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MIOSHA Goals for FY 2014-2018
Strategic Goal #1: Help assure improved workplace safety and health for all workers, as evidenced by fewer hazards, reduced
exposures, and fewer injuries, illnesses and fatalities.
1.1
Reduce by 15% the rate of worker injuries and
illnesses in high-hazard industries:
• Beverage & Tobacco Product Mfg. (312)
• Primary Metal Mfg. (331)
• Fabricated Metal Product Mfg. (332)
• Machinery Mfg. (333)
• Transportation Equipment Mfg. (336)
• Support Activities for Transportation (488)
• Warehousing and Storage (493)
• Hospitals (622)
• Nursing & Residential Care Facilities (623)
• Accommodations (721)
1.3 Reduce the number of worker injuries, illnesses and
fatalities in construction by focusing attention and
resources on the most prevalent types of workplace
injuries and illnesses.
1.2 Reduce by 15% the rate of worker injuries, illnesses,
and fatalities in workplaces experiencing high rates or
with targeted hazards or exposures not covered by
Emphasis 1.1.
1.3B Reduce injuries and illnesses in the construction
industry by 1% a year over the five years (5% total for five
years).
1.3A Decrease fatalities in the construction industry
(NAICS 23) by 2% a year (10% total for 5 years) by
focusing on the four leading causes of fatalities:
• Falls
• Electrocutions
• Struck-by
• Crushed-by/caught-between
Strategic Goal #2: Promote employer and worker awareness of, commitment to, and involvement with safety and health to
effect positive change in the workplace culture.
2.1 Promote safety and health management systems (SHMS) during 100% of
MIOSHA visits. Evaluate the SHMS during MIOSHA visits. Sixty percent
(60%) of the employers in general industry that receive a subsequent MIOSHA
visit will have a fully implemented SHMS or will have improved their SHMS.
SHMSs will be promoted during all MIOSHA visits. General industry and construction
establishments that are subject to a MIOSHA visit (programmed/comprehensive
inspection or consultation hazard survey) will have a SHMS evaluation.
2.2 Increase awareness of and
participation in the MIOSHA
Training Institute (MTI).
Increase Level 2 certificate holders
by 10% each year by marketing the
MTI to targeted groups.
2.3 Increase participation in MIOSHA cooperative programs.
The following cooperative programs will increase participation by 15 new MVPP awards/10 renewals; 10 new MSHARP
awards/10 renewals; 30 new CET Awards (Silver, Gold, & Certificate of Recognition); initiate 5 new Michigan Challenge
Programs; 5 new Alliances/10 renewals, and 5 new Partnerships.
2.4 Communicate the benefits of workplace safety and health through initiatives and communication with employers and
employees.
Strategic Goal #3: Strengthen public confidence through continued excellence in the development and delivery of MIOSHA’s
programs and services.
3.1 Foster a culture of integrity, inclusion, teamwork, and
excellence to strengthen confidence in the delivery of
MIOSHA services.
3.1A Internal. Implement strategies that nurture collaboration
among all MIOSHA team members to enhance effective
communication and staff development.
3.1B External. Ninety-five percent (95%) of employers and
workers who provide customer service feedback rate their overall
MIOSHA intervention(s) as useful in identifying and correcting
workplace safety and health hazards.
3.3A Identify and assess information technology (IT) related
needs within the agency and make recommendations to
improve technology use and incorporation into the agency
processes.
3.3B Assess options to provide new and better ways to deliver
MIOSHA information and services to the public and other
agencies through the use of information technology such
as the Internet and mobile technologies and make
appropriate recommendations to agency administration
and staff to implement the improvements.
3.2 Respond effectively to legal mandates so that
workers are provided full protection under the
MIOSH Act and improve MIOSHA selected
services.
3.2A Respond to 97% of complaints within 10 working
days of receipt by MIOSHA.
3.2B Ensure that 95% of non-contested cases have
abatement complete within 60 workdays of last
abatement due date.
3.2C Respond to 95% of all Freedom of Information Act
requests within 5 days.
3.2D Establish a priority and a deadline for all standards
assigned promulgation. Promulgate 100% of standards
required by OSHA within six months and 80% of the
other standards within deadlines established by an
annual standards promulgation plan.
3.4 Connect MIOSHA to industry by increasing
collaboration and communication to create collective
ownership for workplace safety and health.
The 10 commandments of workplace safety
1. Always be responsible for the safety of yourself and others.
2. Always remember all accidents are preventable.
3. Always follow company rules, regulations and procedures.
4. Always assess the risks, Stop and think.
5. Always be proactive about safety.
6. Always deter from situations you’re not trained to handle.
7. Always manage the lift.
8. Always Be prepared.
9. Always practice good housekeeping.
10. Always take the safest path, never take shortcuts.
Complete article can be found at http://www.safetyrisk.net/the-10-commandments-of-workplace-safety/
Follow these Top 10 Workplace Safety Tips:
1. Design a safe work area. Safety should be planned into your work areas from the start. How machines are
positioned, where materials are staged, how product flows from one process to the next. Designing the work
area with safety as a primary concern will result in a safe, efficient and productive workplace.
2. Maintain a clean work area. The most productive work areas are clean, neat and organized. Not only will you
remove many hazards from a work area by keeping it clean, but you will also provide a more productive work
environment for your employees.
3. Involve your employees in the safety planning. There is no one on your staff who knows more about the
potential dangers on your production floor than the employees themselves. Get their input and follow their
suggestions to engineer safety into their work areas instead of relying upon personal protection equipment to
safeguard their health.
4. Provide clear work instructions. Make sure your employees know precisely what you expect of them by
providing thorough training and clear, written instructions. Although they should be made aware of safety
concerns, an effective safety program extends well beyond a list of things not to do. When you document your
work processes, make sure that you include basic safety instructions that each worker reads and acknowledges.
5. Focus your safety efforts on the most likely problems. The most frequent safety violations are not the most
catastrophic, they’re typically those that are smaller but more likely to occur. Strained backs from using poor
lifting techniques or refusing to use lift assist equipment; Cuts from exposed edges or poorly shielded
equipment; Injuries that would have been prevented if the employee were wearing their personal protection
equipment. Although it’s necessary to plan for major safety concerns, your greatest impact will come from
eliminating the small safety violations that contribute the most frequent injuries.
6. Encourage your employees to bring safety deficiencies to management’s attention. Safety is everyone’s
concern and your employees should be actively encouraged to bring any type of safety concern to
management’s attention. Then it’s your responsibility to act on their concerns and eliminate the safety
deficiency. If you don’t, you’ll lose the trust of your employees and incur potentially severe liabilities. In the
long run, it’s cheaper to fix safety problems than to ignore them.
7. Watch and learn how each employee performs their job. Even though you may have documented proper
procedures for each work station, different workers may perform even the same job with undocumented
variations. Watch how your employees perform their jobs to see if they’re following procedures, if they’re
taking shortcuts that could reduce safety, and even to learn if they’re performing tasks in an improved manner
that should be adopted by other operators.
8. Maintain all machinery in good working order. As your machines age and wear, your operators may make
modifications of their own to maintain productivity. As the business owner, it’s your responsibility to ensure
that you have a routine maintenance program in place so that your machines perform as well as they can and as
safely as they can.
9. Avoid unnecessary hazards. Check your workplace frequently with a discerning eye to identify any new
equipment or materials that could pose a potential safety hazard. Identify any changes and evaluate them for
potential safety concern.
10. Revisit your safety guidelines every year. Nothing stays the same in your workplace. Your staff changes,
your machines age or are replaced with new machines, and your plant layout may even change. Every change
means that your previous safety guidelines may not be sufficient anymore and need to be revisited and
modified to reflect your changing environment.
Complete article can be found at http://talentalley.com/2010/02/16/top-10-workplace-safety-tips/
Five Minute Safety Talk No.23
"Safe Work Habits"
CONSULTATION EDUCATION & TRAINING DIVISION
A nineteenth century author wrote, "Habit is the deepest law of human nature."
Most of us would probably agree with that. Humans are quite often influenced by habit.
Habit and job safety are closely related. If you form safe work habits, it's a big plus for safety.
A national publication recently listed eight of the most common human elements involved in job safety. All are
associated with habits, to some degree.
Recognition of hazards was one of the elements mentioned. By constantly being on the lookout for hazards, you
enhance your own safety. In watching for hazards you must consider not just the obvious ones, but also hazards
which might suddenly appear through some action of another employee or chain of unusual circumstances.
Indifference was another of the human elements listed. An individual might know the correct procedures for
doing his or her particular job, and just ignore them. Or there might be persons who don't know safety
procedures and just leave it at that, rather than finding out what they are.
Daring behavior is another obvious human element that can lead to a job accident. Working without guards and
taking shortcuts are examples of daredevil tactics. Horseplay is in the same category.
Setting a poor example also can lead to trouble. The actions of all of us have an influence on the safetymindedness of other workers, particularly newcomers. If a veteran employee is involved in an unsafe act of the
job, a new worker might observe it and be swayed to adopt the same practice.
Another weak link in the chain of safety is someone who is impulsive or always in a hurry. Haste is a trait that
often leads to accidents.
We are using our time foolishly if we don't take time to be safe. Temper falls into the same category, as it
usually flares up on the job in the form of impatience.
Training, or lack of it, is also a safety factor. The supervisor is responsible for training an employee to do a job
safely. However, as employees, we have to be responsible enough to ask questions if we don't understand
instructions, or are in doubt about procedures. Also, it's very basic to safety that hazardous situations be called to
the attention of the supervisor.
One of the eight human elements listed by the author was work habits. 0f course, that is really the point of our
talk.
We do our jobs from day to day, and in the process, good work habits are formed. But so are unsafe habits,
unless we make an effort to break them. Some habits good or bad, are formed early in the job, while others
develop naturally as time goes on.
A person might incorporate unsafe habits into the job and continue them for a long time before a mishap occurs.
Other people might not be so fortunate. They could learn quickly how an unsafe act can catch up with them
unexpectedly. Gambling with the law of averages is a bad bet.
First and foremost, the purpose of all safety efforts is to prevent accidents and injuries to human beings. As
human beings, we all have the inclination to choose the easy method of doing something, or the fastest way to
do it, without regard to safety.
By doing things the correct way, we gradually form safe work habits that carry through into our daily work, and
this is one of the best safety devices available.
To request consultation education and training services, call: 517-322-1809.
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Consultation Education & Training Division
7150 Harris Drive, Box 30643
Lansing, MI 48909-8143
517-322-1809
MIOSHA-CET-23 (Rev. 1/04)
Small Business Handbook
Small Business Safety and
Health Management Series
OSHA 2209-02R 2005
Employers are responsible for providing a safe and
healthy workplace for their employees. OSHA’s role
is to promote the safety and health of America’s
working men and women by setting and enforcing
standards; providing training, outreach and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging
continual improvement in workplace safety and
health.
About this Handbook
This handbook is provided to owners, proprietors and managers of small businesses by the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA), an agency of the U.S. Department of
Labor. For additional copies of this publication,
write to the U.S. Government Printing Office,
(GPO), Superintendent of Documents, Mail Stop
SDE, 732 N. Capitol Street, NW, Washington, DC
20401, or call the OSHA Publications Office at (202)
693-1888, or fax (202) 693-2498 for ordering information. Please note that the entire text of the
Small Business Handbook is available on OSHA’s
website at http://www.osha.gov/Publications/
osha2209.pdf.
The handbook should help small business employers meet the legal requirements imposed by
the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (the
Act), and achieve an in-compliance status before an
OSHA inspection. An excellent resource to accompany this information is OSHA’s Safety and Health
Program Management Guidelines, (54 Federal
Register 3904-3916, January 26, 1989), also available on OSHA’s website.
This handbook is not a legal interpretation of the
provisions of the Act and does not place any additional requirements on employers or employees.
Employers cannot be cited under the General Duty
Clause in Section 5(a)(1) of the Act for failure to follow recommendations in this handbook.
The materials in this handbook are based upon
Federal OSHA standards and other requirements in
effect at the time of publication and upon generally
accepted principles and activities within the job
safety and health field. They should be useful to
small business owners or managers and can be
adapted easily to individual establishments.
It is important to point out that 24 states, Puerto
Rico and the Virgin Islands operate their own
OSHA-approved safety and health programs under
Section 18 of the Act. While the programs in these
State Plan States may differ in some respects from
Federal OSHA, this handbook can be used by
employers in any state because the standards
imposed by State Plan States must be at least as
effective as Federal OSHA standards. A list of
states that operate their own safety and health programs can be found on OSHA’s website at
www.osha.gov.
Material in this publication is in the public
domain and may be reproduced, fully or partially,
without permission. Source credit is requested but
not required.
This information will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request by voice
phone (202) 693-1999 or teletypewriter (TTY) (877)
889-5627.
Please Note: The small business employer seeking
information on procurement or contracting with the
Department of Labor or OSHA should contact the
Department of Labor’s Office of Small Business
Programs, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, Room C2318, Washington, DC 20210.
Small Business Handbook
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
U.S. Department of Labor
OSHA 2209-02R
2005
U.S. Department of Labor
www.osha.gov
Contents
PREFACE
Office of Small Business Assistance
Cooperative Programs
State Plans
Office of Training and Education
OSHA’s Website
Safety and Health Add Value
4
4
4
4
4
5
5
INTRODUCTION: The Value of a Safety and Health Management System
A Profit and Loss Statement
Developing a Profitable Strategy for Handling Occupational Safety and Health
6
6
6
A FOUR-POINT WORKPLACE PROGRAM: The Basis of a Plan
Using the Four-Point Program
MANAGEMENT COMMITMENT AND EMPLOYEE INVOLVEMENT
WORKSITE ANALYSIS
HAZARD PREVENTION AND CONTROL
TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES, SUPERVISORS AND MANAGERS
Documenting Your Activities
Safety and Health Recordkeeping
INJURY/ILLNESS RECORDS
EXPOSURE RECORDS AND OTHERS
8
8
8
9
9
10
11
11
11
12
STARTING A SAFETY AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: Creating a Plan
Decide to Start Now
Designating Responsibility
Ask for Help
Organize the Workplace
Start Gathering Specific Facts About Your Situation
Establish a Four-Point Safety and Health Program
Develop and Implement Your Action Plan
13
13
13
13
14
14
15
15
SELF-INSPECTION
Self-Inspection Scope
Self-Inspection Checklists
EMPLOYER POSTING
RECORDKEEPING
SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM
MEDICAL SERVICES AND FIRST AID
FIRE PROTECTION
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING
GENERAL WORK ENVIRONMENT
WALKWAYS
FLOOR AND WALL OPENINGS
STAIRS AND STAIRWAYS
ELEVATED SURFACES
EXITING OR EGRESS - EVACUATION
EXIT DOORS
PORTABLE LADDERS
HAND TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
PORTABLE (POWER OPERATED) TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
ABRASIVE WHEEL EQUIPMENT GRINDERS
POWDER-ACTUATED TOOLS
MACHINE GUARDING
LOCKOUT/TAGOUT PROCEDURES
WELDING, CUTTING AND BRAZING
COMPRESSORS AND COMPRESSED AIR
17
17
18
18
18
18
19
19
20
20
21
21
22
22
22
23
23
24
24
24
25
25
26
27
28
COMPRESSORS/AIR RECEIVERS
COMPRESSED GAS CYLINDERS
HOIST AND AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT
INDUSTRIAL TRUCKS - FORKLIFTS
SPRAYING OPERATIONS
ENTERING CONFINED SPACES
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS
FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS
HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL EXPOSURE
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES COMMUNICATION
ELECTRICAL
NOISE
FUELING
IDENTIFICATION OF PIPING SYSTEMS
MATERIALS HANDLING
TRANSPORTING EMPLOYEES AND MATERIALS
CONTROL OF HARMFUL SUBSTANCES BY VENTILATION
SANITIZING EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING
TIRE INFLATION
28
29
29
29
30
30
31
32
33
34
35
37
37
37
38
38
38
39
39
ASSISTANCE IN SAFETY AND HEALTH FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
OSHA Assistance
OSHA’S OFFICE OF SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
ON-SITE CONSULTATION
OTHER COOPERATIVE PROGRAMS
VOLUNTARY PROTECTION PROGRAMS (VPP)
OSHA STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM (OSPP)
OSHA ALLIANCE PROGRAM
States with Approved Plans
OSHA Publications
Other Sources of Assistance
VOLUNTARY PROTECTION PROGRAMS PARTICIPANTS’ ASSOCIATION (VPPPA)
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH (NIOSH)
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CARRIERS AND OTHER INSURANCE COMPANIES
TRADE ASSOCIATIONS AND EMPLOYER GROUPS
TRADE UNIONS AND EMPLOYEE GROUPS
THE NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL AND LOCAL CHAPTERS
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
SPECIFIC MEDICAL CONSULTATION
YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY
FINANCING WORKPLACE IMPROVEMENT
ADDITIONAL WEB PAGES OF INTEREST TO SMALL BUSINESSES
40
40
40
40
41
42
42
42
42
42
43
43
43
44
44
44
44
44
44
44
45
45
45
Appendix A: Overall Action Plan Worksheet
46
Appendix B: Model Policy Statements
48
Appendix C: Codes of Safe Practices
49
Appendix D: OSHA Job Safety and Health Standards, Regulations
and Requirements
50
Appendix E:
51
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA)
OSHA Regional Offices
OSHA’s Non-Retaliation Policy
52
inside back cover
4
PREFACE
American employers and workers want safe and
healthful places in which to work. They want
everyone on the job to go home whole and healthy
each day. Determined to make that dream possible, OSHA is committed to assuring – so far as possible – that every working man and woman in the
nation has safe and healthful working conditions.
OSHA believes that providing workers with a safe
workplace is central to their ability to enjoy health,
security and the opportunity to achieve the
American dream.
OSHA seeks to cut unnecessary rules, regulations and red tape. It is eliminating thousands of
pages of outdated regulations and continues to
rewrite standards in plain English. OSHA is paring
down its regulatory agenda so that it more accurately reflects realistic goals that best serve the
needs of American employers and employees.
Confronted by the realities and demands to
keep pace with the workforce and problems of the
future, OSHA is developing new strategies to
reduce occupational fatalities, injuries and illnesses. Coupled with strong, effective and fair enforcement, OSHA strives to provide improved outreach,
education and compliance assistance to America’s
employers and employees.
Office of Small Business Assistance
OSHA wants to provide quality service to our
small business customers. In October 2002, OSHA
created the Office of Small Business Assistance to
provide small business direction, to facilitate information sharing and to help in finding and achieving
regulatory compliance. The office also works to
educate small businesses on using up-to-date tools
and materials, and facilitates opportunities to comment on OSHA’s regulatory agenda. The Office of
Small Business Assistance maintains OSHA’s specialized small business web pages found at http://
www.osha.gov/dcsp/smallbusiness/index.html.
The Office of Small Business Assistance can be
contacted by telephone at (202) 693-2220 or by
writing to: Director, Office of Small Business
Assistance, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Room
N-3700, Washington, DC 20210.
Cooperative Programs
Years of experience show us that voluntary collaborative relationships between OSHA, the private
sector and other government entities lead to
improved safety and health. As a result, OSHA
continues to expand its cooperative programs
which currently include the free and confidential
Consultation Program, the Voluntary Protection
Programs, the Strategic Partnership Program and
OSHA’s newest addition, Alliances. For a more
detailed description of each of these programs,
please see pages 40- 42.
Small businesses are encouraged to investigate
the full array of cooperative programs offered by
OSHA. Participation can be on an individual company basis or through an industry association.
Detailed information on each program is also available on OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov, by contacting any OSHA office, or by calling (800) 321OSHA.
State Plans
OSHA has important partnerships with the 24
states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands that operate their own OSHA-approved safety and health
programs. State workplace safety and health programs frequently lead the way in developing innovative approaches to making America’s workplaces
safer and healthier.
States that operate their own worker safety and
health plans must provide worker protection that is
“at least as effective as” the Federal program.
However, because their standards and other procedures may vary, businesses should become familiar with their state regulations and agencies. See
OSHA’s website for a list of State Plan States.
Office of Training and Education
OSHA’s Office of Training and Education
provides training and instruction in all facets of
occupational safety and health. OSHA’s Training
Institute, located in Arlington Heights, IL, provides
training for OSHA compliance safety and health
officers as well as for the general public and safety
and health staff from other Federal agencies. In
addition to OSHA’s Training Institute, there are 32
additional education sites located throughout the
country. These OSHA education centers operate in
conjunction with universities, colleges and learning
centers to conduct OSHA courses for the private
sector and other Federal agencies, making safety
and health training and education more accessible
OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
5
to those who need it. There are tuition fees for private sector students. For more information about
OSHA’s Training Institute, OSHA’s education centers, or to obtain training catalogs with course
schedules, write the OSHA Training Institute, 2020
South Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL
60005 or call (847) 297-4810. The information is
also fully accessible on the Internet at
www.osha.gov.
OSHA’s Website
OSHA has made every effort to continuously
expand and improve its website. OSHA’s extensive
website provides employers and employees with
practical, easy-to-understand and up-to-date guidance on regulations, compliance assistance and
learning how to identify and control hazards. Each
OSHA cooperative program has individual web
pages describing program elements and highlighting successes of the participants. Several pages
are devoted to small business, technical links, news
items, publication lists and an inventory of compliance assistance tools, including expert advisors
and eTools. eTools are “stand-alone” interactive,
web-based training tools on occupational safety
and health topics. Regulations, standards, directives and interpretations relating to OSHA can be
found as well. There is a Spanish version of the
OSHA website, and many posters and some publications are also available in Spanish.
OSHA’s web pages include MyOSHA, which
allows users to create their own personalized
OSHA web page with customized content and
links. Quick Start is another tool on OSHA’s
Compliance Assistance web page that allows the
user to identify many of the major OSHA requirements and guidance materials that apply to their
individual workplaces or industry sectors.
Through its website, OSHA invites citizens to email questions that can be routed to appropriate
agency officials for response. Any communication
conducted via the “Contact Us” link on the OSHA
website is considered an informational exchange
rather than an official communication with the
Department of Labor. For an official response to a
question or concern, inquiries should be submitted
in writing.
If you would like to receive regular updates
from OSHA about new programs, tools, best practices and other useful information, subscribe to the
agency’s e-news memo, QuickTakes. QuickTakes is
issued twice monthly to subscribers and is always
available online. You can subscribe to OSHA’s
QuickTakes at www.osha.gov.
Safety and Health Add Value
Addressing safety and health issues in the workplace saves the employer money and adds value to
the business. Recent estimates place the business
costs associated with occupational injuries at close
to $170 billion–expenditures that come straight out
of company profits.
When workers stay whole and healthy, the
direct cost-savings to businesses include:
■ lower workers’ compensation insurance costs;
■ reduced medical expenditures;
■ smaller expenditures for return-to-work
programs;
■ fewer faulty products;
■ lower costs for job accommodations for
injured workers;
■ less money spent for overtime benefits.
Safety and health also make big reductions in
indirect costs, due to:
■ increased productivity;
■ higher quality products;
■ increased morale;
■ better labor/management relations;
■ reduced turnover;
■ better use of human resources.
Employees and their families benefit from
safety and health because:
■ their incomes are protected;
■ their family lives are not hindered by injury;
■ their stress is not increased.
Simply put, protecting people on the job is in
everyone’s best interest–our economy, our communities, our fellow workers and our families. Safety
and health add value to businesses, workplaces
and lives.
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration
6
INTRODUCTION: The Value of a Safety and Health Management System
A Profit and Loss Statement
Developing a Profitable Strategy for
Handling Occupational Safety and Health
As a small business owner, you are, by nature,
a risk taker. You wager your business acumen
against larger, perhaps more heavily financed corporate groups and other free-spirited, self-employed individuals like yourself. There is excitement
and challenge in such a venture, but to succeed
you need good management information, an ability
to be a good manager of people and the intelligence and inner strength to make the right decisions.
Thousands of workers die each year and many,
many more suffer injury or illness from conditions
at work. But how often does an owner or manager
like you actually see or even hear about work-related deaths, serious injuries or illnesses in the businesses with which you are familiar? How often has
your business actually sustained this type of loss?
In most small businesses, the answer is rarely.
For this reason, many owners or managers do not
understand why there is controversy about the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA), job safety and health standards, inspections, citations, etc.
But others have learned why. Unfortunately,
they have experienced a loss. These owner/managers will tell you that it is too late to do anything
once a serious accident happens. They have learned that prevention is the only real way to avoid this
loss.
Reducing losses is a goal that you as an owner
or manager share with us in OSHA. While we may
see this goal in a slightly different light, it remains
a common bond.
We have learned from small employers, like
you, that you place a high value on the well-being
of your employees. Like many small businesses,
you may employ family members and personal
acquaintances. And, if you don’t know your employees before they are hired, then chances are
that the very size of your workplace will promote
the closeness and concern for one another that
small businesses value.
Assuming that you are committed to safe and
healthful work practices, OSHA wants to work with
you to prevent all losses. We believe that, when you
make job safety and health a real part of your everyday operations, you will not lose in the long run.
Investing in safety and health activity now will better
enable you to avoid possible losses in the future.
Nobody wants accidents to happen in his or her
business. A serious fire, a permanent injury, or the
death of an employee or owner can cause the loss
of profit or even an entire business. To prevent
such losses, you don’t have to turn your business
upside down. You may not have to spend a lot of
money, either. You do need to use good business
sense and apply recognized prevention principles.
