OSHA Related

Crystalline Silica, Meeting Related, OSHA Related

November’s Meeting

The meeting will be held at New England Institute of Technology (NEIT) 2490 Post Road, Warwick, RI 2nd Floor Hall of Fame Room from 8AM-10AM. Continental breakfast served at 7:30 AM. Hope to see you there.

From Bob Kunz:

Team SAFER,

We hope that you weathered  the high winds without incident last night – I had to dodge a few branches and trash cans on the way to the office.

We have a great line-up for the November meeting, as follows:

  1. Introduction
  2. Jane’s Wellness tip for the month
  3. OSHA Silica Standard 29 CFR 1926.1153 Update
    1. On Oct 19, 2017 OSHA issued interim compliance directive – see link: https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=31349
    2. OSHA ID142 – Know what to expect – see link: https://www.osha.gov/dts/sltc/methods/inorganic/id142/id142.pdf
    3. Objective data (OD) – many power tool manufacturers are providing OD – but does it meet the standard? And, how do you apply it?
    4. Sweeping compound
  4. Brain Injury Association of RI
  5. Lesson Learned
    1. Cranes and the FAA

 

OSHA Related

Guardian Issues SRL Inspection Notice

IMPORTANT – stop use and inspect –
Potential Cable Fraying / Bird-Caging –
Halo & Edge Cable Self-Retracting Lifelines (SRLs)

This is not a product recall.

This notice applies only to the Guardian SRL part #s listed herein, and only for products manufactured from January 1st, 2015 through March, 2017. A small number of these units have shown an increased potential for cable fraying at the swage and/or cable bird-caging. If these conditions are present, Guardian will repair affected units at no charge. This notice does not apply to new/unused units.

See complete notice here: Guardian Cable SRL Inspection Bulletin May 2017

 

Meeting Related, OSHA Related

January’s Meeting Announcement

From Bob Kunz – “Team SAFER,

The next meeting is January 4, 2017 7:30 am – 10:00 am at NEIT’s 2nd Floor -Hall of Fame Room, 2480 Post Road, Warwick, RI.

Save the date – get the new year off on the right (or left) foot by celebrating with your colleagues.  There is lots to speak about, including:

  • The CPWR Foundations for Safety Leadership program
    • OSHA 500/502 trainers will now be trained to deliver this wonderful program, effective January 1, 2017.
    • Safety leadership is not an innate trait, but rather a trained set of skills
    • This “free” program will provide your organization with the opportunity for improvement that you strive for…..
    • Visit CPWR.com for more information.
  • The CPWR Safety Climate Assessment Tool (S-CAT)
  • OSHA Recordkeeping

Wishing you a happy, healthy and safe Hanukkah, Merry Christmas and New Year”.

Meeting Related, OSHA Related

November’s Meeting Announcement

From Bob Kunz:

“Team SAFER,

SAFER November 2, 2016 7:30 am – 10:00 am New England Institute for Technology (NEIT) 2500 Post Road, Warwick, RI Room CT 235

The November meeting is located room CT 235 (NOT the Hall of Fame Room).  Is your employer working on a multi-employer worksite (NOT limited to a construction worksite)?  If they are, your employer may be considered to be controlling, correcting, exposing or creating?  Why does this matter, you ask – join us Wednesday to learn more about OSHA CPL 2-0.124 Multi-Employer Citation Policy .

Here are some additional resources that you may find informative:

  1. OSHA Field Operations Manual  CPL 02-00-160 FOM – see Chapter VII Section 3 paragraph 3-19
  2. American Bar Association white paper entitled, FOUR BIRDS WITH ONE STONE? ISSUES IN MULTI-EMPLOYER WORKSITE
  3. US Court of Appeals Eight Circuit 07-2191 Summit Contractors vs. OSHRC

Please RSVP to Bob Kunz at bkunz@dimeo.com if you would like to attend.  Please ensure that SAFER is in subject line”.

OSHA Related

Cut-Off Saw Safety Stand Down Scheduled Sep 13, 2016

From Tim S. Irving, Assistant Regional Administrator/Cooperative and State Programs, US DOL/OSHA

The next safety stand down for Region I is scheduled for Tuesday, September 13, 2016 and will cover working with Cut Off Saws which will be beneficial to the Construction and Landscaping industries which frequently use these tools.  The “Cut-It-Out” Region I Stand Down is being presented as a direct result of local accidents involving Cut-Off Saws resulting in severe injuries, including amputations and in at least one case a fatality.   The material provided and format is similar to other recent Regional Stand Downs where the foreman or supervisor can utilize the training materials as a tool box talk.   I am requesting you to forward this email and attachments to your distribution list within the Construction and Landscaping industries, although other may apply, request their participation and encourage them to complete the course evaluation after the training has been completed.

OSHA Region I
Date: Tuesday, September 13, 2016
Time: Start anytime between 7:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Duration: Expected between 30 minutes and one hour depending on location size
Location: Buildings, landscaping projects and construction sites throughout New England
Sponsor: OSHA Region I – Cooperative and State Programs
Contact: Timothy S. Irving, Assistant Regional Administrator 617-565-9807

Peter Barletta, Compliance Assistance Specialist 617-565-6924

OSHA Region I Cooperative and State Programs and the Area Offices are working with our State Partners, Alliances, Partnerships, Voluntary Protection Programs and SHARP companies have scheduled a Safety Awareness for Cut-Off Saws Training “Cut-it-Out” Day on Tuesday, September 13, 2016, starting anytime between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.

