There has been some recent activity regarding the OSHA interest and involvement in the workplace coronavirus exposure. A new guidance document on COVID-19 from OSHA was released on January 29. As a guidance document, it is not an enforceable document. However, OSHA can use this document as a basis for a General Duty Clause citationRead more about OSHA COVID-19 Guidance Document[…]
OSHA has been touting their COVID-19 fines it has placed on companies over the last few months. An overwhelming majority of the citations are in the health care industry and meat processing industry. While there is no specific OSHA standard regarding employee protection from a pandemic, the general duty clause, Section 5(a)(1), was the pathRead more about OSHA COVID-19 Guidance Documents[…]
I hesitated to report this because I don’t want anyone to interpret this as a carte blanche disregard of the coronavirus preventative measures and recommendations. However, I do think that this enforces my belief OSHA is not enforcing it’s own guidelines in regards to COVID-19. Although I cannot reveal the company name or the project,Read more about OSHA vs Coronavirus[…]
Yesterday, OSHA published “Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19” to help companies respond in the event of coronavirus in the workplace. It is attached to this posting. It contains information on safe work. In addition to the guideline announcement, OSHA also stated that they are actively reviewing and responding to any complaints regarding workplace protectionRead more about COVID-19[…]
Now that OSHA has a National Emphasis Program on Respirable Crystalline Silica, it is possible we will see much more activity in enforcement. With that in mind, we will be forwarding the next several toolbox talks on RCS and the tools/activities impacted. Today is the first installment (English and Spanish). I have also attached anRead more about Respirable Crystalline Silica Toolbox Talk #1[…]
Apparently, many of you received the attached letter from OSHA via email (with return receipt) or the US Postal Service. It may not have been addressed to the safety management team though. The letter is the OSHA attempt to notify you that the National Enforcement Program for Respirable Crystalline Silica will be enforceable starting MayRead more about Important: OSHA National Emphasis Program – Respirable Crystalline Silica[…]
Frank Furman Insurance distributed the attached yesterday. I thought it was a pretty good summary and guide to the confusing OSHA electronic reporting requirements. I hope it helps to all that still struggle with this. March 2, 2020 is the deadline for electronically reporting OSHA Form 300A data for Calendar year 2019 Only a smallRead more about OSHA Reporting Deadline March 2, 2020 (Next Monday!)[…]
Today, OSHA released a revised National Emphasis Program regarding Respirable Crystalline Silica, which appears to be enforceable in 90 days. This does not mean a company has 90 days to comply with the standard. The standard has been enforceable since September 23, 2017 and general industry since June 23, 2018. You may remember a DecemberRead more about New – OSHA National Emphasis Program[…]
Like others, when I first heard of the Coronavirus, I thought it was something that would spoil my beer of choice in the refrigerator. However, I soon learned that the coronavirus is a respiratory illness reportedly linked to a large seafood and animal market in Wuhan, China. Symptoms include common cold-like signs such as fever,Read more about The Coronavirus, The Workplace, and OSHA[…]
This photo shows why oolite and coquina are not solid rock. OSHA defines oolite and coquina as Class C soil in a letter of interpretation. Many General Contractors have argued time and again that this is solid rock and therefore the trench does not need protection. Our facts state otherwise and the contractor eventually relents. Read more about Unstable Rock[…]
