OSHA Outreach Training provides instruction and training on the recognition, avoidance, abatement, and prevention of workplace hazards. The OSHA Training Program also provides an overview of OSHA, regarding workers’ rights, employer responsibilities, and how to file a complaint.

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Why does Worker Safety Training make sense?

Aside from the obvious benefit of keeping employees safe, healthy, and productive – along with meeting the OSHA workplace safety standards – health and safety training makes financial sense for employers because:

• Every dollar spent on proper health and safety programs can save a business $4 to $6! ^[1]
• With less work-related illnesses and injuries, employers see significant savings on absenteeism and workers’ compensation insurance. ^[2]
• According to one study by California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA), businesses inspected by OSHA “saved an estimated $355,000 in injury claims and compensation paid for lost work” in the four years after inspections. ^[3]
• Businesses that meet OSHA’s standards avoid inspection violations and possible fines.

Employer Reasons for a Workplace Health and Safety Program

Here are a few reasons why you should give strong consideration to a health and safety training program:

• All Workplaces Have an Element of Risk – From manually handling packages to driving heavy machinery, there are different levels of exposure to risk and illness.
• Increases Staff Productivity – Employees in many ways are like customers, treat them well and they stay, treat them well and they feel valued and treat your customers well in turn.
• Reduces Frequency of Compensation Claim or Lawsuit – It only takes one serious injury to bring a worker’s compensation claim or lawsuit. Safety training can diminish the frequency.
  
• Enhances Company Image Positively – Workers want to know what they stand to gain from a company in regards their benefits and salaries, but they also want to know your plan for their health and safety.
• Reduces Costs – Apart from the cost that will be accrued by litigation costs, fines and compensation payments, actual injuries and incidents can rack up direct costs in, medical expenses such as ambulance, hospital, and doctors’ fees, medication, and rehabilitation. There could even be increases in insurance premiums as a result. Likewise, indirect costs could include disrupted work schedules, lost productivity, clean-up and repair, hiring and training replacement workers, bad publicity, time spent on accident investigation and claims management.

As an employer, don’t think health and safety training is expensive and wasteful. Health and safety training educates your workers to work safely and motivates them to be more productive… which is a profit in itself.

[1] https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3163/osha3163.html
[2] https://www.osha.gov/Publications/safety-health-addvalue.html
[3] https://www.osha.gov/dcsp/products/topics/businesscase/

However, those age 55 and older have twice the risk of dying in a work-related crash than younger workers do. One possible reason is that older persons are more likely to be injured if they are in a crash, and more likely to die if they are injured.

Physical and mental changes that are a normal part of aging – such as declining eyesight, hearing, physical strength, and memory – can affect one’s ability to drive safely. However, the relationship between aging and safe driving is not so simple. Older individuals tend to practice better driving habits, such as wearing seat belts and following speed limits, and they are less likely than younger persons to be involved in a crash. But, they are at a higher risk of injury or death if involved in a crash, in part because the body becomes more vulnerable to severe injury with age.

By 2020, it is estimated that 30% of Americans and 25% of all workers will be 55 years and older, and 40 million licensed drivers will be 65 years and older.

Reference: NIOSH [2016]. Older drivers in the workplace: how employers and workers can prevent crashes.(NIOSH) Publication 2016–116.

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How does aging affect driving ability?

While older drivers are more likely to practice safe driving behaviors, both employers and workers should be aware that it is normal for physical and mental abilities to gradually decline with age — putting them at greater risk of dying if they are in a motor vehicle crash.

• Eyesight often worsens with age. Older eyes need more light and more time to adjust when light changes, so it can be hard to see clearly, especially at dawn, dusk, and night. Older drivers may become more sensitive to glare from headlights, street lights, and the sun.
  • Peripheral vision — the ability to see to the side or up and down while looking ahead — often declines as people age, increasing their risk of crashes.
  • Eye diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, and macular degeneration become more common with age, making it harder for older drivers to read signs and see colors.
• Age-related hearing loss can make it harder to hear horns, sirens, and noises from cars, which warn of possible danger.
• Several diseases and conditions can affect the ability to drive:
  • Diabetes can make blood sugar levels too high or low, which can lead to drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, loss of consciousness, or seizures.
  • Arthritis can make joints swollen and stiff, limiting movement of the shoulders, hands, head, and neck. This can make it hard to grasp or turn the steering wheel, apply the brake and gas pedals, fasten a seat belt, or look for hazards.
  • Sleep apnea, a disorder in which breathing is briefly and repeatedly interrupted during sleep, can increase the risk of drowsy driving.
  • Parkinson’s disease can cause a person’s arms, hands, and legs to shake. This can affect balance and movement, diminishing a driver’s ability to safely operate motor vehicle controls.
  • Other chronic diseases and the use of prescribed, over-the-counter, and multiple medications may interfere with sleep quality, increasing risk for drowsy driving.
• Motor skills, essential for driving safely, can decline with age:
  • Strength is vital for many driving tasks such as pressing down on a brake pedal.
  • Range of motion is important for fastening a seat belt or turning to look for vehicles and objects.
  • Flexibility allows the body and joints to move more freely, making it easier to observe the road from all angles. This can help with many driving tasks, including looking to the sides and rear of the car, steering, and parking.
  • Coordination helps the upper and lower body work together in situations such as simultaneously braking and turning.
• Mental abilities, including memory, attention span, judgment, and ability to make decisions and react quickly, are required for driving. These can gradually decline with age, making older drivers feel overwhelmed by signs, signals, pedestrians, and vehicles around them.

NIOSH Fact Sheet – Older Drivers in the Workplace: How Employers and Workers Can Prevent Crashes

This fact sheet gives employers and workers information on age-related physical and mental changes that may affect older workers’ driving. It is important to accommodate these changes so older workers may continue to contribute their expertise to the workplace under the safest conditions possible.

Source: Older Drivers in the Workplace: How Employers and Workers Can Prevent Crashes [6 pps -PDF – 1.38 MB]

Older Driver Safety Awareness Week

Older Driver Safety Awareness Week aims to promote understanding of the importance of mobility and transportation to ensuring older adults remain active in the community—shopping, working or volunteering—with the confidence that transportation will not be the barrier to strand them at home.

Safe Driver Resources & Tools

• NIOSH Motor Vehicle Safety
  www.cdc.gov/njosh/motorvehicle
  Explore work-related motor vehicle safety topics and resources.
• Medications and driving
  www.aaafoundation.org/resources/resources
  The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety recom- mends resources to help you learn how medi- cations can affect driving.

According to the National Safety Council, 69% of employees – many of whom work in in safety-critical industries – are tired at work, increasing the risk of injuries and incidents on the job.

It can take about one week for the body to adjust the new times for sleeping, eating, and activity. Until they have adjusted, people can have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, and waking up at the right time. This can lead to sleep deprivation and reduction in performance, increasing the risk for mistakes including vehicle crashes. Workers can experience somewhat higher risks to both their health and safety after the time changes (Harrison, 2013).

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Using U.S. Department of Labor and Mine Safety and Health Administration injury data from 1983-2006, the study found that compared with other days, more injuries happened on the Monday after daylight saving time went into effect and the injuries were more severe. The daylight saving time (DST) switch resulted in U.S. workers getting 40 minutes less sleep, a 5.7 percent increase in workplace injuries and nearly 68 percent more workdays lost to injuries.

Fatigue Resources

Americans receive little education on the importance of sleep, sleep disorders and the consequences of fatigue, but industry leaders recently have been drawing attention to this issue. Employers, too, are in an ideal position to educate employees on how to avoid fatigue-related safety incidents. Share these National Safety Council infographics, fact sheets, posters and other resources.

Employer Suggestions to Help Workers Adjust to Time Change

Employers can relay these points to help their workers reduce risks before the time changes in the Fall and Spring:

• Remind workers that several days after the time changes are associated with somewhat higher health and safety risks due to disturbances to circadian rhythms and sleep.
• It can take one week for the body to adjust sleep times and circadian rhythms to the time change so consider reducing demanding physical and mental tasks as much as possible that week to allow oneself time to adjust.
• Remind workers to be especially vigilant while driving, at work, and at home to protect themselves since others around them may be sleepier and at risk for making an error that can cause a vehicle crash or other accident.

Employee Suggestions to Adjust to Time Change

Workers can improve their adaptation to the time change by using these suggestions (American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 2013). Circadian rhythms and sleep are strongly influenced by several factors including timing of exposure to light and darkness, times of eating and exercise, and time of work. One way to help the body adjust is to gradually change the times for sleep, eating, and activity.

• For the Spring time change, starting about three days before, one can gradually move up the timing of wakening and bedtime, meals, exercise, and exposure to light earlier by 15 – 20 minutes each day until these are in line with the new time. About one hour before bedtime, keep the lights dim and avoid electronic lit screens on computers, tablets, etc. to help the body move earlier the time it is ready to wake up in the morning and go to sleep at night.
• For the Fall time change, starting about three days before, one can gradually move the timing of wakening and bedtime, meals, exercise, and exposure to light later by 15 – 20 minutes each day until these are in line with the new time. About 1 hour after awakening in the morning, you can keep the lights dim and avoid electronic lit screens on computers, tablets, and so forth can help the body move to a later time that it is ready to wake up in the morning and go to sleep at night.
• Being sleep deprived before the time change will increase the health and safety risks so make it a priority to get enough sleep and be well rested several days before the time change.
• Other hazards for workers related to the time change in the Fall include a sudden change in the driving conditions in the late afternoon rush hour– from driving home from work during daylight hours to driving home in darkness. People may not have changed their driving habits to nighttime driving and might be at somewhat higher risk for a vehicle crash.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – Daylight Saving: Suggestions to help workers adapt to the time change
• Adan A, Archer SN, Hidalgo MP, Di ML, Natale V, Randler C [2012]. Circadian typology: a comprehensive review. Chronobiol Intl 29: 1153-1175.
• American Academy of Sleep Medicine [2013]. Minimizing the effect of daylight saving time by adjusting your sleep schedule. http://www.aasmnet.org/articles.aspx?id=3732
• Harrison Y [2013]. The impact of daylight saving time on sleep and related behaviors. Sleep Med Rev. 17(4):285-92.
• Kirchberger I, Wolf K, Heier M, Kuch B, von Scheidt W, Peters A, Meisinger C [2015]. Are daylight saving time transitions associated with changes in myocardial infarction incidence? Results from the German MONICA/KORA Myocardial Infarction Registry. BMC Public Health. 14;15(1):778.

