OSHA Launches Interactive Web Site To Help Employers Comply With Recordkeeping Rule
     The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently unveiled a new interactive web tool to help users determine whether injuries and illnesses are work-related and recordable under the OSHA Recordkeeping rules.  The OSHA Recordkeeping Advisor is an interactive tool that simulates an employer's interaction with a Recordkeeping rules expert. The Advisor relies on the users' responses to questions and automatically adapts to the situation presented. Responses put into the program are strictly confidential and the system does not record or store any of the information. The Advisor helps employers determine:

• Whether an injury or illness (or related event) is work-related
• Whether an event or exposure at home or on travel is work-related
• Whether an exception applies to the injury or illness
• Whether a work-related injury or illness needs to be recorded
• Which provisions of the regulations apply when recording a work-related injury or illness

     OSHA's Injury and Illness Recordkeeping page links to the Recordkeeping Advisor and other guidance materials to help employers understand and comply with Federal recordkeeping and reporting requirements.

For more information.

To access the OSHA Recordkeeping Advisor

What Will OSHA Be Doing?  Read About OSHA's Semiannual Regulatory Agenda
     The Department of Labor has published its semiannual agenda of regulations that have been selected for review or development during the coming year. The Department's agencies have carefully assessed their available resources and what they can accomplish in the next 12 months and have adjusted their agendas accordingly. The agenda complies with the requirements of both Executive Order 12866 and the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The agenda lists all regulations that are expected to be under review or development between April 2011 and April 2012, as well as those completed during the past six months.

For the full listing.

OSHA Announces Three Month Phase-In for Residential Construction Fall Protection
     The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a three month phase-in period to allow residential construction employers to come into compliance with the Agency's new directive to provide residential construction workers with fall protection. The three month phase-in period runs June 16 - September 15, 2011. During this time, if the employer is in full compliance with the old directive (STD 03-00-001), OSHA will not issue citations, but will instead issue a hazard alert letter informing the employer of the feasible methods they can use to comply with OSHA's fall protection standard or implement a written fall protection plan. If the employer's practices do not meet the requirements set in the old directive, OSHA will issue appropriate citations. If an employer fails to implement the fall protection measures outlined in a hazard alert letter, and during a subsequent inspection of one of the employer's workplaces OSHA finds violations involving the same hazards, the Area Office shall issue appropriate citations.

For Residential Fall Protection Compliance Assistance

Source: OSHA and MSA
 

National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health Makes Recommendations to OSHA
     The National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (NACOSH) recommended at a recent meeting in Washington, D.C., that OSHA keep the Injury and Illness Prevention Program proposed rule as the highest priority in its regulatory agenda by keeping it on a timely schedule as it moves through the regulatory process. NACOSH also expressed support for the efforts of OSHA, in consultation with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), to modernize the system for collection of injury and illness data to assure that it is timely, complete, accurate and both accessible and useful to employers, employees, responsible government agencies and members of the public. NACOSH's other recommendations included NIOSH working with employers and employees to assure completeness and accuracy of injury and illness data and OSHA taking whatever steps are necessary and possible to issue the proposed silica rule without further delay.
     NACOSH was established under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to advise the secretaries of labor and health and human services on occupational safety and health programs and policies. Members of the 12-person advisory committee are chosen on the basis of their knowledge and experience in occupational safety and health.  The 12-member NACOSH has two members representing management, two members representing labor, two members representing the occupational health professions, two members representing the occupational safety professions and four members representing the public. Two of the health representatives and two of the public members are designated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, although actual appointment of these members, as well as all other members, is by the Secretary of Labor. The members serve two-year terms.

For the complete NACOSH recommendations to OSHA and NIOSH.
 

