OSHA Precludes State Courts From Finding NIOSH-Certified Respirators as Defective
     In an interpretation letter responding to an inquiry from the International Safety Equipment Association, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) determined that ordinary principles of conflict preemption preclude state courts from finding that OSHA-required, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) certified respirators have been defectively designed, labeled, or packaged when their design, packaging, and labeling comply with all applicable federal regulatory standards and conditions of certification.
     OSHA believes that, under certain circumstances, conflict preemption does preclude such claims. OSHA has promulgated an occupational safety and health standard requiring that "[r]espirators shall be provided by the employer when such equipment is necessary to protect the health of the employee."  The OSHA standard also specifies that the "employer shall select a NIOSH-certified respirator. The respirator shall be used in compliance with the conditions of its certification." Inconsistent state court decisions could cumulatively interfere with OSHA's federal regulatory scheme by disrupting the manufacture and ready supply of NIOSH-approved respirators. OSHA notes that State legislators and regulators in States with State OSH plans may adopt alternative respirator requirements that are at least as protective as federal standards. Such state plan requirements, however, are subject to federal OSHA approval to ensure they are required by compelling local conditions and do not unduly burden interstate commerce.

Click here for the full interpretation letter.
 

OSHA Updates Respiratory Assigned Protection Factors
     In a final rule on Assigned Protection Factors (APFs), OSHA revised its existing Respiratory Protection standard to add definitions and requirements for APFs and Maximum Use Concentrations (MUCs).  This guidance document focuses on the mandatory selection provisions of the APFs, MUCs, and Table I 1 at page 14 and their role in the overall Respiratory Protection standard. The provisions can only be used when respirators are properly selected and used in compliance with the full Respiratory Protection standard. The final Respiratory Protection standard (29 CFR 1910.134 and 29 CFR 1926.103) applies to general industry, construction, longshoring, shipyard, and marine terminal workplaces.
     The Agency developed the final APFs after thoroughly reviewing the available literature, including workplace protection factor studies, comments submitted to the record, and hearing testimony. The final APFs provide employers with critical information to use when selecting respirators for employees exposed to atmospheric contaminants found in industry. Proper respirator selection is an important component of an effective respiratory protection program. Accordingly, the final APFs are necessary to protect employees who must use respirators to protect them from airborne contaminants.

Click here to download the document.

Free OSHA Training
     The Workplace Safety Awareness Council, an OSHA Susan Harwood Training Grant Program recipient, offers free training on electrical safety in 33 cities nationwide starting this month and continuing through August. Only employers and employees covered by the Occupational Safety and Health Act are eligible to participate.
     In 2008, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) revised revised a number of their safety standards in such areas as electrical safety, hazardous locations, NFPA 70E and personal protective equipment (PPE). Could your employees be at risk? Could your organization be out of compliance? What changed and what affects your business?
     Need more details on exactly what OSHA requires? The Workplace Safety Awareness Council has been awarded a Federal grant to develop and deliver free OSHA training covering these new changes and the half-day classes begin in May. Each attendee will receive a CD-ROM filled with training documents, video and PowerPoint that you can take back and train your employees.

     Attend this FREE training class and learn:

• How to quickly discover workplace violations (even if you don't know you're looking for)
• What training your employees need and how to painlessly deliver it
• When and what Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) OSHA requires
• Finally Understand NFPA 70E Labeling requirement for arc flash
• OSHA's most common electrical related violations
• Identify "hazardous locations" and protect employees who work in those special locations
• OSHA's new standard on GFCI requirements (this is big news)
• Lockout / Tagout requirements and how to put your plan together
• Arc flash video (this is a great teaching tool)
• Much, much more. . .

     Attend this FREE training session and you'll receive a CD-ROM with the following:

• A fifty page "train-the-trainer" workbook so you'll understand what you're teaching (English & Spanish)
• Four PowerPoint's for training (English & Spanish)
• Four one-page employee handouts (English & Spanish)
• Four quizzes (English & Spanish)
• Access to our online training center including video and testing

Click here for more class information, dates, and locations.


OSHA Focus on Pandemic Influenza
     A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. An influenza pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus emerges for which there is little or no immunity in the human population; begins to cause serious illness; and then spreads easily person-to-person worldwide. A worldwide influenza pandemic could have a major effect on the global economy, including travel, trade, tourism, food, consumption and eventually, investment and financial markets. Planning for pandemic influenza by business and industry is essential to minimize a pandemic's impact.
     During a pandemic, transmission can be anticipated in the workplace, not only from patient to workers in health care settings, but also among co-workers in general work settings. A pandemic would cause high levels of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss. Everyday life would be disrupted because so many people in so many places become seriously ill at the same time. Impacts could range from school and business closings to the interruption of basic services such as public transportation and food delivery.

Click here for more OSHA Resources.

Click here to watch a Workplace Preparation Webcast Video (46 minutes).