For the ninth consecutive year, Fall Protection – General Requirements was OSHA’s most frequently cited violation standard, as announced at the National Safety Council 2019 Congress & Expo.

The remainder of the preliminary list of OSHA’s Top 10 violations for fiscal year 2019 also remained largely unchanged from FY 2018, with only one adjustment. Lockout/Tagout, which ranked No. 5 in FY 2018, traded places with Respiratory Protection at No. 4.

Patrick Kapust, deputy director of OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs, presented the list, based on OSHA Information System data from Oct. 1 to Aug. 15. as part of the 2019 NSC Congress & Expo, the world’s largest annual gathering of safety professionals.

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Summary: OSHA 2019 Workplace Safety Violations

Fall Protection remained #1 on a list that does not vary much per year.

Most Cited Violations of 2019:

1. Fall Protection – General Requirements (1926.501): 6,010 violations
2. Hazard Communication (1910.1200): 3,671
3. Scaffolding (1926.451): 2,813
4. Lockout/Tagout (1910.147): 2,606
5. Respiratory Protection (1910.134): 2,450
6. Ladders (1926.1053): 2,345
7. Powered Industrial Trucks (1910.178): 2,093
8. Fall Protection – Training Requirements (1926.503): 1,773
9. Machine Guarding (1910.212): 1,743
10. Personal Protective and Lifesaving Equipment – Eye and Face Protection (1926.102): 1,411

NSC President and CEO Lorraine M. Martin said in a Sept. 10 press release. “The OSHA Top 10 list is a helpful guide for understanding just how adept America’s businesses are in complying with the basic rules of workplace safety. This list should serve as a challenge for us to do better as a nation and expect more from employers. It should also serve as a catalyst for individual employees to recommit to safety.”

Finalized data, along with additional details and exclusive content will be published in the December edition of the Council’s Safety+Health magazine.

About the National Safety Council
The National Safety Council (nsc.org) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to eliminate preventable deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy. Founded in 1913 and chartered by Congress, NSC advances this mission by partnering with businesses, government agencies, elected officials and the public in areas where we can make the most impact.

N95 Day

N95 Day observance is dedicated to highlighting the N95 filtering facepiece respirator information. It is also used to disseminate important information about powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs), half mask, and full facepiece respirators (elastomerics). #N95Day on social media.

Mold Inspector Certification (NAMP)

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• The NAMP Certification is America’s oldest and most respected certification course and provide education and authoritative credentials for Mold Professionals.
• 6hrs: $495
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Air-Purifying Respirators (APRs)

Air-purifying respirators (APRs) work by removing gases, vapors, aerosols (droplets and solid particles), or a combination of contaminants from the air through the use of filters, cartridges, or canisters. These respirators do not supply oxygen and therefore cannot be used in an atmosphere that is oxygen-deficient or immediately dangerous to life or health. The appropriate respirator for a particular situation will depend on the environmental contaminant(s).

CDC Infographic: What are Air-Purifying Respirators? (PDF)

N95 Repirators

An N95 respirator is an example of personal protective equipment that is used to protect the wearer from liquid and airborne particles contaminating the face.

The ‘N95’ designation means that when subjected to careful testing, the respirator blocks at least 95% of very small (0.3 micron) test particles. If properly fitted, the filtration capabilities of N95 respirators exceed those of face masks. However, even a properly fitted N95 respirator does not completely eliminate the risk of illness or death.

View a list of NIOSH-Approved N95 Particulate Filtering Facepiece Respirator manufacturers here.

Air-Purifying Respirators (APRs) FAQs

• At minimum, how often must you be fit tested for a tight-fitting respirator?
  Answer: Once a year. OSHA requires annual fit testing: 29 CFR 1910.134.
• What does FFR stand for?
  Answer: Filtering Facepiece Respirator
• What is the best way to decorate your respiratory protection?
  Answer: Use markers to draw images. Any alteration of the respiratory protection will void the NIOSH approval.
• Can physical body changes (weight loss/gain, dental work, scarring, cosmetic surgery, etc.) affect how a respirator fits?
  Answer: Yes. Results of a NIOSH study confirm the necessity of the current OSHA respirator fit testing requirement, both annually and when physical changes have occurred.
• Can you wear a tight-fitting respirator with facial hair?
  Answer: In general, no. Some types of facial hair are acceptable. However, facial hair cannot come in contact with or interfere with the sealing surface of the respirator against the face.
• An N95 filtering facepiece respirator and a surgical mask provide the same level of protection.
  Answer: No. A n N95 FFR and surgical mask do not provide the same level of protection.
• N95 filtering facepiece respirators provide protection against gas and vapor exposures.
  Answer: Yes. Air-purifying respirators protect by filtering particles out of the air the user is breathing.
• Particle capture or collection by a respirator filter depends on the size of a particle.
  Answer: Yes. Particle capture or collection by a respirator filter depends on the physical characteristics of the particle (e.g., shape, size and density).
• Can an N95 filtering facepiece respirator ever be reused by the same person (i.e., the practice of using the same respirator multiple times during a work shift)?
  Answer: No. These devices are typically recommended for single use. However, unless the manufacturer identifies a specified duration of use, for example “single use only”, or the employer’s respirator program excludes reuse, for example when exposed to infectious agents capable of being transmitted by contact, users can wear an FFR until it is damaged, soiled, or causing noticeably increased breathing resistance.

If N95s are part of your workplace respiratory protection program, please take some time on #N95Day – September 5 – to focus on worker safety.

Additional Respiratory Protection Resources

Respiratory Protection Infographics

• What are Air-Purifying Respirators?
• Considerations for Respirator Selection in Healthcare
• Why are Annual Fit Tests Required?
• You’ve Just Completed Your Annual Respirator Training….
• Key Requirements of a Respiratory Protection Program
• Summary of Respirator Fit Test Requirements
• Respirator Use and Infection Control in Healthcare
• Required Labeling of NIOSH-Approved N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators
• Understanding and Selecting Respiratory Protection Devices
• Important Steps for Using NIOSH-Approved Filtering Facepiece Respirators
• It’s NOT What You Think! N95 Myth v/s Fact

Respiratory Fit Testing

• New NIOSH Study Supports the OSHA Annual Fit Testing Requirements for Filtering Facepiece Respirators
• Whiteboard video, “A Particle is Particle”
• OSHA Document – Assigned Protection Factors for the Revised Respiratory Protection Standard

Respirator Selection, Approval, and Storage

• NIOSH Science Blog: N95 Respirators and Surgical Masks
• Understanding Respiratory Protection Options in Healthcare: The Overlooked Elastomeric
• NIOSH-Approved Particulate Filtering Facepiece Respirators
• Respirator Approval Support, Test Procedures, Standards, and User Notices
• Proper Respirator Use, Storage, Maintenance, Repair, and Disposal
• The Importance of a PAPR’s Battery in Assuring Effective Respiratory Protection
• NIOSH Certified Equipment List
• Respirator Trusted-Source Information page

Labor Day is also a great time to remember the importance workplace safety. Most of us show up to work each day and we take it for granted that we will return home safely. Sadly, that is not always the case. The fact is – according to the National Safety Council – every 7 seconds, a worker is injured on the job – and each injury is preventable.

Whether you work in an office or warehouse, on a construction site, or behind the wheel of a truck, safety should be an important part of every workday.

Likewise, the best way we can honor workers today and throughout the year, is to ensure safe and healthful working conditions for every man and woman – young and old alike.

About Labor Day and OSHA

The first observance of Labor Day was on September 5, 1882, when some 10,000 workers assembled in New York City for a parade. That gathering inspired similar events across the country. In 1894, Congress passed legislation and President Grover Cleveland signed the bill on June 29, making the first Monday in September “Labor Day.”

The labor movement fought to pass the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 that promised to make workplaces safer and healthier and that workers have the right to a safe workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Act established the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to set standards and perform inspections at job sites.

Progress has been made – workplace deaths and injuries have declined dramatically. In fact, the lives of more than half a million workers have been saved by strengthening workplace protections.

Still though, too many people still work in unnecessarily unsafe conditions. Thousands of workers are killed each year – and millions more suffer injuries or illnesses – because of their jobs. There is much more work to be done and we continue to advocate for safe workplaces.

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Why get OSHA safety training?

OSHA Outreach Training provides instruction and training on the recognition, avoidance, abatement, and prevention of workplace hazards. The OSHA Training Program also provides an overview of OSHA, regarding workers’ rights, employer responsibilities, and how to file a complaint.