There are reasons why accidents happen.
Something goes wrong somewhere. It may take
some thought, and maybe the help of friends or
other trained people, to figure out what went
wrong, but an accident always has a cause–a reason why. Once you know why an accident happened, it is possible to prevent future incidents.
You need some basic facts and perhaps some help
from others who already know some of the answers. You also need a plan–a plan to prevent
accidents.
Not all dangers at your worksite depend on an
accident to cause harm, of course. Worker exposure to toxic chemicals or harmful levels of noise
or radiation may happen in conjunction with routine work as well as by accident. You may not realize the extent of the exposure or harm that you and
your employees face. The effect may not be immediate. You need a plan that includes prevention of
these health hazard exposures and accidents. You
need a safety and health management system.
It is not difficult to develop such a plan. Basically, your plan should address the types of accidents and health hazard exposures that could happen in your workplace. Because each workplace is
different, your program should address your specific needs and requirements.
There are four basic elements to all good safety
and health programs. These are as follows:
1. Management Commitment and Employee
Involvement. The manager or management team
leads the way, by setting policy, assigning and supporting responsibility, setting an example and involving employees.
2.Worksite Analysis. The worksite is continually analyzed to identify all existing and potential hazards.
3. Hazard Prevention and Control. Methods to pre-
OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
7
vent or control existing or potential hazards are put
in place and maintained.
4.Training for Employees, Supervisors and
Managers. Managers, supervisors and employees
are trained to understand and deal with worksite
hazards.
Regardless of the size of your business, you
should use each of these elements to prevent workplace accidents and possible injuries and illnesses.
Developing a workplace program following
these four points is a key step in protecting you
and your workers’ safety and health. If you already
have a program, reviewing it in relation to these
elements should help you improve what you have.
Following this four-point approach to safety and
health in your business may also improve efficiency. It may help you reduce insurance claims and
other costs. While having a safety and health plan
based on these four elements does not guarantee
compliance with OSHA standards, the approach
will help you toward full compliance and beyond.
It will certainly give you a way to express and document your good faith and commitment to protecting your workers’ health and safety.
This approach usually does not involve large
costs. Developing a health and safety protection
plan does not have to be expensive and generally
does not require additional employees, especially
in smaller businesses. Safety and health can be
integrated into your other business functions with
modest effort on your part.
The key to the success of a safety and health
plan is to see it as a part of your business operation and to see it reflected in your day-to-day operations. As you implement the plan and incorporate
it into your business culture, safety and health
awareness will become second nature to you and
your employees.
The next section provides short descriptions
and illustrations of each element. Since most
employers, like you, are pressed for time, these
descriptions will assist you in getting started on
your own approach.
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration
8
A FOUR-POINT WORKPLACE PROGRAM: The Basis of a Plan
The Four-Point Workplace Program described
here is based upon the Safety and Health Program
Management Guidelines issued by OSHA in
January 1989. (For a free copy of the guidelines,
go to OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov, write to
OSHA Publications, U.S. Department of Labor, P.O.
Box 37535, Washington, DC 200013-7535, or call
(202) 693-1888.) Although voluntary, these guidelines represent OSHA’s policy on what every worksite should have in place to protect workers from
occupational hazards. The guidelines are based
heavily on OSHA’s experience with its Voluntary
Protection Programs (VPP), which recognize excellence in workplace safety and health management.
For more information on these guidelines and
OSHA’s cooperative programs, contact OSHA’s
Office of Small Business Assistance, U.S.
Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue,
NW, Room N-3700, Washington, DC 20210, (202)
693-2220.
assets you have. Their safety, health and goodwill
are essential to the success of your business. Having them cooperate with you in protecting their
safety and health not only helps to keep them
healthy–it makes your job easier.
Here are some actions to consider:
■
■
■
Using the Four-Point Program
As you review this publication, we encourage
you to use the Action Plan Worksheet in Appendix
A to jot down the things you want to do to make
your workplace safe for your employees. Noting
those actions as you go along will make it easier
to assemble the total plan you need.
MANAGEMENT COMMITMENT AND
EMPLOYEE INVOLVEMENT
As the owner or manager of a small business,
your attitude toward job safety and health will be
reflected by your employees. If you are not interested in preventing employee injury and illness,
your employees will probably not give safety and
health much thought either.
Therefore, it is essential that you demonstrate at
all times your personal concern for employee safety
and health, and the priority you place on them in
your workplace. Your policy must be clear. Only you
can show its importance through your own actions.
You can demonstrate the depth of your commitment by involving your employees in planning and
carrying out your efforts. If you seriously involve
your employees in identifying and resolving safety
and health problems, they will bring their unique
insights and energy to achieving the goals and
objectives of your program. The men and women
who work for you are among the most valuable
■
■
■
■
■
Post your policy on worker safety and health
next to the Job Safety and Health Protection
Poster where all employees can see it. (See
Appendix B, Model Policy Statements.)
Hold a meeting with all employees to communicate your safety and health policy, and discuss your objectives for safety and health.
Make sure that your support is visible by getting personally involved in the activities that
are part of your safety and health program.
For example, personally review all inspection
and accident reports and ensure that followup occurs when needed.
Ensure that you, your managers and your
supervisors follow all safety requirements that
apply to all employees, even if you are only in
an area briefly. If, for instance, you require a
hard hat, safety glasses and/or safety shoes in
an area, wear them yourself when you are in
that area.
Take advantage of your employees’ specialized knowledge and encourage them to buy
into the program by having them make inspections, conduct safety training, or investigate accidents.
Make clear assignments of responsibility for
every part of your safety and health program,
and make sure everyone understands them.
The more people who are involved, the better.
A good rule of thumb is to assign safety and
health responsibilities in the same way you
assign production responsibilities. Make it a
special part of everyone’s job to work safely.
Give those with safety and health responsibility enough people, time, training, money and
authority to get the job done.
Don’t forget your safety and health program
OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
9
after you make assignments; make sure the
job gets done. Recognize and reward those
who do well and correct those who don’t.
■
■
At least once a year, review what you have
accomplished in meeting your objectives and
reevaluate whether you need new objectives
or program revisions.
Institute an accountability system where all
personnel will be held accountable for not following work rules designed to promote workplace safety and health.
ards. The checklists (at pages 18-39) provide a
starting point. Your state consultant can assist
you in establishing an effective system.
■
■
WORKSITE ANALYSIS
It is your responsibility to know what items or
substances you have in your workplace that could
hurt your workers. Worksite analysis is a group of
processes that helps you make sure that you know
what you need to keep your workers safe. For help
in getting started with these processes, you can call
on your state on-site Consultation Program and
have an experienced health and safety professional
visit your workplace for free and confidentially.
Locations for each state are listed on OSHA’s website. Also, OSHA’s booklet, Job Hazard Analysis,
may be helpful. (See OSHA Publications at page
42 for ordering information.)
Here are some actions to consider:
■
■
■
■
Request a consultation visit from your state
on-site Consultation Program covering both
safety and health to get a full survey of the
hazards that exist in your workplace and those
that could develop. You can also contract for
such services from expert private consultants
if you prefer.
Establish a way to get professional advice
when you make changes to procedures or
equipment, to ensure that the changes are not
introducing new hazards into your workplace.
Find ways to keep current on newly recognized hazards in your industry.
Periodically review with employees each job,
analyzing it step-by-step to see if there are any
hidden hazards in the equipment or procedures.
Set up a self-inspection system to check your
hazard controls and evaluate any new haz-
■
Make sure your employees feel comfortable in
alerting you or another member of management when they see things that look dangerous or out of place.
Learn how to conduct a thorough investigation when things go wrong. This will help you
develop ways to prevent recurrences. Extensive information can be found on OSHA’s
website under “Accident Investigation” in the
index.
Review several years of injury or illness records to identify patterns that can help you
devise strategies to improve your safety and
health program. Periodically review several
months of experience to determine if any new
patterns are developing.
HAZARD PREVENTION AND CONTROL
Once you have identified your existing and
potential hazards, you are ready to implement the
systems that prevent or control those hazards.
Your state Consultation Program can help you do
this. Whenever possible, hazards should be eliminated. Sometimes that can be done through substitution of a less toxic material or engineering controls. When you cannot eliminate hazards, systems
should be established to control them.
Here are some actions to consider:
■
■
■
Set up safe work procedures based on an
analysis of the hazards in your workplace and
ensure that employees understand and follow
them. It is a good idea to involve employees
in the analysis that results in those procedures.
(See Appendix C, Codes of Safe Practices.)
Be ready to enforce the rules for safe work
procedures. Ask your employees to help you
establish a disciplinary system that will be fair
and understood by everyone.
Where necessary, ensure that personal protective equipment (PPE) is used and that your employees know why they need it, how to use it
and how to maintain it.
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration
10
■
■
■
■
Provide for regular equipment maintenance to
prevent breakdowns that can create hazards.
Ensure that preventive and regular maintenance are tracked to completion.
Plan for emergencies, including fire and natural disasters. Conduct frequent drills to ensure that all employees know what to do
under stressful conditions.
Ask your state consultant to help develop a
medical program that fits your worksite. Involve nearby doctors and emergency facilities
by inviting them to visit your workplace and
help you plan the best way to avoid injuries
and illness during emergency situations.
Ensure the ready availability of medical personnel for advice and consultation on matters
of employee health. This does not mean that
you must provide health care, but you must
be prepared to deal with medical emergencies
or health problems connected to your workplace.
To fulfill the above requirements, consider the
following:
■
■
■
Develop an emergency medical procedure to
handle injuries, transport ill or injured workers
and notify medical facilities. Posting emergency numbers is a good idea.
Survey the medical facilities near your place
of business and make arrangements for them
to handle routine and emergency cases. Cooperative agreements may be possible with
nearby larger workplaces that have on-site
medical personnel and/or facilities.
first aid. First-aid supplies must be readily
available for emergency use. Arrangements
for this training can be made through your
local Red Cross chapter, your insurance carrier, your local safety council, and others.
■
■
■
An effective accident prevention program requires proper job performance from everyone in
the workplace.
As an owner or manager, you must ensure that
all employees know about the materials and equipment they work with, known hazards and how to
control the hazards.
Each employee needs to know that:
• no employee is expected to undertake a job
until he or she has received job instructions
on how to do it properly and is authorized to
perform that job. Also,
• no employee should undertake a job that
appears unsafe.
You may be able to combine safety and health
training with other training, depending upon the
types of hazards in your workplace.
Here are some actions to consider:
■
Ensure that your procedure for reporting
injuries and illnesses is understood by all
employees.
Perform routine walkthroughs of the worksite
to identify hazards and to track identified hazards until they are corrected.
If your business is remote from medical facilities, you are required to ensure that adequately trained personnel are available to render
Consider retaining a local doctor or an occupational health nurse on a part-time or asneeded basis for advice on medical and first
aid planning.
TRAINING FOR EMPLOYEES, SUPERVISORS
AND MANAGERS
■
■
Check battery charging stations, maintenance
operations, laboratories, heating and ventilating operations and any corrosive materials
areas to make sure the required eyewash facilities and showers are operational.
■
Ask your state consultant to recommend training for your worksite. The consultant may be
able to conduct training while he or she is
there.
Make sure you have trained your employees
on every potential hazard that they could be
exposed to and how to protect themselves.
Then verify that they really understand what
you taught them.
Pay particular attention to your new employees and to employees who are moving to new
OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
11
jobs. Because they are learning new operations, they are more likely to get hurt.
■
■
Train your supervisors to understand all the
hazards faced by the employees and how to
reinforce training with quick reminders and
refreshers, or with disciplinary action if necessary.
Make sure that your top management staff
understand their safety and health responsibilities and how to hold subordinate supervisory
employees accountable for theirs.
Documenting Your Activities
Document your activities in all elements of the
Four-Point Workplace Program. Essential records,
including those legally required for workers’ compensation, insurance audits and government inspections must be maintained as long as the actual
need exists or as required by law. Keeping records
of your activities, such as policy statements,
training sessions, safety and health meetings,
information distributed to employees, and medical arrangements made, is greatly encouraged.
Maintaining essential records also will demonstrate
sound business management as supporting proof
for credit applications, for showing “good faith” in
reducing any proposed penalties from OSHA
inspections, for insurance and other audits, and aid
efficient review of your current safety and health
activities for better control of your operations and
to plan improvements.
Safety and Health Recordkeeping
Records of sales, costs, profits and losses are
essential to all successful businesses. They enable
the owner or manager to learn from experience
and to make corrections for future operations.
Records of accidents, related injuries, illnesses and
property losses can serve the same purpose, if they
are used in the same way. The primary purpose of
OSHA-required recordkeeping is to retain information about accidents that have happened to help
determine the causes and develop procedures to
prevent a recurrence.
INJURY/ILLNESS RECORDS
OSHA rules for recording and reporting occupational injuries and illnesses affect 1.4 million establishments. Small businesses with 10 or fewer
employees throughout the year are exempt from
most of the requirements of the OSHA recordkeeping rules, as are a number of specific industries
in the retail, service, finance, insurance and real
estate sectors that are classified as low-hazard.
Detailed information about OSHA recordkeeping
rules can be found at http://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/index.html or refer to 29 Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) 1904 for the specific exceptions.
OSHA recordkeeping can help the small business employer evaluate the success of safety and
health activities. Success can be measured by a
reduction or elimination of employee injuries and
illnesses during a calendar year.
The OSHA recordkeeping system has five steps:
1. Obtain a report on every injury or job-related illness requiring medical treatment (other than basic
first aid).
2. Record each injury or job-related illness on
OSHA Form 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries and
Illnesses) using the instructions provided.
3. Prepare a supplementary record of occupational
injuries and illnesses for recordable cases on OSHA
Form 301 (Injury and Illness Incident Report).
4. Every year, prepare an annual summary using
OSHA Form 300A (Summary of Work-Related
Injuries and Illnesses). Post it no later than
February 1, and keep it posted until May 1. A good
place to post it is next to the OSHA Workplace
Poster.
5. Retain these records for at least five years.
Periodically review these records to look for any
patterns or repeat situations. These records can
help you to identify high-risk areas that require
your immediate attention.
Basic OSHA recordkeeping requirements
address only injuries and illnesses, so you might
consider expanding your own records to include all
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration
12
incidents, including those where no injury or illness
resulted. This information may assist you in pinpointing unsafe conditions and/or procedures.
Safety councils, insurance carriers and others can
assist you in instituting such a system.
The employer is required to report to OSHA
within eight hours of the accident, all work-related
fatalities or multiple hospitalizations that involve
three or more employees.
Even if your business is exempt from routine
recordkeeping requirements, you may be selected
by the Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) or
a related state agency for inclusion in an annual
sample survey. You will receive a letter directly from
the agency with instructions, if you are selected.
EXPOSURE RECORDS AND OTHERS
In addition to injury/illness records, certain
OSHA standards require records on the exposure
of employees to toxic substances and hazardous
exposures, physical examination reports and
employment records.
As you identify hazards, you will be able to
determine whether these requirements apply to
your workplace. Your records should be used in
conjunction with your control procedures and with
your self-inspection activity. They should not be
considered merely as bookkeeping.
OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
STARTING A SAFETY AND HEALTH MANAGEMENT SYSTEM: Creating a Plan
You can use this handbook to create a basic
plan of action for starting a safety and health
management system at your business. The action
plan described in this section provides the most
direct route to getting yourself organized to complete the Four-Point Program outlined in the previous section.
Decide to Start Now
The time to start your safety and health management system is now. You have a better picture
of what constitutes a good safety and health program. Now you can address the practical concerns
of putting these elements together and coming up
with a program to suit your workplace.
Hopefully, you have been taking notes for your
action plan as you reviewed the preceding description of the Four-Point Program. You should
now be ready to decide what you want to accomplish and to determine what steps are necessary
to achieve your goals. Next you need to determine how and when each step will be done and
who will do it.
Your plan should consider your company’s
immediate needs and provide for ongoing, longlasting worker protection. Once your plan is
designed, it is important to follow through and
use it in the workplace. You will then have a program to anticipate, identify and eliminate conditions or practices that could result in injuries and
illnesses.
If you have difficulty deciding where to begin, a
phone call to your state Consultation Program will
help get you started. A state consultant will survey
your workplace for existing or potential hazards.
Then, if you request it, he or she will determine
what you need to make your safety and health program effective. The consultant will work with you
to develop a plan for making these improvements
and to keep your program effective.
Whether you choose to work with a consultant
or to develop your program yourself, many publications are available from your state on-site Consultation Program or from OSHA that spell out in
greater detail the steps you can take to create an
effective safety and health program for your workplace. The rewards for your efforts will be an efficient and productive workplace with a low level of
loss and injury.
Designating Responsibility
You must decide who in your company is the
most appropriate person to manage your safety
and health system. Who can ensure that the program will become an integral part of your business? In many cases it will be you, the owner.
Sometimes it will be a plant manager or key supervisor. It could even be an engineer, personnel specialist, or other staff member.
Whoever you choose should be committed to
workplace safety and health, have the time to develop and manage the program, and be willing to
take on the responsibility and accountability that
goes with operating an effective program. The
individual will need your full cooperation and support, but the ultimate responsibility for safety and
health in your workplace rests on you.
Ask for Help
Federal occupational safety and health law
allows a state to develop and operate its own occupational safety and health program in place of the
Federal OSHA program. It is possible that the regulatory aspect of the law (setting of mandatory
minimum standards and conducting inspections of
workplaces) is being operated by your state government as opposed to Federal OSHA.
One of the first things to learn is which branch
of government, Federal or state, has current jurisdiction over your business. If you are not sure
what agency is responsible for administering workplace safety and health in your state, contact the
nearest OSHA Area Office to find out. (See
www.osha.gov). You will need certain Federal
OSHA publications (or comparable state publications) for use in your safety and health activities,
such as:
■
■
Job Safety and Health Protection - OSHA
3165. You must display the Federal or state
OSHA poster in your workplace. This poster
is also available in Spanish (Job Safety and
Health Protection OSHA 3167).
OSHA standards that apply to your business.
You need to have a copy of all OSHA standards that apply to your type of business
available for reference. (See Appendix D.)
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration
13
14
Standards are the regulations that OSHA uses
to inspect for compliance and should be the
baseline for your inspections in determining
what to do when hazards are identified. Most
businesses fall under OSHA’s General Industry
Standards. If you are involved with construction or maritime operations, you will need the
standards that apply to these classifications.
(In states with state-run occupational safety
and health programs, use the appropriate
state standards.)
■
■
Recordkeeping requirements and the necessary forms.
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.
You may want a copy of this legislation for
reference.
vey should focus on evaluating workplace conditions with respect to safety and health regulations
and generally recognized safe and healthful work
practices. It should include checking on the use of
any hazardous materials, observing employee work
habits and practices, and discussing safety and
health problems with employees. See the SelfInspection Checklists (at pages 18-39), to help you
get a good start on creating this initial survey.
2. The second major activity is to assess your
existing safety and health program and identify
areas that work well and those that need improvement. You should gather as much information as
you can that relates to safety and health management in your workplace. You should include the
following in this review:
■
Organize the Workplace
Poor housekeeping can contribute to low
morale and sloppy work. Most safety action programs start with an intensive cleanup campaign in
all areas of the workplace.
Get rid of unecessary items; provide proper
waste containers; store flammables properly; make
sure exits are not blocked; mark aisles and passageways; provide adequate lighting, etc.
Get everyone involved and impress upon employees that you want to make your workplace
safer, more healthful and more efficient.
■
■
Start Gathering Specific Facts
About Your Situation
Before making changes in your safety and
health operations, you should gather information
about the current conditions and business practices
that comprise your safety and health program.
This information can help you identify problems
and determine what is needed to solve them.
Your workplace assessment should be conducted by the person responsible for your safety and
health management system and/or a professional
safety and health consultant. The assessment consists of two major activities:
1. A comprehensive safety and health survey of
your entire facility will identify any existing or
potential safety and health hazards. This initial sur-
■
Safety and health activities. Examine ongoing
activities as well as those tried previously,
company policy statements, rules (both work
and safety), guidelines for proper work practices and procedures, and records of training
programs.
Equipment. List your major equipment, what
it is used for and where it is located. Special
attention should be given to inspection schedules, maintenance activities, and plant and
office layouts.
Employee capabilities. Make an alphabetical
list of all employees, showing the date hired,
their job descriptions, and experience and
training.
Accident and injury/illness history. Review
first-aid cases and workers’ compensation
insurance payments and awards, and review
your losses. Compare your insurance rate
with others in your group. Give special attention to recurring accidents, types of injuries,
etc.
After gathering facts, see if any major problem
areas emerge such as interruptions in your normal
operations, too many employees taking too much
time off due to illness or injury, too many damaged
products, etc. General help with this kind of problem identification can often be obtained from compensation carriers, local safety councils, trade asso-
OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
15
ciations, state agencies, major suppliers or similarly situated businesses in the same industry.
If you discover a major problem, see what can
be done to solve it. Once a problem is identified,
you can work on the corrective action or a plan to
control the problem. Take immediate action and
make a record of what you have done. Even if you
find no major problems, don’t stop there. Now it is
time to develop a comprehensive safety and health
program to avoid any major problems in the future.
Establish a Four-Point Safety and
Health Program
The success of any workplace safety and health
program depends on careful planning. This means
that you must take the time to analyze what you
want to accomplish and develop an action plan in
order to attain your goals. From this standpoint,
you can design a step-by-step process to take you
from the idea stage to an effective safety and
health management system.
The best way to create a safe and healthful
workplace is to institute the Four-Point Program
discussed at page 8 of this handbook.
Establish your management commitment and
involve your employees. No safety and health
program will work without this commitment and
involvement. The first step is to designate a person to
be responsible for your safety and health program.
Involve your employees as widely as possible
from the beginning. They are most in contact with
the potential and actual safety and health hazards
at your worksite and will have constructive input
on the development of your program. The ultimate
success of your safety and health program will
depend on their support.
Make sure your program assigns responsibility
and accountability to all employees in your organization. A good safety and health program makes it
clear that each and every employee, from you
through the supervisory levels to the line worker,
carries responsibility for his or her part of the program. Make safety and health duties clear and
hold every individual accountable for his or her
safety- and health-related duties.
Refer to the recommended actions to take in the
Worksite Analysis paragraph at page 9. These will
help start your program off on the right track. You
will be building the foundation for a successful
safety and health program.
Establish and regularly conduct a worksite
analysis. A successful safety and health program
depends on an accurate identification of all the hazards and potential hazards in your workplace. This
is an ongoing process that includes routine selfinspections.
Create systems and procedures to prevent and
control hazards identified through your worksite
analysis. OSHA standards can be helpful because
they address controls in order of effectiveness and
preference. The hierarchy of controls is engineering, administrative, work practice and PPE. Whenever feasible, engineering, administrative or work
practice controls should be instituted even if they
do not eliminate the hazard or reduce exposure.
Use of such controls in conjunction with PPE will
help reduce the hazard or exposure to the lowest
practical level. Where no standard exists, creative
problem-solving and consultant resources may
help you create effective controls. The basic formula for controlling workplace hazards, in order of
preference, includes:
■
■
■
■
Eliminating the hazard from the machine, the
method, the material or the facility.
Abating the hazard by limiting exposure or
controlling it at its source.
Training personnel to be aware of the hazard
and to follow safe work procedures to avoid it.
Prescribing PPE for protecting employees
against the hazard and ensuring that they not
only use it, but that they know how to use it
correctly.
Establish and provide ongoing training for
employees, supervisors and managers to ensure
that everyone at your worksite can recognize hazards and how to control them.
These points are crucial to a safe and healthful
workplace for you and your employees, making it
more difficult for accidents to occur and for workrelated health problems to develop.
Develop and Implement Your Action Plan
Developing an action plan to build a safety and
health program around the four points can serve as
a “road map” to take your program to where you
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration
16
want it to be. An action plan tells you what has to
be done, the logical order in which to do it, who is
responsible and where you want to be when you
finish. It describes problems and solutions, but is
not ironclad. An action plan can and should be
changed to correspond with changes in the workplace.
A good action plan has two parts:
1. A list of major changes or improvements to
make your safety and health program effective.
Each item should be prioritized, have a target date
for completion and identify who is responsible for
implementation.
2. A specific plan to implement each major change
or improvement, including what you want to
accomplish, the steps required, who will be
assigned to do what and a schedule for completion.
A worksheet to help you design an overall
action plan and describe specific action steps
appears in Appendix A.
Once a plan is established, put it into action,
beginning with the highest priority item. Ensure
that it is realistic, manageable and addresses the
steps you have planned for that item. A detailed
description of the steps required will help you keep
track of your progress. Keep in mind that you can
work on more than one item at a time and that priorities may change as other needs are identified or
as your company’s resources change.
Open communication with your employees is
crucial to the success of your efforts. Their cooperation depends on them understanding what the
safety and health program is all about, why it is
important to them and how it affects their work.
The more you do to involve them in the changes you
are making, the smoother your transition will be.
Putting your action plan into operation at your
workplace will be a major step toward implementing an effective safety and health program.
Remember, a safety and health program is a plan
put into practice. Keep your program on track by
periodically checking its progress and by calling on
a state consultant when you need assistance.
Any good management system requires periodic review. Take a careful look at each component of
your safety and health program to determine what
is working well and what changes are needed.
