Occhealth Bulletin
16 March 2009
What's new at OSHA - March 2009
Category: OSHA Updates
Examinetics, Inc. (www.examinetics.com) regularly reviews the OSHA website for up to date information. 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 March 15th 2009 Quick Takes issue, click here: www.osha.gov/as/opa/quicktakes/qt03152009.html
Trench and excavation safety issues
OSHA has highlighted trench and excavation safety in the March 15th issue of OSHA Quick Takes following a near accident at a jobsite in Illinois. An OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officer (CSHO) visited the site and after inspections, under the agency’s national emphasis program, discovered a person working in an unprotected trench.
On recommendation, the construction employer agreed that the employee should be removed from the trench. While the worker was leaving, a side wall collapsed and a water main pipe burst filling the 7-foot trench with 4-feet of water. This incident highlights the need for robust safety checks and policies concerning workers involved in trench work or excavation. OSHA recommends the following link for information: www.osha.gov/SLTC/trenchingexcavation/index.html
Also new at OSHA
A new safety and health alliance for oil and gas workers in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas has been formed. The alliance of representatives from OSHA and Ark La Tex STEPS (Safe Transportation, Exploration and Production Systems) will hold monthly meetings (eg. forums, roundtable discussions and conferences to promote health and safety issues in the oil and gas industry).