Aside from the obvious benefit of keeping employees safe, healthy, and productive – along with meeting the OSHA workplace safety standards – health and safety training makes financial sense for employers because:

• Every dollar spent on proper health and safety programs can save a business $4 to $6! ^[1]
• With less work-related illnesses and injuries, employers see significant savings on absenteeism and workers’ compensation insurance. ^[2]
• According to one study by California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA), businesses inspected by OSHA “saved an estimated $355,000 in injury claims and compensation paid for lost work” in the four years after inspections. ^[3]
• Businesses that meet OSHA’s standards avoid inspection violations and possible fines.

Employer Reasons for a Workplace Health and Safety Program

Here are a few reasons why you should give strong consideration to a health and safety training program:

• All Workplaces Have an Element of Risk – From manually handling packages to driving heavy machinery, there are different levels of exposure to risk and illness.
• Increases Staff Productivity – Employees in many ways are like customers, treat them well and they stay, treat them well and they feel valued and treat your customers well in turn.
• Reduces Frequency of Compensation Claim or Lawsuit – It only takes one serious injury to bring a worker’s compensation claim or lawsuit. Safety training can diminish the frequency.
  
• Enhances Company Image Positively – Workers want to know what they stand to gain from a company in regards their benefits and salaries, but they also want to know your plan for their health and safety.
• Reduces Costs – Apart from the cost that will be accrued by litigation costs, fines and compensation payments, actual injuries and incidents can rack up direct costs in, medical expenses such as ambulance, hospital, and doctors’ fees, medication, and rehabilitation. There could even be increases in insurance premiums as a result. Likewise, indirect costs could include disrupted work schedules, lost productivity, clean-up and repair, hiring and training replacement workers, bad publicity, time spent on accident investigation and claims management.

As an employer, don’t think health and safety training is expensive and wasteful. Health and safety training educates your workers to work safely and motivates them to be more productive… which is a profit in itself.

Employers will find that implementing safety practices also brings other benefits. Safety and health programs help businesses:

• Prevent workplace injuries and illnesses
• Improve compliance with laws and regulations
• Reduce costs, including significant reductions in workers’ compensation premiums
• Engage workers
• Enhance their social responsibility goals
• Increase productivity and enhance overall business operations

Summary

Throughout history, workers have overcome many challenges. In this modern era, safety and health shouldn’t be one of them. That is why on Labor Day, and every day, we should endeavor to ensure all workers have a safe and healthy workplace.

Additional Workplace Safety Resources

• OSHA’s Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs (PDF)
• OSHA’s Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs in Construction (PDF)

References

[1] https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3163/osha3163.html
[2] https://www.osha.gov/Publications/safety-health-addvalue.html
[3] https://www.osha.gov/dcsp/products/topics/businesscase/

If you are under age 18, there may be limits on the hours you work, the jobs you do, and the equipment you use.  Do a couple things to understand more:

• Learn about the federal and state wage and hour child labor laws that apply to you.
• Use the hashtag #MySafeSummerJob on social media to learn more about what your employer must do to protect you at work.

#MySafeSummerJob

OSHA has created a social media campaign for young workers called #MySafeSummerJob. This is a focused effort to spread awareness to youth, educators, parents, supervisors, and employers about the importance of workplace safety. For more information about the #MySafeSummer campaign, visit mysafesummerjob.org. Also, be sure to follow on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, as well as check the blog for updates about keeping young workers safe!

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You Have Rights at Work

OSHA’s Safe Work for Young Workers website states:

You have the right to:

• Work in a safe place.
• Receive safety and health training in a language that you understand.
• Ask questions if you don’t understand instructions or if something seems unsafe.
• Use and be trained on required safety gear, such as hard hats, goggles and ear plugs.
• Exercise your workplace safety rights without retaliation or discrimination.
• File a confidential complaint with OSHA if you believe there is a serious hazard or that your employer is not following OSHA standards.

Video: OSHA – Young Worker’s Rights

Young Worker Hazards

Young workers get injured or sick on the job for many reasons, including:

• Unsafe equipment
• Inadequate safety training
• Inadequate supervision
• Dangerous work that is illegal or inappropriate for youth under 18
• Pressure to work faster
• Stressful conditions

Workplace hazards associated with specific jobs are another major cause of injuries and illnesses. Employers must work to reduce or minimize hazards in the workplace and train employees how to work safely on the job.

Workplace hazards include:

A. Retail/Grocery Stores/Convenience Stores

• Equipment and machinery
• Heavy lifting
• Violent crime
• Repetitive hand motion
• Slippery floors

B. Food Service/Fast Food

• Sharp objects
• Hot cooking equipment
• Slippery floors
• Electricity
• Heavy lifting
• Violent crime

C. Janitorial/Cleanup/ Maintenance

• Hazardous chemicals
• Slippery floors
• Heavy lifting
• Blood on discarded needles
• Electricity
• Vehicles

D. Office/Clerical

• Repetitive hand motion (computer work)
• Back and neck strain
• Stress

E. Outdoor Work

• Exposure to the sun
• Heat
• Landscaping
• Pesticides and chemicals
• Machinery and vehicles
• Electricity
• Heavy lifting
• Noise

F. Construction

• Falls
• Machines and tools
• Hazardous materials
• Confined space
• Electricity
• Struck-by
• Vehicle back-over
• Noise

G. General Industry

• Moving equipment
• Hot equipment
• Hazardous chemicals
• Electricity
• Heat
• Noise

H. Agriculture

• Machinery
• Struck-by
• Falls
• Electricity
• Confined space
• Hazardous chemicals
• Organic dust (e.g., grain)
• Heat

OSHA Is Here to Help

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the agency of the Department of Labor (DOL) that protects workers from dangers on the job that can cause injuries or illnesses. OSHA is here to help you.

Call OSHA on the toll-free number: 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) or TTY 1-877-889-5627 to get answers to your questions, or to ask OSHA to inspect your workplace if you think there is a serious hazard.

You can also submit a question online. To file a confidential complaint about workplace hazards, visit the How to File a Complaint page for instructions.

OSHA Young Worker Resources

Serious job-related injuries or illnesses don’t just hurt workers and their families, but can hurt business in a variety of ways. Implementing a safety and health program, however, can improve small- and medium-sized businesses’ safety and health performance, save money, and improve competitiveness.

OSHA’s Safe + Sound Week is a nationwide campaign to raise awareness and understanding of the value of proactive occupational safety and health (OSH) programs in all workplaces. Safe + Sound is a year-round campaign to encourage every workplace to have a safety and health program.

Why Is Safety Important?

Traditional approaches to finding and fixing workplace hazards are often reactive. Actions are taken only after a worker is injured or becomes sick, a new standard or regulation is published, or an outside inspection finds a problem that must be fixed. Finding and fixing hazards using a proactive approach, before they cause injury or illness, is far more effective.

OSHA Flyer: 10 Ways to get Your Program Started (PDF)
Workplaces are always evolving as new technologies, processes, materials, and workers are introduced. By adopting a systematic approach, businesses can stay on top of emerging hazards that could lead to injury or illness. Discover 10 ways to get started your Safe and Sound program started:
https://www.osha.gov/safeandsound/docs/SHP_10-Ways-to-Get-Started.pdf

.A safety and health program is a proactive way to manage hazards in the workplace to prevent injuries and illnesses. Several program models are available for employers to follow, including OSHA’s Recommended Practices for Safety and Health Programs , NSC’s Journey to Safety Excellence, ANSI Z-10, or international standards such as ISO 45001.

Safety and health programs help businesses:

• Prevent workplace injuries and illnesses
• Improve compliance with laws and regulations
• Reduce costs, including significant reductions in workers’ compensation premiums
• Engage workers
• Enhance social responsibility goals
• Increase productivity and enhance overall business operations

Why Participate in Safe + Sound Week?
Safe workplaces are sound businesses. Successful safety and health programs can proactively identify and manage workplace hazards before they cause injury or illness, improving sustainability and the bottom line. Participating in Safe + Sound Week can help get your program started or energize an existing one.

Who Is Encouraged to Participate Safe + Sound Week?
Organizations of any size or in any industry looking for an opportunity to show their commitment to safety to workers, customers, the public, or supply chain partners should participate.

How to Participate in Safe + Sound Week
Participating in Safe + Sound Week is easy. To get started, select the activities you would like to do at your workplace. You can host an event just for your workers or host a public event to engage your community. Examples of potential activities and tools to help you plan and promote your events are available. After you’ve completed your events, you can download a certificate and web badge to recognize your organization and your workers.

Need more inspiration? Watch a webinar to get ideas from organizations that participated in last year’s event.

OSHA Outreach Training provides instruction and training on the recognition, avoidance, abatement, and prevention of workplace hazards. The OSHA Training Program also provides an overview of OSHA, regarding workers’ rights, employer responsibilities, and how to file a complaint.

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Why is Health and Safety Training Important?

Aside from the obvious benefit of keeping employees safe, healthy, and productive – along with meeting the OSHA workplace safety standards – health and safety training makes financial sense for employers because:

• Every dollar spent on proper health and safety programs can save a business $4 to $6! ^[1]
• With less work-related illnesses and injuries, employers see significant savings on absenteeism and workers’ compensation insurance. ^[2]
• According to one study by California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA), businesses inspected by OSHA “saved an estimated $355,000 in injury claims and compensation paid for lost work” in the four years after inspections. ^[3]
• Businesses that meet OSHA’s standards avoid inspection violations and possible fines.

Employer Reasons for a Workplace Health and Safety Program

Here are a few reasons why you should give strong consideration to a health and safety training program:

• All Workplaces Have an Element of Risk – From manually handling packages to driving heavy machinery, there are different levels of exposure to risk and illness.
• Increases Staff Productivity – Employees in many ways are like customers, treat them well and they stay, treat them well and they feel valued and treat your customers well in turn.
• Reduces Frequency of Compensation Claim or Lawsuit – It only takes one serious injury to bring a worker’s compensation claim or lawsuit. Safety training can diminish the frequency.
  