Once again, a state consultant can assist you in this
area. Any necessary improvements can be turned
into new safety and health objectives for the coming year. Developing new action plans to implement these improvements will continue progress
toward an effective safety and health program,
reduce your safety and health risks, and increase
efficiency and profit.
Remember that it is important to document
your activities. The best way to evaluate the success of your safety and health program is to have
documentation of what you have done, which provides guidance on how you can make it work even
better.
Technical assistance may be available to you as
a small business owner or manager through your
insurance carrier; your fellow businesspeople; suppliers of your durable equipment and raw materials; the local safety council; and many local, state
and Federal agencies, including the state on-site
Consultation Programs and closest OSHA Area
Office.
Establishing a quality safety and health management system will take time and involve some
resources, but you should be pleased with the
results. Employees will feel reassured because of
your commitment to their safety and health on the
job. You may save money through increased productivity and reduced workers’ compensation insurance costs. You may gain increased respect in
your community. The tangible and intangible rewards for a solid safety and health program far
outweigh the cost of an accident, injury or workplace fatality.
OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
17
SELF-INSPECTION
The most widely accepted way to identify hazards is to conduct safety and health inspections
because the only way to be certain of an actual situation is to look at it directly from time to time.
Begin a program of self-inspection in your own
workplace. Self-inspection is essential if you are to
know where probable hazards exist and whether
they are under control.
This section includes checklists designed to
assist you in self-inspection fact-finding. The
checklists can give you some indication of where to
begin taking action to make your business safer
and more healthful for all of your employees.
These checklists are by no means all-inclusive
and not all of the checklists will apply to your business. You might want to start by selecting the
areas that are most critical to your business, then
expanding your self-inspection checklists over time
to fully cover all areas that pertain to your business. Remember that a checklist is a tool to help,
not a definitive statement of what is mandatory.
Use checklists only for guidance.
Don’t spend time with items that have no application to your business. Make sure that each item
is seen by you or your designee and leave nothing
to memory or chance. Write down what you see or
don’t see and what you think you should do about it.
Add information from your completed checklists
to injury information, employee information, and
process and equipment information to build a
foundation to help you determine what problems
exist. Then, as you use the OSHA standards in
your problem-solving process, it will be easier for
you to determine the actions needed to solve these
problems.
Once the hazards have been identified, institute the control procedures described at page 9
and establish your four-point safety and health
program.
Self-Inspection Scope
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
Your self-inspections should cover safety and
health issues in the following areas:
■
Processing, Receiving, Shipping and Storage –
equipment, job planning, layout, heights, floor
loads, projection of materials, material handling and storage methods, training for material handling equipment.
■
Building and Grounds Conditions – floors,
walls, ceilings, exits, stairs, walkways, ramps,
platforms, driveways, aisles.
Housekeeping Program – waste disposal,
tools, objects, materials, leakage and spillage,
cleaning methods, schedules, work areas,
remote areas, storage areas.
Electricity – equipment, switches, breakers,
fuses, switch-boxes, junctions, special fixtures,
circuits, insulation, extensions, tools, motors,
grounding, national electric code compliance.
Lighting – type, intensity, controls, conditions,
diffusion, location, glare and shadow control.
Heating and Ventilation – type, effectiveness,
temperature, humidity, controls, natural and
artificial ventilation and exhausting.
Machinery – points of operation, flywheels,
gears, shafts, pulleys, key ways, belts, couplings, sprockets, chains, frames, controls,
lighting for tools and equipment, brakes, exhausting, feeding, oiling, adjusting, maintenance, lockout/tagout, grounding, work space,
location, purchasing standards.
Personnel – training, including hazard identification training; experience; methods of checking machines before use; type of clothing;
PPE; use of guards; tool storage; work practices; methods for cleaning, oiling, or adjusting machinery.
Hand and Power Tools – purchasing standards, inspection, storage, repair, types, maintenance, grounding, use and handling.
Chemicals – storage, handling, transportation,
spills, disposals, amounts used, labeling, toxicity or other harmful effects, warning signs,
supervision, training, protective clothing and
equipment, hazard communication requirements.
Fire Prevention – extinguishers, alarms, sprinklers, smoking rules, exits, personnel assigned, separation of flammable materials and
dangerous operations, explosion-proof fix-
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration
18
tures in hazardous locations, waste disposal
and training of personnel.
■
■
■
■
■
Maintenance – provide regular and preventive
maintenance on all equipment used at the
worksite, recording all work performed on the
machinery and by training personnel on the
proper care and servicing of the equipment.
appropriate information concerning employee
access to medical and exposure records and
Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) been
posted or otherwise made readily available to
affected employees?
signs concerning exit routes, room capaci❏ Are
ties, floor loading, biohazards, exposures to xray, microwave, or other harmful radiation or
substances posted where appropriate?
PPE – type, size, maintenance, repair, age, storage, assignment of responsibility, purchasing
methods, standards observed, training in care
and use, rules of use, method of assignment.
the Summary of Work-Related Injuries and
❏ IsIllnesses
(OSHA Form 300A) posted during the
Transportation – motor vehicle safety, seat belts,
vehicle maintenance, safe driver programs.
RECORDKEEPING
First-Aid Program/Supplies – medical care
facilities locations, posted emergency phone
numbers, accessible first-aid kits.
Evacuation Plan – establish and practice procedures for an emergency evacuation, e.g.,
fire, chemical/biological incidents, bomb
threat; include escape procedures and routes,
critical plant operations, employee accounting
following an evacuation, rescue and medical
duties and ways to report emergencies.
months of February, March and April?
occupational injuries or illnesses, except
❏ Are
minor injuries requiring only first aid, recorded
as required on the OSHA 300 log?
employee medical records and records of
❏ Are
employee exposure to hazardous substances
or harmful physical agents up-to-date and in
compliance with current OSHA standards?
employee training records kept and acces❏ Are
sible for review by employees, as required by
OSHA standards?
arrangements been made to retain
❏ Have
records for the time period required for each
Self-Inspection Checklists
These checklists are by no means all-inclusive.
You should add to them or delete items that do not
apply to your business; however, carefully consider
each item and then make your decision. You
should refer to OSHA standards for specific guidance that may apply to your work situation. (Note:
These checklists are typical for general industry but
not for construction or maritime industries.)
EMPLOYER POSTING
the required OSHA Job Safety and Health
❏ IsProtection
Poster displayed in a prominent location where all employees are likely to see it?
emergency telephone numbers posted
❏ Are
where they can be readily found in case of
emergency?
employees may be exposed to toxic
❏ Where
substances or harmful physical agents, has
specific type of record? (Some records must
be maintained for at least 40 years.)
operating permits and records up-to-date
❏ Are
for items such as elevators, air pressure tanks,
liquefied petroleum gas tanks, etc.?
SAFETY AND HEALTH PROGRAM
you have an active safety and health pro❏ Do
gram in operation that includes general safety
and health program elements as well as the
management of hazards specific to your worksite?
person clearly responsible for the safety
❏ Isandonehealth
program?
you have a safety committee or group
❏ Do
made up of management and labor representatives that meets regularly and reports in
writing on its activities?
OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
19
you have a working procedure to handle
❏ Do
in-house employee complaints regarding safety and health?
your employees advised of efforts and
❏ Are
accomplishments of the safety and health program made to ensure they will have a workplace that is safe and healthful?
you considered incentives for employees
❏ Have
or workgroups who excel in reducing workplace injury/illnesses?
employees have had an exposure incident
❏ Ifinvolving
bloodborne pathogens, was an immediate post-exposure medical evaluation and
follow-up provided?
medical personnel readily available for
❏ Are
advice and consultation on matters of employees’ health?
❏ Are emergency phone numbers posted?
fully supplied first aid kits easily accessible
❏ Are
to each work area, periodically inspected and
replenished as needed?
MEDICAL SERVICES AND FIRST AID
❏
Is there a hospital, clinic, or infirmary for medical care near your workplace or is at least one
employee on each shift currently qualified to
render first aid?
all employees who are expected to
❏ Have
respond to medical emergencies as part of
their job responsibilities received first aid
training; had hepatitis B vaccination made
available to them; had appropriate training on
procedures to protect them from bloodborne
pathogens, including universal precautions;
and have available and understand how to use
appropriate PPE to protect against exposure to
bloodborne diseases?*
*Pursuant to an OSHA memorandum of July 1,
1992, employees who render first aid only as a collateral duty do not have to be offered pre-exposure
hepatitis B vaccine only if the employer includes
and implements the following requirements in
his/her exposure control plan: (1) the employer
must record all first aid incidents involving the
presence of blood or other potentially infectious
materials before the end of the work shift during
which the first aid incident occurred; (2) the employer must comply with post-exposure evaluation,
prophylaxis and follow-up requirements of the
Bloodborne Pathogens standard with respect to
“exposure incidents, ” as defined by the standard;
(3) the employer must train designated first aid
providers about the reporting procedure; (4) the
employer must offer to initiate the hepatitis B vaccination series within 24 hours to all unvaccinated
first aid providers who have rendered assistance in
any situation involving the presence of blood or
other potentially infectious materials.
first aid kits and supplies been approved
❏ Have
by a physician, indicating that they are adequate for a particular area or operation?
an eye-wash station or sink available
❏ Isforthere
quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and
body in areas where corrosive liquids or materials are handled?
FIRE PROTECTION
your local fire department familiar with your
❏ Isfacility,
its location and specific hazards?
have a fire alarm system, is it certified
❏ Ifasyou
required and tested annually?
have interior standpipes and valves, are
❏ Iftheyyouinspected
regularly?
have outside private fire hydrants, are
❏ Iftheyyouflushed
at least once a year and on a routine preventive maintenance schedule?
fire doors and shutters in good operating
❏ Are
condition?
fire doors and shutters unobstructed and
❏ Are
protected against obstructions, including their
counterweights?
❏ Are fire door and shutter fusible links in place?
automatic sprinkler system water control
❏ Are
valves, air and water pressure checked periodically as required?
the maintenance of automatic sprinkler sys❏ Istems
assigned to responsible persons or to a
sprinkler contractor?
sprinkler heads protected by metal guards
❏ Are
if exposed to potential physical damage?
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration
20
proper clearance maintained below sprinkler
❏ Isheads?
portable fire extinguishers provided in
❏ Are
adequate number and type and mounted in
readily accessible locations?
fire extinguishers recharged regularly with
❏ Are
this noted on the inspection tag?
employees periodically instructed in the
❏ Are
use of fire extinguishers and fire protection
procedures?
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
AND CLOTHING
❏
Has the employer determined whether hazards
that require the use of PPE (e.g., head, eye,
face, hand, or foot protection) are present or
are likely to be present?
hazards or the likelihood of hazards are
❏ Iffound,
are employers selecting appropriate
and properly fitted PPE suitable for protection
from these hazards and ensuring that affected
employees use it?
both the employer and the employees
❏ Have
been trained on PPE procedures, i.e., what PPE
is necessary for job tasks, when workers need
it, and how to properly wear and adjust it?
protective goggles or face shields provid❏ Are
ed and worn where there is any danger of flying particles or corrosive materials?
approved safety glasses required to be
❏ Are
worn at all times in areas where there is a risk
of eye injuries such as punctures, abrasions,
contusions, or burns?
employees who wear corrective lenses
❏ Are
(glasses or contacts) in workplaces with harmful exposures required to wear only approved
safety glasses, protective goggles, or use other
medically approved precautionary procedures?
protective gloves, aprons, shields, or other
❏ Are
means provided and required where employees could be cut or where there is reasonably
anticipated exposure to corrosive liquids,
chemicals, blood, or other potentially infectious materials? See the OSHA Bloodborne
Pathogens standard, 29 CFR 1910.1030(b), for
the definition of “other potentially infectious
materials. ”
hard hats required, provided and worn
❏ Are
where danger of falling objects exists?
hard hats periodically inspected for dam❏ Are
age to the shell and suspension system?
appropriate foot protection required where
❏ Isthere
is the risk of foot injuries from hot, corrosive, or poisonous substances, falling objects,
crushing, or penetrating actions?
approved respirators provided when need❏ Are
ed? (See 29 CFR 1910.134 for detailed information on respirators or check OSHA’s website
at www.osha.gov).
PPE maintained in a sanitary condition
❏ Isandallready
for use?
food or beverages consumed only in areas
❏ Are
where there is no exposure to toxic material,
blood, or other potentially infectious materials?
against the effects of occupation❏ Isal protection
noise provided when sound levels exceed
those of the OSHA Noise standard?
adequate work procedures, PPE and other
❏ Are
equipment provided and used when cleaning
up spilled hazardous materials?
appropriate procedures in place to dispose
❏ Are
of or decontaminate PPE contaminated with,
or reasonably anticipated to be contaminated
with, blood or other potentially infectious
materials?
GENERAL WORK ENVIRONMENT
❏ Are all worksites clean, sanitary and orderly?
work surfaces kept dry and appropriate
❏ Are
means taken to assure the surfaces are slipresistant?
all spilled hazardous materials or liquids,
❏ Are
including blood and other potentially infectious materials, cleaned up immediately and
according to proper procedures?
combustible scrap, debris and waste
❏ Isstored
safely and removed from the worksite
promptly?
OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
21
all regulated waste, as defined in the OSHA
❏ IsBloodborne
Pathogens standard (29 CFR
1910.1030), discarded according to Federal,
state and local regulations?
accumulations of combustible dust rou❏ Are
tinely removed from elevated surfaces including the overhead structure of buildings, etc.?
combustible dust cleaned up with a vacuum
❏ Issystem
to prevent suspension of dust particles
in the environment?
metallic or conductive dust prevented from
❏ Isentering
or accumulating on or around electrical enclosures or equipment?
covered metal waste cans used for oily or
❏ Are
paint-soaked waste?
all oil and gas-fired devices equipped with
❏ Are
flame failure controls to prevent flow of fuel if
pilots or main burners are not working?
paint spray booths, dip tanks, etc., cleaned
❏ Are
regularly?
the minimum number of toilets and wash❏ Are
ing facilities provided and maintained in a
clean and sanitary fashion?
❏ Are spilled materials cleaned up immediately?
changes of direction or elevations readily
❏ Are
identifiable?
aisles or walkways that pass near moving
❏ Are
or operating machinery, welding operations,
or similar operations arranged so employees
will not be subjected to potential hazards?
adequate headroom provided for the entire
❏ Islength
of any aisle or walkway?
standard guardrails provided wherever
❏ Are
aisle or walkway surfaces are elevated more
than 30 inches (76.20 centimeters) above any
adjacent floor or the ground?
bridges provided over conveyors and sim❏ Are
ilar hazards?
FLOOR AND WALL OPENINGS
floor openings guarded by a cover, a
❏ Are
guardrail, or equivalent on all sides (except at
stairways or ladder entrances)?
toeboards installed around the edges of
❏ Are
permanent floor openings where persons may
pass below the opening?
❏ Are all work areas adequately illuminated?
pits and floor openings covered or other❏ Are
wise guarded?
all confined spaces been evaluated for
❏ Have
compliance with 29 CFR 1910.146? (Permitrequired confined spaces.)
skylight screens able to withstand a load
❏ Are
of at least 200 pounds (90.7 kilograms)?
glass in windows, doors, glass walls,
❏ Isetc.,thesubject
to possible human impact, of sufficient thickness and type for the condition of
use?
grates or similar type covers over floor
❏ Are
openings such as floor drains designed to
WALKWAYS
aisles and passageways kept clear and
❏ Are
marked as appropriate?
wet surfaces covered with non-slip mate❏ Are
rials?
holes in the floor, sidewalk, or other walk❏ Are
ing surface repaired properly, covered, or otherwise made safe?
❏
Is there safe clearance for walking in aisles
where motorized or mechanical handling
equipment is operating?
❏
Are materials or equipment stored in such a
way that sharp projections will not interfere
with the walkway?
allow unimpeded foot traffic or rolling equipment?
unused portions of service pits and pits
❏ Are
not in use either covered or protected by
guardrails or equivalent?
manhole covers, trench covers and similar
❏ Are
covers, and their supports designed to carry a
truck rear axle load of at least 20,000 pounds
(9,072 kilograms) when located in roadways
and subject to vehicle traffic?
floor or wall openings in fire-resistant con❏ Are
struction provided with doors or covers compatible with the fire rating of the structure and
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration
22
provided with a self-closing feature when
appropriate?
STAIRS AND STAIRWAYS
standard stair rails or handrails on all stair❏ Do
ways have at least four risers?
all stairways at least 22 inches (55.88 cen❏ Are
timeters) wide?
stairs have landing platforms not less than
❏ Do
30 inches (76.20 centimeters) in the direction
of travel and extend 22 inches (55.88 centimeters) in width at every 12 feet (3.6576 meters)
or less of vertical rise?
stairs angle no more than 50 and no less
❏ Do
than 30 degrees?
stairs of hollow-pan type treads and land❏ Are
ings filled to the top edge of the pan with solid
material?
step risers on stairs uniform from top to
❏ Are
bottom?
❏ Are steps slip-resistant?
stairway handrails located between 30
❏ Are
inches (76.20 centimeters) and 34 inches
(86.36 centimeters) above the leading edge of
stair treads?
❏
Do stairway handrails have at least 3 inches
(7.62 centimeters) of clearance between the
handrails and the wall or surface they are
mounted on?
doors or gates open directly on a stair❏ Where
way, is a platform provided so the swing of
the door does not reduce the width of the platform to less than 21 inches (53.34 centimeters)?
stairway handrails capable of withstanding
❏ Are
a load of 200 pounds (90.7 kilograms), applied
within 2 inches (5.08 centimeters) of the top
edge in any downward or outward direction?
stairs or stairways exit directly into any
❏ Where
area where vehicles may be operated, are adequate barriers and warnings provided to prevent employees from stepping into the path of
traffic?
stairway landings have a dimension meas❏ Do
ured in the direction of travel at least equal to
the width of the stairway?
vertical distance between stairway land❏ Isingsthelimited
to 12 feet (3.6576 meters) or less?
ELEVATED SURFACES
signs posted, when appropriate, showing
❏ Are
the elevated surface load capacity?
surfaces that are elevated more than 30
❏ Are
inches (76.20 centimeters) provided with standard guardrails?
all elevated surfaces beneath which peo❏ Are
ple or machinery could be exposed to falling
objects provided with standard 4-inch (10.16centimeter) toeboards?
a permanent means of access and egress
❏ Isprovided
to elevated storage and work surfaces?
required headroom provided where neces❏ Issary?
on elevated surfaces piled, stacked,
❏ Isormaterial
racked in a manner to prevent it from tipping, falling, collapsing, rolling, or spreading?
dock boards or bridge plates used when
❏ Are
transferring materials between docks and
trucks or railcars?
EXITING OR EGRESS - EVACUATION
all exits marked with an exit sign and illu❏ Are
minated by a reliable light source?
the directions to exits, when not immedi❏ Are
ately apparent, marked with visible signs?
doors, passageways or stairways that are
❏ Are
neither exits nor access to exits, but could be
mistaken for exits, appropriately marked “NOT
AN EXIT, ” “TO BASEMENT, ” “STOREROOM, ” etc.?
exit signs labeled with the word “EXIT” in
❏ Are
lettering at least 5 inches (12.70 centimeters)
high and the stroke of the lettering at least l/2inch (1.2700 centimeters) wide?
❏ Are exit doors side-hinged?
OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
23
❏ Are all exits kept free of obstructions?
at least two means of egress provided
❏ Are
from elevated platforms, pits, or rooms where
the absence of a second exit would increase
the risk of injury from hot, poisonous, corrosive, suffocating, flammable, or explosive substances?
there sufficient exits to permit prompt
❏ Are
escape in case of emergency?
special precautions taken to protect
❏ Are
employees during construction and repair
operations?
❏
Is the number of exits from each floor of a
building and the number of exits from the
building itself appropriate for the building
occupancy load?
exit stairways that are required to be sepa❏ Are
rated from other parts of a building enclosed
by at least 2-hour fire-resistive construction in
buildings more than four stories in height, and
not less than 1-hour fire-resistive construction
elsewhere?
ramps are used as part of required exit❏ Where
ing from a building, is the ramp slope limited
to 1 foot (0.3048 meter) vertical and 12 feet
(3.6576 meters) horizontal?
exiting will be through frameless glass
❏ Where
doors, glass exit doors, storm doors, etc., are
the doors fully tempered and meet the safety
requirements for human impact?
EXIT DOORS
doors that are required to serve as exits
❏ Are
designed and constructed so that the path of
exit travel is obvious and direct?
❏
panic hardware is installed on a
❏ Where
required exit door, will it allow the door to
open by applying a force of 15 pounds (6.80
kilograms) or less in the direction of the exit
traffic?
doors on cold storage rooms provided
❏ Are
with an inside release mechanism that will
release the latch and open the door even if the
door is padlocked or otherwise locked on the
outside?
exit doors open directly onto any
❏ Where
street, alley, or other area where vehicles may
be operated, are adequate barriers and warnings provided to prevent employees from
stepping into the path of traffic?
doors that swing in both directions and
❏ Are
are located between rooms where there is frequent traffic provided with viewing panels in
each door?
PORTABLE LADDERS
all ladders maintained in good condition,
❏ Are
joints between steps and side rails tight, all
hardware and fittings securely attached, and
moveable parts operating freely without binding or undue play?
non-slip safety feet provided on each metal
❏ Are
or rung ladder, and are ladder rungs and steps
free of grease and oil?
employees prohibited from placing a lad❏ Are
der in front of doors opening toward the ladder unless the door is blocked open, locked, or
guarded?
employees prohibited from placing lad❏ Are
ders on boxes, barrels, or other unstable bases
to obtain additional height?
Are windows that could be mistaken for exit
doors made inaccessible by means of barriers
or railings?
exit doors able to be opened from the
❏ Are
direction of exit travel without the use of a key
or any special knowledge or effort when the
building is occupied?
a revolving, sliding, or overhead door pro❏ Ishibited
from serving as a required exit door?
employees required to face the ladder
❏ Are
when ascending or descending?
employees prohibited from using ladders
❏ Are
that are broken, have missing steps, rungs, or
cleats, broken side rails, or other faulty equipment?
employees instructed not to use the top
❏ Are
step of ordinary stepladders as a step?
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration
24
portable rung ladders are used to gain
❏ When
access to elevated platforms, roofs, etc., does
the ladder always extend at least 3 feet (0.9144
meters) above the elevated surface?
❏
Are employees required to secure the base of
a portable rung or cleat type ladder to prevent
slipping, or otherwise lash or hold it in place?
portable metal ladders legibly marked with
❏ Are
signs reading “CAUTION - Do Not Use Around
Electrical Equipment” or equivalent wording?
employees prohibited from using ladders
❏ Are
as guys, braces, skids, gin poles, or for other
than their intended purposes?
employees instructed to only adjust exten❏ Are
sion ladders while standing at a base (not
while standing on the ladder or from a position above the ladder)?
❏ Are metal ladders inspected for damage?
the rungs of ladders uniformly spaced at
❏ Are
12 inches (30.48 centimeters) center to center?
HAND TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
all tools and equipment (both company
❏ Are
and employee-owned) used at the workplace
in good condition?
❏
tool cutting edges kept sharp so the tool
❏ Are
will move smoothly without binding or skipping?
tools stored in a dry, secure location
❏ Are
where they cannot be tampered with?
eye and face protection used when driving
❏ Ishardened
or tempered studs or nails?
PORTABLE (POWER OPERATED) TOOLS
AND EQUIPMENT
grinders, saws and similar equipment pro❏ Are
vided with appropriate safety guards?
power tools used with proper shields,
❏ Are
guards, or attachments, as recommended by
the manufacturer?
portable circular saws equipped with
❏ Are
guards above and below the base shoe?
circular saw guards checked to ensure that
❏ Are
they are not wedged up, leaving the lower
portion of the blade unguarded?
rotating or moving parts of equipment
❏ Are
guarded to prevent physical contact?
all cord-connected, electrically operated
❏ Are
tools and equipment effectively grounded or
of the approved double insulated type?
Are hand tools, such as chisels, punches, etc.,
which develop mushroomed heads during
use, reconditioned or replaced as necessary?
❏
❏ Are worn or bent wrenches replaced?
appropriate handles used on files and sim❏ Are
ilar tools?
employees aware of hazards caused by
❏ Are
faulty or improperly used hand tools?
appropriate safety glasses, face shields,
❏ Are
etc., used while using hand tools or equipment
Are broken or fractured handles on hammers,
axes and similar equipment replaced promptly?
that might produce flying materials or be subject to breakage?
jacks checked periodically to ensure they
❏ Are
are in good operating condition?
tool handles wedged tightly into the heads
❏ Are
of all tools?
effective guards in place over belts, pul❏ Are
leys, chains and sprockets on equipment such
as concrete mixers, air compressors, etc.?
portable fans provided with full guards or
❏ Are
screens having openings 1/2 inch (1.2700 centimeters) or less?
hoisting equipment available and used for
❏ Islifting
heavy objects, and are hoist ratings and
characteristics appropriate for the task?
ground-fault circuit interrupters provided
❏ Are
on all temporary electrical 15 and 20 ampere
circuits used during periods of construction?
pneumatic and hydraulic hoses on power❏ Are
operated tools checked regularly for deterioration or damage?
ABRASIVE WHEEL EQUIPMENT GRINDERS
rest used and kept adjusted to within
❏ Is1/8theinchwork(0.3175
centimeter) of the wheel?
OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
25
the adjustable tongue on the top side of the
❏ Isgrinder
used and kept adjusted to within 1/4
inch (0.6350 centimeters) of the wheel?
side guards cover the spindle, nut and
❏ Do
flange and 75 percent of the wheel diameter?
bench and pedestal grinders permanently
❏ Are
mounted?
goggles or face shields always worn when
❏ Are
grinding?
the maximum revolutions per minute (rpm)
❏ Israting
of each abrasive wheel compatible with
powder-actuated tools inspected for ob❏ Are
structions or defects each day before use?
powder-actuated tool operators have and
❏ Do
use appropriate PPE such as hard hats, safety
goggles, safety shoes and ear protectors?
MACHINE GUARDING
a training program to instruct employ❏ Iseesthere
on safe methods of machine operation?
there adequate supervision to ensure that
❏ Isemployees
are following safe machine operating procedures?
the rpm rating of the grinder motor?
fixed or permanently mounted grinders
❏ Are
connected to their electrical supply system
with metallic conduit or other permanent
wiring method?
each grinder have an individual on and
❏ Does
off control switch?
each electrically operated grinder effectively
❏ Isgrounded?
new abrasive wheels visually inspected
❏ Are
and ring tested before they are mounted?
dust collectors and powered exhausts pro❏ Are
vided on grinders used in operations that produce large amounts of dust?
splash guards mounted on grinders that
❏ Are
use coolant to prevent the coolant from reaching employees?
❏ Is cleanliness maintained around grinders?
POWDER-ACTUATED TOOLS
employees who operate powder-actuated
❏ Are
tools trained in their use and required to carry
a valid operator’s card?
each powder-actuated tool stored in its own
❏ Islocked
container when not being used?
at least 7 inches (17.78 centimeters)
❏ Isbya10signinches
(25.40 centimeters) with bold face
type reading “POWDER-ACTUATED TOOL IN
USE” conspicuously posted when the tool is
being used?
powder-actuated tools left unloaded until
❏ Are
they are ready to be used?
a regular program of safety inspection
❏ Isof there
machinery and equipment?
all machinery and equipment kept clean and
❏ Isproperly
maintained?
sufficient clearance provided around and
❏ Isbetween
machines to allow for safe operations, set up and servicing, material handling
and waste removal?
and machinery securely placed
❏ Isandequipment
anchored to prevent tipping or other
movement that could result in personal injury?
a power shut-off switch within reach
❏ Isof there
the operator’s position at each machine?
electric power to each machine be locked
❏ Can
out for maintenance, repair, or security?
the noncurrent-carrying metal parts of
❏ Are
electrically operated machines bonded and
grounded?
foot-operated switches guarded or ar❏ Are
ranged to prevent accidental actuation by personnel or falling objects?
manually operated valves and switches
❏ Are
controlling the operation of equipment and
machines clearly identified and readily accessible?
❏ Are all emergency stop buttons colored red?
all pulleys and belts within 7 feet (2.1336
❏ Are
meters) of the floor or working level properly
guarded?
all moving chains and gears properly
❏ Are
guarded?
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration
26
splash guards mounted on machines that
❏ Are
use coolant to prevent the coolant from reaching employees?
methods provided to protect the operator
❏ Are
and other employees in the machine area
from hazards created at the point of operation,
ingoing nip points, rotating parts, flying chips
and sparks?
machine guards secure and arranged so
❏ Are
they do not cause a hazard while in use?
special hand tools are used for placing and
❏ Ifremoving
material, do they protect the operator’s hands?
revolving drums, barrels and containers
❏ Are
guarded by an enclosure that is interlocked
with the drive mechanism so that revolution
cannot occur unless the guard enclosure is in
place?
arbors and mandrels have firm and secure
❏ Do
bearings, and are they free from play?
provisions made to prevent machines
❏ Are
from automatically starting when power is
restored after a power failure or shutdown?
❏
❏
Are machines constructed so as to be free
from excessive vibration when the largest size
tool is mounted and run at full speed?
If machinery is cleaned with compressed air, is
air pressure controlled and PPE or other safeguards utilized to protect operators and other
workers from eye and body injury?
fan blades protected with a guard having
❏ Are
openings no larger than l/2 inch (1.2700 centimeters) when operating within 7 feet (2.1336
meters) of the floor?
saws used for ripping equipped with anti❏ Are
kickback devices and spreaders?
radial arm saws so arranged that the cut❏ Are
ting head will gently return to the back of the
table when released?
LOCKOUT/TAGOUT PROCEDURES
all machinery or equipment capable of move❏ Isment
required to be de-energized or disengaged
disconnect for equipment does
❏ Ifnotthealsopower
disconnect the electrical control circuit, are the appropriate electrical enclosures
identified and is a means provided to ensure
that the control circuit can also be disconnected and locked out?
the locking out of control circuits instead of
❏ Islocking
out main power disconnects prohibited?
all equipment control valve handles pro❏ Are
vided with a means for locking out?
the lockout procedure require that stored
❏ Does
energy (mechanical, hydraulic, air, etc.) be released or blocked before equipment is locked
out for repairs?
appropriate employees provided with indi❏ Are
vidually keyed personal safety locks?
employees required to keep personal con❏ Are
trol of their key(s) while they have safety locks
in use?
that only the employee exposed
❏ Isto ittherequired
hazard can place or remove the safety
lock?
that employees check the safety
❏ Isof ittherequired
lockout by attempting a startup after
making sure no one is exposed?
employees instructed to always push the
❏ Are
control circuit stop button prior to re-energizing the main power switch?
there a means provided to identify any or all
❏ Isemployees
who are working on locked-out
equipment by their locks or accompanying
tags?
a sufficient number of accident prevention
❏ Are
signs or tags and safety padlocks provided for
any reasonably foreseeable repair emergency?
machine operations, configuration, or
❏ When
size require an operator to leave the control
station and part of the machine could move if
accidentally activated, is the part required to
be separately locked out or blocked?
equipment or lines cannot be shut down,
❏ Iflocked
out and tagged, is a safe job procedure
established and rigidly followed?
and blocked or locked out during cleaning, servicing, adjusting, or setting up operations?
OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
27
WELDING, CUTTING AND BRAZING
❏
Are only authorized and trained personnel permitted to use welding, cutting, or brazing
equipment?
❏
compressed gas cylinders regularly exam❏ Are
ined for obvious signs of defects, deep rusting,
Does each operator have a copy of and follow
the appropriate operating instructions?
black for inert gas and air hoses?
pressure-reducing regulators used only for
❏ Are
the gas and pressures for which they are intended?
circuit (no-load) voltage of arc welding
❏ Isandopen
cutting machines as low as possible and
not in excess of the recommended limits?
or leakage?
care used in handling and storage of cylin❏ Isders,
safety valves, relief valves, etc., to prevent damage?
precautions taken to prevent the mixture
❏ Are
of air or oxygen with flammable gases, except
at a burner or in a standard torch?
❏
red used to identify the acetylene (and other
❏ Isfuel-gas)
hose, green for the oxygen hose and
Are only approved apparatuses (torches, regulators, pressure reducing valves, acetylene
generators, manifolds) used?
cylinders kept away from sources of heat
❏ Are
and elevators, stairs, or gangways?
it prohibited to use cylinders as rollers or
❏ Issupports?
empty cylinders appropriately marked and
❏ Are
their valves closed?
signs posted reading “DANGER, NO
❏ Are
SMOKING, MATCHES, OR OPEN LIGHTS, ” or
the equivalent?
wet conditions, are automatic controls
❏ Under
for reducing no-load voltage used?
grounding of the machine frame and safety
❏ Isground
connections of portable machines
checked periodically?
electrodes removed from the holders
❏ Are
when not in use?
required that electric power to the welder
❏ Isbeitshut
off when no one is in attendance?
fire extinguishing equipment avail❏ Isablesuitable
for immediate use?
the welder forbidden to coil or loop welding
❏ Iselectrode
cable around his body?
wet machines thoroughly dried and tested
❏ Are
before use?
work and electrode lead cables frequently
❏ Are
inspected for wear and damage, and replaced
when needed?
cylinders, cylinder valves, couplings, regu❏ Are
lators, hoses and apparatuses kept free of oily
or greasy substances?
❏ Is care taken not to drop or strike cylinders?
regulators removed and valve-protection
❏ Are
caps put in place before moving cylinders,
unless they are secured on special trucks?
cylinders without fixed wheels have keys,
❏ Do
handles, or non-adjustable wrenches on stem
valves when in service?
liquefied gases stored and shipped valve❏ Are
end up with valve covers in place?
employees trained never to crack a fuel
❏ Are
gas cylinder valve near sources of ignition?
a regulator is removed, is the valve
❏ Before
closed and gas released?
❏ Are cable connectors adequately insulated?
the object to be welded cannot be
❏ When
moved and fire hazards cannot be removed,
are shields used to confine heat, sparks and
slag?
fire watchers assigned when welding or
❏ Are
cutting is performed in locations where a serious fire might develop?
combustible floors kept wet, covered with
❏ Are
damp sand, or protected by fire-resistant
shields?
personnel protected from possible electri❏ Are
cal shock when floors are wet?
precautions taken to protect combustibles
❏ Are
on the other side of metal walls when welding
is underway?
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration
28
used drums, barrels, tanks and other con❏ Are
tainers thoroughly cleaned of substances that
could explode, ignite, or produce toxic vapors
before hot work begins?
❏
employees exposed to the hazards created
❏ Are
by welding, cutting, or brazing operations proDo eye protection, helmets, hand shields and
goggles meet appropriate standards?
tected with PPE and clothing?
made for adequate ventilation in
❏ Isanda check
where welding or cutting is performed?
working in confined places, are environ❏ When
mental monitoring tests done and means provided for quick removal of welders in case of
an emergency?
using compressed air for cleaning, do
❏ When
employees wear protective chip guarding and
PPE?
safety chains or other suitable locking
❏ Are
devices used at couplings of high-pressure
hose lines where a connection failure would
create a hazard?
compressed air is used to empty con❏ Before
tainers of liquid, is the safe working pressure
of the container checked?
compressed air is used with abrasive
❏ When
blast cleaning equipment, is the operating
valve a type that must be held open manually?
compressed air is used to inflate auto
❏ When
tires, are a clip-on chuck and an inline regulator preset to 40 psi required?
COMPRESSORS AND COMPRESSED AIR
compressors equipped with pressure relief
❏ Are
valves and pressure gauges?
compressor air intakes installed and
❏ Are
equipped so as to ensure that only clean,
uncontaminated air enters the compressor?
air filters installed on the compressor
❏ Are
intake?
compressors operated and lubricated in
❏ Are
accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations?
safety devices on compressed air systems
❏ Are
checked frequently?
a compressor’s pressure system is re❏ Before
paired, is the pressure bled off and the system
locked out?
signs posted to warn of the automatic
❏ Are
starting feature of the compressors?
belt drive system totally enclosed to pro❏ Isvidetheprotection
for the front, back, top and
sides?
employees strictly prohibited from direct❏ Are
ing compressed air towards a person?
employees prohibited from using highly
❏ Are
compressed air for cleaning purposes?
compressed air is used to clean clothing,
❏ When
are employees trained to reduce the pressure to
employees prohibited from using com❏ Are
pressed air to clean up or move combustible
dust if such action could cause the dust to be
suspended in the air and cause a fire or explosion hazard?
COMPRESSORS/AIR RECEIVERS
every receiver equipped with a pressure
❏ Isgauge
and one or more automatic, springloaded safety valves?
the total relieving capacity of the safety
❏ Isvalve
able to prevent pressure in the receiver
from exceeding the maximum allowable working pressure of the receiver by more than 10
percent?
air receiver provided with a drain pipe
❏ Isandevery
valve at the lowest point for the removal
of accumulated oil and water?
compressed air receivers periodically
❏ Are
drained of moisture and oil?
all safety valves tested at regular intervals
❏ Are
to determine whether they are in good operating condition?
❏ Is there a current operating permit?
inlet of air receivers and piping systems
❏ Iskeptthefree
of accumulated oil and carbonaceous
materials?
less than 10 pounds per square inch (psi)?
OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
29
COMPRESSED GAS CYLINDERS
❏
Are cylinders with a water weight capacity
over 30 pounds (13.6 kilograms) equipped
with a means to connect a valve protector
device, or with a collar or recess to protect
the valve?
cylinders legibly marked to clearly identify
❏ Are
the type of gas?
compressed gas cylinders stored in areas
❏ Are
protected from external heat sources such as
flame impingement, intense radiant heat, electric arcs, or high-temperature lines?
cylinders located or stored in areas where
❏ Are
they will not be damaged by passing or falling
objects or subject to tampering by unauthorized persons?
cylinders stored or transported in a man❏ Are
ner to prevent them from creating a hazard by
tipping, falling, or rolling?
cylinders containing liquefied fuel gas
❏ Are
stored or transported in a position so that the
safety relief device is always in direct contact
with the vapor space in the cylinder?
valve protectors always placed on cylin❏ Are
ders when the cylinders are not in use or connected for use?
all valves closed off before a cylinder is
❏ Are
moved, when the cylinder is empty and at the
rated load of each hoist legibly marked
❏ Isandthevisible
to the operator?
stops provided at the safe limits of travel
❏ Are
for trolley hoists?
the controls of hoists plainly marked to
❏ Are
indicate the direction of travel or motion?
each cage-controlled hoist equipped with an
❏ Iseffective
warning device?
close-fitting guards or other suitable de❏ Are
vices installed on each hoist to ensure that
hoist ropes will be maintained in the sheave
grooves?
all hoist chains or ropes long enough to
❏ Are
handle the full range of movement of the
application while maintaining two full wraps
around the drum at all times?
guards provided for nip points or contact
❏ Are
points between hoist ropes and sheaves permanently located within 7 feet (2.1336 meters)
of the floor, ground, or working platform?
employees prohibited from using chains or
❏ Are
rope slings that are kinked or twisted and prohibited from using the hoist rope or chain wrapped around the load as a substitute for a sling?
the operator instructed to avoid carrying
❏ Isloads
above people?
INDUSTRIAL TRUCKS - FORKLIFTS
completion of each job?
low-pressure fuel gas cylinders checked
❏ Are
periodically for corrosion, general distortion,
cracks, or any other defect that might indicate
a weakness or render them unfit for service?
the periodic check of low-pressure fuel
❏ Does
gas cylinders include a close inspection of the
cylinders’ bottoms?
HOIST AND AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT
overhead electric hoist equipped with a
❏ Islimiteachdevice
to stop the hook at its highest and
lowest point of safe travel?
each hoist automatically stop and hold
❏ Will
any load up to 125 percent of its rated load if
its actuating force is removed?
employees properly trained in the use of
❏ Are
the type of industrial truck they operate?
only trained personnel allowed to operate
❏ Are
industrial trucks?
substantial overhead protective equipment
❏ Isprovided
on high lift rider equipment?
the required lift truck operating rules post❏ Are
ed and enforced?
lighting provided on each indus❏ Istrialdirectional
truck that operates in an area with less
than 2 footcandles per square foot of general
lighting?
each industrial truck have a warning
❏ Does
horn, whistle, gong, or other device that can
be clearly heard above normal noise in the
areas where it is operated?
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration
30
the brakes on each industrial truck capable
❏ Are
of bringing the vehicle to a complete and safe
stop when fully loaded?
the parking brake of the industrial truck
❏ Does
prevent the vehicle from moving when unattended?
industrial trucks that operate where flam❏ Are
mable gases, vapors, combustible dust, or
ignitable fibers may be present approved for
such locations?
❏
Are motorized hand and hand/rider trucks
designed so that the brakes are applied and
power to the drive motor shuts off when the
operator releases his or her grip on the device
that controls the truck’s travel?
industrial trucks with internal combustion
❏ Are
engines that are operated in buildings or
enclosed areas carefully checked to ensure
that such operations do not cause harmful
concentrations of dangerous gases or fumes?
safe distances maintained from the edges
❏ Are
of elevated ramps and platforms?
employees prohibited from standing or
❏ Are
passing under elevated portions of trucks,
whether loaded or empty?
unauthorized employees prohibited from
❏ Are
riding on trucks?
operators prohibited from driving up to
❏ Are
anyone standing in front of a fixed object?
arms and legs kept inside the running
❏ Are
lines of the truck?
loads handled only within the rated capac❏ Are
ity of the truck?
trucks in need of repair removed from
❏ Are
service immediately?
SPRAYING OPERATIONS
ventilation provided before spray❏ Isingadequate
operations are started?
ventilation provided when spray❏ Isingmechanical
operations are performed in enclosed areas?
mechanical ventilation is provided dur❏ When
ing spraying operations, is it so arranged that
it will not circulate the contaminated air?
area free of hot surfaces and at
❏ Isleastthe20spray
feet (6.096 meters) from flames,
sparks, operating electrical motors and other
ignition sources?
portable lamps used to illuminate spray
❏ Are
areas suitable for use in a hazardous location?
respiratory equipment provided
❏ Isandapproved
used when appropriate during spraying
operations?
solvents used for cleaning have a flash
❏ Do
point to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (deg. F) or
more?
❏ Are fire control sprinkler heads kept clean?
“NO SMOKING” signs posted in spray
❏ Are
areas, paint rooms, paint booths and paint
storage areas?
the spray area kept clean of combustible
❏ Isresidue?
spray booths constructed of metal,
❏ Are
masonry, or other substantial noncombustible material?
spray booth floors and baffles noncom❏ Are
bustible and easily cleaned?
infrared drying apparatus kept out of the
❏ Isspray
area during spraying operations and is
the spray booth completely ventilated before
using the drying apparatus?
the electric drying apparatus properly
❏ Isgrounded?
lighting fixtures for spray booths located
❏ Are
outside the booth with the interior lighted
through sealed clear panels?
the electric motors for exhaust fans placed
❏ Are
outside booths or ducts?
belts and pulleys inside the booth fully
❏ Are
enclosed?
❏ Do ducts have access doors to allow cleaning?
❏ Do all drying spaces have adequate ventilation?
ENTERING CONFINED SPACES
confined spaces thoroughly emptied of
❏ Are
any corrosive or hazardous substances, such
as acids or caustics, before entry?
OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
31
valved off and blanked or disconnected and
separated before entry?
equipment such as salamanders, torches, furnaces, etc., in a confined space, is sufficient air
provided to assure combustion without reducing the oxygen concentration of the atmosphere below 19.5 percent by volume?
all impellers, agitators, or other moving
❏ Are
parts and equipment inside confined spaces
combustion-type equipment is used
❏ Whenever
in a confined space, are provisions made to
all lines to a confined space that contain
❏ Are
inert, toxic, flammable, or corrosive materials
locked out if they present a hazard?
either natural or mechanical ventilation pro❏ Isvided
prior to confined space entry?
appropriate atmospheric tests performed
❏ Are
to check for oxygen deficiency, toxic substances and explosive concentrations in the
confined space before entry?
illumination provided for the work
❏ Isto adequate
be performed in the confined space?
the atmosphere inside the confined space
❏ Isfrequently
tested or continuously monitored
during work?
ensure the exhaust gases are vented outside
of the enclosure?
each confined space checked for decaying
❏ Isvegetation
or animal matter which may produce methane?
the confined space checked for possible
❏ Isindustrial
waste which could contain toxic
properties?
the confined space is below ground and near
❏ Ifareas
where motor vehicles will be operating,
is it possible for vehicle exhaust or carbon
monoxide to enter the space?
there a trained and equipped standby
❏ Isemployee
positioned outside the confined
space, whose sole responsibility is to watch
the work in progress, sound an alarm if necessary and render assistance?
standby employee appropriately trained
❏ Isandtheequipped
to handle an emergency?
employees prohibited from entering the
❏ Are
confined space without lifelines and respiratory equipment if there is any question as to
the cause of an emergency?
respiratory equipment required if
❏ Istheapproved
atmosphere inside the confined space cannot be made acceptable?
❏
Is all portable electrical equipment used inside
confined spaces either grounded and insulated
or equipped with ground fault protection?
compressed gas bottles forbidden inside
❏ Are
the confined space?
gas welding or burning is started in a
❏ Before
confined space, are hoses checked for leaks,
torches lighted only outside the confined area
and the confined area tested for an explosive
atmosphere each time before a lighted torch is
taken into the confined space?
❏ If employees will be using oxygen-consuming
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROLS
❏ Are all work areas properly illuminated?
employees instructed in proper first aid
❏ Are
and other emergency procedures?
hazardous substances, blood and other
❏ Are
potentially infectious materials, which may
cause harm by inhalation, ingestion, or skin
absorption or contact, identified?
employees aware of the hazards involved
❏ Are
with the various chemicals they may be exposed to in their work environment, such as
ammonia, chlorine, epoxies, caustics, etc.?
employee exposure to chemicals in the
❏ Isworkplace
kept within acceptable levels?
a less harmful method or product be
❏ Can
used?
area ventilation system appropriate
❏ Isforthethework
work performed?
spray painting operations performed in
❏ Are
spray rooms or booths equipped with an
appropriate exhaust system?
employee exposure to welding fumes con❏ Istrolled
by ventilation, use of respirators, exposure time limits, or other means?
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration
32
welders and other nearby workers provid❏ Are
ed with flash shields during welding opera-
employees’ physical capacities assessed
❏ Are
before they are assigned to jobs requiring
heavy work?
tions?
and other vehicles are used in build❏ Ifingsforklifts
or other enclosed areas, are the carbon
monoxide levels kept below maximum acceptable concentration?
there been a determination that noise lev❏ Has
els in the facilities are within acceptable levels?
steps being taken to use engineering con❏ Are
trols to reduce excessive noise levels?
proper precautions being taken when han❏ Are
dling asbestos and other fibrous materials?
caution labels and signs used to warn of
❏ Are
hazardous substances (e.g., asbestos) and biohazards (e.g., bloodborne pathogens)?
wet methods used, when practicable, to
❏ Are
prevent the emission of airborne asbestos
fibers, silica dust and similar hazardous materials?
engineering controls examined and main❏ Are
tained or replaced on a scheduled basis?
vacuuming with appropriate equipment
❏ Isused
whenever possible rather than blowing
or sweeping dust?
grinders, saws and other machines that
❏ Are
produce respirable dusts vented to an industrial collector or central exhaust system?
all local exhaust ventilation systems de❏ Are
signed to provide sufficient air flow and volume for the application, and are ducts not
plugged and belts not slipping?
provided, used and maintained wherev❏ Iser PPE
required?
there written standard operating proce❏ Are
dures for the selection and use of respirators
where needed?
❏
all water provided for drinking, washing and
❏ Iscooking
potable?
all outlets for water that is not suitable for
❏ Are
drinking clearly identified?
Are restrooms and washrooms kept clean and
sanitary?
employees instructed in the proper man❏ Are
ner for lifting heavy objects?
heat is a problem, have all fixed work
❏ Where
areas been provided with spot cooling or air
conditioning?
employees screened before assignment to
❏ Are
areas of high heat to determine if their health
might make them more susceptible to having
an adverse reaction?
employees working on streets and road❏ Are
ways who are exposed to the hazards of traffic
required to wear bright colored (traffic orange)
warning vests?
exhaust stacks and air intakes located so
❏ Are
that nearby contaminated air will not be recirculated within a building or other enclosed area?
equipment producing ultraviolet radiation
❏ Isproperly
shielded?
universal precautions observed where
❏ Are
occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials can occur and in
all instances where differentiation of types of
body fluids or potentially infectious materials
is difficult or impossible?
FLAMMABLE AND COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS
combustible scrap, debris and waste
❏ Are
materials (oily rags, etc.) stored in covered
metal receptacles and promptly removed from
the worksite?
storage practiced to minimize the risk
❏ Isof proper
fire, including spontaneous combustion?
approved containers and tanks used to
❏ Are
store and handle flammable and combustible
liquids?
all connections on drums and combustible
❏ Are
liquid piping, vapor and liquid tight?
all flammable liquids kept in closed con❏ Are
tainers when not in use (e.g., parts cleaning
tanks, pans, etc.)?
OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
33
bulk drums of flammable liquids grounded
❏ Are
and bonded to containers during dispensing?
storage rooms for flammable and com❏ Do
bustible liquids have explosion-proof lights
and mechanical or gravity ventilation?
petroleum gas stored, handled
❏ Isandliquefied
used in accordance with safe practices
and standards?
“NO SMOKING” signs posted on liquefied
❏ Are
petroleum gas tanks and in areas where flammable or combustible materials are used or
stored?
liquefied petroleum storage tanks guarded
❏ Are
to prevent damage from vehicles?
all solvent wastes and flammable liquids
❏ Are
kept in fire-resistant, covered containers until
they are removed from the worksite?
used whenever possible rather
❏ Isthanvacuuming
blowing or sweeping combustible dust?
firm separators placed between containers
❏ Are
of combustibles or flammables that are stacked one upon another to ensure their support
and stability?
fuel gas cylinders and oxygen cylinders
❏ Are
separated by distance and fire-resistant barriers while in storage?
fire extinguishers selected and provided
❏ Are
for the types of materials in the areas where
they are to be used?
Class A - Ordinary combustible material fires.
Class B - Flammable liquid, gas or grease fires.
Class C - Energized-electrical equipment fires.
