Occhealth Bulletin
26 March 2010
What's new at OSHA - March 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/qt03152010.html
OSHA publishes new health and safety bulletins
In order to help prevent electrical hazards and amputations in the workplace, OSHA has developed new Safety and Health Bulletins that are available from their website. Click here for the “Certification of Workplace Products by Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories” bulletin. This document outlines the importance of installing and using products or equipment tested or certified by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory so that the risks of fire, arc flash, explosions, electric shock and electrocution are minimized. The second bulletin is entitled “Hazards Associated with the ‘Unintended (Double) Cycling’ of
Mechanical Power Presses”. Amputations are the most common injuries associated with mechanical power presses. This resource outlines the importance of training operators and maintenance staff on the safety operating procedures of mechanical power presses and verifying safety systems. The bulletin also provides information regarding the health and safety requirements as outlined in the OSHA mechanical power press standard.
OSHA requests nominations for MACOSH memberships
Last month, OSHA announced nominations for the Federal Advisory Council for Occupational Safety and Health (FACOSH) membership. This month, the agency is seeking nominations for membership to the Maritime Advisory Committee for Occupational Safety and Health (MACOSH). The role of MACOSH is to advise “the Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA on worker safety and health in maritime industries, including longshoring, marine terminals, and shipyard employment”. There are 15 memberships available with each member serving a two-year term. MACOSH recently advised OSHA to develop guidance and resources on arc flash hazards, fall protection and safety zones for dock workers. For more information about MACOSH and how to nominate take a look at the notice posted in the Federal register.
Electric power industry health and safety e-tool
An excellent e-tool directed at employers and workers in the electric power industry has recently been published by OSHA. The e-tool provides information for employers on how to implement safety measures to protect their employees. There is also information for workers on what preventative measures to expect from their employers in the industry. This includes information on provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) & insulating protective equipment, control procedures and training and risk assessments before working on overhead power lines. The e-tool also addresses the requirements as written in the standard.
For further news from the world of occupational health, read our news review bulletins from the Examinetics, Inc. website (www.examinetics.com).