NIOSH WorkLife Program Transitions to Total Worker Health
     The NIOSH WorkLife Program is evolving to address a wider range of factors that influence workers’ total health. NIOSH and our partners recognize that a multitude of work and non-work related factors influence employees’ safety, health, ability to work, and well-being in every aspect of their lives. Employer concern about the effects of diminished employee health on productivity, absenteeism, and rising health care costs is growing. Therefore, employers are increasingly receptive to a growing body of evidence which provides rationale for addressing health promotion in conjunction with organizational efforts to protect workers and create safe and healthful workplaces. The WorkLife Program is changing its name to Total Worker Health to better convey this more comprehensive approach to workplace prevention. As part of this evolution, NIOSH will begin building an intramural program focused on protecting and promoting Total Worker Health through research, interventions, partnerships, and capacity building to meet the needs of the 21st century workforce.

For more information.
 

Personal Noise Indicator from

Designed for variable noise environments to help workers identify potentially hazardous noise levels and know when hearing protection devices (HPDs) may be required. Green flashing LED indicates that noise levels are below 85 dB where HPDs may not need to be worn; red flashing LED indicates noise levels are above 85 dB, a potentially dangerous noise level where HPDs may be required. Small, lightweight design (.6 oz.) clips to shirt or jacket and includes a rechargeable battery that operates for up to 200 hours between charges. Can be used as an effective training tool within a hearing conservation program (consult OSHA Standard 1919.95) to help ensure workers know when and where to wear hearing protection.

For more information and prompt shipment.

News You Can Use

Detecting and Containing Arc Flash Incidents
     In our fast-paced, competitive business environment, occupational health and safety professionals rely on technology to improve cost efficiencies, enhance service reliability, revitalize customer service, and affect the bottom line. Positively affecting the bottom line, however, means more than boosting profits. It also means containing the level and frequency of on-the-job accidents, as occupational health and safety experts often remind senior management. With increased government regulation and accelerated accident frequency, using powerful software technology to prevent accidents makes common sense (and cents).
     According to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), electrical injuries in the workplace -- arc flash incidents, in particular -- result in the death of a facility worker every 48 hours. Such accidents occur even in facilities that have passed formal inspections within recent months. In fact, during a seven-year study conducted by the Bureau of Statistics, 2,576 U.S. workers died and another 32,807 sustained lost-time injuries (missing an average of 13 days away from work) due to electrical shock or burn injuries. These statistics were validated in a second study involving more than 120,000 employees that determined arc flash injuries accounted for 77 percent of all recorded electrical injuries.
     The problem is that an arc flash incident can occur, without warning, anywhere high voltage is used. Incidents can occur even in facilities that have been rigorously inspected, such as data centers, manufacturing plants, commercial buildings, convention and hospitality centers, power generation and distribution infrastructure, retail space, or other facilities where high levels of electrical power are needed.

For the complete report.

Source: Occupational Health & Safety Magazine

Portable Generator Safety from NFPA
     Downed utility lines, power company blackouts, or summer storms can all lead to power outages. Many people turn to a portable generator for a temporary solution without knowing the risks.

• Generators should be used in well ventilated locations outside away from all doors, windows and vent openings.
• Never use a generator in an attached garage, even with the door open.
• Place generators so that exhaust fumes can’t enter the home through windows, doors or other
  openings in the building.
• Make sure to install carbon monoxide (CO) alarms in your home. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for correct placement and mounting height.
• Turn off generators and let them cool down before refueling. Never refuel a generator while it
  is running.
• Store fuel for the generator in a container that is intended for the purpose and is correctly labeled as such. Store the containers outside of living areas.

     When plugging in appliances, make sure they are plugged directly into the generator or a heavy duty outdoor-rated extension cord. The cords should be checked for cuts, tears and that the plug has all three prongs, especially a grounding pin. If you must connect the generator to the house wiring to power appliances, have a qualified electrician install a properly rated transfer switch in accordance with the National Electrical Code (NEC) and all applicable state and local electrical codes.

For more information.

Source: National Fire Protection Association.
 