❏
Are appropriate fire extinguishers mounted
within 75 feet (22.86 meters) of outside areas
containing flammable liquids and within 10
feet (3.048 meters) of any inside storage area
for such materials?
extinguishers free from obstructions or
❏ Are
blockage?
all extinguishers serviced, maintained and
❏ Are
tagged at intervals not to exceed one year?
all extinguishers fully charged and in their
❏ Are
designated places?
sprinkler systems are permanently
❏ Where
installed, are the nozzle heads so directed or
arranged that water will not be sprayed into
operating electrical switchboards and equipment?
safety cans used for dispensing flammable
❏ Are
or combustible liquids at the point of use?
all spills of flammable or combustible liq❏ Are
uids cleaned up promptly?
storage tanks adequately vented to pre❏ Are
vent the development of excessive vacuum or
pressure as a result of filling, emptying, or
atmosphere temperature changes?
storage tanks equipped with emergency
❏ Are
venting that will relieve excessive internal
pressure caused by fire exposure?
rules enforced in areas involving storage
❏ Are
and use of hazardous materials?
HAZARDOUS CHEMICAL EXPOSURE
employees aware of the potential hazards
❏ Are
and trained in safe handling practices for situations involving various chemicals stored or
used in the workplace such as acids, bases,
caustics, epoxies, phenols, etc.?
employee exposure to chemicals kept within
❏ Isacceptable
levels?
eye-wash fountains and safety showers
❏ Are
provided in areas where corrosive chemicals
are handled?
all containers, such as vats, storage tanks,
❏ Are
etc., labeled as to their contents, e.g., “CAUSTICS”?
all employees required to use personal
❏ Are
protective clothing and equipment when handling chemicals (gloves, eye protection, respirators, etc.)?
flammable or toxic chemicals kept in
❏ Are
closed containers when not in use?
chemical piping systems clearly marked as
❏ Are
to their content?
corrosive liquids are frequently handled
❏ Where
in open containers or drawn from storage vessels or pipelines, are adequate means readily
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration
34
available for neutralizing or disposing of spills or
overflows and performed properly and safely?
standard operating procedures established
❏ Are
and are they being followed when cleaning up
chemical spills?
❏
Are respirators stored in a convenient, clean
and sanitary location, and are they adequate
for emergencies?
❏
PPE used and maintained whenever neces❏ Issary?
there written standard operating proce❏ Are
dures for the selection and use of respirators
Are employees prohibited from eating in areas
where hazardous chemicals are present?
where needed?
a respirator protection program,
❏ Ifareyouyourhaveemployees
instructed on the correct
usage and limitations of the respirators?
Are the respirators National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)approved for this particular application?
Are they regularly inspected, cleaned, sanitized and maintained?
hazardous substances are used in your pro❏ Ifcesses,
do you have a medical or biological
employees complain about dizziness,
❏ Do
headaches, nausea, irritation, or other factors
of discomfort when they use solvents or other
chemicals?
there a dermatitis problem? Do employees
❏ Iscomplain
about dryness, irritation, or sensitization of the skin?
you considered having an industrial
❏ Have
hygienist or environmental health specialist
evaluate your operation?
combustion engines are used, is car❏ Ifboninternal
monoxide kept within acceptable levels?
vacuuming used rather than blowing or
❏ Issweeping
dust whenever possible for cleanup?
materials that give off toxic, asphyxiant,
❏ Are
suffocating, or anesthetic fumes stored in
remote or isolated locations when not in use?
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES COMMUNICATION
a list of hazardous substances used in
❏ Isyourthereworkplace
and an MSDS readily available
for each hazardous substance used?
a current written exposure control plan
❏ Isforthere
occupational exposure to bloodborne
pathogens and other potentially infectious
materials, where applicable?
monitoring system in operation?
you familiar with the threshold limit values
❏ Are
or permissible exposure limits of airborne contaminants and physical agents used in your
workplace?
appropriate control procedures been
❏ Have
instituted for hazardous materials, including
there a written hazard communication pro❏ Isgram
dealing with MSDSs, labeling and
employee training?
for a hazardous substance
❏ Is(i.e.,eachvats,container
bottles, storage tanks, etc.) labeled
with product identity and a hazard warning
(communication of the specific health hazards
and physical hazards)?
safe handling practices and the use of respirators and ventilation systems?
possible, are hazardous substances
❏ Whenever
handled in properly designed and exhausted
booths or similar locations?
you use general dilution or local exhaust
❏ Do
ventilation systems to control dusts, vapors,
gases, fumes, smoke, solvents, or mists that
may be generated in your workplace?
ventilation equipment provided
❏ Isforoperational
removal of contaminants from production
grinding, buffing, spray painting, and/or vapor
degreasing?
there an employee training program for haz❏ Isardous
substances that includes:
■
■
an explanation of what an MSDS is and how
to use and obtain one;
MSDS contents for each hazardous substance
or class of substances;
■
explanation of “A Right to Know”;
■
identification of where an employee can see
OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
35
■
■
the written hazard communication program;
■
location of physical and health hazards in particular work areas and the specific protective
measures to be used; and
■
details of the hazard communication program,
including how to use the labeling system and
MSDSs.
the employee training program on the
❏ Does
bloodborne pathogens standard contain the
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
an accessible copy of the standard and an
explanation of its contents;
a general explanation of the epidemiology and
symptoms of bloodborne diseases;
an explanation of signs, labels and color
coding.
❏ Are employees trained in:
■
■
following elements:
■
information on post-exposure evaluations and
follow-up; and
■
■
how to recognize tasks that might result in
occupational exposure;
how to use work practice, engineering controls and PPE, and their limitations;
how to obtain information on the types, selection, proper use, location, removal, handling,
decontamination and disposal of PPE; and
who to contact and what to do in an emergency.
an explanation of the modes of transmission
of Bloodborne Pathogens;
an explanation of the employer’s exposure
control plan and the means by which employees can obtain a copy of the written plan;
an explanation of the appropriate methods for
recognizing tasks and the other activities that
may involve exposure to blood and other
potentially infectious materials;
an explanation of the use and limitations of
methods that will prevent or reduce exposure,
including appropriate engineering controls,
work practices and PPE;
information on the types, proper use, location,
removal, handling, decontamination and disposal of PPE;
an explanation of the basis for selection of
PPE;
information on the hepatitis B vaccine;
ELECTRICAL
you require compliance with OSHA stan❏ Do
dards for all contract electrical work?
all employees required to report any obvi❏ Are
ous hazard to life or property in connection
with electrical equipment or lines as soon as
possible?
employees instructed to make preliminary
❏ Are
inspections and/or appropriate tests to determine conditions before starting work on electrical equipment or lines?
electrical equipment or lines are to be
❏ When
serviced, maintained, or adjusted, are necessary switches opened, locked out or tagged,
whenever possible?
portable electrical tools and equipment
❏ Are
grounded or of the double insulated type?
electrical appliances such as vacuum
❏ Are
cleaners, polishers, vending machines, etc.,
grounded?
■
■
information on the appropriate actions to take
and persons to contact in an emergency involving blood or other potentially infectious
materials;
an explanation of the procedure to follow if an
exposure incident occurs, including the methods of reporting the incident and the medical
follow-up that will be made available;
extension cords have a grounding con❏ Do
ductor?
❏ Are multiple plug adaptors prohibited?
ground-fault circuit interrupters installed
❏ Are
on each temporary 15 or 20 ampere, 120 volt
alternating current (AC) circuit at locations
where construction, demolition, modifications,
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration
36
alterations, or excavations are being performed?
all temporary circuits protected by suitable
❏ Are
disconnecting switches or plug connectors at
the junction with permanent wiring?
❏
Do you have electrical installations in hazardous dust or vapor areas? If so, do they
meet the National Electrical Code (NEC) for
hazardous locations?
exposed wiring and cords with frayed or
❏ Are
deteriorated insulation repaired or replaced
promptly?
❏
clamps or other securing means provided
❏ Are
on flexible cords or cables at plugs, recepta-
Are flexible cords and cables free of splices or
taps?
cles, tools, equipment, etc., and is the cord
jacket securely held in place?
all cord, cable and raceway connections
❏ Are
intact and secure?
or damp locations, are electrical tools
❏ Inandwetequipment
appropriate for the use or location or otherwise protected?
the location of electrical power lines and
❏ Iscables
(overhead, underground, under floor,
other side of walls, etc.) determined before
digging, drilling, or similar work is begun?
metal measuring tapes, ropes, hand-lines
❏ Are
or similar devices with metallic thread woven
into the fabric prohibited where they could
come in contact with energized parts of equipment or circuit conductors?
use of metal ladders prohibited where
❏ Isthetheladder
or the person using the ladder
could come in contact with energized parts of
equipment, fixtures, or circuit conductors?
all disconnecting switches and circuit
❏ Are
breakers labeled to indicate their use or equipment served?
disconnecting means always opened
❏ Are
before fuses are replaced?
all interior wiring systems include provi❏ Do
sions for grounding metal parts of electrical
raceways, equipment and enclosures?
all electrical raceways and enclosures
❏ Are
securely fastened in place?
all energized parts of electrical circuits and
❏ Are
equipment guarded against accidental contact
by approved cabinets or enclosures?
access and working space provid❏ Isedsufficient
and maintained around all electrical equipment to permit ready and safe operations and
maintenance?
all unused openings (including conduit
❏ Are
knockouts) in electrical enclosures and fittings
closed with appropriate covers, plugs, or
plates?
electrical enclosures such as switches, re❏ Are
ceptacles, junction boxes, etc., provided with
tight-fitting covers or plates?
disconnecting switches for electrical
❏ Are
motors in excess of two horsepower able to
open the circuit when the motor is stalled
without exploding? (Switches must be horsepower rated equal to or in excess of the motor
rating.)
voltage protection provided in the con❏ Istrollowdevice
of motors driving machines or
equipment that could cause injury from inadvertent starting?
each motor disconnecting switch or circuit
❏ Isbreaker
located within sight of the motor control device?
each motor located within sight of its con❏ Istroller
or is the controller disconnecting means
able to be locked open or is a separate disconnecting means installed in the circuit within
sight of the motor?
controller for each motor that exceeds
❏ Istwothehorsepower
rated equal to or above the
rating of the motor it serves?
employees who regularly work on or
❏ Are
around energized electrical equipment or lines
instructed in cardiopulmonary resuscitation
(CPR)?
employees prohibited from working alone
❏ Are
on energized lines or equipment over 600
volts?
OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
37
NOISE
❏
an ongoing preventive health program
❏ Isto there
educate employees in safe levels of noise,
Are there areas in the workplace where continuous noise levels exceed 85 decibels?
exposures, effects of noise on their health and
the use of personal protection?
work areas where noise levels make
❏ Have
voice communication between employees difficult been identified and posted?
❏
fueling operations, is there always metal
❏ Incontact
between the container and the fuel
tank?
fueling hoses designed to handle the spe❏ Are
cific type of fuel?
employees prohibited from handling or
❏ Are
transferring gasoline in open containers?
open lights, open flames, sparking, or arc❏ Are
ing equipment prohibited near fueling or
transfer of fuel operations?
Are noise levels measured with a sound level
meter or an octave band analyzer and are
records being kept?
engineering controls been used to
❏ Have
reduce excessive noise levels? Where engineering controls are determined to be infeasible, are administrative controls (i.e., worker
rotation) being used to minimize individual
employee exposure to noise?
smoking prohibited in the vicinity of fueling
❏ Isoperations?
fueling operations prohibited in buildings
❏ Are
or other enclosed areas that are not specifically ventilated for this purpose?
fueling or transfer of fuel is done
❏ Where
through a gravity flow system, are the nozzles
self-closing?
approved hearing protective equipment
❏ Is(noise
attenuating devices) available to every
employee working in noisy areas?
you tried isolating noisy machinery from
❏ Have
the rest of your operation?
use ear protectors, are employees prop❏ Iferlyyoufitted
and instructed in their use?
employees in high noise areas given peri❏ Are
odic audiometric testing to ensure that you
have an effective hearing protection system?
IDENTIFICATION OF PIPING SYSTEMS
nonpotable water is piped through a
❏ When
facility, are outlets or taps posted to alert
employees that the water is unsafe and not to
be used for drinking, washing, or other personal use?
hazardous substances are transported
❏ When
through above-ground piping, is each pipeline
identified at points where confusion could
introduce hazards to employees?
pipelines are identified by color painted
❏ When
bands or tapes, are the bands or tapes located
FUELING
employees prohibited from fueling an
❏ Are
internal combustion engine with a flammable
liquid while the engine is running?
fueling operations performed to minimize
❏ Are
spillage?
spillage occurs during fueling opera❏ When
tions, is the spilled fuel washed away completely, evaporated, or are other measures
taken to control vapors before restarting the
engine?
fuel tank caps replaced and secured before
❏ Are
starting the engine?
at reasonable intervals and at each outlet,
valve, or connection, and are all visible parts
of the line so identified?
pipelines are identified by color, is the
❏ When
color code posted at all locations where confusion could introduce hazards to employees?
the contents of pipelines are identified
❏ When
by name or name abbreviation, is the information readily visible on the pipe near each valve
or outlet?
pipelines carrying hazardous substances
❏ When
are identified by tags, are the tags constructed
of durable materials, the message printed
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration
38
clearly and permanently, and are tags installed
at each valve or outlet?
pipelines are heated by electricity,
❏ When
steam, or other external source, are suitable
warning signs or tags placed at unions, valves,
or other serviceable parts of the system?
securing chains, ropes, chockers, or slings
❏ Are
adequate for the job?
provisions made to ensure that no one is
❏ Are
below when hoisting material or equipment?
MSDSs available to employees handling
❏ Are
hazardous substances?
MATERIALS HANDLING
there safe clearance for equipment through
❏ Isaisles
and doorways?
aisleways permanently marked and kept
❏ Are
clear to allow unhindered passage?
motorized vehicles and mechanized equip❏ Are
ment inspected daily or prior to use?
vehicles shut off and brakes set prior to
❏ Are
loading or unloading?
containers of liquid combustibles or flam❏ Are
mables, when stacked while being moved,
always protected by dunnage (packing material) sufficient to provide stability?
dock boards (bridge plates) used when
❏ Are
loading or unloading operations are taking
place between vehicles and docks?
❏
❏
Are trucks and trailers secured from movement during loading and unloading operations?
Are dock plates and loading ramps constructed and maintained with sufficient strength to
support imposed loading?
❏
chutes equipped with sideboards of suffi❏ Are
cient height to prevent the materials being
Are hand trucks maintained in safe operating
condition?
handled from falling off?
chutes and gravity roller sections firmly
❏ Are
placed or secured to prevent displacement?
provisions made to brake the movement
❏ Are
of the handled materials at the delivery end of
rollers or chutes?
pallets usually inspected before being
❏ Are
loaded or moved?
safety latches and other devices being
❏ Are
used to prevent slippage of materials off of
TRANSPORTING EMPLOYEES AND MATERIALS
employees who operate vehicles on public
❏ Do
thoroughfares have valid operator’s licenses?
seven or more employees are regularly
❏ When
transported in a van, bus, or truck, is the operator’s license appropriate for the class of vehicle being driven and are there enough seats?
vehicles used to transport employees
❏ Are
equipped with lamps, brakes, horns, mirrors,
windshields and turn signals, and are they in
good repair?
transport vehicles provided with handrails,
❏ Are
steps, stirrups, or similar devices, placed and
arranged to allow employees to safely mount
or dismount?
employee transport vehicles equipped at
❏ Are
all times with at least two reflective-type
flares?
a fully charged fire extinguisher, in good
❏ Iscondition,
with at least a 4 B:C rating maintained in each employee transport vehicle?
cutting tools or tools with sharp edges
❏ When
are carried in passenger compartments of
employee transport vehicles, are they placed
in closed boxes or containers that are secured
in place?
employees prohibited from riding on top
❏ Are
of any load that could shift, topple, or otherwise become unstable?
CONTROL OF HARMFUL SUBSTANCES
BY VENTILATION
the volume and velocity of air in each ex❏ Ishaust
system sufficient to gather the dusts,
fumes, mists, vapors, or gases to be controlled, and to convey them to a suitable point of
disposal?
hoisting hooks?
OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
39
exhaust inlets, ducts and plenums de❏ Are
signed, constructed and supported to prevent
collapse or failure of any part of the system?
clean-out ports or doors provided at inter❏ Are
vals not to exceed 12 feet (3.6576 meters) in all
horizontal runs of exhaust ducts?
two or more different operations are
❏ Where
being controlled through the same exhaust
system, could the combination of substances
involved create a fire, explosion, or chemical
reaction hazard in the duct?
adequate makeup air provided to areas
❏ Iswhere
exhaust systems are operating?
source point for makeup air located so
❏ Isthattheonly
clean, fresh air, free of contaminants
will enter the work environment?
two or more ventilation systems serve
❏ Where
a work area, is their operation such that one
will not offset the functions of the other?
clean change room with a separate storage
facility for street and protective clothing provided?
employees required to shower and wash
❏ Are
their hair as soon as possible after a known
contact with a carcinogen has occurred?
equipment, materials, or other items are
❏ When
taken into or removed from a carcinogen-regulated area, is it done in a manner that will not
contaminate non-regulated areas or the external environment?
TIRE INFLATION
tires are mounted and/or inflated on
❏ Where
drop center wheels or on wheels with split
rims and/or retainer rings, is a safe practice
procedure posted and enforced?
each tire inflation hose have a clip-on
❏ Does
chuck with at least 2.54 inches (6.45 centime-
SANITIZING EQUIPMENT AND CLOTHING
❏
employees are required to change from
❏ When
street clothing into protective clothing, is a
Is required personal protective clothing or
equipment able to be cleaned and disinfected
easily?
employees prohibited from interchanging
❏ Are
personal protective clothing or equipment,
unless it has been properly cleaned?
machines and equipment that process,
❏ Are
handle, or apply materials that could injure
employees cleaned and/or decontaminated
before being overhauled or placed in storage?
employees prohibited from smoking or
❏ Are
eating in any area where contaminants are
ters) of hose between the chuck and an in-line
hand valve and gauge?
the tire inflation control valve automati❏ Does
cally shut off the air flow when the valve is
released?
tire restraining device such as a cage, rack,
❏ Isoraother
effective means used while inflating
tires mounted on split rims or rims using
retainer rings?
employees prohibited from standing
❏ Are
directly over or in front of a tire while it is
being inflated?
present that could be injurious if ingested?
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration
40
ASSISTANCE IN SAFETY AND HEALTH FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
OSHA Assistance
OSHA’S OFFICE OF SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
OSHA created the Office of Small Business
Assistance to help small business employers
understand their safety and health obligations,
access compliance information, provide guidance
in regulatory standards, and to educate them about
cost-effective means for ensuring the safety and
health of worksites.
OSHA’s Office of Small Business Assistance can
be contacted by telephone at (202) 693-2220 or by
writing to the U.S. Department of Labor, 200
Constitution Avenue, NW, Room N-3700,
Washington, DC 20210.
ON-SITE CONSULTATION
Using the free and confidential on-site consultation service largely funded by the Federal OSHA,
employers can find out about potential hazards at
their worksites, improve their occupational safety
and health management systems, and even qualify
for a one-year exemption from routine OSHA inspections.
The service is delivered at your workplace by
state governments using well-trained professional
staff. Most consultations take place on-site, though
limited services away from the worksite are available.
Primarily targeted for smaller businesses, this
safety and health Consultation Program is completely separate from OSHA’s enforcement efforts.
It is also confidential. No inspections are triggered
by using the Consultation Program and no citations
are issued or penalties proposed.
Your name, your firm’s name and any information you provide about your workplace, plus any
unsafe or unhealthful working conditions that the
consultant uncovers, will not routinely be reported
to the OSHA enforcement staff.
Your only obligation will be to commit to correcting serious job safety and health hazards discovered -- a commitment that you are expected to
make prior to the actual consultation visit. If hazards are discovered, the consultant will work with
you to ensure they are corrected in a reasonable
timeframe agreed upon by all parties.
Getting Started. Since consultation is a voluntary activity, you must request it. Your telephone
call or letter sets the consulting machinery in
motion. The consultant will discuss your specific
needs and set up a visit date based on the priority
assigned to your request, your work schedule and
the time needed for the consultant to prepare adequately to serve you. OSHA encourages a complete review of your firm’s safety and health situation; however, if you wish, you may limit the visit
to one or more specific problems.
Opening Conference. When the consultant
arrives at your worksite for the scheduled visit, he
or she will first meet with you in an opening conference to briefly review the consultant’s role and
the obligations you incur as an employer.
Walk-through. Together, you and the consultant
will examine conditions in your workplace. OSHA
strongly encourages maximum employee participation in the walk-through. Better informed and
alert employees can help you identify and correct
potential injury and illness hazards in your workplace. Talking with employees during the walkthrough helps the consultant identify and judge the
nature and extent of specific hazards.
The consultant will study your entire workplace,
or only those specific operations you designate,
and discuss applicable OSHA standards. The consultant also will point out other safety or health
risks which might not be cited under OSHA standards, but which nevertheless may pose safety or
health risks to your employees. He or she may
suggest and even provide measures such as selfinspection and safety and health training that you
and your employees can apply to prevent future
hazardous situations.
A comprehensive consultation also includes: (1)
appraisal of all mechanical and environmental hazards and physical work practices; (2) appraisal of
the present job safety and health program or help
in establishing one; (3) a conference with management on findings; (4) a written report of recommendations and agreements; and (5) training and
assistance with implementing recommendations.
Closing Conference. The consultant will then
review detailed findings with you in a closing conference. You will learn not only what you need to
improve but what you are doing right, as well. At
that time you can discuss problems, possible solutions and abatement periods to eliminate or control
any serious hazards identified during the walk-through.
In rare instances, the consultant may find an
“imminent danger” situation during the walkthrough. In that case, you must take immediate
action to protect employees. In certain other situa-
OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
41
tions–those that would be judged a “serious violation” under OSHA criteria–you and the consultant
must develop and agree to a reasonable plan and
schedule to eliminate or control that hazard. The
consultant will offer general approaches and options to you. He or she may also suggest other
sources for technical help.
Abatement and Follow-through. Following the
closing conference, the consultant will send you a
detailed written report explaining the findings and
confirming any abatement periods agreed upon.
The consultant may also contact you from time to
time to check your progress. You, of course, may
always contact him or her for assistance.
Ultimately, OSHA does require hazard abatement so that each consultation visit achieves its
objective–effective employee protection. If you fail
to eliminate or control identified serious hazards
(or an imminent danger) according to the plan and
within the limits agreed upon or an agreed-upon
extension, the situation must be referred from consultation to an OSHA enforcement office for appropriate action. This type of referral is extremely rare.
Benefits. Knowledge of your workplace hazards
and ways to eliminate them can only improve your
own operations–and the management of your firm.
You will get professional advice and assistance on
the correction of workplace hazards and benefit
from on-site training and assistance provided. The
consultant can help you establish or strengthen an
employee safety and health program, making safety and health activities routine rather than crisisoriented responses.
In many states, employers may participate in
OSHA’s Safety and Health Achievement
Recognition Program (SHARP). This program is
designed to provide incentives and support to
smaller, high-hazard employers to develop, implement and continuously improve effective safety
and health programs at their worksite(s). SHARP
provides recognition of employers who have
demonstrated exemplary achievements in workplace safety and health, beginning with a comprehensive safety and health consultation visit, correction of all workplace safety and health hazards,
adoption and implementation of effective safety
and health management systems, and agreement
to request further consultative visits if major
changes in working conditions or processes occur
that may introduce new hazards. Employers who
meet these specific SHARP requirements may be
removed from OSHA’s programmed inspection list
for one year.
The on-site consultants will:
■
■
■
■
■
■
■
help you recognize hazards in your workplace,
suggest general approaches or options for
solving a safety or health problem,
identify kinds of help available if you need further assistance,
provide you with a written report summarizing
findings,
assist you in developing or maintaining an
effective safety and health program,
provide training and education for you and
your employees,
recommend you for a one-year exclusion from
OSHA programmed inspections, once program criteria are met.
The on-site consultants will not:
■
■
■
issue citations or propose penalties for violations of OSHA standards,
report possible violations to OSHA enforcement staff,
guarantee that your workplace will “pass” an
OSHA inspection.
For a list of consultation projects in each state,
see the OSHA website at www.osha.gov/dcsp/
smallbusiness/consult_directory.html.
OTHER COOPERATIVE PROGRAMS
Information about OSHA’s different cooperative
programs is available from any OSHA Regional
Office, OSHA Area Office, or by contacting OSHA’s
Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs at
the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety
and Health Administration, 200 Constitution
Avenue, NW, Room N-3700, Washington, DC
20210, phone (202) 693-2200.
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration
42
VOLUNTARY PROTECTION PROGRAMS (VPP)
OSHA’s VPP provide an opportunity for labor,
management and government to work together
cooperatively to further the goal of providing effective safety and health protection in the workplace.
The VPP grant recognition to worksites that provide
or are committed to providing effective protection
for their employees through implementation of
systematically managed safety and health programs. The Star Program is for worksites that have
at least one year’s experience with an effectively
implemented safety and health program. The
Merit Program is for worksites working toward an
effectively implemented program. The Star
Demonstration Program is for worksites with programs at Star quality but with some aspect of their
program that requires further study by OSHA. All
participants work in partnership with OSHA and
provide models for OSHA and for their industries.