OSHA Revises Compliance Officers' Field Operations Manual
     The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has revised its Field Operations Manual to provide OSHA compliance officers with a single comprehensive resource of updated guidance in implementing the agency's mission to more effectively protect employees from occupational injuries, illnesses and fatalities.
     The Field Operations Manual, formerly called the Field Inspection Reference Manual, constitutes OSHA's general enforcement policy and procedures for use by the agency's field offices in conducting inspections, issuing citations and proposing penalties. It is the guiding document for OSHA's compliance officers, whose mission is to assure the safety and health of America's working men and women. The manual assists compliance officers in scheduling and conducting inspections, enforcing regulations, and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health. It also offers guidance on how to inform employers about OSHA's free On-Site Consultation Service and compliance assistance.

Click here to download the manual (all 329 pages).

Hi-Visibility Tri-Color Safety Vests Rated ANSI/ISEA-107 Class 2

High-visibility tri-color safety vest features 2 inch wide reflective stripes are combined with a 3 3/4 inch wide orange contrasting base stripe.  Hook/loop closure on front.  1 outer pocket at right waist and 1 inner pocket at left chest. 

Cool polyester mesh fabric

Stock sizes S M  L  XL  2XL  3XL  4XL 5XL

News You Can Use

May Is Electrical Safety Month
     Over the last 10 years, more than 46,000 workers were injured from on-the-job electrical hazards. These types of injuries are not isolated to any one industry or one field of work. It could happen to anyone when they least expect it. It could even happen to you. Fortunately, you have a choice to protect yourself from these threats. During the work day, a worker is hurt every 30 minutes so severely from electricity that it requires time off the job. Recovery from electrical shocks and burns is slow and painful. But, it could be worse. Nearly 300 workers die from on-the-job electrical injuries each year. Your choice affects families, friends, colleagues and YOU.

     Here is how you can choose safety every day:

• Deenergize – Deenergize – Deenergize.
  Power down whenever possible. Working on energized equipment greatly increases your risk of injury and death.
• Lock out/Tag out & Test before you touch.
  Each worksite is dynamic. Following these key principles can prevent shock or worse.
• Arc Flash prevention & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
  In the blink of an eye, an arc flash can forever change your life. Protect yourself by choosing the appropriate equipment for the job.
• Job Planning & Work Permits.
  Assess the hazards and define the tasks each job will entail. Never work energized unless it is necessary.

Click here to download ESFI'sTool Kit that includes statistics on electrical hazards and tips you can use to stay safe. Organized by each season, this information can help you develop your own newsletters, web site material and safety campaigns to increase electrical safety awareness 365 days a year.

National Work Zone Awareness Week:
Drive to Survive—Our Future is Riding on It
     The tenth annual National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) is April 6–10, 2009, with the theme “Drive to Survive—Our Future is Riding on It.” The national kickoff on April 7 is near the Boundary Channel Humpback Bridge Replacement Project (George Washington Memorial Parkway & I-395). Roadway work zones are hazardous for motorists and workers. By slowing down, obeying posted speed limits, and exercising caution when driving through work zones, motorists make work zones safer for everyone.  According to a press release from the Federal Highway Administration, approximately 1,000 people are killed in roadway work zones each year.

Click here for more information.

CPSC Cautions Against Poisonings From Household Products
     Approximately 30 children are killed and an additional 80,000 are treated in emergency rooms each year as a result of an unintentional poisoning from household products, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. More than half of these poisonings involved over-the-counter medications, prescription drugs and supplements, CPSC said. The agency recommends parents and caregivers store drugs and chemicals in their original child-resistant containers, out of the reach and sight of children. Also, the number for the National Poison Control Center – (800) 222-1222 – should be kept on hand in case of an emergency.

Additional tips to prevent unintentional poisonings:

• Never let young children out of your sight when hazardous products are in use.
• Thoroughly read labels on all potentially hazardous materials before use.
• Avoid taking medicine in front of children.
• When speaking to children, never refer to medicine as "candy."

Source: National Safety Council and CPSC

New - Single Resource for Product Recalls
     To provide better service in alerting the American people to unsafe, hazardous or defective products, six federal agencies with vastly different jurisdictions have joined together to create www.recalls.gov -- a "one stop shop" for U.S. Government product recalls. Includes links for recent recalls and a search functions for all agencies.

• Consumer Products
• Motor Vehicles
• Boats
• Food
• Medicine
• Cosmetics
• Environmental Products

Click here to access www.recalls.gov

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.

• What Francisco likes about Saf-T-Gard: "The friendly environment around me." 
• What make Francisco's day: "Seeing all work finished at the end of the day and of course a happy face."
• Francisco's outside interests are: "Soccer, basketball and reading." 
• Anything else: "II feel happy to be a part of Saf-T-Gard and help in any way I can to do the best for the company."