• Enhances Company Image Positively – Workers want to know what they stand to gain from a company in regards their benefits and salaries, but they also want to know your plan for their health and safety.
• Reduces Costs – Apart from the cost that will be accrued by litigation costs, fines and compensation payments, actual injuries and incidents can rack up direct costs in, medical expenses such as ambulance, hospital, and doctors’ fees, medication, and rehabilitation. There could even be increases in insurance premiums as a result. Likewise, indirect costs could include disrupted work schedules, lost productivity, clean-up and repair, hiring and training replacement workers, bad publicity, time spent on accident investigation and claims management.

As an employer, don’t think health and safety training is expensive and wasteful. Health and safety training educates your workers to work safely and motivates them to be more productive… which is a profit in itself.

Additional Resources – Ebooks

Employer Rights and Responsibilities Following an OSHA Inspection
(OSHA 3000 – 2018) (English: EPUB MOBI PDF Add to Cart)
(OSHA 3195 – 2018) (Spanish: EPUB MOBI PDF Add to Cart)

Fall Prevention: Training Guide – A Lesson Plan for Employers
(OSHA 3666 – 2014) (English: EPUB MOBI PDF)
(OSHA 3727 – 2014) (Spanish: EPUB MOBI PDF)

Fire Service Features of Buildings and Fire Protection Systems
Explains how fire service operations can be influenced by different building features and offers considerations for design professionals that can help facilitate these operations. The manual includes chapters and narratives on building and site design, sprinkler systems, standpipe systems, fire department connections, fire alarm and communications systems, as well as various firefighting systems.
(OSHA 3256 – 2015) (English: EPUB MOBI PDF)

General Industry Digest
(OSHA 2201 – 2015) (English: EPUB MOBI PDF)

Hazard Communication: Small Entity Compliance Guide for Employers That Use Hazardous Chemicals
(OSHA 3695 – 2014) (English: EPUB MOBI PDF)

Ladder Safety: Falling Off Ladders Can Kill: Use Them Safely
(OSHA 3625 – 2015) (English: EPUB MOBI PDF)
(OSHA 3625 – 2015) (Spanish: EPUB MOBI PDF)

Nail Gun Safety: A Guide for Construction Contractors
(OSHA 3459 – 2011) (English: EPUB MOBI PDF)
(OSHA 3505 – 2012) (Spanish: EPUB MOBI PDF Add to Cart)

Nail Salon Workers: Stay Healthy and Safe While Giving Manicures and Pedicures
(OSHA 3542 – 2012) (English: EPUB MOBI PDF Add to Cart)
(OSHA 3559 – 2013) (Korean: EPUB MOBI PDF Add to Cart)
(OSHA 3560 – 2012) (Spanish: EPUB MOBI PDF Add to Cart)
(OSHA 3558 – 2012) (Vietnamese: EPUB MOBI PDF Add to Cart)

Poultry: Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Poultry Processing (Updated Guidelines)
(OSHA 3213 – 2013) (English: EPUB MOBI PDF Add to Cart)
(OSHA 3749 – 2014) (Spanish: EPUB MOBI PDF Add to Cart)

Respiratory Protection: NIOSH/OSHA/CDC Hospital Respiratory Protection Program Toolkit
(OSHA 3767 – 2015) (English: DOC EPUB MOBI PDF)

Training Requirements in OSHA Standards
(OSHA 2254 – 2015) (English: EPUB MOBI PDF)

Tree Care Work Hazards – Hazard Bulletin
(OSHA HB 3731 – 2014) (English: EPUB HTML MOBI PDF Add to Cart)
(OSHA HB 3740 – 2014) (Spanish: EPUB HTML MOBI PDF Add to Cart)

Workplace Violence: Guidelines for Preventing Workplace Violence for Healthcare and Social Service Workers
(OSHA 3148 – 2016) (English: EPUB MOBI PDF)

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Workplace Rights

You have the right under U.S. health and safety laws to:

• A workplace that is safe and free of recognized hazards
• Talk to your supervisor about unsafe or unhealthy working conditions
• File a complaint with OSHA about unsafe or unhealthy conditions
• Refuse to do a job task that you reasonably think might put you in immediate danger
• Know about the hazards in your workplace
• Not to be discriminated against (fired, given a worse job, etc.) for reporting safety hazards (“Whistleblower Protection”)
• Access to records of medical tests and tests that monitor your work environment for hazardous materials
• Access to information about injuries and illnesses that happen in your workplace

OSHA – Workers’ Rights Booklet

(OSHA 3021 – 2016) (English: PDF | Spanish: PDF)

This booklet explains workers’ rights to:

• File a confidential complaint with OSHA to have their workplace inspected.
• Receive information and training about hazards, methods to prevent harm, and the OSHA standards that apply to their workplace. The training must be done in a language and vocabulary workers can understand.
• Review records of work-related injuries and illnesses that occur in their workplace.
• Receive copies of the results from tests and monitoring done to find and measure hazards in the workplace.
• Get copies of their workplace medical records.
• Participate in an OSHA inspection and speak in private with the inspector.
• File a complaint with OSHA if they have been retaliated against by their employer as the result of requesting an inspection or using any of their other rights under the OSH Act.
• File a complaint if punished or retaliated against for acting as a “whistleblower” under the additional 21 federal statutes for which OSHA has jurisdiction.

Read more about your safety and health rights at work:

• Your OSHA Rights “In a Nutshell”
• When to Call OSHA: Calling OSHA isn’t the best action in every circumstance involving potential job hazards-this guide tells you when it makes sense to call for an OSHA inspection.
• How to File a Complaint with OSHA
• The OSHA Inspection: A Step-by-Step guide to how it works.
• Accident/Incident Investigation: Materials and tools to teach you to effectively investigate an incident
• What to do after an OSHA Inspection–how to ensure good follow-up and protect your rights.
• Using the General Duty Clause: The OSH Act states that the employer has a general duty to provide a safe and healthy workplace. Here’s a guide to using this clause to protect your health and safety in circumstances not covered specifically by OSHA standards.
• Protection from Retaliation:Protection for “Whistleblowers”
• OSHA Rights of Temporary and Contract Workers
• OSHA Rights and Laws relating to Young Workers
• Basic Worker Health & Safety Rights Under OSHA, NLRB and Other Agencies

Factors contributing to falls from ladders include haste, sudden movement, lack of attention, the condition of the ladder (worn or damaged), the user’s age or physical condition, or both, and the user’s footwear.

Ladder Safety Month

The American Ladder Institute (ALI) has declared March as National Ladder Safety Month. ALI, a not-for-profit ladder association of ladder industry leaders dedicated to promoting safe ladder use, with representation and support from U.S. ladder manufacturers and their suppliers, created National Ladder Safety Month to heighten awareness and promote the safe use of ladders by homeowners and working professionals.

March is the ideal time to highlight and encourage ladder safety because it coincides with Spring home improvement projects and the beginning of the construction season. National Ladder Safety Month heightens awareness, reinforces safety training, and educates homeowners and working professionals.

Why is ladder safety important?

In the U.S. workplace:

• 50 workers are injured each day – due to ladder related incidents.
• 3 workers are killed every week – due to ladder related incidents.
• Ladders have ranked 7th on OSHA’s annual “Top 10” list of most cited violations over the past few years.
• Ladders are just as dangerous away from the workplace.

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OSHA Ladder Safety Requirements

The OSHA Standard for portable ladders contains specific requirements designed to ensure worker safety:

Loads

• Self-supporting (foldout) and non-self-supporting (leaning) portable ladders must be able to support at least four times the maximum intended load, except extra-heavy-duty metal or plastic ladders, which must be able to sustain 3.3 times the maximum intended load.

Angle

• Non-self-supporting ladders, which must lean against a wall or other support, are to be positioned at such an angle that the horizontal distance from the top support to the foot of the ladder is about ¹⁄₄ the working length of the ladder.
• In the case of job-made wooden ladders, that angle should equal about ¹⁄₈ the working length. This minimizes the strain of the load on ladder joints that may not be as strong as on commercially manufactured ladders.

Rungs

• Ladder rungs, cleats, or steps must be parallel, level, and uniformly spaced when the ladder is in position for use. Rungs must be spaced between 10″-14″ inches apart.
• For extension trestle ladders, the spacing must be 8″-18″ inches for the base, and 6″-12″ inches on the extension section.
• Rungs must be so shaped that an employee’s foot cannot slide off, and must be skid-resistant.

Slipping

• Ladders are to be kept free of oil, grease, wet paint, and other slipping hazards.
• Wood ladders must not be coated with any opaque covering, except identification or warning labels on one face only of a side rail.

Other Requirements

• Foldout or stepladders must have a metal spreader or locking device to hold the front and back sections in an open position when in use.
• When two or more ladders are used to reach a work area, they must be offset with a landing or platform between the ladders.
• The area around the top and bottom of ladder must be kept clear.
• Ladders must not be tied or fastened together to provide longer sections, unless they are specifically designed for such use.
• Never use a ladder for any purpose other than the one for which it was designed.

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Workplace Safety Rights

Know Your Rights! Every worker has the right to a safe workplace under the OSH Act. Under federal law, you are entitled to a safe workplace. Your employer must provide a workplace free of known health and safety hazards. If you have concerns, you have the right to speak up about them without fear of retaliation.