OSHA STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM (OSPP)
OSPP is designed to enable groups of employers, employees and employee representatives to
partner with OSHA and enter into an extended, voluntary, cooperative relationship in order to encourage, assist and recognize efforts to eliminate serious hazards and achieve a high level of worker
safety and health.
OSHA ALLIANCE PROGRAM
Alliances are goal-oriented written agreements
between OSHA and organizations to work together
to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses. Organizations include employers, employees, labor unions,
trade or professional groups, educational institutions and government agencies. Alliances focus on
one or more of the following goals: training and
education, outreach and communications, and promoting the national dialogue on occupational safety and health.
States with Approved Plans
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970
encourages states to develop and operate their
own job safety and health programs. OSHA
approves and monitors state plans and provides up
to 50 percent of an approved plan’s operating costs.
Twenty-four states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin
Islands currently operate approved state plans.
These state plans operate under authority of state
law and are required to be, in structure and performance, “at least as effective as” the Federal
OSHA Program. Although many states have
adopted standards and procedures identical to
Federal standards, states may have different or
additional requirements parallel to those described
in the Federal program.
To determine which set of standards and regulations apply to you, you need to know whether you
are covered by a state plan or subject to Federal
OSHA. Please visit http://www.oshaslc.gov/fso/osp
/index.html, call the OSHA Area Office nearest you,
or (800) 321-OSHA to obtain this information.
If you are subject to state enforcement, the
OSHA Area Office will refer you to your state office
which can provide all relevant information, such as
whether the state is using the Federal standards,
information on the poster and recordkeeping
requirements, and special services available to
small businesses. The state office also can provide
you with further assistance, including directing you
to the free, on-site consultation services described
above.
See the list of OSHA-approved state plans at
www.osha.gov.
OSHA Publications
A single free copy of the following materials can be
obtained from the OSHA Area or Regional Office,
or contact the OSHA Publications Office, U.S.
Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue,
NW, N-3101, Washington, DC 20210, or call (202)
693-1888, or fax (202) 693-2498.
Access to Medical and Exposure Records –
OSHA 3110
All About OSHA – OSHA 3302
Asbestos Standard for the Construction Industry –
OSHA 3096
Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) –
OSHA 3120
Employee Workplace Rights – OSHA 3021
Employer Rights and Responsibilities Following
an OSHA Inspection – OSHA 3000
(Spanish version 3195)
Hand and Power Tools – OSHA 3080
OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
43
For further information on any OSHA program,
contact your nearest OSHA Area or Regional Office
or call (800) 321-OSHA.
How to Plan for Workplace Emergencies and
Evacuations – OSHA 3088
Job Safety and Health Protection Poster –
OSHA 3165
Other Sources of Assistance
Job Hazard Analysis – OSHA 3071
Model Plans & Programs for the OSHA Bloodborne
Pathogens and Hazard Communications Standards
– OSHA 3186
Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act –
OSHA 2001
Personal Protective Equipment – OSHA 3151
Servicing Single-Piece and Multi-Piece Rim Wheels –
OSHA 3086
The following publications are available from
the U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO),
Superintendent of Documents, Washington, DC
20402, phone toll-free (866) 512-1800, fax (202) 5122250. Include GPO Order Number and make
checks payable to Superintendent of Documents.
All prices are subject to change by GPO.
Hazard Communication: A Compliance Kit –
OSHA 3111
Order No. 029-016-00200-6. Cost: $21.00
VOLUNTARY PROTECTION PROGRAMS
PARTICIPANTS’ ASSOCIATION (VPPPA)
The VPPPA is a private organization made up of
VPP participant companies. The VPPPA has members in most states where the Federal OSHA program operates and in many states where state
plans are in force. The VPPPA is willing to provide
information, outreach, and mentoring to help worksites improve their safety and health programs.
Chapters of the national association have been
formed in most OSHA regions. Members of these
chapters also are willing to provide the kind of
assistance provided by the national organization.
To contact your regional chapter of the VPPPA, call
or write the OSHA Regional Office listed in the back
of this publication for the address and telephone
number of the chapter in your region. To contact
the VPPPA national organization, please call (703)
761-1146 or write to the following address:
Voluntary Protection Programs Participants’
Association
7600 East Leesburg Pike, Suite 440
Falls Church, VA 22043
(703) 761-1146
Construction Industry Digest – OSHA 2202
Order No. 029-016-00212-0. Cost: $8.00
Materials Handling and Storing – OSHA 2236
Order No. 029-016-00215-4. Cost: $3.75
Internet—There is an enormous amount of compliance assistance information on OSHA’s website
that can be useful to the small business owner,
found at http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/compliance_
assistance/index.html. OSHA standards, interpretations, directives and additional information are
also available at http://www.osha.gov/ and
http://www.osha-slc.gov/.
CD-ROM—A wide variety of OSHA materials,
including standards, interpretations, directives, and
more, can be purchased on CD-ROM from the U.S.
Government Printing Office, Superintendent of
Documents, phone toll-free (866) 512-1800.
Emergencies—For life-threatening situations, call
(800) 321-OSHA. Your call will be directed to the
nearest OSHA Area or state office for help.
SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTERS
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA)
administers the Small Business Development
Center Program to provide management and technical assistance to current and prospective small
business owners. There is a Small Business
Development Center (SBDC) in every state, the
District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, Samoa,
and the U.S. Virgin Islands, with more than 1,000
service centers across the country. SBDC assistance is tailored to the local community and the
needs of individual clients and designed to deliver
up-to-date counseling, training, and technical assistance. Services could include helping small businesses with financial, marketing, production,
organization, engineering, and technical problems.
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration
44
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR OCCUPATIONAL
SAFETY AND HEALTH (NIOSH)
NIOSH is a research agency in the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services. (OSHA
is a regulatory agency in the U.S. Department of
Labor). NIOSH conducts research and makes recommendations to prevent work-related illness and
injury. NIOSH has produced a useful guide, Safety
and Health Resource Guide for Small Businesses,
with telephone numbers, e-mail and Internet addresses, and mailing information to enable small
businesses to contact government agencies, private organizations, consultants, and others who
can help with occupational safety and health issues. The NIOSH toll-free phone number is (800)
356-4674, and its website address is www.cdc.
gov/niosh.
WORKERS’ COMPENSATION CARRIERS AND
OTHER INSURANCE COMPANIES
Many workers’ compensation carriers, as well
as many liability and fire insurance companies,
conduct periodic inspections and visits to evaluate
safety and health hazards. Managers of small and
medium-sized businesses need to know what services are available from these sources. Contact your
carrier and see what it has to offer.
TRADE ASSOCIATIONS AND EMPLOYER GROUPS
Because of the increase in job safety and health
awareness resulting from OSHA activities, many
trade associations and employer groups have put a
new emphasis on safety and health matters to better serve their members. If you are a member of
such a group, find out how it is assisting its members. If you are not a member, find out if these
groups are circulating their materials to nonmembers, as many do.
TRADE UNIONS AND EMPLOYEE GROUPS
If your employees are organized, set up some
communications, as you do in normal labor relations, to get coordinated action on hazards in your
business. Safety and health is one area where
advance planning will produce action on common
goals. Many trade unions have safety and health
expertise that they are willing to share.
THE NATIONAL SAFETY COUNCIL AND
LOCAL CHAPTERS
The National Safety Council (NSC) has a broad
range of information services available. If you
have a local chapter of the NSC in your area, you
can call or visit to see how you can use materials
pertaining to your business. If there is no chapter
nearby, you can write to:
National Safety Council
1121 Spring Lake Drive
Itasca, IL 60143-3201
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
The following professional associations are an
additional resource that may be able to provide
assistance to you:
American Society of Safety Engineers
1800 East Oakton Street
Des Plaines, IL 60018-2187
American Industrial Hygiene Association
2700 Prosperity Avenue
Suite 250
Fairfax, VA 22031-4319
American Conference of Governmental
Industrial Hygienists
1330 Kemper Meadow Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45240
SPECIFIC MEDICAL CONSULTATION
Talk to your local doctors or clinics for advice on
workplace medical matters on a consulting basis.
Contact your local Red Cross chapter for assistance
in first-aid training. If you cannot identify a local
chapter, call (800) 667-2968 or write to:
American National Red Cross
National Headquarters
Safety Programs
2025 E Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006
YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY
Many local or university libraries contain information on specific safety and health subjects per-
OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
45
taining to your business. These materials are usually in reference rooms or technical subject areas.
Ask your librarian what is available. The library
may be able to obtain materials for you through
inter-library loan, purchase, etc.
Two basic publications of the National Safety
Council will give you many sources of technical
information. The Accident Prevention Manual for
Industrial Operations is a basic reference book
for all safety and health work. The second book,
Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene, contains excellent information on toxic materials and recommended health and hygiene practices. Both of
these references list other sources at the end of
each chapter that may help you in solving specific
problems.
Interest rate information on SBA loans may be
obtained from any SBA office. They fluctuate but
are generally lower than you can obtain elsewhere.
You may wish to consult your own bank. It pays to
shop around for loans.
Don’t forget to check with your accountant at
income tax time, since safety and health improvements can often be expensed or depreciated.
ADDITIONAL WEB PAGES OF INTEREST
TO SMALL BUSINESSES
(Internet websites change frequently; these listings may not be current.)
http://www.firstgov.gov
A website for all agencies of the Federal government.
FINANCING WORKPLACE IMPROVEMENT
The SBA is authorized to make loans to assist
small businesses with meeting OSHA standards.
Because SBA’s definition of a “small” business
varies from industry to industry, contact your local
SBA field office to determine whether you qualify.
A helpful hint: if you decide to apply for an SBA
loan, experience indicates that most delays in processing SBA/OSHA loans are because applications
(1) do not adequately describe each workplace condition to be corrected and identify one or more
OSHA standards applicable to the condition to be
corrected, or (2) do not provide a reasonable estimate of the cost to correct each condition.
In most cases, safety hazards can be corrected
without financial assistance. Health hazards may
be more costly to correct. The age and condition
of the building and equipment are major factors to
be considered.
http://www.sba.gov
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s home
page.
http://www.businesslaw.gov
Legal and regulatory information for small businesses by state.
http://www.regulations.gov
A site to enable small business owners to find all
Federal regulations that are open for comment, to
read them and to submit their views.
http://www.assistancecenters.net/
For help with understanding environmental regulations that relate to the operation of your business.
http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/index.html
This Internal Revenue Service website offers industry- and profession-specific tax information and
guidelines.
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration
46
Appendix A: Overall Action Plan Worksheet
Major Action Steps to be Taken
Priority
(Assign each
Step a Number)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Projected
Completion
Date
Actual
Completion
Date
Action Steps
47
Description of Action to be Taken:
Specific Steps Required
Persons
Assigned
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration
Projected
Problems/
Actual
Completion Delays
Completion
Date
Encountered Date
48
Appendix B: Model Policy Statements
The following statements provide examples that
can be used or modified by employers to help prevent employee injury and illness.
“The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970
clearly states our common goal of safe and healthful working conditions. The safety and health of
our employees continues to be the first consideration in the operation of this business. ”
“Safety and health in our business must be a part
of every operation. Without question it is every
employee’s responsibility at all levels. ”
“It is the intent of this company to comply with all
laws. To do this we must constantly be aware of
conditions in all work areas that can produce injuries. No employee is required to work at a job he
or she knows is not safe or healthful. Your cooperation in detecting hazards and, in turn, controlling
them is a condition of your employment. Inform
your supervisor immediately of any situation
beyond your ability or authority to correct. ”
“Our safety and health program will include:
■
■
■
■
■
■
“The personal safety and health of each employee
of this company is of primary importance. The
prevention of occupationally-induced injuries and
illnesses is of such consequence that it will be
given precedence over operating productivity
whenever necessary. To the greatest degree possible, management will provide all mechanical and
physical facilities required for personal safety and
health in keeping with the highest standards. ”
“We will maintain a safety and health program conforming to the best practices of organizations of
this type. To be successful, such a program must
embody the proper attitudes toward injury and illness prevention on the part of supervisors and
employees. It also requires cooperation in all safety and health matters, not only between supervisor
and employee, but also between each employee
and his or her co-workers. Only through such a
cooperative effort can a safety program in the best
interest of all be established and preserved. ”
“Our objective is a safety and health program that
will reduce the number of injuries and illnesses to
an absolute minimum, not merely in keeping with,
but surpassing, the best experience of operations
similar to ours. Our goal is zero accidents and injuries. ”
■
Providing mechanical and physical safeguards
to the maximum extent possible.
A program of safety and health inspections to
identify and eliminate unsafe working conditions or practices, to control health hazards,
and to comply fully with the safety and health
standards for every job.
Training all employees in good safety and
health practices.
Providing necessary personal protective
equipment and instructions for its use and
care.
Developing and enforcing safety and health
rules and requiring that employees cooperate
with these rules as a condition of employment.
Investigating, promptly and thoroughly, every
accident to find out what caused it and to correct the problem so that it won’t happen again.
Setting up a system of recognition and
awards for outstanding safety service or performance. ”
“We recognize that the responsibilities for safety
and health are shared:
■
■
■
The employer accepts responsibility for leadership of the safety and health program, for its
effectiveness and improvement, and for providing safe conditions.
Supervisors are responsible for developing
the proper attitudes toward safety and health
in themselves and in those they supervise,
and for ensuring that all operations are performed with the utmost regard for the safety
and health of all personnel involved, including
themselves.
Employees are responsible for compliance
with all rules and regulations and for continuously practicing safety while performing their
duties. ”
OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
49
Appendix C: Codes of Safe Practices
This is a suggested code. It is general in nature
and includes many types of small business activities. It is intended only as a model that you can
customize to describe your own work environment.
General Policy
1. All employees of this firm shall follow these safe
practice rules, render every possible aid to safe
operations, and report all unsafe conditions or
practices to the supervisor/employer.
2. Supervisors shall insist that employees observe
and obey every rule, regulation, and order necessary to the safe conduct of the work and take such
action necessary to obtain compliance.
3. All employees shall be given frequent accident
prevention instructions. Instructions, practice drills,
and articles concerning workplace safety and
health shall be given at least once every _____
working days.
4. Anyone known to be under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs shall not be allowed on the job
while in that condition. Persons with symptoms of
alcohol and/or drug abuse are encouraged to discuss personal or work-related problems with the
supervisor/employer.
5. No one shall knowingly be permitted or required
to work while his or her ability or alertness is impaired by fatigue, illness, or other causes that
might expose the individual or others to injury.
6. Employees should be alert to see that all guards
and other protective devices are in proper places
and adjusted, and they shall report deficiencies.
Approved protective equipment shall be worn in
specified work areas.
7. Horseplay, scuffling, and other acts that tend to
endanger the safety or well-being of employees are
prohibited.
8. Work shall be well planned and supervised to
prevent injuries when working with equipment and
handling heavy materials. When lifting heavy
objects, employees should bend their knees and
use the large muscles of the legs instead of the
smaller muscles of the back. Back injuries are the
most frequent and often the most persistent and
painful type of workplace injury.
lines in a manner not within the scope of their
duties, unless they have received instructions from
their supervisor/employer.
10. All injuries shall be reported promptly to the
supervisor/employer so that arrangements can be
made for medical and/or first-aid treatment. Firstaid materials are located in ____________; emergency, fire, ambulance, rescue squad, and doctors’
telephone numbers are located ___________; and
fire extinguishers are located at ___________.
Suggested Safety Rules
■
■
■
■
Do not throw material, tools, or other objects
from heights (whether structures or buildings)
until proper precautions are taken to protect
others from the falling object hazard.
Wash thoroughly after handling injurious or
poisonous substances.
Gasoline shall not be used for cleaning purposes.
When using a ladder, always face the steps
and use both hands while climbing.
Use of Tools and Equipment
■
■
■
■
■
Keep faces of hammers in good condition to
avoid flying nails and bruised fingers.
Files shall be equipped with handles; never
use a file as a punch or pry.
Do not use a screwdriver as a chisel.
Do not lift or lower portable electric tools by
the power cords; use a rope.
Do not leave the cords of tools where cars or
trucks will run over them.
Machinery and Vehicles
■
■
■
Do not attempt to operate machinery or
equipment without special permission unless
it is part of your regular duties.
Loose or frayed clothing, dangling ties, finger
rings, etc., must not be worn around moving
machinery or other places where they can get
caught.
Machinery shall not be repaired or adjusted
while in operation.
9. Workers shall not handle or tamper with any
electrical equipment, machinery, or air or water
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration
50
Appendix D: OSHA Job Safety and Health Standards,
Regulations and Requirements
OSHA has four separate sets of standards: General
Industry (29 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR]
1910), Construction (29 CFR 1926), Maritime
Employment (29 CFR 1915-1919), and Agriculture
(29 CFR 1928). OSHA has regulations on posting
and other administrative matters in 29 CFR 1903
and on recording and reporting of injuries and illnesses in 29 CFR 1904.
The OSH Act also has a general duty clause, section 5(a)(1), 29 U.S.C. 654(b)(1), which provides
that:
(a) Each employer – –
(1) shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free
from recognized hazards that are causing or are
likely to cause death or serious physical harm to
his employees.
A recognized hazard is a danger recognized by the
employer’s industry or industry in general, by the
employer, or by common sense. The general duty
clause does not apply if there is an OSHA standard
dealing with the hazard, unless the employer
knows that the standard does not adequately
address the hazard.
General Industry, Maritime, and Construction
OSHA standards are available at www.osha.gov.
After you have obtained a copy of the current standards, identify those that apply to your business by
a process of elimination. Read the introduction to
the subpart heading, and then analyze the possible
hazards in terms of your workplace, your equipment, your materials and of your employees. For
example, if you are engaged in retail trade or service and you do not have compressed gases, flammables, or explosives on your premises, you can
eliminate Hazardous Materials (Subpart H) as not
applying to your business.
If you have any questions in determining whether a
standard is applicable to your workplace, you may
contact the nearest OSHA Area Office for assistance. Staff there should be able to answer any
questions you may have about standards and provide general guidelines on methods of implementation in your workplace. Small businesses are
encouraged to participate in the development of
standards.
OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Appendix E: Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA)
In 1996, Congress passed the Small Business
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act, or SBREFA,
in response to concerns expressed by the small
business community that Federal regulations were
too numerous, too complex and too expensive to
implement. SBREFA was designed to give small
businesses assistance in understanding and complying with regulations and more of a voice in the
development of new regulations. Under SBREFA,
the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) and other Federal agencies must:
■
■
■
■
■
Produce Small Entity Compliance Guides for
some rules;
Be responsive to small business inquiries
about compliance with the agency’s regulations;
Submit final rules to Congress for review;
Have a penalty reduction policy for small businesses; and
Involve small businesses in the development
of some proposed rules through Small
Business Advocacy Review Panels.
Commenting on Enforcement Actions
Under a law passed by Congress in 1996, the Small
Business Administration (SBA) has established an
SBA Ombudsman and SBA Regional Fairness
Boards to investigate small business complaints
about Federal agency enforcement actions.
If you are a small business and believe that you
have been treated unfairly by OSHA, you may file
an electronic comment/complaint with the SBA
Ombudsman over the Internet at:
http://www.sba.gov/ombudsman/comments/commentform1.html
Or you may contact the SBA's Office of the
National Ombudsman by:
■
Toll-Free Phone: (888) REG-FAIR (734-3247)
■
Fax: (202) 481-5719
■
E-mail: [email protected]
■
Mail: Office of the National Ombudsman
U.S. Small Business Administration
409 3rd Street, S.W., MC2120
Washington, DC 20416-0005
To view the SBREFA Act in its entirety, please
visit the following web link:
http://www.sba.gov/advo/laws/sbrefa.html
For more information on SBREFA the following
web links may prove helpful:
http://www.sba.gov/ombudsman/
http://www.sba.gov/ombudsman/dsp_overview.html
http://www.sba.gov/ombudsman/dsp_faq.html
http://www.sba.gov/advo/
http://www.sba.gov/advo/laws/is_oshapanel.html
NOTE: Filing a complaint with the SBA
Ombudsman does not affect any obligation that
you may have to comply with an OSHA citation or
other enforcement action. Nor does it mean that
you need not take other available legal steps to
protect your interests.
Occupational Safety and
Health Administration
51
52
OSHA Regional Offices
Region VIII
(CO, MT, NO, SO, UT,* WY*)
1999 Broadway, Suite 1690
PO Box 46550
Denver, CO 80202-5716
(720) 264-6550
Region I
(CT,* ME, MA, NH, RI, VT*)
JFK Federal Building, Room E340
Boston, MA 02203
(617) 565-9860
Region II
(NJ,* NY,* PR,* VI*)
201 Varick Street, Room 670
New York, NY 10014
(212) 337-2378
Region IX
(American Samoa, AZ,* CA,* HI,* NV,* and Guam,
the Northern Mariana Islands and American
Samoa)
90 7th Street, Suite 18-100
San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 625-2547
Region III
(DE, DC, MD,* PA, VA,* WV)
The Curtis Center
170 S. Independence Mall West
Suite 740 West
Philadelphia, PA 19106-3309
(215) 861-4900
Region X
(AK,* ID, OR,* WA*)
1111 Third Avenue, Suite 715
Seattle, WA 98101-3212
(206) 553-5930
Region IV
(AL, FL, GA, KY,* MS, NC,* SC,* TN*)
61 Forsyth Street, SW, Room 6T50
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 562-2300
Region V
(lL, IN,* MI,* MN,* OH, WI)
230 South Dearborn Street
Room 3244
Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 353-2220
Region VI
(AR, LA, NM,* OK, TX)
525 Griffin Street, Room 602
Dallas, TX 75202
(972) 850-4145
Region VII
(IA,* KS, MO, NE)
Two Pershing Square
2300 Main Street, Suite 1010
Kansas City, MO 64108-2416
(816) 283-8745
* These states and territories operate their
own OSHA-approved job safety and health programs and cover state and local government
employees as well as private sector employees.
The Connecticut, New Jersey, New York and
Virgin Islands plans cover public employees only.
States with approved programs must have standards that are identical to, or at least as effective
as, the Federal OSHA standards.
Note: To get contact information for OSHA Area
Offices, OSHA-approved State Plans and OSHA
Consultation Projects, please visit us online at
www.osha.gov or call us at 1-800-321-0SHA.
Contact Information
The most complete and current information and email addresses for OSHA Regional and Area
Offices and the state Consultation Projects can be
found on OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov/html/
oshdir.html or by contacting:
U.S. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Directorate of Cooperative and State Programs
Office of Small Business Assistance
200 Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20210
(800) 321-OSHA
OSHA HANDBOOK FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
OSHA’s Non-Retaliation Policy
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) has a long-established policy that information inquiries received by the agency regarding
safety and health regulations or other safety-related
subjects shall not trigger an inspection. This policy
is outlined in OSHA Instruction CPL 02-00-103 (CPL
2.103), Field Inspection Reference Manual, Section 5
- Chapter I, B.4.b. The exact wording is:
Employer Contacts. Contacts for information initiated by employers or their representatives shall not
trigger an inspection, nor shall such employer
inquiries protect them against regular inspections
conducted pursuant to guidelines established by
the agency. Further, if an employer or its representatives indicates that an imminent danger exists or
that a fatality or catastrophe has occurred, the Area
Director shall act in accordance with established
inspection priority procedures.
While exceptions to this policy exist, such as the
presence of an imminent danger or the occurrence
of a fatality, OSHA policy is to provide assistance to
help employers prevent and reduce workplace
fatalities, illnesses and injuries.
Hazards in the Food & Beverage Industry
It is generally assumed that the injuries incurred in the food and beverage industry are relatively
inconsequential. However, facts show that two million workers employed in these operations do have
dangerous jobs.
Food service operations have accident and illness rates as high as industries that are commonly thought of as
being hazardous places to work. These operations, like any other, present a number of hazards that can result in
accidents, injuries and illnesses.
Stressful and hazardous work environments in the food and beverage industry lead to bruised knuckles and
minor cuts that reduce production rates and heighten production errors. Human error frequently results from
working under hot, noisy and extremely fast-paced conditions which are ever present in many food and
beverage operations.
Sprains and strains account for most lost-time injuries. Floor surfaces, knives, hot water, containers, metal
stock and conveyors were the primary causes of all injuries. More than 30 percent* of the injuries resulted from
slips (not falls) and overexertion.
The average lost workdays per injury amounted to 17.9. However, of all the accident causes, the greatest
number of average days lost were caused by cutting and slicing machines. The average was 167.7 days lost per
injury.
The food and beverage industry, on a national scale for occupational injury and illness incidence rates, ranks
last and worst, respectively, in the incidence of lost workdays. According to the U.S. Department of Labor,
Bureau of Labor Statistics, eight out of every 1,000 workers in food processing jobs reported cases of
occupational illnesses, with three cases involving lost workdays. Health problems consisted of skin diseases
and disorders, respiratory problems, poisoning and disease from physical agents.
Nationally, the highest rate of injury was observed in the meat product operations. Nonpowered, (knives, etc.)
and electric hand devices resulted in cuts, wounds, amputations, electrocutions, tenosynovitis, falls and strains.
The high injury rates found in the beverage manufacturing operations were from material handling strains, wet
work areas and misuse of chemicals.
Because of the dangers involved in the food and beverage industry, it is essential that accident safety records
are properly taken and are analyzed by safety personnel so meaningful accident prevention methods can be
established.
*Study conducted by the Industrial Commission of Ohio.
