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Safety
Services Company
It
is estimated that America's Workplace injury and illness costs the economy
upwards of $120 Billion annually. Many american employers have very little
idea what the OSHA Standards require of them. Many contractors do not
maintain regular employee training or any of the required written
safety programs. OSHA does not come right out and mandate that
employers have a written Company Safety and Health Program, but if an
employer has all of the required written programs which ARE requred, he or
she would have a Safety
Manual. The first thing an OSHA Compliance Officer wants to see is Safety
Meetings and training records, and if you have Spanish speaking
employees, the Compliance Officer wants to see Spanish training records
and written programs. OSHA says, "If it is not documented, as far as
OSHA is concerned, it was not done."
Here is a basic outline of OSHA requirements (as dictacted in Subpart C (§1926.20)
- see This
Link from OSHA:
Accident
Prevention Responsibilities – It shall be the responsibility
of the employer to initiate and maintain such
programs as necessary to comply with OSHA Requirements.
1.
Such programs shall provide for frequent and regular inspections of the
job sites and equipment to be made by competent persons designated by the
employers.
2. The use of any machinery, tool, material, or equipment which is not in
compliance with any applicable OSHA Standard is prohibited. Such tool,
machine, material, or equipment shall either be identified as unsafe by
tagging, or locking the controls to render them inoperable, or shall be
physically removed from its place of operation.
3. The employer shall permit only those employees qualified by training or
experience to operate equipment and machinery.
Safety
Training and Education – The employer should avail himself of
(or utilize) the safety and health training programs that OSHA provides
(referred to as non-mandatory guidelines) for the education and training
of employers and employees in the recognition, avoidance and prevention of
unsafe conditions in employments covered by the act.
1.
The employer shall instruct each employee in the recognition and avoidance
of unsafe conditions and the regulations applicable to his workplace to
control or eliminate hazards or exposure to illness or injury.
2. Employees required to handle or use poisons, caustics, and other
harmful substances shall be instructed regarding the safe handling and
use, and be made aware of the potential hazards, personal hygiene, and
personal protective measures required.
3. In job site areas where harmful plants or animals are present,
employees who may be exposed shall be instructed regarding potential
hazards, how to avoid injury, and the first aid procedures to use if
injured.
4. Employees required to handle or use flammable liquids, gases, or toxic
materials shall be instructed in the safe handling and use of these
materials and made aware of the specific requirements.
5. All employees required to enter into confined spaces shall be
instructed as to the nature of the hazards involved, the necessary
precautions to be taken, and in the use of protective and emergency
equipment required.
First-Aid
and Medical Attention – First aid services and provisions for
medical care shall be made available by the employer for every employee.
Regulations prescribing specific requirements for first aid, medical
attention, and emergency facilities are contained in their own section.
Fire Protection and Prevention – The employer shall be responsible for
the development and maintenance of an effective fire protection and
prevention program at the job site throughout all phases of the
construction, repair, alteration, or demolition work. The employer shall
ensure the availability of the fire protection and suppression equipment
required.
Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE) – The employer
is responsible for requiring the wearing of appropriate personal
protective equipment in all operations where there is an exposure to
hazardous conditions.
This
is a basic outline for OSHA requirements, this article is by no means a
comprehensive list. The best thing you can do is get a Health
and Safety Program. Our company provides a complete
array of Safety Services for many types of companies, our products are
comprehensive and low-priced. For more information, please go to our
website : safetyservicescompany.com
All
information in this article comes from the July 2007 Safety Sam
Newsletter, which can be found Here.
We offer this newsletter
free of charge every month. The
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