You have the right under U.S. health and safety laws to:

• A workplace that is safe and free of recognized hazards
• Talk to your supervisor about unsafe or unhealthy working conditions
• File a complaint with OSHA about unsafe or unhealthy conditions
• Refuse to do a job task that you reasonably think might put you in immediate danger
• Know about the hazards in your workplace
• Not to be discriminated against (fired, given a worse job, etc.) for reporting safety hazards (“Whistleblower Protection”)
• Access to records of medical tests and tests that monitor your work environment for hazardous materials
• Access to information about injuries and illnesses that happen in your workplace

OSHA – Workers’ Rights Booklet

(OSHA 3021 – 2016) (English: PDF | Spanish: PDF)

This booklet explains workers’ rights to:

• File a confidential complaint with OSHA to have their workplace inspected.
• Receive information and training about hazards, methods to prevent harm, and the OSHA standards that apply to their workplace. The training must be done in a language and vocabulary workers can understand.
• Review records of work-related injuries and illnesses that occur in their workplace.
• Receive copies of the results from tests and monitoring done to find and measure hazards in the workplace.
• Get copies of their workplace medical records.
• Participate in an OSHA inspection and speak in private with the inspector.
• File a complaint with OSHA if they have been retaliated against by their employer as the result of requesting an inspection or using any of their other rights under the OSH Act.
• File a complaint if punished or retaliated against for acting as a “whistleblower” under the additional 21 federal statutes for which OSHA has jurisdiction.

 Read more about Ladder Safety and Your Worker Safety Rights:

Safety training, industry special events, and downloadable materials are available on the  LadderSafetyMonth.com website.

• 29 CFR 1926 Subpart X, Ladders. OSHA Standard.
  • 1926.1053, Ladders
    • 1926.1053(a), General

• Your OSHA Rights “In a Nutshell”
• When to Call OSHA: Calling OSHA isn’t the best action in every circumstance involving potential job hazards-this guide tells you when it makes sense to call for an OSHA inspection.
• How to File a Complaint with OSHA
• The OSHA Inspection: A Step-by-Step guide to how it works.
• Accident/Incident Investigation: Materials and tools to teach you to effectively investigate an incident
• What to do after an OSHA Inspection–how to ensure good follow-up and protect your rights.
• Using the General Duty Clause: The OSH Act states that the employer has a general duty to provide a safe and healthy workplace. Here’s a guide to using this clause to protect your health and safety in circumstances not covered specifically by OSHA standards.
• Protection from Retaliation:Protection for “Whistleblowers”
• OSHA Rights of Temporary and Contract Workers
• OSHA Rights and Laws relating to Young Workers
• Basic Worker Health & Safety Rights Under OSHA, NLRB and Other Agencies

Employers may find that implementing recommended safety practices brings other benefits as well. The renewed or enhanced commitment to safety and health and the cooperative atmosphere between employers and workers have been linked to:

• Improvements in production and quality.
• Better employee morale.
• Improved employee recruiting and retention.
• A more favorable image and reputation (among customers, suppliers, and the community).

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Case Study: Ohio Worker Compensation Fell with SHARP Program Adoption

A study of small employers in Ohio found that workers’ compensation claims fell dramatically after working with OSHA’s SHARP program to adopt programs similar to those described in these recommended practices.

Source: Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (2011), Ohio 21(d) SHARP Program Performance Assessment.

Nine Easy Things To Get An Employer Safety Program Started

For many small businesses, establishing an injury and illness prevention program may seem daunting. Any program based on formal structures can be difficult to establish in a small organization because of tight budgets. Yet simple, low-cost approaches have been shown to be effective in small businesses.

If these recommended practices appear challenging, here are some simple steps you can take to get started. Completing these steps will give you a solid base from which to take on some of the more structured actions presented in the recommended practices.

1. Always Set Safety And Health As The Top Priority
   Tell your workers that making sure they finish the day and go home safely is the way you do business. Assure them that you will work with them to find and fix any hazards that could injure them or make them sick.
2. Lead By Example
   Practice safe behaviors yourself and make safety part of your daily conversations with workers.
3. Implement A Reporting System
   Develop and communicate a simple procedure for workers to report any injuries, illnesses, incidents (including near misses/close calls), hazards, or safety and health concerns without fear of retaliation. Include an option for reporting hazards or concerns anonymously.
4. Provide Training
   Train workers on how to identify and control hazards with OSHA Outreach 10-hour or 30-hour Training.
5. Conduct Inspections
   Inspect the job site with workers and ask them to identify any activity, piece of equipment, or material that concerns them. Use checklists and other resources, such as OSHA’s Construction Industry Digest, to help identify problems.
6. Collect Hazard Control Ideas
   Talk with workers about ideas on safety improvements throughout the project.
7. Implement Hazard Controls
   Assign workers the task of choosing, implementing, and evaluating the solutions.
8. Address Emergencies
   Identify foreseeable emergency scenarios and develop instructions on what to do in each case. Meet to discuss these procedures and post them in a visiblelocation at the job site.
9. Make Improvements
   Set aside a regular time to discuss safety and health issues, with the goal of identifying ways to improve the program.

More Information:

OSHA: Recommended Practices for Safety & Health Programs in Construction (PDF 40 pps)

Every type of forklift is designed to move heavy objects or containers, but there are many different forklift models that can be categorized based on their power, size and methods of operation.

Electric forklifts are a quiet, environmentally friendly means of handling a wide range of unit loads including pallets, pallet boxes and stillages, giving a company a comprehensive choice for any application.

National #Forklift Safety Day, observed on June 11 annually, serves as an opportunity for forklift manufacturers to highlight the safe use of forklifts, the importance of operator training and the need for daily equipment checks.

Do I Need Training to Drive a Forklift?

OSHA requires that every forklift operator be trained and certified to operate the powered industrial truck in the workplace, and that the operator’s performance be evaluated under the provisions of 1910.178(l)(3) every three years.

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• OSHA requires that every forklift operator be trained and certified to operate the powered industrial truck in the workplace, and that the operator’s performance be evaluated on the provisions of 1910.178(l)(3) every three years.
• Employers require workers to undergo mandatory training to obtain the necessary licenses and certifications.
• 1hr only $20
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A Forklift operator’s certificate is earned by all forklift operators, specifies the training that the operator received, advanced, specialist, refresher or basic. It also indicates the forklift type that the operator is certified to use, such as pallet truck, reach truck, etc., the rated capacity, the type of attachments and the motor power type.

OSHA Forklift – Powered Industrial Truck Regulations

Determining the best way to protect workers from injury largely depends on the type of truck operated and the worksite where it is being used. Employers must ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation specified in 29 CFR 1910.178(l)(1).

Powered industrial trucks are addressed in specific OSHA standards for the general industry, construction, marine terminals, and longshoring.

It is a violation of Federal law for anyone UNDER 18 years of age to operate a forklift or for anyone OVER 18 years of age who is not properly trained and certified to do so. Download the OSHA Sticker.

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Hazards of Battery Powered Forklifts

Battery-powered or electric forklifts produce zero emissions, virtually eliminate the hazard of carbon monoxide poisoning, and run more quietly than internal combustion forklifts. However, electric forklifts present other serious hazards that must be addressed.

Potential hazards of electric forklifts are that they are powered by large lead-acid batteries, which must be routinely charged. Likewise, a safety area must be designated for the purpose of battery changing and charging.

Other hazards involve making sure that the forklift is charged before using and recognizing that heavy loads drain the battery more quickly.

Charging and Changing Batteries in Electric Forklifts

Only trained personnel should charge and change batteries in electric forklifts. In addition to training in battery changing and charging procedures, these employees should be trained on emergency procedures in the event of an acid splash, including how to use eyewash and shower facilities.

Potential Hazards:

• Batteries are very heavy.
• Batteries contain sulfuric acid that is highly corrosive and could be splashed on personnel servicing or changing batteries.
• Toward the end of the battery charging process, batteries can give off highly explosive hydrogen fumes.
• Contact with battery cells can cause electrical short circuits, which can burn unprotected skin.

Requirements and Recommended Practices. Always follow your facility’s specific safety procedures. Follow the recharger manufacturer’s recommendations for attaching and removing cables and for proper operation of your equipment. OSHA has a list of regulations that outline safety procedures.

Forklift Training Required by Employers

Most warehouse and factory owners are safety conscious, which is why they require their employees to undergo mandatory training to obtain the necessary licenses and certifications. Employees are encouraged to be trained in forklift operation, general equipment management and safety procedures.

Forklift operation training includes driving lessons. License acquisition as a rule involves filing of required papers as well as a hands-on road test. Licenses are issued to employees 18 years or older. Employers frequently assist workers in obtaining any applicable licenses for work.

Additional Forklift – Powered Industrial Truck Resources

• OSHA eTool: Battery Powered Industrial Trucks

Training

• Powered Industrial Trucks. OSHA. Includes downloadable outreach training materials for the powered industrial truck operator training standard.
• National Agriculture (Ag) Safety Database
  • Forklifts and Pallet Jacks. Includes summaries of regulations and evaluations of accidents involving forklifts.
  • Forklifts and Pallet Jacks. Lists video abstracts that are relevant to agricultural safety.
• Forklift Safety Guide. Washington State Department of Labor and Industries. Provides resources and regulations for truck operator safety.
• How to Use the Hazardous Materials Regulations CFR 49 Parts 100 to 185. U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Provides a simple overview of the complex, hazardous materials regulations.
• Fact Sheet No. 2: Preventing Injury Related to Powered Industrial Trucks with Effective Training. OSHA and the NSC Alliance, (August 2011). The Alliance participants developed a fact sheet addressing effective training of powered industrial truck operators, including tips on what employers can do to help protect workers.
• Training Requirements. U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Defines a HAZMAT employee as someone who works for a HAZMAT employer and directly affects HAZMAT transportation safety, including:An owner-operator of a motor vehicle that transports HAZMAT; a person (including a self-employed person) who:
  • Loads, unloads, or handles HAZMAT;
  • Tests, reconditions, repairs, modifies, marks, or otherwise represents packagings as qualified for use in the transportation of HAZMAT;
  • Prepares HAZMAT for transportation;
  • Is responsible for safety of transporting HAZMAT; or
  • Operates a vehicle used to transport HAZMAT.

