau Insurance Company recently awarded Cullen/Smith LLC a safety excellence award for its safety and health program during the renovation of Camp Randall, the University of Wisconsin football stadium in Madison. The award recognized the company for having no lost time injuries or illnesses covering approximately 182,000 man hours in the project, which began one year ago. More than 250 workers are involved in the three-year renovation that includes extensive demolition, steel erection, and concrete work. OSHA's area office in Madison formed the partnership with the company last May. Joining in that partnership are Wisconsin Safety and Health Consultation Services, numerous building trade representatives, and Wausau Insurance. Strategic Partnerships in Seattle, New York Regions OSHA's Seattle Region renewed its partnership earlier this month with a Lewiston, ID-based forest products company. Potlatch Corporation (corporate headquarters in Spokane, WA) originally joined with OSHA in November 2000 and, according to Richard Terrill, OSHA's regional administrator in Seattle, the company has continued outstanding oversight of contract loggers and "is among the progressive owners of industrial timberland who have worked hard to improve logging safety among their contract logging workforce." Back east, OSHA's Avenel, NJ area office signed a partnership with Slattery Skanska, Inc., general contractor of a highway construction project on Route 18 in Piscataway, NJ. Joining in the agreement are the New Jersey Transportation Department, and the state's On-Site Safety Consultation Service, the Middlesex County Building and Construction Trades Council, and the New Jersey Regional Council of Carpenters. Voluntary Protection Program Activity The following companies were recently approved for new or continued participation in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Program (VPP): Region I: Huntsman Polyurethanes, Derry, NH (New Star); BE&K Industrial Services, Jay, ME (Merit to Star); American Ref-Fuel, West Wareham, MA (Cont. Star); Region II: Torcon, Inc., Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank, NJ (New Star); Entergy Northeast Nuclear, James A. Fitzpatrick Nuclear Power Plant, Lycoming, NY (New Star); Region IV: General Electric Industrial Systems, Dothan, AL (New Star); PCS Phosphate, Savannah Ammonia Terminal, Savannah, GA (Cont. Star); Westway Terminal Co., Jacksonville, FL (Cont. Star); Milliken & Co., Alma Plant, Nicholls, GA (Cont. Star); Georgia Pacific, Taylorsville Plywood Plant, Taylorsville, MS (New Star); Austin Maintenance and Construction, Cantonment, FL (Cont. Star); ICI Paints, Inc., Oakwood, GA (Cont. Star); Region V: CF Industries, Peoria Warehouse, Mapleton, IL (New Star); International Paper, Fond Du Lac Container, Fond du Lac, WI (New Star); Region VI: Phelps Dodge Refining Corp., El Paso, TX (New Star); Milliken & Co., Unity Plant, LaGrange, GA (Cont. Star); Solutia, Inc., Cantonment, FL (Cont. Star); and WestPoint Stevens Transportation Center, Valley, AL (Cont. Star). OSHA Certifies Newest "SHARP" Companies OSHA recently certified the following companies as Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) sites: Region I: Kendal at Hanover Nursing Home, Hanover, NH; Ryegate Associates, East Ryegate, VT; Region II: Catelli Brothers, Inc. Shrewsbury, NJ; The Fort Miller Company, Easton, NY; Snyder Manufacturing, Salamanca, NY; Region IV: United Engineered Filtration Products, Shelby, NC; Region VI: Sullivan Steel, Inc, Harrisburg, AR; Snyder Industries, Inc., Marked Tree, AR; Sun Gro Horticulture, Pine Bluff, AR; Farm Services, Inc., Knobel, AR; Crighead Farmer Co-op, Lake City, AR; Crighead Farmer Co-op, Weiner, AR; Crighead Farmer Co-op, Valley View, AR; Angelo Mfg. Company, Jonesboro, AR; Harris Manufacturing, Inc., Grand Prairie, TX; Supreme "Feed Mills, Inc. Slaton, TX; Sherman Wire East Plant, Sherman, TX; Bridges Equipment Co., Odessa, TX; Eastham Force Inc., Beaumont, TX; Moulton Products Company, Moulton, TX; Plano, Dermatology, Plano, TX; Easy Gardner, Inc., Waco, TX; Sivalls, Inc., Brownwood, TX; Streetwerks, Denton, TX; Interstate Treating, Inc., TX; Herb's Paint & Body Shop # 5, Frisco, TX; Southwestern Machine Products, Odessa, TX; Fast Braces Arlington, Arlington, TX; Fast Braces Plano, Plano, TX; Fast Braces (Hurst), Hurst, TX; Fast Braces, Inc., Lewisville, TX; Cantwell Mattress Company, Inc., Corpus Christi, TX; Stillwater Milling Company, Davis, OK; Punch-Lok, Enid, OK; Specialty Plastics, Enid, OK; Region VII: W. W. Wood Products, Inc., Dudley, MO; St. Mary's Manor, Onaga, KS; Frankfort Clinic, Frankfort, KS; Holton Family Health Clinic, Holton, KS; Holton Home Health, Holton, KS; Western Beverage, Inc., Dodge, KS; Window Technology, Inc., Monett, MO; Mother of Good Counsel, Normandy, MO; Wil Fischer Distributing Co. Inc., Springfield, MO; Doing Steel, Springfield, MO; W.W. Wood Products, Inc.- Shiloh Custom Cabinetry Division, Dudley, MO; Cross Manufacturing, Hays, KS; Cross Manufacturing, Lewis, KS; Flame Engineering, Inc. LaCrosse, KS; Lowen Corporation, Hutchinson, KS; Onaga Home Health, Onaga, KS; Onaga Clinic, Onaga, KS; Community Hospital Onaga, KS; St. Marys Home Health, St. Marys, KS; St. Marys Hospital, St. Marys, KS; St. Marys Clinic, St. Marys, KS; Centralia Home Health, KS; Centralia Clinic, Centralia, KS; Eastridge Nursing Home, Centralia, KS; Great Lakes Redi-Mix, Grand Island, NE; Aurora Cooperative, Aurora, NE; Consolidated Concrete Company, Hasting, NE; Stanton Health Center, Stanton, NE; Henningsen Foods, Inc., Omaha, NE; Flame Engineering, Lacrosse, KS; Region VIII: Odell Brewing Company, Fort Collins, CO; Dan Ostermiller, Sculptor, Loveland, CO; Point Five Windows, Fort Collins, CO; Senior Care Services, Grand Junction CO; Shalom Park, Aurora, CO; Air Comm Corporation, Boulder, CO; Yancey's Food Service, Loveland, CO; Evans Construction, Inc., Jackson, WY; Schroll Cabinets, Inc., Cheyenne, WY; Big Horn Prospecting, Inc., Thermopolis, WY; Tyrrell-Doyle Honda, Cheyenne, WY; Mr. D's Food Center, Inc., Lander, WY; Holiday Inn, Rock Springs, WY; and Lubrizol Form Control Additives, Cheyenne, WY. Editor: Bill Wright, OSHA Office of Communications, 202-693-1999 |