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Michigan Occupational Safety & Health Administration
Consultation Education & Training Division
7150 Harris Drive, P.O. Box 30643
Lansing, Michigan 48909-8143
For further information or to request consultation, education and training services
call (517) 322-1809
or
visit our website at www.michigan.gov/miosha
CET- 0108 (Rev. 8/00)
1
TI P S H E E T O N E
Preventing Burns from
Hot Stuff
Stove Tops, Ovens, Broilers, Grills
Make the Workplace Safer
Provide grills and other hot surfaces that have built-in guard
bars, so workers won’t accidentally touch them.
Follow Safe Work Practices
DID YOU KNOW?
Workers under 16 are not allowed
to bake, and they can only do light
cooking with electric or gas grills
that do not involve cooking on an
open flame.
Avoid overcrowding on the range tops.
Set pot handles away from burners, and make sure they don’t stick out over the edge of the range.
Adjust burner flames to cover only the bottom of a pan.
Don’t fill pots too full, to avoid boiling over.
Lift pot covers back safely to protect yourself from steam.
Use tongs to lower food into boiling water.
Get help when moving or carrying a heavy pot of simmering liquid.
Never leave hot oil or grease unattended.
Use Protective Clothing and Equipment
Use potholders, gloves, or mitts when checking food on the stove, placing food in boiling
water, or reaching into ovens and broilers.
Never use wet material (like a damp towel) as a potholder.
Deep Fryers
Make the Workplace Safer
Provide fryers that dump used
grease automatically.
Provide fryers that lower food automatically
into the hot oil.
Use splash guards on fryers.
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T I TI
P PS HSEHEETE TO N E
Follow Safe Work Practices
Dry off wet food and brush off ice crystals before placing the food in the fryer basket.
Wet foods splatter and cause steam.
Fill fryer baskets no more than half full.
Raise and lower fryer baskets gently.
Do not stand too close to hot oil, or lean over it.
Keep beverages and other liquids away from fryers.
Don’t strain hot oil or carry it. Wait until it is cool.
Follow directions when adding new fat or oil.
Cover fryer oil when it’s not in use.
Use Protective Clothing and Equipment
Use potholders, gloves, or mitts.
Never use wet material (like a damp towel) as a potholder.
Microwave Ovens
Make the Workplace Safer
Provide ovens that turn off when the door is opened.
Check seals on microwave oven doors periodically.
Follow Safe Work Practices
Do not use metal containers, foil, or utensils in a microwave oven.
Open containers carefully after removing them from the microwave, to allow
steam to escape.
Use Protective Clothing and Equipment
Use hot pads, potholders, gloves, or mitts when removing items from the microwave.
FO R M O R E I N FO R MATI O N
Workers can also be burned when they slip or trip. They may fall against or touch a hot surface. Look at Tip Sheet: Preventing Injuries
from Slips and Falls.
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TI P S H E E T T W O
Preventing Cuts from
Sharp Stuff
Knives
Make the Workplace Safer
Provide knives that are the right size and type for each job.
Provide box cutters for opening boxes.
Provide proper storage for knives (counter racks, wall racks,
or storage blocks).
Allow workers enough time to work safely.
Follow Safe Work Practices
Keep knives sharp. Dull knives are unsafe.
Never leave knives soaking in water.
Place a damp cloth under your cutting board to keep it
from slipping.
DID YOU KNOW?
Workers under 16 are not allowed
to bake, and they can only do light
cooking with electric or gas grills
that do not involve cooking on an
open flame.
DID YOU KNOW?
Workers under 18 are not allowed to
use, clean, take apart, or assemble
large electrical appliances, such
as automatic slicers and bakery
machines.
If you are interrupted while cutting, put the knife down
in a flat, safe place.
Pass a knife to another person by laying it on a counter, or pass with blade pointed down.
Let a falling knife fall. Step back. Warn others. Never try to catch the knife.
Carry and store knives in sheaths or protective cases when possible.
When cutting, tuck in fingers on the hand that’s holding the food.
Use Protective Clothing and Equipment
If you’re doing a lot of cutting,
wear cut-resistant gloves that cover the
wrists, fit well, and have sturdy,
tightly-woven seams.
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T I TI
P PS HSEHEETE T W O
Slicers, Grinders, Food Processors
Make the Workplace Safer
Equip large electrical appliances with machine guards.
Keep cords, plugs, outlets, housings, and blades in good repair.
Keep electrical outlets free of cracks and grease to avoid short circuits.
Place electrical equipment away from water.
Follow Safe Work Practices
Before using a machine, make sure guards are in place.
Keep hands, face, hair, clothing, and jewelry away from moving parts.
Always use lockout/tagout procedure when cleaning or repairing electrical equipment.
A machine is locked out if a special locking mechanism is used so no one can turn it on, often
at the plug or power circuit. In addition, it must be tagged out, which means that a written
warning is attached to the power source telling people not to remove the locking mechanism
or turn on the power.
Keep floors dry near electrical equipment and outlets.
Use Protective Clothing and Equipment
Wear cut-resistant gloves, goggles, sleevelets, and arm protectors when operating equipment.
Glass and Dishware
Make the Workplace Safer
Designate one clearly-marked trash can for broken glass and sharp can lids.
Store glasses, bottles, and dishware away from areas with a lot of foot traffic.
Store glasses in racks. Don’t stack them directly on top of each other.
Follow Safe Work Practices
Use heavy-duty plastic or metal scoops for food or ice, not drinking glasses.
Don’t use chipped or cracked glasses or dishware.
When cleaning up broken glass, use a dustpan and broom.
Use Protective Clothing and Equipment
Wear gloves and goggles if necessary when cleaning up broken glass.
Wear gloves or use a towel when removing lids from glass jars.
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TI P S H E E T TH R E E
Preventing Injuries from
Slips and Falls
Moving Around Safely
Make the Workplace Safer
Provide enough work space to avoid collisions.
Provide proper storage so walkways and work areas are
kept free of clutter.
Keep electrical cords out of walkways. Have enough
outlets so extension cords are not needed.
Maintain carpets in good condition.
DID YOU KNOW?
Employers are required by law to
give workers protective equipment
and clothing if it’s needed.
Some employers provide safe shoes
with non-skid soles as part of the
work uniform.
Lay out the dining room and kitchen without tight or blind corners to avoid collisions.
Have non-slip surfaces and handrails on stairs.
Follow Safe Work Practices
Don’t move too quickly.
Don’t carry items too tall for you to see over.
Warn other workers when walking behind them.
Use Protective Clothing and Equipment
Wear non-skid, waterproof shoes with low heels.
Lace and tightly tie your shoes.
Don’t wear over-sized or baggy pants that
could cause you to trip.
Spills and Clean-up
Make the Workplace Safer
Have non-slip stable floor mats in good
condition in areas that could get wet. But
remember that moving heavy mats can
cause back injuries.
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T I PTISPH ESEHTE ETH
T REE
Follow Safe Work Practices
Clean up spills immediately.
Clean floors regularly so grease does not build up.
Use a clean mop with approved floor cleaners.
Use warning signs to keep people off wet floors.
Falls When Reaching or Climbing
Make the Workplace Safer
Provide enough ladders and footstools of the right size and keep them in good condition.
Have good lighting in work areas, and in delivery and storage areas.
Set up work areas to limit the need for reaching and climbing. For example, keep the most
frequently used items on accessible shelves.
Follow Safe Work Practices
Never use a box, cart, or other equipment to reach for objects. Use a ladder or footstool.
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TI P S H E E T F O U R
Preventing Injuries from
Ergonomic Hazards
Lifting and Carrying
Make the Workplace Safer
Design the workplace so workers have enough space to move
safely when lifting and carrying.
Provide smaller bus pans and trays.
Reduce the need for lifting and carrying. Provide hand trucks
and other lifting devices, and keep them in good condition.
Install a garbage chute.
DID YOU KNOW?
Ergonomic hazards are caused by
poor design of the workplace and
equipment. They produce wear and
tear on the body. They can cause
pain and injury to the hands, arms,
neck, back, and other parts of the
body.
Provide training in safe lifting methods.
Follow Safe Work Practices
1. Plan your lift before you start
Don’t try to carry more than you can handle. Make extra trips if necessary or ask for help.
Don’t overload trays or pans.
Use gloves if necessary.
Make sure you have a clear path to where
you are carrying the load.
2. Lifting
Get as close as possible to the load before lifting.
Lift with your legs, not your back.
Keep your head up, back straight, and bend at your knees.
Don’t lift with your hands only.
3. Moving the load
Keep the load close to your body.
Look where you are going. Don’t lift if you can’t see
over the load.
Move your feet instead of twisting your body.
4. Lowering
When setting the load down, let your leg muscles carry it down.
Be sure your fingers and toes are clear before setting the load down.
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T I PTISPHSEHE ET EFTO U R
Bending, Reaching
Make the Workplace Safer
DID YOU KNOW?
Provide storage for heavy items on lower shelves to
avoid reaching.
Provide ladders and footstools of the right size, and keep
them in good condition.
Redesign drive-through windows so workers don’t have to
stretch to serve customers.
Follow Safe Work Practices
Don’t bend or reach to get a heavy or awkward item.
Ask for help to lift and move it properly.
Experts say back belts are not effective in preventing back injuries,
and in some cases may increase the
chance of back injury. The National
Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH) recommends that
employers not rely on back belts to
protect workers, but instead set up
an ergonomics program that includes
workplace assessment, hazard
reduction, and worker training.
Don’t reach above your shoulders.
Never use a box, cart, or other equipment to reach for objects. Use a ladder or footstool.
Push carts instead of pulling them, where possible.
Repetitive Movements
Make the Workplace Safer
Install tables and chairs permanently so they don’t have to be set up and taken down daily.
Provide floor mats to protect against constant impact with hard surfaces.
Rotate tasks, especially those that require using the same motion over and over.
Provide mechanical equipment to do repetitive tasks where possible.
Follow Safe Work Practices
Often take a few moments to stretch, especially if you spend a lot of time carrying loads,
bending, reaching, or repeating the same motion.
Use good posture.
When walking or standing for long periods, use floor mats, take breaks, and rotate
tasks if possible.
When sitting for long periods, make sure your lower back is supported, take breaks, and
rotate tasks if possible.
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TI P S H E E T F I V E
Preventing Injuries from
Robberies and Assaults
Basic Security Measures
Make the Workplace Safer
Post emergency telephone numbers.
Post laws against assault, stalking, and violent acts.
Have good lighting in the workplace.
Have good lighting and security in parking lots and other
areas where people go alone at night.
DID YOU KNOW?
Workplace violence is one of the
leading causes of death on the job.
Most violent acts in the workplace
are committed by outsiders,
not by workers.
Have more than one exit workers can reach in case of emergency.
Schedule at least two people per shift, especially at night.
Train workers on what to do in case of robbery, crime, or a potentially violent situation.
Set up a reporting process for violent incidents and threats.
Don’t require servers to wear revealing or sexy uniforms.
Follow Safe Work Practices
Keep background noise down so people will be aware of any problem.
Use the “buddy system” when walking to public transportation and parking areas.
Make sure back doors are locked at night. Workers should still be able to exit easily.
Handling Cash
Make the Workplace Safer
Leave a clear, unobstructed view of the cash register area from the street.
Post signs that the cash register only contains a small amount of cash.
Store larger amounts of cash in a drop safe.
Follow Safe Work Practices
Don’t count cash in front of customers.
Use the “buddy system” during cash drops.
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T I TI
P PS HSEHEETE TF I V E
Security Systems
Make the Workplace Safer
Have working locks and alarms kept in good condition.
Have a way to communicate with the police or security personnel, like a “panic” button or
silent alarm.
Provide surveillance cameras and/or mirrors.
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TI P S H E E T S I X
Planning for
Emergencies on the Job
Every workplace should have a plan for dealing with different kinds of emergencies. All workers
should be trained on what’s in the plan, and what they should do. A plan should answer all the
questions below.
E XIT A N D E S C A P E P L A N S
What is the escape plan for fires, floods, earthquakes, and chemical spills?
Where are emergency exits located and how do you open them?
Where should you go if there is an evacuation? Is there a designated meeting area?
F I R E E XTI N G U I S H E R S
How does the fire alarm system work, and how should you respond?
Where are fire extinguishers located?
How do you operate fire extinguishers properly? Everyone who is expected to use a fire
extinguisher must be trained.
OTH E R E M E R G E N C Y E Q U I P M E NT
Where are emergency eye wash stations and safety showers located (if any)?
Where are first aid kits located?
Which workers on each shift are trained in first aid?
Unless a hospital is nearby, at least two
trained people should be available.
IF SOMEONE IS INJURED
Who should be notified of an injury?
Who is designated to provide first aid?
What procedures should be followed
to get medical care?
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TI P S H E E T S E V E N
Dealing with Injuries
1
on the Job
Every workplace should have a plan for handling injuries. The plan should spell out how workers
should report injuries, and how to get help promptly. It should designate staff to provide first aid,
and explain how to contact medical personnel if needed.
What if I get hurt on the job?
• Tell your supervisor right away.
• Get emergency medical treatment
if needed.
• Your employer is required by law
Follow Safe Work Practices
to provide workers’ compensation
Train designated staff on each shift to provide first aid for cuts.
benefits, including medical care
Make sure everyone knows who is designated to provide
for your injury and payments if
first aid.
you lose wages for more than 3
days. Your employer must give you
Know the dangers of contact with another person’s blood,
a claim form. Fill it out and return
and take appropriate precautions. Blood can carry organisms
it to your employer.
that cause diseases like Hepatitis B, or AIDS.
Cuts
Exposure to Blood
Follow Safe Work Practices
Make sure only designated, trained staff provide first aid.
If trained staff are not available, keep away from blood. Hand the victim a towel or bandage
to apply to the wound.
Make sure workers know how to report an incident where there is exposure to blood. They
should also know how to get a medical evaluation, and how to get a Hepatitis B vaccination
if they want one.
Have a system to record and
evaluate incidents where there was
exposure to blood.
Use Protective Clothing and Equipment
Have first aid kits, gloves, and other
protective equipment available for staff
designated to provide first aid.
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T I PTISPH ESEHTE ESTE V E N
Burns
Follow Safe Work Practices
Train designated staff on each shift to provide first aid for burns. First aid is the best way
to minimize the damage caused by a burn.
Make sure everyone knows who is designated to provide first aid.
Do not apply ointments, sprays, antiseptics, home remedies, butter, or grease to burns.
If over 15% of the body is burned, give appropriate first aid. Call 911, or follow the
restaurant’s procedures to get the person to a doctor or hospital immediately.
Use Protective Clothing and Equipment
Have first aid kits, gloves, and other protective equipment available for staff designated to
provide first aid.
First Aid for Burns and Shock
1st Degree Burn:
A burn injuring only the outside layer of skin.
2. Protect the burned area by covering with a
clean cloth.
Treatment:
Apply cold water to the burned area.
3. Treat for shock.
Treatment:
1. Immerse the burned area in cold water or
apply a clean cloth soaked in ice water until
pain subsides.
A person in shock will be cold, pale, sweating,
and may pass out.
Treatment: Do not give any fluid or drugs.
Follow the steps below.
2. Blot dry and apply a clean dry cloth or
bandage. Send to a doctor if necessary.
1. Maintain an open airway. Restore breathing
and circulation if necessary.
3rd Degree Burn:
A burn that destroys all layers of skin.
2. Call 911, or follow the restaurant’s procedures to get the person to a doctor or hospital
immediately.
4. Call 911, or follow the restaurant’s proce2nd Degree Burn:
dures to get the person to a doctor or hospital
A burn that injures the layer of skin beneath the immediately.
surface. Blisters usually form.
Shock:
Treatment: Do not put ice or ice water on the
burn. Do not remove clothes that are stuck to
the burn. Follow the steps below.
1. Maintain an open airway. Restore breathing
and circulation if necessary.
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3. Have the victim lie down with feet elevated,
unless this would hurt them more.
4. Cover the person to keep them warm.
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Youth Worker Safety
Restaurant/Fast Food
Industry
In late spring and early summer, many high school and college youth start summer jobs.
Restaurants and other eating and drinking businesses employ more than 421,000 people in
Michigan and 11.6 million nationwide. Nearly 30 percent or approximately 125,000 of
Michigan restaurant industry employees are under 20 years of age. Many teens' first work
experience is in the restaurant industry. In fact, more than one in four adults found their first
job in the restaurant industry. This fact sheet helps identify potential hazards and provide
solutions to specific activities within the restaurant industry.
Work Environment:
Primary Hazards and Solutions:
Activities
Serve food
Bus tables and clean up
Drive-thru service
Food Preparation/Cooking
Work at cash register
Slippery Floors
Wear sturdy non-slip, footwear; water proof
in wet areas
Use non-slip mats when provided
Use caution signs on wet floors
Activities That May Be Restricted
Power driven meat slicers and grinders
(Under 18)
Power-driven bakery equipment, including
mixers (Under 18)
Contact with hazardous substances,
chemicals, explosives or radioactive
substances (Under 18)
Driving and work as an outside helper (pizza
delivery, etc.) (Under 18)
Selling, serving, or furnishing alcoholic
beverages (Under 18)
Baking or cooking, except at servicing center
(Under 14-15)
Primary Hazards and Solutions:
Lifting and Carrying Heavy Objects
Get help lifting; use your legs, not your
back
Avoid twisting while lifting
Don’t overreach
Use wheeled carts to serve food or
transport objects
Sharp Objects-Knives, Graters, Shredders,
or Slicers
Wear steel mesh or kevlar gloves when
cutting
Let a falling knife fall
Store sharp knives in racks or sheaths
Use broom or dust pan to clean up broken
glass
Deep Fat Fryers, Hot Liquids or Heated
Surfaces
Do not stand too close or lean over hot oil
Do not spill water or ice into hot oil
Wear long-sleeve shirts and long pants
Use oven mitts or pot holders for hot
items
Wait until oil is cool to move container
Electrical Shock from Damaged Electrical
Cords or Faulty Appliances
Do not plug in electrical equipment with wet
hands
Do not use frayed cords or defective
equipment
Primary Hazards and Solutions:
Primary Hazards and Solutions:
Cleaning Chemicals
Ask for training before using chemicals
Read labels before using
Wear personal protective equipment (PPE),
including gloves and eye protection
Workplace Violence
Don’t count cash or close till in front of
customers
Ask supervisor what to do in an emergency
Have emergency telephone numbers
handy
Do not resist during an attempted robbery
Prolonged Standing
Wear shoes with well cushioned instep and
soles
Use foot rest bar or stool to continually shift
weight from one foot to the other
Use anti-fatigue mats when provided
Carbon Monoxide from Car Exhaust in
Drive-Thru
Keep the drive-thru window closed as much
as possible, to limit exposure to exhaust
Use fan when provided
Exposure to Temperature Extremes
Wear cool, comfortable, breathable clothing
like cotton
Request a break from the hot environment
if needed, to allow your body to cool down
Drink plenty of water in hot environments
Observe safety procedures or wear
protective equipment (such as gloves or
protective aprons)
Noisy Environments
Fit drive-thru headsets properly to your
head
Don’t turn head-set volumes up excessively
high
Other Job Safety Issues:
Follow workplace training and procedures
Do not perform the work if you have not
been trained to do the job
Report potential hazards
Read and follow all warning signs and
postings
When unsure, ask questions
Keep your work area clean
Employers must be aware that certain work activities are restricted for workers under the age of 18 by the
Michigan Department of Education, Office of Career and Technical Education. For more information, visit
the Michigan Department of Education website at: www.michigan.gov/mde.
Or contact:
Consultation Education & Training (CET) Division
Michigan Occupational Safety & Health Administration
7150 Harris Drive, PO Box 30643, Lansing, Michigan 48909-8143
517-322-1809 or www.michigan.gov/miosha
Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)
www.youth2work.gov
LARA is an equal opportunity employer/program.
Auxiliary aids, services and other reasonable accommodations are available upon request to individuals with disabilities.
MIOSHA/CET #0163 (Revised 05/23/13)
Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls in
Wholesale and Retail Trade Establishments
Summary
Employees in Wholesale and Retail
Trade (WRT) establishments suffer
high rates of slip, trip, and fall (STF)
injuries. The National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH) recommends measures to
ensure a safe workplace and prevent
injuries.
Description of
the Problem
WRT includes employees engaged in
wholesaling merchandise—that is, preparing, distributing, and selling merchandise in retail operations, and services related to those activities. More
than 21 million employees work in the
wholesale and retail industries.
STFs are the second most common cause
of lost-workday injuries in general industry and can cause back injuries, sprains,
strains, contusions, fractures, severe head
injuries, paralysis, and even fatalities.
STFs are the third most common cause of
lost-workday injuries in WRT establishments. Seventy-five percent of the total
STF injuries in WRT occur on the same
level [BLS 2010; UWSP 2010].
Slips occur as a result of low friction
between the shoe and walking surface;
trips occur when a person’s foot contacts
an object or drops to a lower level; and
falls can result from either a slip or trip
[UWSP 2010].
Among other risk factors, WRT employees must frequently handle and
move materials, putting them at higher risk for STF injuries. Employees in
retail operations have a higher incidence rate of STF injuries than private
industry employees overall. Employees
in grocery stores and establishments
where meat is handled are at particular risk, with a 75% greater than average
industry rate for all other private industries combined (28.3 vs. 16.1 per 10,000
employees) [BLS 2010; Anderson and
Mulhern 2010].
Risk Factors
The following risk factors have caused
slips, trips, and same-level falls in the
workplace [CDC 2011; NIOSH 2010;
Anderson and Mulhern 2010; ISSA
2008; NFSI 2009; UWSP 2010]:
Figure 1. Spilled liquid on a floor that
may cause slips.
„„
Boxes/containers may obstruct vision (See Figure 2).
„„
Poor lighting affects visibility.
„„
Walking surfaces that are in disrepair,
have protruding nails and boards, or
changes in floor height may cause
STFs. Contaminants on the floor,
walking surface irregularities, and
tripping hazards such as clutter, cords
or hoses, on walking surfaces lead to
most STF injuries in the workplace.
Workplace Factors
„„
Spills on walking surfaces may cause
slippery surfaces (See Figure 1).
„„
Ice, snow, or rain can create outdoor slipping hazards and can be
tracked indoors.
„„
Loose mats or rugs may result in
tripping.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Work Organization
Factors
„„
Fast work pace can be a factor, as
an employee might feel rushed and
work at a faster than normal work
pace, thus risking injury.
and tripped over a pallet jack behind him (a pallet jack
is used to lift and move pallets). He fell backwards, landing on his wrist, resulting in a fracture and missed work.
„„
A sales employee wearing sandals walked from the wet
outdoors into the warehouse, slipped, and landed on an
elbow, resulting in a sprained shoulder.
„„
An auto detailer slipped outdoors on the ice and fell on his
head, suffering brain injury.
Recommendations
Most STF incidents can be prevented with proper attention to the
three categories of risk factors: workplace, work organization, and
individual. The following steps are recommended to prevent injuries related to slips, trips, and same-level falls.
Employers
Figure 2. Carrying materials may obstruct view and cause
slips, trips, and falls.
„„
Work tasks that involve handling liquid or greasy materials may cause slippery surfaces.
Individual Factors
Planning and Workplace Design
[NIOSH 2010; Anderson and Mulhern 2010; NCDOL 2010;
ISSA 2008; OBWC]
„„
Develop a written STF prevention policy that specifies both
employer and worker responsibilities. (See NIOSH 2010 for
an example of developing an STF prevention plan.)
„„
Ensure that aisles and passageways are free of clutter and
other tripping hazards.
„„
Provide proper lighting in all areas indoors and outdoors
to reduce shadows, dark areas, and glare so that trip hazards or surface irregularities are clearly visible. Replace
burnt out light bulbs promptly.
„„
Age may affect balance, as the risk of same-level falls increases with age.
„„
Employee fatigue may contribute to slips and trips.
„„
Failing eyesight/use of bifocals may prevent employees
from seeing walking surfaces clearly.
„„
„„
Inappropriate, loose, or poor-fitting footwear may cause a
worker to trip. Smooth or worn soles may cause a worker to slip.
If electrical cords are used on a regular basis, install outlets so that cords do not cross walkways.
„„
In grocery stores, ensure that water from produce spray misters is directed onto produce, and is not spraying onto the floor.
„„
In grocery stores, provide customers with plastic bags and
paper towels for wet produce to prevent it from dripping
water onto the floor.
„„
Provide clean up supplies (paper towels, absorbent material,
“wet floor” signs, etc) at convenient locations in the facility.
„„
Provide umbrella bags to prevent rain water from dripping onto the floor.
„„
Select flooring material according to the work to be done
in the area. Use flooring with a static coefficient of friction
of more than 0.5 for high-risk areas. A higher static coefficient of friction is safer and can be increased by wearing
slip-resistant shoes and keeping floor surfaces clean and dry.
„„
Mats are used to provide slip-resistant walking surfaces by
absorbing liquid and removing dirt, debris, and liquid from
shoes. Provide water-absorbent mats near entrances and
other areas where water, ice, or snow may drip or be tracked
onto the floor. Mats should be large enough so that several
footsteps fall on the mat and clean contaminants off the shoes
Standards
Standards provide guidance for maintaining safe walking and
working surfaces (including stairs) and preventing slip, trip, and fall
hazards. These include Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulation 29 CFR 1910.22(a) and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards [2006, 2007]. The National Floor Safety Institute [2009] has issued an ANSI standard on
testing procedures and devices to measure the wet static coefficient
of friction of common hard-surface floor materials. A static coefficient of friction measures a surface’s resistance to friction, or the
friction between the shoe and the floor [OBWC n.d.]