  HAZMAT employer means a company with employees involved in:

  • Transporting HAZMAT in commerce;
  • Causing HAZMAT to be transported or shipped in commerce; or
  • Representing, marking, certifying, selling, offering, reconditioning, testing, repairing, or modifying packagings as qualified for HAZMAT transportation.

  (The term “HAZMAT employer” also includes any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States, a State, a political subdivision of a State, or an Indian tribe engaged in offering or transporting HAZMAT in commerce.)

Note: To find additional material, perform a search using the keywords “forklift safety” or “forklift training” with any search engine to find private companies that provide forklift safety training services, including videos, written programs, operation training, and more.

Other Resources

• Industrial Truck Association (ITA)
  • Operator Training
  • Engineering & Standards
  • Resources. Provides links to other trade associations that serve the material handling industry.
• Saddle Creek Corporation Provides Forklift and Golf Cart Drivers with Eye Protection. OSHA Success Story. Discusses Saddle Creek Corporation’s (a warehouse and logistics company) implementation of a formal eye-protection program for its forklift and golf cart operators.

Key Forklift Terms: forklift training,forklift safety training,forklift osha training,powered industrial trucks, powered industrial truck training, pit training, warehouse forklift training, construction forklift training, battery powered forklift, battery powered forklift hazards.

Fatigue affects everyone at some time. Fatigue in the workplace decreases performance and increases the risk of accidents, injuries, and loss of life. Fatigue can be the result of insufficient sleep, prolonged physical or mental activity, and/or disruption of sleep because of irregular shift work.

Fatigued workers experience confusion, delayed reactions, and even fall asleep during their shifts. However, by taking some easy steps towards managing fatigue in the workplace – employers can save millions and even improve the quality of life for all employees.

What is fatigue?

Fatigue is a state of feeling very tired, exhausted, weary, or sleepy. Fatigue results from a lack of sleep and can be heightened from prolonged mental activity or long periods of stress or anxiety. Boring or repetitive tasks can also intensify feelings of fatigue.

Studies indicate that the risk of making mistakes at work increases significantly if workers sleep for less than the average (7.5–8.5 hours) or are awake for more than 17 consecutive hours. The effects of fatigue can reduce a worker’s:

• Ability to make decisions
• Ability to do complex planning
• Communication skills
• Productivity and performance
• Attention
• Ability to handle stress
• Reaction time
• Ability to recall details
• Ability to respond to changes in surroundings or information provided

Causes of fatigue

Fatigue is caused primarily by long hours of being awake. Other causes include extended shifts, shift rotations (days and nights), and irregular or disrupted sleep. Workplace factors, such as the following, can also increase feelings of fatigue:

• High temperatures
• High noise levels
• Dim lighting or poor visibility
• Work tasks that are long, repetitive, paced, difficult, boring, or monotonous

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OSHA fatigue policy

While there is no specific OSHA policy on extended or unusual shifts, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) states that, “Any work over 40 hours in a 168 hour period is counted as overtime.” The FLSA applies to employees who work in interstate commerce, hospitals, schools, day workers, chauffeurs, cooks, housekeepers, and full-time babysitters.

Managing Fatigue

The National Safety Council’s paper “Managing Fatigue: Developing an Effective Fatigue Risk Management System” emphasizes that worker fatigue can have a negative impact on the workplace and can increase the risk of accidents and injuries at work.

According to the NSC, fatigued worker productivity costs employers $1,200 to $3,100 per employee annually. The risks for those who drive as part of their work are significant too – drivers are three times more likely to be in a crash if they are fatigued. Chronic sleep-deprivation can also lead to depression, obesity, cardiovascular disease and other illnesses.

Tips for getting a better sleep

People need at least 7.5 to 8.5 hours of sleep a day. Studies have found that most night-shift workers get less sleep per week than those who work day shifts. The quality of sleep during the day is not the same as during the night.

Here are some guidelines for improving quality of sleep:

• Go to bed and get up at the same time every day.
• Turn out the light immediately when going to bed.
• Don’t read or watch television in bed.
• Make your room as dark and quiet as possible.
• Some people sleep better in a cool room.
• Establish regular eating times.
• Avoid caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol, especially before bedtime.
• Exercise regularly.

Additional Resources

• United States Department of Labor: Minimum Paid Rest Period Requirements Under State Law for Adult Employees in Private Sector
• Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) — the FAA has produced a Fatigue Management Toolbox.
• United States Coast Guard (USCG) — Crew Endurance Management Systems
• National Response Team — Guidance for Managing Worker Fatigue During Disaster Operations
• American Petroleum Institute (API) — Fatigue Risk Management System
• International Petroleum Industry Environmental Conservation Association (IPIECA) — Managing Fatigue in the Oil and Gas Industry
• American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) — Fatigue Risk Management in the Workplace

 

Falls are a hazard found in many work settings. The highest counts of nonfatal fall injuries continue to be associated with the health services and the wholesale and retail industries. Particularly at risk of fall injuries are those working in:

• Healthcare support
• Building cleaning and maintenance
• Transportation and material moving
• Construction and extraction occupations

Why is it important to prevent falls?

Preventing falls can mean the difference between life and death. Hundreds of workers die from falls each year. Employers must set up the work place to prevent employees from falling off of overhead platforms, elevated work stations, or into holes in the floor and walls. You can prevent such deaths by planning to get the job done safely, providing the right fall protection equipment, and training all workers to use the equipment safely.

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• Many construction workers perform tasks at a height that requires protection from fall hazards.
• Having a serious injury or death occur at work affects everyone at a worksite.
• A fall can occur in a split second without any time for the worker to react.

What is a Safety Stand-Down?

A Safety Stand-Down is a voluntary event for employers to talk directly to employees about safety. Any workplace can hold a stand-down by taking a break to focus on “Fall Hazards” and reinforcing the importance of “Fall Prevention”. Employers of companies not exposed to fall hazards, can also use this opportunity to have a conversation with employees about the other job hazards they face, protective methods, and the company’s safety policies and goals. It can also be an opportunity for employees to talk to management about fall and other job hazards they see.

Construction’s “Fatal Four”

Out of 4,674 worker fatalities in private industry in calendar year 2017, 971 or 20.7% were in construction — that is, one in five worker deaths last year were in construction. The leading causes of private sector worker deaths (excluding highway collisions) in the construction industry were falls, followed by struck by object, electrocution, and caught-in/between.

These “Fatal Four” were responsible for more than half (59.9%) the construction worker deaths in 2017, BLS reports.

• Falls – 381 out of 971 total deaths in construction in CY 2017 (39.2%)
• Struck by Object – 80 (8.2%)
• Electrocutions – 71 (7.3%)
• Caught-in/between* – 50 (5.1%)
  (*This category includes construction workers killed when caught-in or compressed by equipment or objects, and struck, caught, or crushed in collapsing structure, equipment, or material)

What is a National Fall Prevention Stand-Down?

National Fall Prevention Stand-Down raises fall hazard awareness across the country in an effort to stop fall fatalities and injuries.

A Safety Stand-Down is a voluntary event for employers to talk directly to employees about safety. Any workplace can hold a stand-down by taking a break to focus on “Fall Hazards” and reinforcing the importance of “Fall Prevention”. It’s an opportunity for employers to have a conversation with employees about hazards, protective methods, and the company’s safety policies and goals. It can also be an opportunity for employees to talk to management about fall hazards they see.

U.S. DOL – Falling Off Ladders Can Kill: Use Them Safely

• English and Spanish (PDF): View

What can be done to reduce falls?

Employers must set up the work place to prevent employees from falling off of overhead platforms, elevated work stations or into holes in the floor and walls. OSHA requires that fall protection be provided at elevations of four feet in general industry workplaces, five feet in shipyards, six feet in the construction industry and eight feet in longshoring operations. In addition, OSHA requires that fall protection be provided when working over dangerous equipment and machinery, regardless of the fall distance.

To prevent employees from being injured from falls, employers must:

• Guard every floor hole into which a worker can accidentally walk (using a railing and toe-board or a floor hole cover).
• Provide a guard rail and toe-board around every elevated open sided platform, floor or runway.
• Regardless of height, if a worker can fall into or onto dangerous machines or equipment (such as a vat of acid or a conveyor belt) employers must provide guardrails and toe-boards to prevent workers from falling and getting injured.
• Other means of fall protection that may be required on certain jobs include safety harness and line, safety nets, stair railings and hand rails.

OSHA requires employers to:

• Provide working conditions that are free of known dangers.
• Keep floors in work areas in a clean and, so far as possible, a dry condition.
• Select and provide required personal protective equipment at no cost to workers.
• Train workers about job hazards in a language that they can understand.

How do I find out about employer responsibilities and workers’ rights?

Workers have a right to a safe workplace. The law requires employers to provide their employees with safe and healthful workplaces. The OSHA law also prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for exercising their rights under the law (including the right to raise a health and safety concern or report an injury). For more information see www.whistleblowers.gov or Workers’ rights under the OSH Act.

