OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration. It was created in 1970 to protect the rights and safety of the workers. Its responsibilities are to encourage employees and employers to reduce workplace hazards, improve existing safety, and monitor job related injuries and illnesses.

Fire Extinguishers

Portable fire extinguishers suitable to the conditions and hazards involved must be provided and maintained to ensure good operating condition No worker should travel more than 50ft to an extinguisher Extinguishers must not be obstructed and in plain sight Maintenance must be done on extinguishers once a year and said maintenance documented on the tag along with the recharge date Workers must be trained on the proper use of extinguishers in their yearly safety training.

PPE (Personal Protective Equiptment)

Proper PPE, including shields and barriers, must be provided, used and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition. (if wearing it would have prevented the injury, it should have been worn) Where employees furnish their own PPE, the employer is responsible to assure its adequacy and to ensure that the equipment is properly maintained All PPE must meet ANSI-Z standards.

Employee Rights

Representation during investigation and ability to make complaints during investigation Know of cited violations Report unsafe or unhealthy conditions without repercussion Access to OSHA standards and company health and safety statistics Represented on safety committee

Exit Requirements

All buildings designed to house human occupancy must have sufficient exits to permit prompt escape No worker should travel more than 150ft to a fire exit There must be at least two means of exit if one of the primary exits are blocked due to fire or smoke Exits must discharge into a street or open space that give safe access to a public way All exits must be marked and visible: Illuminated Distinctive in color and contrast surroundings The work EXIT must be easy to read with letters no less than six (6) inches

Posting Requirements

As an employer or a supervisor, you are required to report those work-related injuries or illnesses that result in: Death Loss of consciousness Days away from work Restricted work activity or job transfer Medical treatment beyond first aid Posting Requirements OSHA 300 Report Federal/state employee rights OSHA inspection violations

Confined Space Entry

Confined spaces typically have: Limited openings for entry and exits Unsafe ventilation May contain toxic or flammable gases Unsafe oxygen content Potential for entrapment or suffocation Confined spaces that pose a great danger or threat are designated "Permit Required Entry" OSHA estimates that 400 workers die per year in confined space accidents and that up to 60% of confined space entry deaths involve untrained rescue personnel, entering to retrieve down workers Confined spaces in the automotive service industry may include: Sumps and sand traps Hoppers/bins for blasting media Storage tanks Sewer pipes Exhaust ducts

LOTO (Lock Out Tag Out)

During shift work on repairs, lock/tag must be removed by the leaving shift and a new lock/tag replace by the coming shift In the auto repair industry the most common use of the lock/tag out is disconnecting the battery and tagging the terminal or the ignition

Hand Tools

Each employer is responsible for the safe condition of tools and equipment used by employees This includes tools and equipment that is purchased by the employees.

General Duty Clause

General Duty Clause states that - "Each employer shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees" This statement implies that new tools, equipment and practices, although not covered in the regulations, are covered under the General Duty Clause.

Supervisor Responsibilities

OSHA puts PRIMARY responsibility for compliance on the immediate supervisor of an employee Supervisor Responsibility Decrease OSHA complaints through responsive supervision and prompt investigation of complaints Make sure department is in OSHA compliance Document and post the OSHA 300 report annually This is a report that must be filled out for every work-related injury/illness

Violations

Serious Violation Substantial probability that death or serious injury will occur AND the employer knew or should have known of the hazard Citations up to $7,000 but may be discounted up to 95% based on: Good faith Past violations Business size Willful Violation Violation that the employer willingly and knowingly commits Knows they are not in compliance or that dangerous hazards exists Citations up to $70,000 w/ a minimum fine of $5,000 for each violation Citations may be discounted based on: Good faith Past violations Business size Willful Violation (cont'd) A death as a result of a willful violation can carry also a fine up to $250,000 for an individual and $500,000 for a corporation and imprisonment up to 6 months Deminimis Violations that have no direct effect to the safety and health of the employees These violations are documented, but not cited

Rights of Entry

State compliance officers are authorized by federal government to enter places of business to examine equiptment, materials, and procedures. Four (4) ways a compliance officer can enter the workplace: Courtesy - requested by the business, no fines if violation is correct in an allotted amount of time Periodic - arrival in a two (2) week window - immediate fines Complaint - worker complain, unannounced inspection - immediate fines Death or Hospitalization - happen to 3+ workers, inspection within 8 hours, immediate fines.