Occhealth Bulletin
23 August 2010
What's new at OSHA - August 2010
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/qt08152010.html
OSHA publishes cranes and derricks final rule
As many as 4.8 million workers will benefit from the new cranes and derricks rule that has recently been published in the Federal Register. The rule replaces an out-dated version of the standard and addresses crane operator certification, crane inspection, set-up and disassembly. OSHA is confident that the new rule, which will take effect from November 8, will help “prevent the leading causes of fatalities including electrocution, crushed-by/struck-by hazards during assembly/disassembly, collapse and overturn”. OSHA estimates that the new rule will help avoid 22 fatalities and 175 non-fatal injuries that occur each year. To find out more about this story and access further information, take a look at OSHA’s news release and related fact sheet.
OSHA welcomes stakeholder input in hazardous chemicals web forum
A web forum is currently being hosted by OSHA to discover the hazardous chemicals that require further attention and action by the agency. In 2007, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that workers suffered 55,000 illnesses in relation to chemical exposures and 17,500 chemical-related injuries and illnesses resulting in time away from work. Despite the agency’s success in establishing over 400 chemical permissible exposure limits, the agency wishes to do more to identify harmful chemicals and develop long- and short-term solutions to reduce workers’ exposure. Stakeholders are invited to take part until August, 27. Click here to access the OSHA website and comment in the forum.
BP pays record fines in relation to uncorrected safety hazards
Back in 2005, an explosion at the BP Products North America, Inc. Texas City refinery killed 15 workers and injured 170 others. Following that disaster, BP and OSHA entered into an agreement to address deficiencies in safety and health. OSHA carried out investigations in 2009 to assess BP’s changes to safety at the refinery. Although changes had been made for the better, certain terms of the agreement had not been met. Thus OSHA cited BP for “failure to abate” violations. This month, OSHA announced that BP has agreed to pay $50.6 million in penalties but has also allocated $500 million to immediately take the steps necessary to protect those working at the refinery. Read the full news release by clicking here.
For further news from the world of occupational health, read our news review bulletins from the Examinetics, Inc. website (www.examinetics.com).