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If you think your job is unsafe or if you have questions, contact OSHA at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742). Your contact will be kept confidential. We can help. For other valuable worker protection information, such as Workers’ Rights, Employer Responsibilities, and other services OSHA offers, visit OSHA’s Workers’ page.

OSHA – Fall Prevention Training Employer Guide

• English (24pps PDF): Fall Prevention Training Guide, which includes a lesson plan for employers and several toolbox talks.

NIOSH Ladder Safety App

The Ladder Safety App, NIOSH’s first mobile application, is designed to improve extension and step ladder safety — a concern for those working in construction or any other task that requires ladder use.

Download for free at Apple Store and Google Play available in English and Spanish.

Additional Fall Prevention Resources

• DOL Fall Prevention Training Guide, which includes a lesson plan for employers and several toolbox talks.
• A 40-second video titled 5 Ways to Prevent Workplace Falls, along with other videos on fall hazards from skylights, bridge decking, fixed scaffolds and floor openings, among others.
• Fact sheets on the safe use of ladders and scaffolding.

Take a moment this week to honor their and their families’ sacrifice. Think about safety on the job and work safely and smart.

This Workers Memorial Day, strive for an end to unnecessary injuries and deaths of fellow workers. Push for increased protections for all workers. Report safety hazards in the workplace and hold management accountable to fix them.

See a list of Workers Memorial Day Events near you at the AFL-CIO Website.

Workers’ Memorial Day is also the day OSHA was established in 1971. Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their workers. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance.

Each year, thousands of workers are killed and millions more suffer injury or illness because of their jobs. Workplace fatalities are on the rise again.

Things You Can Do during this Workers Memorial Day

• Demonstrate safety awareness!
• Be alert for safety issues – not only on Workers Memorial Day but every day. Speak up about a hazard and stay on it until the hazard is abated.
• Identify broken and damaged equipment.
• Hold a moment of silence with your co-workers when you all clock-in to honor all those injured or who have lost their lives at work.
• Join a local union safety committee.

The annual Workers Memorial Day serves as a nationwide day of remembrance. It recognizes the thousands of U.S. workers who die each year on the job and the more than 1 million people in the U.S. who are injured each year at work.

Workers Memorial Day Materials

•  Poster English | Spanish
•  Flier English | Spanish
• Sticker Art
• Workers Memorial Day Toolkit

Additional hazards include working with heavy machinery; manual handling of materials; working in proximity to traffic; electrical hazards from overhead and underground power-lines; and underground utilities, such as natural gas.

Regular safety training on trench and excavation hazards helps reinforce the importance of using trench protective systems and provides workers with the most current information about excavation requirements and safety procedures for working in trenches.

Trench and Excavation Hazards

Generally speaking, an excavation is a hole in the ground as the result of removing material. A trench is an excavation in which the depth exceeds (is bigger than) the width. Soil analysis is important in order to determine appropriate sloping, benching, and shoring.

Working in trenches and excavations is hazardous to both the workers who work inside them, and to workers on the surface. The hazards include:

• Cave-ins or collapses that can trap workers.
• Equipment or excavated soil falling on workers (e.g., equipment operated or soil/debris stored too close to the excavation).
• Falling into the trench or excavation.
• Flooding or water accumulation.
• Exposure to a hazardous atmosphere (e.g., gas, vapour, dust, or lack of oxygen).
• Contact with buried service lines such as electrical, natural gas, water, sewage, telecommunications, etc.
• Contact with overhead electrical lines.
• Slips, trips and falls as workers climb on and off equipment, or from inappropriate access and egress methods.
• Being struck by moving machinery, or by falling or flying objects.
• Hazards related to materials handling (e.g., lifting, struck by, crushed between, etc.).

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Trenching and Excavations – OSHA Guidance

OSHA provides the construction industry and others with guidance on trenching and excavations. Trenching standards require protective systems on trenches deeper than 5 feet, and soil and other materials kept at least 2 feet from the edge of trench. An e-tool covering safety procedures is available here.

OSHA revised Subpart P, Excavations, of 29 CFR 1926.650, 29 CFR 1926.651, and 29 CFR 1926.652 to make the standard easier to understand, permit the use of performance criteria where possible, and provide construction employers with options when classifying soil and selecting employee protection methods.

Trench Fatality Spotlight

Missouri citations highlight importance of vigilance in preventing trench cave-ins, protecting workers.

Blue Springs, Mo. – A month after a 33-year-old worker died while working in an unprotected trench, OSHA inspectors found another employee of the same Missouri plumbing contractor working in a similarly unprotected trench at another job site.

OSHA determined that, in both cases, Arrow Plumbing LLC of Blue Springs failed to provide basic safeguards to prevent trench collapse and did not train its employees to recognize and avoid cave-in and other hazards.

OSHA found similar violations at both work sites, and they included the company’s failure to install a support system to protect employees in an approximate 12-foot-deep trench from caving-in; training workers on how to identify hazards in trenching and excavation work, and providing a ladder at all times so employees could leave a trench.

Overall, OSHA cited Arrow Plumbing for six willful and eight serious violations of workplace safety standards and proposed $714,142 in penalties.

Reference: OSHA News Release – Number: 17-825-KAN – June 19, 2017

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Trench Safety Stand Down

A Safety Stand Down presents the opportunity for employers to talk directly to employees and others about safety. This particular Stand Down will focus on trench and excavation hazards to reinforce the importance of using trench protective systems and protecting workers from trenching hazards.

The goal of the Stand Down is to reach out to the many workers who work in and around trenches and excavations to provide them with information about current excavation requirements and safety procedures for working in trenches. By reaching as many workers as possible we can reduce the number of fatalities and serious injuries that occur each year in the industry, and make others, such as municipal and industry workers who are also exposed, aware of these serious hazards.

Trench Fatalities Increasing

Trench-related fatalities have been on the rise in recent years. There were 30 trench fatalities in 2016 and 21 in 2017. (Note: These are reported on a calendar year basis, while OSHA reports them on a federal fiscal year — October through September — basis.)

Additional Trench Safety Resources

• NUCA’s Trench Safety Stand Down
• Trenching and Excavation Safety. OSHA Publication 2226. Highlights key elements of the standards and describes safe work practices that can protect workers from cave-ins and other hazards.
• Trenching and Excavation Safety. OSHA Fact Sheet. A Spanish version is also available.
• Working Safely in Trenches. OSHA QuickCard. A Spanish version is also available.
• Do Not Enter an Unprotected Trench!. OSHA Poster. A Spanish version is also available.

OSHA

• OSHA Standard
• OSHA Topic Page
• OSHA Publication (2226)
• OSHA Construction eTool
• OSHA Fact Sheet
• Excavations in Construction (OSHA video in English and Spanish)
• Oregon OSHA

NIOSH Publications

• Preventing Worker Deaths from Trench Cave-ins
  DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2011-180
  Workers are at risk of death from cave-ins during trenching and excavation activities. NIOSH recommends engineering controls, protective equipment, and safe work practices to minimize hazards for workers.
• Preventing Injuries When Working with Hydraulic Excavators and Backhoe Loaders
  DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2004-107
  En Español
  Workers who operate or work near hydraulic excavators and backhoe loaders are at risk of being struck by the machine or its components or by excavator buckets that detach from the excavator stick. NIOSH recommends that injuries and deaths be prevented through training, proper installation and maintenance, work practices, and personal protective equipment.
• Trench Safety Awareness Web-based training
  DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2006-133D
  This Web-based training exercise contains material on conducting a safe trenching operation. Topics include the four types of trench collapse, the frequency and cost of trench collapses, trench soil types, and common trench protective systems.
• Occupational Fatalities During Trenching and Excavation Work – United States, 1992–2001
  Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report: April 23, 2004 / 53(15);311-314
  Summary analysis of occupational fatality records and investigative reports which indicate 76% of trenching and excavation deaths were caused by cave-ins and 47% of deaths occur among employees of companies with <10 workers.
• Preventing Deaths and Injuries From Excavation Cave-Ins: NIOSH Alert
  DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 85-110
  Presents four case studies of worker deaths in trench cave-ins, as well as recommended work practices, overview of standards, more…
• NIOSH Update: Trench Cave-ins
  DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 93-110
  Briefly describes worker deaths from trench cave-ins and provides recommendations for prevention. Summary of NIOSH Alert 85-110.
• Development of Draft Construction Safety Standards for Excavations
  DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 83-103 (Volumes I & II)

OSHA 10-hour or 30-hour training programs are in-depth certification courses, created by OSHA and administered by government authorized trainers. The 10-hour class is intended to provide workers with awareness of common job-related safety and health hazards, while the 30-hour class is more appropriate for supervisors or workers with some safety responsibility.

Is OSHA training required in your state? Take a look at the specific requirements for your state.

OSHA 10-hour Construction Curriculum

The mandatory curriculum must include an introduction to OSHA, personal protective equipment and lifesaving equipment, health hazards in construction and the “focus four hazards” which are falls, electrocution, struck by, and caught in/or between. The elective topics include cranes, excavations, material handling, scaffolds, stairways, ladders, hand and power tools, and one hour of optional material covering industry hazards or an expansion on required topics.

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OSHA 30-hour Construction Curriculum

The mandatory curriculum must mirror that of the 10-hour construction curriculum but the time required is increased. The elective topics are expanded in the 30-hour training to 12 hours and they may include safety information about concrete and masonry construction, confined space entry, ergonomics, excavations, fire protection, motor vehicle safety, powered industrial vehicles, safety and health programs, steel erection, welding and cutting, foundations for safety leadership, and 3 hours of optional material covering industry hazards, policies, and an expansion on required topics.

