Residential
Construction Local Emphasis Program:
In
early 2003, the Boise Area Compliance Office announced that it would be
initiating a local emphasis program (LEP) focused on residential construction
operations. It began operating under that LEP later this summer and found
several small business owners caught unawares. To assist small
residential construction companies, the Consultation program partnered with
the Boise Area Office (BAO) and the Builders and Contractors Association of SW
Idaho to provide access to the OSHA 10-Hour Construction Outreach
Training. Consultation staff have also compiled a guidebook to assist businesses with the development of safety programs and policies. For more
information, check out our
training page or call our office at 208-426-3283.
6-15-04
OSHA changes SST criteria for 2004
OSHA is making changes this
year to how the agency targets high-hazard worksites for inspection under
its primary enforcement tool, the site-specific targeting program.
more...
5-28-04
Ergonomics Guidelines Announced for Retail Grocery Stores
OSHA Administrator John Henshaw announced the release of industry-specific
guidelines for the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in grocery
stores. more...
Kennedy
to introduce OSHA reform legislation
Sen.
Edward Kennedy, D-MA, plans to introduce OSHA reform legislation that would
increase criminal penalties for willful violations, cover more workers and
protect whistleblowers, Kennedy announced at a press conference April 27.
more...
Ergonomic
Standards and Guidance
OSHA published draft ergonomic
guidelines for the poultry processing industry on June 3, making the
industry the third to receive guidelines that address musculoskeletal disorders
in the workplace. The agency is reviewing public comments on these guidelines
as well as those for retail grocery stores. Those draft guidelines were
published May 9. The other industry with specific guidelines is nursing
homes.
Charting
the Course to Workplace Safety and Health
OSHA's
strategic management plan for 2003 to 2008 maps out the agency's
direction in its ongoing mission to protect America's
workers. Learn how your business will be affected by
clicking
here.
Brief
Yourself on OSHA’s New Strategic Plan
It’s always good to know
where OSHA will be putting its emphasis. OSHA’s new strategic plan calls for
the agency to focus resources on specific industries where there are many
severe injuries. These include:
-
Landscaping/horticultural
services
-
Oil and gas field services
-
Fruit and vegetable processing
-
Concrete gypsum and plaster
products
-
Blast furnace and basic steel
products
-
Ship and boat building and
repair
-
Public warehousing and storage
OSHA
will also focus on these specific issues:
-
Amputations
— the goal is a 3% drop in both
manufacturing and construction.
-
Ergonomics-related
injuries — a 4% drop across the board.
-
Blood-lead
levels — 5% decline.
-
Silica-related
disease — a significant reduction.
OSHA also unveiled its regulatory
priorities for the next year as part of the Department of Labor's unified
agenda. OSHA's semiannual regulatory agenda outlines work on new
standards, including hexavalent chromium, crystalline silica, noise in
construction, and assigned protection factors for respirators. The agenda also
signals OSHA's intent to make changes in other areas, including the withdrawal
of the proposed tuberculosis standard.
Safety
& Health News