Occhealth Bulletin
10 May 2010
What's new at OSHA - May 2010
Category: OSHA Updates
Updates and news at OSHA
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/qt05012010.html
Health and Safety support for oil spill cleanup workers
Last month, the Deepwater Horizon oil rig disaster in the Gulf of Mexico claimed 11 lives. In order to support workers and reduce further injury risk during the cleanup process OSHA will “monitor training, observe cleanup efforts and provide whatever assistance is needed to BP and its contractors”. OSHA recognizes the potential dangers to cleanup workers including oil by-products and chemicals such as detergents, dispersers and degreasers. Additionally, while working in marshlands, workers are exposed to potential hazards including heat-related illnesses, falls, drowning, snakes and insects. OSHA has created a designated website to provide health and safety information for all those involved. The website includes information about applicable standards that apply, training materials and tools including the NIEHS Oil Spill Response Training Tool.
Good news as the workplace fatality rate declines
The Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has reported a decline in the rate of workplace fatalities. In 2008, 5,214 fatal injuries occurred which equates to a frequency of 3.7 cases per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 5,657 fatalities occurring in 2007. Although the 2008 rate is calculated to be the lowest since the records began in 1992, the fatality rate is still high as, on average, 14 workers lose their lives per day in the US. Click here for more information regarding the 2008 statistics. For more information on how to improve worker safety and health at your workplace go to the OSHA website: www.osha.gov.
“Find and fix” workplace hazards
OSHA has released a new standard as part of the agency’s spring 2010 Regulatory agenda. The standard, entitled the Injury and Illness Prevention Program (I2P2), requires employers, with worker participation, to “find and fix” potential workplace hazards. I2P2 recommends that employers and their workers identify hazards in the workplace and address them before a workplace incident or an OSHA workplace inspection takes place. A series of three stakeholder meetings will be held in June in New Jersey, Washington DC and Texas. Click here to read the notice in the Federal Register. Click here for more information on how to submit your notice of intent to participate in one of these meetings.
For further news from the world of occupational health, read our news review bulletins from the Examinetics, Inc. website (www.examinetics.com).