Occhealth Bulletin
27 April 2009
What's new at OSHA - April 2009
Category: OSHA Updates
The OSHA website has a “What’s new” feature that is highly recommended. Items from the last 30 days can be found here: www.osha.gov/whatsnew.html. In addition, “OSHA Quick Takes” is a “twice-monthly e-news memo with information, updates, and results from OSHA about safety and health in America's workplaces.” To see the latest Quick Takes release, click here: www.osha.gov/as/opa/quicktakes/qt04012009.html
OSHA highlights Alcohol Awareness month
This April, to mark Alcohol Awareness month, OSHA recommends that employers develop and implement a drug and alcohol free workplace program. The Working Partners at Work program is a collaboration of Department of Labor and Federal partners including OSHA, Small Business Administration and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to raise awareness about the problems associated with drugs and alcohol at work. To find out more about the Working Partners at Work program and their resources, go to www.dol.gov/workingpartners/welcome.html.
Also new at OSHA
An OSHA trade release (dated 17th April) reported that employers from more than 13,500 organizations nationwide were recently contacted to encourage them to take action to reduce illness and injury rates at their workplace. 80,000 worksite illness and injury data taken in 2007 were surveyed in 2008. The 13,500 organizations were found to “have twice the national average among all U.S. workplaces for injuries resulting in days away from work, restricted work activity, or job transfer”. In order to help businesses reduce injury and illness rates, OSHA recommends that employers use the free consultation services that they provide.