Mission Description: During the allotted time frame of the “Cut-it-out,” each participating company will designate an individual to provide a group safety training component involving employees on their project/location. In addition, the company will review its site and identify hazards related to Cut-Off Saws which could be reduced through engineering controls or PPE. Participating organizations will be asked to document training and inspections via their own internal attendance sheets and complete a course evaluation to assist in determining of the effectiveness of this event. Please coordinate the totals for your facility/location or site and have one course evaluation completed per facility/location or site:  ­­­ https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GLM8JY3

Information Provided: Working Safer and Smarter with Power Cut-Off Saws booklet by High Performance Diamond Technology, Cut-Off Saw Safety Tool Box Talk by WorkSafe.  Concrete Construction Magazine Safety Article reprint – http://www.concreteconstruction.net/products/general-construction-equipment/safety-with-saws_o , and OSHA Letter of Interpretation are provided electronically and will be posted on the Safety Training and Inspection Days – New England Facebook page two weeks prior to training date.  The material provided is recommended but are not required to be used.   In addition, links to other educational videos and training sites are attached; AGC Cut-Off saw safety Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXuHDiUPGCI , Cut-Off Machine Safety, Maintenance and Operation  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1eWNI9v5mz0 .  Special thanks to AGC America, www.WorkSafeCenter.com, www.concreteconstruction.net  and High Performance Diamond Technology Ltd.

Concrete Construction Mag Art Cut It Out Evaluation Flyer and introduction Cut it out Jul16 draft OSHA LIO Cut off Saw Tool Box Cut Off Saw Working Safer Power Cut-Off Saws Booklet

OSHA Related

New OSHA Injury and Illness Recordkeeping e-filing Requirements

From Bob Kunz:

Team,

Several members have inquired about the new OSHA injury and Illness recordkeeping e-filing requirements.  Please see this link to resource page:  https://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/finalrule/index.html and this Q&A information (new e-filing requirements): https://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/finalrule/finalrule_faq.html provided by OSHA.

I would encourage you to review OSHA 29 CFR 1904 to ensure that you are current on the recordkeeping standard requirement – see link: https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owasrch.search_form?p_doc_type=STANDARDS&p_toc_level=1&p_keyvalue=1904.  If you have multiple locations, you may want to review: https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9652  (recordkeeping for construction projects with duration of one year or longer may separate from other establishments for recordkeeping purposes) and the definitions: https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=12790 .

Here is an additional link to frequently asked questions (29 CFR 1904): https://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/entryfaq.html .

I have heard wonderful comments about the recordkeeping course provided as part of the OSHA Region 1 OTI at Keene State College – see link to website and training schedule: http://oshaedne.com/ .

If you have any questions, please contact Ed Conway at OSHA or my office.

Have a healthy and safe Summer 2016.

Electrical, Meeting Related, OSHA Related

June’s Meeting Announcement

From Bob Kunz: Team SAFER,

Are you ready for the weekend?  Any weekend warriors out there?  If yes, please use ladders and hand and power tools properly, utilize personal fall arrest (or restraint) when exposed to fall hazards, keep 10’ away from overhead power lines (call National Grid to coordinate outage, and wear PPE when exposed to noise, flying objects, chemicals, etc.

If you are driving a motor vehicle, wear your seat belt, do not drink and drive, pull over if you are fatigued, stay out of left lane, except to pass, adhere to speed limit, etc. This weekend, local and state police have special enforcement activities including checkpoints.

The next meeting is June 1, 2016 from 8-10 am. Please RSVP to bkunz@dimeo.com with SAFER in subject line.

The main topic is NFPA 70E.

The agenda for the June meeting follows:

Lessons learned from Ken Mastrullo, Principal Consultant at MES Consulting Service Inc.  Ken has worked for NFPA and OSHA and has a plethora of information related to this topic.  At NFPA, Ken was a Senior Electrical Specialist and served as the Secretary to NFPA 70E, etc.  Ken has also served as the Electrical Technical Expert for OSHA-Region 1.

The following information is provided by the NFPA:  http://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/document-information-pages?mode=code&code=70e

Here is a trade magazine article:  http://www.ishn.com/articles/101319-how-osha-will-enforce-nfpa-70e-2015

And OSHA interpretations: https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=24617 ; https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=interpretations&p_id=25540 ; https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=25557 .

Meeting Related, OSHA Related

May Meeting Announcement

May’s meeting is May 4, 2016 from 8 to 10am at the New England Institute of Technology, 2500 Post Road, Warwick, RI.

The main topic is Mobile Elevating Work Platforms (MEWP) Safety

There is little question that MEWP’s have and will continue to improve worker productivity as access to elevated work space can be immediate.  That being said, the use of MEWP’s does require planning, training, evaluation, and operation by competent person, for example.  The absence of anyone of these critical elements can result in mishap – see link to examples:  OSHA Aerial Lift Accident Search Results .

This month, Mike Flanagan, New England Territory Sales Manager for Terex, will speak to the group about MEWP’s, specifically, Genie products.

For example, consistent with OSHA interpretation dated April 20, 2012, Genie has provided guidance on how elevated basket can be used as anchor or restraint point.

Join the Building SAFER in RI for an interactive round table discussion on this subject and more, and to enjoy calories and coffee with your fellow safety professionals.