In This Issue

Latest guidance document focuses on combustible dust hazards

OSHA published a new document titled "Hazard Communication Guidance for Combustible Dusts" that helps chemical manufacturers and importers recognize the potential for dust explosions, identify appropriate protective measures, and fulfill the requirements for disseminating this information on material safety data sheets and labels.

Pilot national emphasis program targets workplaces that release hazardous chemicals

OSHA is establishing a Chemical National Emphasis Program that outlines the policies and procedures for compliance officers to follow when inspecting workplaces covered by the agency's Process Safety Management Standard. The one-year pilot program targets facilities that could release highly hazardous chemicals resulting in toxic fires or explosions.

Illinois seeks approval for a public employee-only occupational safety and health program

Illinois is applying for approval to develop a safety and health program specifically for public employees. The Illinois Department of Labor will administer the program that will cover more than 1 million public workers. If approved, Illinois will become the fourth state to operate a safety and health program for public employees, along with Connecticut, New Jersey and New York. The Virgin Islands also operates a similar program.

Consultation services is featured in latest OSHA brochure

OSHA's newest brochure on consultation services demonstrates how this free, confidential service can help a small business improve workplace safety and health. Printed copies can be ordered from OSHA's publications Web page.

Maritime advisory committee will discuss marine terminal safety issues at Sept. meeting

The Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health will meet Sept. 1-2 in Newport News, Va., to discuss injury and fatality data initiatives and defective containers, among other topics. More information appears in the July 17 Federal Register.

OSHA plays role in strengthening ties with Hispanic community to help improve job safety and health

OSHA's Buffalo, N.Y., Area Office and local health, fire, rescue and emergency medical services organizations teamed to sponsor the June 2009 Buffalo Hispanic Family Health and Safety Fair. This event attracted more than 60 exhibitors promoting health and safety to individuals in western New York's Hispanic community. OSHA staff conducted safety training sessions in Spanish for approximately 1,800 people. Topics included electrical safety, trenching and excavations, and fall hazards. For more information and future fair plans, contact the Buffalo office at 716-551-3053.

Grantee offers free training on scaffold and ladder safety

The National Association of Home Builders and the NAHB Research Center, an OSHA Susan Harwood Training Grant Program recipient, are offering a free seminar on scaffold and ladder safety. Participants will learn to identify fall hazards in residential construction, establish safe work practices to prevent fall-related injuries and deaths, and understand OSHA fall protection regulations. Only employers and workers covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Act are eligible to participate. The seminar is being offered in English and Spanish at certain locations across the United States. For more information and to register, visit NAHB's Web site.

VPP site representatives to gather at national conference

Nearly 3,000 safety, health and environmental professionals, workers and managers will gather at the Voluntary Protection Programs Participants' Association's 25th annual conference Aug. 24-27 in San Antonio. Participants will promote effective safety and health management systems and best practices in workplace safety and health. OSHA will exhibit. For more information, visit the VPPPA Web site.

Strategic partnership helps foster safety and health in the construction industry

The Aurora, Ill., Police Station and Branch Court Facility OSHA Strategic Partnership was formed in January 2008 to promote safety and health in the construction industry. Within the partnership's first year, the facility met all its goals by conducting 60 sessions resulting in more than 600 employees, managers and supervisors completing safety and health training; identifying and correcting more than 1,200 worksite hazards; and achieving an average total recordable case incidence rate and an average days away from work, job transfer or restriction rate of 67 and 29 percent, respectively, below the 2007 Bureau of Labor Statistics' national average.

Events page features workshops on swine flu and asbestos removal

OSHA has posted more occupational safety- and health-related conference information to the events Web page. Search for activities in your area.

QuickTips for the cleaning industry

Workers in the institutional and industrial cleaning industry can face many hazards on the job such as hazardous chemicals, dangerous equipment and the physical environment where services are performed. OSHA's Safety and Health Topics Web page features information about standards for and possible solutions to hazards present in the cleaning industry. It also provides information on how to develop and implement a comprehensive safety and health management program to help workers return home safe and healthy every day.

Look for more QuickTips on another occupational safety and health topic in your next issue of "QuickTakes."

Editor: Elaine Fraser, OSHA Office of Communications, 202-693-1999
For more information on occupational safety and health, visit OSHA's Web site.