Recycling Mercury-Containing Light Bulbs (Lamps)
     Management and disposal by businesses of fluorescent light bulbs and other mercury-containing bulbs are regulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Universal Waste Rule (UWR) and Subtitle C hazardous waste regulations. The EPA has collected critically-important information regarding the management and disposal of fluorescent light bulbs, including CFL (compact fluorescent light bulbs). On this site, you can:

• Learn how to establish a recycling program for mercury-containing bulbs
• View questions and answers about regulations that affect the management and disposal of these bulbs
• Review the text of the laws, regulation and guidance that govern how these bulbs are regulated under RCRA.
• Read basic information about the importance of recycling these bulbs and why EPA encourages their use, and about lamp crushing
• Learn about EPA’s National Lamp Recycling Outreach Program which in the mid-2000’s awarded cooperative agreements to state agencies, non-governmental organizations, tribes, universities and other organizations to promote recycling of these bulbs
• Learn proper maintenance, removal, and disposal of PCB-containing fluorescent light ballasts

To access the information.

National Hearing Conservation Association Issues Guidelines for Recording Hearing Loss on OSHA 300 Log
     In an effort to promote best practices in hearing conservation, the National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA) has issued a set of guidelines to assist audiologists and other professional reviewers to determine the recordability of occupational hearing loss. According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) record keeping regulation (29 CFR 1904.10), companies are required to report documented hearing loss in the form of qualifying Standard Threshold Shifts (STS), on the OSHA 300 Log. There is evidence that occupational hearing losses are routinely under-reported. Professional supervisors (audiologists and physicians) have at times reported difficulties in making a determination of recordability and work-relatedness. Some have also reported pressure from clients to alter their professional assessment in a manner which benefits the client.  Under these guidelines, NHCA advises professional reviewers what to take into consideration when determining occupational hearing loss for documentation on the OSHA 300 Log.

For more information.

Source: National Hearing Conservation Association
 

1. ANTI-NOISE - Disposable, expandable foam earplugs offer convenient, low-cost ear protection.
2. ANTI-NOISE - Pre-molded, reusable earplugs are washable and are often available in different sizes for a better fit.
3. ANTI-NOISE - Canal caps on a head-band or neck-band offer the light weight convenience of being able to easily and quickly remove the ear protection when not needed
4. ANTI-NOISE - Ear muffs come in many different styles, sizes, weight, and profiles.
5. ANTI-NOISE - Wearing a safety cap?  Ear muffs are also available as a cap-mounted attachment.

Want more information on any of this month's Saf-T-Tips?  E-mail us for a prompt reply.

Reusable Half Mask Respirator Protection

The sleek new 7000 half mask respirator introduces unique features and benefits for increased worker acceptance. Light weight design plus extra-wide sealing area provides all-day comfort. Mask drops down for convenient storage around the neck or locks down for custom fit. Adjustable head cradle and curved neck buckles for extra comfort. Low profile, compact design allows a wide field of vision, fits well under welding helmets and with safety glasses.

Reusable Full Face Respirator Protection

Technologically advanced features position the 9000 full face respirator as the leader in its field. The exclusive over-molded lens design eliminates the usual heavy clamping frame to create an innovative full face with lighter weight, greater field of vision, fewer parts, minimal maintenance and completely free of metal parts. Strap buckles are securely molded directly to the facepiece for rugged use and ease of adjustment. Lens is coated for scratch resistance.

Get a "Head" Start on Summer Heat With Cool-Off Bandanas

Tie it as a headband or wear it around your neck with the unique closure.  Simply soak Cool Offs in cold water for 10 - 15 minutes to activate the magic cooling crystals for all day cool comfort  Lightweight and comfortable with a 100% cotton outer shell.  Can be used over and over.  Assorted colors.

To order for immediate shipment.

Sergio Mesa is a Voltgard Test Lab technician and joined Saf-T-Gard 3 1/2 years ago.

• What Sergio likes about Saf-T-Gard: "I like the working relationship between colleagues. They help me resolve any questions."
• What makes Sergio's day: "What makes my day is knowing that at the end of my work all went well and I can home quiet."
• Sergio's outside interests are: "I like playing soccer, reading, and spending time with my family."
• Anything else: "I hope this year to start again working on my GED and finish it."