February 15, 2006 · Volume 5, Issue 4
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NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.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 FY 2007 Budget Request Includes $11.2 Million Increase for OSHA OSHA Announces FY 2005 Enforcement Results Worker Protection Against Avian Flu Highlighted OSHA Updates Construction eTool for Spanish-speaking Workers Acting Assistant Secretary Snare to Address OSHSPA Registration Open for Spanish-language Version of Worker Safety and Health Training New OSHA Partnership Formed to Protect Worker Safety and Health National Alliances Renewed Regional Alliances Formed with OSHA Voluntary Protection Programs Activity FY 2007 Budget Request Includes $11.2 Million Increase for OSHA     The President's budget request of $483.7 million for OSHA during FY 2007 provides "the resources we need to continue to improve our efforts to further cut worker injuries, illnesses and fatalities," said Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jonathan L. Snare during a briefing in Washington, Feb. 6. The request includes increases for federal enforcement, compliance assistance and safety and health statistics. OSHA Announces FY 2005 Enforcement Results     OSHA recently announced the results of its "effective, focused, and consistent" enforcement program for FY 2005. Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jonathan L. Snare said the agency cited 85,307 total violations of OSHA standards and regulations during the year, an overall increase of 9.5 percent over the last five years. Of particular note was the increase in willful violations issued during the year (62 percent over FY 2004). The agency also exceeded its total inspection goal for the year, and revealed major gains in the Enhanced Enforcement Program (EEP) -- a 200 percent increase from FY 2004 for the number of inspections that qualified as EEP cases. Said Snare: "OSHA's balanced approach to workplace safety and health includes strong, fair and effective enforcement programs-and that approach is working." Worker Protection Against Avian Flu Highlighted     OSHA has important information on its Web site spotlighting precautions for workers who may become exposed to avian flu, commonly called "bird flu." A safety and health information bulletin focuses on protecting poultry workers, while a safety and health guidance page alerts workers and employers about the hazards of the virus. The guidance provides specific recommendations for farm workers and animal handlers, laboratory workers, medical personnel, food handlers, airline flight crews and travelers. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently posted a new page on its Web site highlighting the issue. Avian Influenza: Protecting Workers from Exposure includes an overview and description of the disease, and provides links to numerous national and international resources that discuss the topic. OSHA Updates Construction eTool for Spanish-speaking Workers    A popular and important Web-based training tool has been restructured to aid Spanish-speaking construction workers. OSHA recently posted a new version of its construction eTool (eTool de Construcción - La Prevención De Fatalidades) that will help employers and workers identify and avoid hazards that commonly cause the most serious injuries in construction including electrical, falls, struck-by and trenching. The updated version uses safety and health terms from OSHA's English-to-Spanish and Spanish-to-English construction dictionaries, and includes a glossary of construction safety and health terms, and topics to aid in developing and maintaining effective workplace safety and health programs. Acting Assistant Secretary Snare to Address OSHSPA    On Feb. 28, Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jonathan L. Snare is scheduled to address participants of the Occupational Safety and Health State Plan Association (OSHSPA) meeting in San Diego. Registration Open for Spanish-language Version of Worker Safety and Health Training     Spaces are still available for the Spanish-language version of the 10-hour construction safety and health course being offered by OSHA and the Illinois On-Site Consultation Program, Northern Illinois University, University of Illinois at Chicago, and Truman College. The construction course is set for March 18 and 25 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Chicago's West Side Technical Institute, 2800 S. Western Ave. Topics include excavations, fall protection, scaffolds, personal protective equipment, electrical safety, and more. To register, contact Truman College at (773) 907-3994 (bilingual). New OSHA Partnership Formed to Protect Worker Safety and Health    Providing better health and safety for construction workers in Louisiana is the goal of a new strategic partnership between OSHA and the Bayou Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors Inc. (ABC). Partnership objectives include reducing electrocutions and injuries and illnesses from falls, struck-by and caught-in mishaps, and increasing the number of ABC member companies participating in mentoring activities. Through its Strategic Partnership Program, OSHA and its partners agree to work cooperatively to address critical safety and health issues. National Alliances Renewed     OSHA renewed its alliance with the Washington Group International for an additional two years to continue focusing on cranes and rigging, hearing protection and ergonomics within the engineering and construction industry. The alliance will target continuing education, training, outreach and communication efforts. Helping protect workers by minimizing exposure to shipyard safety and health hazards is what OSHA and the American Shipbuilding Association will continue to aim for under an alliance renewed by the two organizations, Feb. 1. Both entities will work together to increase access to safety and health information and outreach programs for shipyard employees. Regional Alliances Formed with OSHA     Region VII: OSHA's Omaha, Neb., Area Office renewed its alliance with the Internal Revenue Service, Nebraska Department of Revenue, and Nebraska Department of Labor's Workforce Development Office. The agreement will continue to promote the national dialogue on workplace safety and health while educating employers about services and products available to assist with voluntary compliance of federal and state tax obligations. Region X: Giving employers and workers of Mexican ancestry the information and training resources to understand their rights and responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act is the goal of a new alliance signed between OSHA's Seattle Region and the Consulate of Mexico in Seattle. Members will develop training programs and materials to simplify complex regulations or potential occupational hazards. Voluntary Protection Programs Activity     The following companies were approved this month for new or continued participation in OSHA's Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP): Region I: Newington Energy Limited, Newington, N.H. (New Star); U.S. Postal Service (USPS), Danbury Post Office, Danbury, Conn. (New Star); General Electric Consumer & Industrial, Auburn, Maine (Cont. Star); Schick Manufacturing, Milford, Conn. (New Merit); USPS, Central Square Post Office, Cambridge, Maine (New Star); USPS, Biddeford/Saco Carrier Annex, Saco, Maine (New Star); General Electric, Bangor, Maine (Return to Star); USPS, Tewksbury Post Office, Tewksbury, Mass. (New Star) Region II: USPS, Teall Station, Syracuse, N.Y. (New Merit); General Electric Global Research Renovation Project, Niskayuna, N.Y. (New Star); USPS, Rochester L&DC, Rochester, N.Y. (New Merit); Caribe GE Manufacturing LLC, Vieques, Puerto Rico (New Star) Region III: USPS, Vienna Main Post Office, Vienna, Va. (New Star); USPS, Dulles Air Mail Center, Dulles, Va. (New Star); USPS, Charlottesville Processing and Distribution Center, Charlottesville, Va. (New Star); USPS, Baltimore Downtown Delivery Annex, Baltimore, Md. (New Merit); PPL Corp., Montour Steam Electric Station, Washingtonville, Pa. (Cont. Star); PPL Corp., Holtwood Hydroelectric Station, Holtwood, Pa. (Cont. Star); Georgia-Pacific Corp., Mt. Hope Oriented Strand Board, Mt. Hope, W.Va. (Cont. Star) Region IV: Blake Medical Center, Bradenton, Fla. (Cont. Star); Kimberly-Clark Corp., LaGrange Mill, LaGrange, Ga. (New Star); Sikorsky Field Operations Center, Jacksonville, Fla. (New Star) Region V: USPS, Cleveland Airport Mail Center, Cleveland, Ohio (New Star); OSHA Appleton Area Office, Appleton, Wis. (New Star) Region X: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Pullman, Wash. (New Star). Editor: Elaine Fraser, OSHA Office of Communications, 202-693-1999