| June 1, 2007 · Volume 6, Issue 11 | |
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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. | |
| NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.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 New Pandemic Flu Guidance for Healthcare Workers Released OSHA's Targeted Inspection Plan for 2007 OSHA Proposes To Update Personal Protective Equipment Standards OSHA Posters and Publications: Free for the Asking Compliance Officer Helps Protect Employees from Electrical Hazard New Local Emphasis Program Underway in Maine Strategic Partnership Program News Recent Alliance Program Activity Upcoming Events "QuickTips" from QuickTakes New Pandemic Flu Guidance for Healthcare Workers Released On May 21, OSHA unveiled a new workplace safety and health guidance document that will help employers in the healthcare industry and their employees prepare for an influenza pandemic. Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Guidance for Healthcare Workers and Healthcare Employers includes technical information on infection control and industrial hygiene practices to reduce the risk of infection in healthcare settings, workplace preparations and planning issues, and OSHA standards having special importance to pandemic preparedness planners and responders in the industry.  Back to TopOSHA's Targeted Inspection Plan for 2007 Approximately 4,150 high-hazard worksites are on tap for inspection under OSHA's 2007 Site-Specific Targeting Program, as of May 14. This year's program will initially target sites that reported 11 or more injuries or illnesses, resulting in days away from work, restricted work activity, or job transfer for every 100 full-time employees (known as the DART rate). The list will also include sites that have a days away from work injury and illness (DAFWII) rate of 9 or higher. The program stems from the agency's Data Initiative for 2006, which surveyed approximately 80,000 employers to attain their injury and illness numbers for 2005. Back to TopOSHA Proposes To Update Personal Protective Equipment Standards OSHA published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the May 17 Federal Register to revise the personal protective equipment (PPE) sections of its general industry, shipyard employment, longshoring and marine terminals standards regarding the use of eye, face, head, and foot protection. These proposed revisions are a continuation of OSHA's effort to update references to specific consensus and industry standards located throughout the agency's standards. OSHA is accepting comments until July 16. See the Federal Register notice for complete instructions on submitting comments. Back to TopOSHA 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 new OSHA Job Safety and Health: It's the Law poster (English/Spanish)-are available at no cost by visiting the publications page on the agency's Web site or by calling the publications office at (202) 693-1888. Back to TopCompliance Officer Helps Protect Employees from Electrical Hazard On April 17, while driving through a Chicago suburb, a compliance safety and health officer (CSHO) from OSHA's Chicago North area office observed employees at a construction site performing stucco work while atop metal scaffolding. The CSHO noticed that they were exposed to an electrical hazard and stopped to initiate an inspection. The CSHO discovered "hot" 120/240 secondary power lines were within two feet of the scaffolding and asked the crew's managers to remove the employees until the lines could be de-energized by the local power company. They agreed to voluntarily cease operation. Within four hours, the hazard was abated and the employees safely returned to work. OSHA's Supported Scaffold QuickCard® (English/Spanish) offers safety tips on working with scaffolding. Back to TopNew Local Emphasis Program Underway in Maine OSHA's New England region recently launched a new Local Emphasis Program (LEP) in Maine focusing on the reduction of workplace hazards associated with the manufacture of fabricated metal products. LEPs are intended to address hazards or industries that pose particular risks to employees within an OSHA regional or area office jurisdiction. Through this LEP, OSHA hopes to raise employer and employee awareness of industry-related hazards through outreach activities and targeted inspections. Back to TopStrategic Partnership Program News Ensuring the safety and health of employees is the goal of three strategic partnerships recently signed with OSHA. The first is between OSHA's Kansas City, Mo., region and Gateway Constructors focusing on the new Interstate 64 Design Build Project in St. Louis. The second is between OSHA's Baltimore/Washington area office and Clark Construction LLC targeting the District of Columbia Major League Ballpark and 51 Louisiana Ave. N.W. construction projects. The third is between OSHA's Puerto Rico area office, Horizon Lines of Puerto Rico Inc., and Local 1575 of the International Longshoremen's Association focusing on the Puerto Nuevo marine cargo terminal. Back to TopRecent Alliance Program Activity National Office: OSHA and the Association of Energy Service Companies renewed an alliance to provide the well site services industry with information, guidance, and access to training resources on protecting employee health and safety. Region II: Protecting employees against workplace injuries and illnesses is the focus of a new alliance signed between OSHA's New York region and the Bronx Chamber of Commerce. The region also renewed an alliance with the Alfred E. Smith Career and Technical Education High School and the New York State Labor Department's On-site Consultation Program to educate students about workplace safety and health. Reducing hazards and enhancing safety for construction employees in New York City's five boroughs is the goal of an alliance formed between the New York region and the New York City Department of Buildings. Increasing access to training resources aimed at minimizing exposure to indoor air, noise and other industrial hygiene hazards is the goal of an alliance renewed with Puerto Rico OSHA, the American Industrial Hygiene Association's Puerto Rico Chapter, and the University of Puerto Rico's Graduate School of Public Health Medical Sciences Campus. Back to TopUpcoming Events OSHA has updated its events Web page with even more safety- and health-related meetings and training information. Check for events near you. Back to Top"QuickTips" from QuickTakes Today officially marks the beginning of the 2007 Atlantic Hurricane Season. Experts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center forecast a 75-percent likelihood of 13 to 17 named storms. Some immediate tips for employers and employees to prepare for the season include: Back to TopEditor: Elaine Fraser, OSHA Office of Communications, 202-693-1999 |