States that require 10hr/30hr OSHA Outreach training:

Connecticut, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and West Virginia

Connecticut

• All employees who perform work on any public building project paid for in whole or part by state funding, or any of its agencies, where the total cost is over $100,000. This law went into effect in 2007.
• Each contractor needs to furnish proof that all employees have taken the OSHA 10 hour Construction Course within 30 days of being awarded the contract. Employees who have not completed the course are subject to removal from the worksite.
• The OSHA 10 hour Construction Course must also be retaken every 5 years.

Reference: Connecticut General Statutes – Section 31‐53b – Construction Safety

Missouri

• Missouri Construction Safety Training Act requires all contractors and subcontractors who enter into contracts with public bodies for construction of public works to train their on-site employees regarding the potential hazards they may encounter. The law went into effect in 2009.
• Any employee found on a work site subject to this section without documentation of the successful completion of an OSHA 10 Hour course shall be afforded 20 days to produce such documentation before being subject to removal from the project.
• It is also the employer’s responsibility to make sure all their employees have their certification card and turn in proof to the contracting agency before the job starts. The employer can be fined for allowing an employee onsite who does not have a valid OSHA 10 hour certification card.

References:

• Missouri Statutes – Chapter 292 – Health and Safety of Employees | Section §292.675
• Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations – Required Construction Training

Massachusetts

• All employees to be employed at a worksite needs to complete the OSHA 10 hour construction course before beginning work on the worksite. The law went into effect in 2004.
• Any employee found on a worksite subject to this section without documentation of successful completion of the OSHA 10 hour course shall be subject to immediate removal.
• The Massachusetts law specifically says “at least 10 hours” – so an OSHA 30 hour construction course would also enable the worker to meet these requirements.
• It is also the employer’s responsibility to make sure all their employees have their certification card and turn in proof to the contracting agency before the job starts. The employer can be fined for allowing an employee onsite who does not have a valid OSHA10 hour certification card.
• The OSHA 10 hour Construction Course must also be retaken every 5 years.

Reference:  Massachusetts General Laws – Chapter 30: Section 39S

New Hampshire

• Any person who signs a contract to work on a construction, reconstruction, alteration, remodeling, installation, demolition, maintenance, or repair of any public work or building by a state agency or municipality with a total project cost of $100,000 or more. The law went into effect in 2007.
• Employees who fail to obtain their OSHA 10 Hour Card after 15 days of starting work, will be removed from the jobsite.
• Employers can face penalties up to $2,500 and a civil penalty of $100 per employee for each day of noncompliance.

References:

• Title XXIII: Labor – Chapter 227 Safety and Health of Employees – 277:5-a Occupational Safety and Health Administration Certification;
• New Hampshire Department of Labor – Safety

New York

• New York State Labor Laws – Chapter 282 – Labor Law §220-h took effect on July 2008. All public works contracts for New York state and municipal construction jobs of $250,000 or more require certification that all employees performing work under the contract will have successfully completed an OSHA 10-hour construction course.
• New York City OSHA Laws – NYC Int. 790-A of Local Law 48 of 2008 requires all construction workers to complete an OSHA Outreach 10 hour course within the previous 5 calendar years.
• New York City OSHA Laws also requires all site supervisors complete an OSHA Outreach 30 hour training course.
• Renewal: Once you have completed OSHA 10 training for work on Article 8 public work projects, New York State does not require renewal. However, New York City does require renewal of the training every 5 years.
• By December 1, 2018, workers at job sites that require a Site Safety Plan (which includes sites that must designate a Construction Superintendent, Site Safety Coordinator or Site Safety Manager) and must receive a minimum of 40 hours of training. That means workers must have the OSHA 10 and 30 hours construction training.

Reference:  New York State – Department of Labor – OSHA 10 Information

Nevada

• All construction workers in the state to undergo a 10-hour safety training course (OSHA-
• 10) developed by the U.S. Labor Department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) at least once every five years. The training must be completed no more than 15 days of being hired.
• All supervisors on a construction site to undergo a 30-hour safety training course (OSHA-30) approved by OSHA at least once every five years. The training must be completed no more than 15 days of being hired.
• If an employee or supervisor does not gain 10 or 30-hour certification, then their employment must be terminated or suspended. Employers who fail to terminate or suspend employees are subject to administrative fines and penalties.

Reference: Nevada Assembly Bill No. 148 (PDF)

Pennsylvania – Philadelphia

• All workers directly performing construction or demolition activities for which permits have been issued are required to complete OSHA 10 safety training or an approved equivalent. (Philadelphia Code, Title 4, Subcode A, Section A – 1001.4). This requirement applies to all employees of licensed contractors (including plumbing, electrical, fire – suppression and warm – air contractors) AND State – registered Home Improvement Contractors. Workers will be required to furnish proof of required safety training to Department of Licenses and Inspections officials upon request.
• All contractors licensed under Section 9 – 1004 of the Philadelphia Code must employ at least one supervisory employee who has completed OSHA 30 safety training, or approved equivalent, within the past 5 years. (Philadelphia Code, Section 9 – 1004(4)(c.1)). Licensed plumbing, electrical, fire suppression, and warm – air contractors are not required to employ an OSHA 30 supervisory employee. Identification of a supervisory employee and proof of training will be required for all new Contractor License applications made after September 30, 2015 and for the renewal of all Contractor Licenses set to expire on or after March 31, 2016.

References:

• City of Philadelphia OSHA Safety Training Requirements (PDF)
• City of Philadelphia License and Inspections – Safety Training Info Sheet (PDF)

Rhode Island

• All workers who perform work on municipal and state construction projects with a total project cost of one $100,000 of more to OSHA10-hour certification. Workers are also to carry the card on their person at all times while work is actually being performed.
• Any employee required to complete the OSHA 10-hour construction safety program who has not completed the program will be subject to removal from the worksite, if the employee does not provide documentation of having completed such program by the 15th day after the date the employee is found to be in noncompliance.
• The state may also assess a civil penalty of up to $2,500; in addition, such an employer shall be assessed a civil penalty of $100 per employee for each day of noncompliance.

Reference: Rhode Island General Laws – Title 37. Public Property and Works – §37-23-1 Safety awareness program required. (PDF)

West Virginia

• All workers who perform work on a public project costing more than $50,000 or more, requires each employee onsite to have their OSHA 10 hour certification card.
• Any employee required to complete the OSHA 10-hour construction safety program who has not completed the program will be subject to removal from the worksite, if the employee does not provide documentation of having completed such program by the 21st day after the date the employee is found to be in noncompliance.
• The state may also assess a civil penalty of up to $1,000; in addition, such an employer shall be assessed a civil penalty of $100 per employee for each day of noncompliance.

Reference:  West Virginia Code – Chapter 21 Labor – Article 3. Safety and Welfare of Employees – §21-3-22. OSHA construction safety program.

• A lockout uses a lock to hold an energy isolation device in a safe position and prevents energy to flow to a machine or equipment.
• Tagout is when a tag is placed on a piece of equipment to indicate that the equipment being controlled may not be operated until the tagout device is removed.

OSHA Lockout/Tagout Regulation

The OSHA standard for The Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout), Title 29 Code of Federal Regulations ( CFR ) Part 1910.147, addresses the practices and procedures necessary to disable machinery or equipment, thereby preventing the release of hazardous energy while employees perform servicing and maintenance activities. The standard outlines measures for controlling hazardous energies—electrical, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, chemical, thermal, and other energy sources.

The lockout/tagout standard establishes the employer’s responsibility to protect employees from hazardous energy sources on machines and equipment during service and maintenance.

Hazardous Energy Types

When machines or equipment are being prepared for service or maintenance, the machines or equipment can contain “hazardous energy” that can cause harm to the service or maintenance person and other people in the area.

Hazardous energy, or any type of energy that can be released and might harm a person, can be one of the following types:

• Chemical
• Electrical
• Hydraulic
• Mechanical
• Pneumatic
• Thermal
• Other sources of energy

Six Steps of LOTO Safety & Lockout/Tagout Procedures

A lockout/tagout procedure should include the following six steps:

1. Preparation
2. Shutdown
3. Isolation
4. Lockout/tagout
5. Stored energy check
6. Isolation verification

Types of Lockout/Tagout Devices

There are a range of Lockout/Tagout products, including lockout devices and tagout devices which will secure hazardous energy sources:

• Lockout Cables with Hasps & Locks
• Lockout Group Boxes
• Lockout Kits & Stations
• Lockout Padlocks
• Lockout Plug Devices
• Lockout Tags
• Lockout/Tagout Signs & Posters

Additional  Lockout/Tagout Resources

• Federal OSHA
• Cal/OSHA
• Washington State OSHA

Lockout/Tagout Publications

• Safeguarding Equipment and Protecting Employees from Amputations (OSHA 3170-02R 2007) – Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
• Control of Hazardous Energy Lockout/Tagout – OSHA 3120 – 2002 (revised) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
• Guidelines for Controlling Hazardous Energy During Maintenance and Servicing DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No 83-125 – National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• NIOSH Alert: Preventing Worker Deaths from Uncontrolled Release of Electrical, Mechanical , and Other Types of Hazardous Energy DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No 99-110 – National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Lockout & Tagout – Oregon OSHA’s Guide to Controlling Hazardous Energy The Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services Occupational Safety and Health Division
• Lockout/Tagout Hazardous Energy Control and Machine Safeguarding Public Education Section – Department of Business and Consumer Business Oregon