Case Studies
Several case studies were provided by the Ohio Bureau of
Workers’ Compensation:
„„
An employee was removing stacks of cardboard from a
pallet. As he picked up the cardboard, he stepped back
before the shoes contact the flooring beyond the mat. If there
is water around or beyond the mat, it means that the mat is not
large enough or is saturated and needs to be replaced.
Training
[ISSA 2008]
„„
„„
Train employees to identify STF hazards and how to prevent STFs by using safe cleaning procedures, including
placing caution signs and/or cones around the site to warn
other employees and visitors to avoid wet walking surfaces.
Make sure employees know whom to call to report hazards and whom to call for clean-up or repair.
Footwear
[Anderson and Mulhern 2010; ISSA 2008]
„„
Slip-resistant shoes are an important component of a comprehensive STF prevention program. Staff that work on wet or contaminated walking surfaces should wear slip-resistant shoes.
„„
Choose footwear that is resistant to oil, chemicals, and heat.
Employees
Material handling
[Anderson and Mulhern 2010; UWSP 2010]
„„
Ensure that the walkway is unobstructed before transporting large materials that might block your vision.
„„
Walk with caution and make wide turns at corners.
„„
Push (rather than pull) carts to allow a better line of sight.
Housekeeping
[NCDOL 2010; ISSA 2008; UWSP 2010]
„„
Clean floors and work surfaces as soon as they become wet.
„„
Inspect refrigerated and freezer cases for water leakage
onto the floor surfaces; place absorbent strips and waterabsorbent mats on the floor until the unit is repaired.
„„
Place warning signs in wet floor areas and remove them
promptly when the floor is clean and dry.
„„
Use no-skid waxes in slippery areas, and use soap that
does not leave slippery residue.
„„
During wet or oily processes, maintain drainage and provide false floors, platforms, or nonslip mats. (False floors
are elevated floors usually 2 to 4 inches above the structural floor designed to provide a surface for safe transit).
„„
Clean only one side of a passageway at a time to allow
room for passing.
„„
Keep passageways clear at all times, and mark permanent
aisles and passageways.
„„
For purposes of one-time use, tape or anchor electrical
cords to floors if they cross walkways.
Acknowledgments
This document was prepared by Vern Anderson, Susan Afanuh, and Jennifer Bell of NIOSH. Case study information
was provided by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.
References
Anderson VP, Mulhern B [2010]. Don’t let costly slip and fall
injuries trip you up. Chain Store Age March:40−43.
ANSI [2006]. Standards for the provision of slip resistance
on walking/working surfaces. New York: American National Standards Institute, ANSI A1264.2−2006.
ANSI [2007]. Safety requirements for workplace walking
surfaces and their access: floor, wall and roof openings,
stairs and guardrail systems. American National Standards
Institute. ANSI/ASSE A1264.1-2007.
BLS [2010]. Incidence rates for nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work per
10,000 full-time workers by industry and selected events
or exposures leading to injury or illness, private industry,
2010 http:www.bls.gov/iif/oshwc/osh/case/ostb2832.pdf
CDC [2011]. Nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses among older workers—United States, 2009. MMWR
60(16):503−508. http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/
mmwrhtml/mm6016a3.htm
CFR. Code of Federal regulations. Washington, DC: U.S.
Government Printing Office, Office of the Federal Register. http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_
document?p_table=STANDARDS&p_id=9714
ISSA [2008]. Safety and health portal—slips, trips and falls
in the workplace. Lincolnwood, IL: ISSA−The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association. http://www.issa.
com/?id=shp_slips_trips_falls_in_the_workplace
NCDOL [2010]. Slips, trips, and falls fact sheet. Raleigh, NC:
North Carolina Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Division. www.nclabor.com/osha/etta/A_
to_Z_Topics/SlipsTrips.pdf
NFSI [2009]. Web site of the National Floor Safety Institute.
Southlake, TX: National Floor Safety Institute. http://www.nfsi.
org/the_problem.php and http://www.nfsi.org/standards.php
NIOSH [2010]. Slip, trip, and fall prevention for healthcare workers. DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2011-123.
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2011-123/
OBWC [no date]. BWC Safety Grant Best Practices: reducing slip
and fall injuries in restaurants: one company’s experience. Columbus, OH: Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation.
UWSP [2010]. Preventing injuries from slips, trips and falls.
Stevens Point, WI: University of Wisconsin, Safety and
Loss Control Office.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
4676 Columbia Parkway
Cincinnati, OH 45226–1998
Official Business
Penalty for Private Use $300
For More Information
More information about the Wholesale and Retail Trade
Sector and the National Occupational Research Agenda
can be found on the NIOSH Web site: http://www.cdc.gov/
niosh/programs/wrt/
To obtain information about other occupational safety and
health topics, contact NIOSH at
Telephone: 1–800–CDC–INFO (1–800–232–4636)
TTY: 1–888–232–6348 ■ E-mail: [email protected]
or visit the NIOSH Web site at www.cdc.gov/niosh
For a monthly update on news at NIOSH, subscribe to
NIOSH eNews by visiting www.cdc.gov/niosh/eNews.
Mention of any company or product does not constitute endorsement by NIOSH. In addition, citations to Web sites
external to NIOSH do not constitute NIOSH endorsement
of the sponsoring organizations or their programs or products. Furthermore, NIOSH is not responsible for the content of these Web sites.
Safer • Healthier • PeopleTM
This document is in the public domain and may be
freely copied or reprinted. NIOSH encourages all readers of the Workplace Solutions to make them available to all interested employers and employees.
As part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
NIOSH is the Federal agency responsible for conducting
research and making recommendations to prevent workrelated illness and injuries. All Workplace Solutions are based
on research studies that show how worker exposures to hazardous agents or activities can be significantly reduced.
Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls in Wholesale and Retail
Trade Establishments
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2013−100
October 2012
Five Minute Safety Talk No. 2
"Safe Housekeeping"
CONSULTATION EDUCATION & TRAINING DIVISION
Most of you probably have house cleaning responsibilities at home. For some of
you, it's a regular weekly chore. Whatever the case may be, you'll agree that good
housekeeping practices are important at home.
However, what we sometimes overlook is that good housekeeping is a key duty on
the job, too. The orderly arrangement of work areas is vital to the safety of all
workers, regardless of whether they are involved with machines and tools or with
appliances and furniture.
It's a fact that approximately 6,000 persons are killed on the job annually in the United
States, and an estimated 19,500 in home accidents.
Seventeen percent of the on-the-job deaths are caused by falls, many of which
result from just plain poor housekeeping practices.
Falls often result from tripping over loose articles such as tools left in aisle ways
and work areas. Wet spots on the floor, or trash and other articles left in stairways
also take their toll.
During periods of rain and snow, you know what happens when you and the kids
track water into the house from outside. Tracked-in water is a serious problem at
work, too. Wet spots cause slips and falls. They should be cleaned up immediately,
regardless of who was responsible for their being there.
We have trash receptacles placed in several strategic areas, so there is no excuse
for waste paper, pop bottles, or other materials being thrown on the floor.
You'd better get in close for a sure shot at the trash barrel.
A word of caution. If a bottle should be broken on the floor, don't attempt to pick up
the glass with your bare hands, Wear gloves or sweep up the pieces. The same
procedure should be used for cleaning up nails and other sharp objects.
Let's face it. It is just a lot easier to do your job when your work area is kept neat.
Keep your tools and equipment off the floor and stored in the proper places. This
not only reduces tripping hazards, but protects the equipment you use to earn a
living with.
Did you ever go to your closet at home to get your golf clubs and have to pull them
out from under some other articles? Things start falling all over. It's a mess. But
before you blow your cool, stop and think. "How many times have I left stuff piled
on top of the golf clubs when I was in a hurry looking for something else in the
closet?"
The same principles apply when storing materials or equipment on the job. Take
time to make the piles neat. It's unsafe to stack them too high and, if possible, it's
best to keep them away from other equipment or articles that are used often.
We have to be a lot like a quarterback, keeping our eyes open for changes in the
defense or certain other telltale moves of opposing players. On the job, we should
keep a lookout for danger signals—loose flooring, articles out of place, or other
unsafe conditions. These things should be corrected immediately, or notify me and
I'll see that they're taken care of.
In closing, I'd like to emphasize that we're all dependent on each other for safety.
It's up to each of us to hold up our end of the deal. When each of us keeps their own
area in order, the whole plant is a safer place to work.
To request consultation education and training services, call: 517-322-1809.
Michigan Department of Licensing and
Regulatory Affairs Michigan Occupational Safety
and Health Administration Consultation Education
& Training Division
7150 Harris Drive, Box 30643
Lansing, MI 48909-8143
517-322-1809
MIOSHA-CET-2 (Rev. 1/04)
Tool Box Talk
Housekeeping: Keep the Jobsite Cleaned Up!
Newsletter Date
Special points of interest:
Keep cords out of
walkways.
Pay special attention
to trip hazards around
ladders and stairs.
Watch for slippery
conditions and fix them
before somebody gets
hurt.
Housekeeping seems minor, but leads to many accidents and injuries.
It is far easier to work safe in a clean, organized jobsite.
Keep work areas clear of debris that creates a tripping hazard.
Walkways to the work area must be clear. At least a 3 foot wide path.
Pay special attention to stairways, doorways, entrances and ladder access areas.
Keep them clear of debris and trip hazards. No material or tools stored on stairs
and landings.
Route electrical cords to the side of walking paths and keep them out of
doorways to avoid damage to the cord and trip hazards.
Nails in scrap lumber must be
bent over or removed.
Floors, platforms, stairs, and
landings must be free of ice, or
other slippery conditions.
Stack materials safely. No higher
than 2 pallets high and keep it
level.
Have adequate number of trash
cans, and regularly dispose of the
trash.
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Consultation, Education & Training Division
7150 Harris Drive, Box 30643
Lansing, MI 48909-8143
COMPUTER ERGONOMICS
Ergonomics involves arranging, adapting, and adjusting your work environment to promote comfort and efficiency. Practicing good posture is also very
important. Are you comfortable at your workstation? Review the items below to see if you can add to your comfort and efficiency.
SCREEN
EYE COMFORT
Keep the top of the screen at or just below
eye level, approximately 16 - 22 inches away.
Reduce glare by controlling light from uncovered
windows. Set computer at right angle to a
window. Adjust inside lighting or reposition
computer to eliminate glare. A glare screen might
assist. Frequently refocus eyes on objects far
away. Uncorrected vision problems can cause eye
strain; see your doctor!
CHAIR
Learn the adjustments on your chair. Keep back
supported, feet flat on floor or use foot rest, if
needed. Knees at approximately 90° when seated,
with lower legs perpendicular to floor. Legs should
be able to move freely under your desk.
ORGANIZE WORK AREA
Keep most frequently used items such as
telephone and calculator within easy reach.
KEYBOARD
Place keyboard at a height so wrists are straight
and elbows approximately 90°. A wrist rest may
provide additional support to wrists. Maintain a
light touch on the keyboard.
EXERCISE
Warm-up before work by doing simple exercises.
Micro-breaks throughout the day can help
energize the body and relieve muscle tension.
DOCUMENT HOLDER
COMMUNICATION/TRAINING
Place document holder and screen at the same
height and distance.
CHANGE POSITIONS
Frequently shift positions to release tension
on body.
MIOSHA
Consultation Education & Training (CET) Division
(517) 322-1809
www.michigan.gov/miosha
MIOSHA/CET #0104 (Revised 06/10)
Employee involvement in the equipment selection
process, communication between employee and
supervisor, user friendly software, and training
can help maintain stress levels and provide for a
productive work environment.
How to Lift Safely
Preventing back injuries is a major workplace safety challenge. According to the Bureau of Labor
Statistics, more than one million workers suffer back injuries each year, and back injuries account for
one of every five workplace injuries or illnesses. Further, one-fourth of all compensation indemnity
claims involve back injuries, costing industry billions of dollars on top of the pain and suffering of
employees.
Moreover, though lifting, placing, carrying, holding and lowering are involved in manual materials
handling (the principal cause of compensable work injuries) the BLS survey shows that four out of five of
these injuries were to the lower back, and that three out of four occurred while the employee was
lifting.1
In order to prevent back injuries, follow these safe lifting tips2:
PART I - Basic Lifts
Plan Your Move
• Size up the load and make sure your path is clear. (Note: Lifting loads heavier than about 50
pounds will increase the risk of injury.)
• Do not attempt to lift the load alone if it is too heavy or awkward. GET HELP!
• Keep the load close to your body.
• Use your thigh and leg muscles, not your back, as you lift in one smooth movement.
Principles of Lifting
• Have feet shoulder width apart, with the load between them.
• Get a firm grip on the load.
• Keep your arms and elbows close to your side.
• Bend your knees and hips keeping your back straight.
Safe Carrying
• Keep a good grip on the load.
• Keep the load close to the body.
• Keep loads at a reasonable height so you can see where you are going.
• Pivot with your feet – don’t twist your back when carrying loads.
Lower Material Slowly and Smoothly
• Use the lifting principles but in reverse.
• When lowering a load onto a deep shelf, put it on the edge of the shelf and push it into place.
• Push rather than pull.
o If a person pulls while facing in the direction of travel, the arm is stretched behind the
body, placing the shoulder and back in a mechanically awkward posture, increasing the
likelihood of injury.
o Research demonstrates that people can usually exert higher push forces than pull
forces.
• Pull rather than carry.
PART II – Modified Lifts
Two-Person Lift
• Both persons should be about the same height.
• One person takes charge of the lift, so that you are working together not against each other.
• Lift together, walk in step and lower the load together.
Golfer’s Lift
Use the golfer’s lift to pick up light, small loads when you can’t bend your knees or get close to the
object.
• Swing one leg straight out behind you.
• Keep your back straight while your body leans forward.
• To help support your body, place one hand on your knee or on a nearby solid object.
One-Person Lift – Sacks
• Stand at one end of the sack.
• Lift it to an upright position.
• Straddle the load. Place one hand under the bottom of the sack and use the other to hold the
sack against your body.
• Bend the knees and lift the sack onto a platform.
• Stand as close to the lifting platform as possible.
• Bend the knees until the load can be balanced onto your shoulder.
• Straighten up in one smooth movement.
• If the sack is small, place it in a box with handles and carry.
Sources:
1 Back Injuries-Nation's #1 Workplace Safety Problem. Fact sheet OSHA 89-09, U.S. Department of
Labor.
2 Safe Lifting and Carrying. Industrial Accident Prevention Association, May 2008
Five Minute Safety Talk No. 1
"Safe Lifting Techniques"
CONSULTATION EDUCATION & TRAINING DIVISION
Can you think of even one job or occupation where you never have to lift an object? I can't.
Lifting of objects can range from very light objects such as a piece of paper, a pin or a pen
to very heavy objects like loads of boxes. Lifting is very much a part of our every day jobs.
And, because it is something we do so often, we tend to do it without thinking, or at least we
do until we strain a muscle, or worse, hurt our backs.
Lifting incorrectly can result in a variety of injuries. Back strain is a very common one. It
results from over-stretching certain muscles, but it can be avoided by practicing safe lifting
techniques. A hernia is another injury associated with lifting. A hernia does not generally
result from a single lifting effort. It is usually the result of continued extreme exertion,
especially done contrary to the structure of body.
Don't underestimate the importance of being in good physical condition. Years of poor
posture, overeating, lack of exercise, stress and improper lifting can catch up with you.
Learn how your back works and what you can do to keep it strong. Ask for your physician's
recommended stretching, warm-up, and reconditioning exercises; then practice them
regularly.
Safe lifting plays an important role in keeping your back healthy. Although there doesn't
seem to be just one right method to lift an object, there are lifting techniques that take strain
off the low back area.
These techniques have several steps in common. They recommend you "size up the load".
That is, look it over. Decide if you can handle it alone or if you need help. When in doubt,
ask for help. Moving a box or other object that is too heavy for one person is not worth
strained and sore back muscles.
You should also "size up the area." Look over the area where you are carrying the object to,
and make sure it is clear of obstacles before beginning to carry the object.
For that period of time spent lifting, the load becomes a part of your body. You support and
propel the object while it is attached to you. This attachment should be firm and sure. Get a
good grip.
Attaching yourself to a load will change your balance. To keep this change of balance to a
minimum, keep the load close to your body, to your normal center of gravity between the
legs, between the shoulders.
Good foot position allows you to keep your balance and bring into play the full power of
your leg muscles. Leg muscles are more powerful and more durable than back muscles. Let
your leg muscles do the work. Again, footwork is important once you avoid twisting your
upper body. Use your feet to change direction. Don't twist your body. Twisting compounds
the stress of the lift and affects your balance.
When you have someone helping you lift an object, teamwork becomes important. If you're
going to be carrying the load to another point, both of you should decide in advance how it
is to be handled. Check the route and clearance. One person should be the leader and be in a
position to observe and direct the other. Lifting and lowering should be done in unison.
Don't let the load drop suddenly without warning your partner.
Everyone has a way of lifting that seems most natural. Examine yours to see if you are using
lifting techniques that reduce strain on your lower back. As the employee making the lift,
you're being counted on to make lifts that are safe and comfortable for you based on the
items we've discussed:
Stay in shape
Size up the load; ask for help, if needed
Get a good grip
Keep the load close
Keep your balance with footwork
Let your leg muscles do the work
Don't twist your body
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Consultation Education & Training Division
7150 Harris Drive, Box 30643
Lansing, MI 48909-8143
517-322-1809
MIOSHA-CET-1 (Rev. 1/04)
VIDEO DISPLAY TERMINAL
AND OFFICE ERGONOMICS
CHECKLIST
ORGANIZATION OF WORK AREA
SPACE
YES NO
1.
Work surface and work area large enough to hold materials and equipment and
perform required tasks .............................................................................................................................
2.
Storage space adequate for copies, handbooks, documents, and notebooks ...........................................
3.
Area under desk free of obstructions .......................................................................................................
4.
Area under work surface provides sufficient depth, height, and width
for legs to move about freely ...................................................................................................................
JOB AIDS AND EQUIPMENT POSITIONING
1.
Job aids, tools and materials placement allows efficient flow of work ...................................................
2.
Items used frequently (telephone, calculators, etc.) within easy reach
without extensive body movement ..........................................................................................................
3.
Document holder available and positioned to avoid frequent eye and
head movement........................................................................................................................................
4.
Cables and cords positioned to prevent tripping .....................................................................................
5.
Headset available for high volume telephone use ...................................................................................
BODY POSTURE FOR SEATED POSITION
1.
Lower back support .................................................................................................................................
2.
Thighs approximately horizontal.............................................................................................................
3.
Lower part of leg approximately vertical ................................................................................................
4.
Keyboard height allows forearms and wrists to be in a neutral (straight) position .................................
5.
Monitor at least 12-18" away from worker .............................................................................................
6.
Top of monitor screen approximately eye level ......................................................................................
7.
Mouse positioned to allow forearm and wrist to be in a neutral position ...............................................
8.
Feet rest flat on floor, or footrest provided, when needed.......................................................................
9.
No prolonged forward bending ...............................................................................................................
10. Minimum amount (or infrequent) bending or twisting of the back, head, or neck .................................
MIOSHA/CET #0103 (Revised 07/10)
CHAIR
CHAIR FEATURES
YES NO
1.
Stable with five point base (safe from tipping over) ...............................................................................
2.
Castors appropriate for safe mobility on floor surface ............................................................................
3.
Swivels ....................................................................................................................................................
4.
Seat dimensions .......................................................................................................................................
5.
a)
Seat pan 15" - 19" deep ....................................................................................................................
b)
Seat pan minimum 18.2" wide .........................................................................................................
Has armrests ............................................................................................................................................
a)
Good fit for user ...............................................................................................................................
b)
Clearance under work surface for arm rests .....................................................................................
6.
Rounded front edge to avoid thigh pressure ............................................................................................
7.
Padded seat ..............................................................................................................................................
8.
Lumbar support in backrest .....................................................................................................................
9.
Guidance/training for users describing how to make adjustments ..........................................................
CHAIR AJUSTABILITY
1.
Chair allows user to assume different postures .......................................................................................
2.
Seat height adjusts between 16" - 20.5" ..................................................................................................
3.
Adjustable armrests .................................................................................................................................
4.
Adjustable height of backrest ..................................................................................................................
5.
Backrest adjustable forward/backward....................................................................................................
6.
Adjustments easily made from seated position .......................................................................................
ENVIRONMENT
1.
Lighting adequate for tasks .....................................................................................................................
2.
Display screen free of glare and reflections ............................................................................................
3.
Screen at right angle to windows.............................................................................................................
4.
Screen character brightness at a comfortable level .................................................................................
5.
Room temperature constant between 70 - 73Β ........................................................................................
6.
Noise level:
7.
a)
Less than 55 dBA in task areas requiring intense concentration. ....................................................
b)
Less than 65 dBA in routine task areas ............................................................................................
c)
Environment free from distracting high noise levels (from printers, copiers, etc.) .........................
Environment free of hot or cold areas, e.g. under desks, in corners, etc. ................................................
OSHA Releases New Safe Patient Handling Brochure
by Jennifer Hilliard
Published On: Jun 16, 2014
Citing the continued prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in nursing and personal care facilities, the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released an updated Safe Patient Handling brochure.
The 2-page brochure extols the benefits to providers and workers of a safe patient handling program.
According to the agency, such programs have been shown to reduce exposure to injuries related to manual lifting by up
to 95%.
This can reduce health care worker injuries and related lost work time. Other benefits include:
•More satisfying work environment and professional status.
•Improved nursing recruitment and retention.
•Increased patient satisfaction and comfort.
•Decreased patient falls and pressure ulcers.
•Reduced costs associated with injuries.
In the brochure, OSHA outlines the 6 elements of a successful safe patient handling program:
•Commitment from management at all levels - management support, resources and consistent communication are vital
to ensuring that employees at all levels understand the importance of safe patient handling.
•A safe patient handling committee that involves frontline workers - inclusion of frontline employees is essential to the
design, implementation and evaluation of the program.
•Hazard assessment - high risk units, areas and tasks should be addressed, evaluating such factors as types of nursing
units, the physical environment of patient care areas, existing equipment and the utilization of such equipment.
•Technology and prevention through design - Manual lifting should be minimized (and eliminated when feasible)
through the utilization of specialized lifting equipment and lift teams.
•Education and training - such efforts should be geared toward the assessment of hazards, selection and use of the
appropriate patient lifting equipment and devices, and review of evidence-based practices for safe patient handling; it
should also include training on when and how to report injuries.
•Program evaluation - evaluation is necessary to ensure long-term success of any safe patient handling program.
The brochure also contains a list of additional resources on the topic of safe patient handling practices.
record serious injuries and illnesses that are work-related
and meet other general criteria on the OSHA 300 Log.
Information from the 300 Log and the 301 form can be
used to identify tasks and jobs with higher risks of injury,
to monitor trends and to gauge the effectiveness of
intervention efforts.
Whistleblower Protections
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act employees
may not be retaliated against for reporting a work-related
injury or illness (29 U.S.C. 660(c)). Employers must ensure
that no employee is discriminated against for exercising
his or her rights, including reporting potential hazards,
symptoms or work-related injuries.
The Free OSHA On-site Consultation Program:
A Valuable Resource for Implementing a Safe
Patient Handling Program
Through the OSHA On-site Consultation Program, OSHA
provides free and confidential safety and health advice
to small and medium-sized businesses committed
to improving workplace safety and health. On-site
consultation services are separate from enforcement and
DO NOT result in penalties or citations.
Additional Resources:
yy Occupational Safety and Health Administration
www.osha.gov
yy National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/safepatient
yy The Veterans Health Administration
www.va.gov/health
yy The Joint Commission
www.jointcommission.org
yy Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
http://tinyurl.com/seiuOSH
yy American Nurses Association
www.nursingworld.org;
www.anahealthyworkenvironment.org
Common Beliefs vs. Facts
About Safe Patient Handling Programs
“Mechanical lifting is not as safe and comfortable for
patients as manual lifting.”
FACT: Once patients realize the ease and comfort of
modern mechanical lifts, they will be more likely to
accept them. Mechanical lifts are safer for both patients
and healthcare workers.
Under the OSHA law, employers have the responsibility
for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their
workers. Workers have the right to working conditions
that do not pose a risk of serious harm. For questions, or
to get information or advice, to order publications, or to
file a confidential complaint, contact OSHA at 1-800-321OSHA (6742), or go to www.osha.gov.
“Training and use of proper body mechanics (including use
of back belts) is effective in preventing job-related injuries.”
FACT: Research shows that relying on “proper” body
mechanics (including use of back belts) is not, by itself, an
effective way to reduce injuries. There is no such thing as
safe manual lifting of a patient.
“You don’t need to worry about patient-handling
injuries if your workers are healthy and never had
a problem.”
FACT: Manual lifting can cause micro-injuries to the spine.
Although workers may not feel the effects immediately,
cumulative micro-injuries can result in a debilitating injury.
Experts recommend that lifts be limited to 35 pounds or
less. Good health and strength may actually put workers at
increased risk because their peers are much more likely to
seek their assistance when manually lifting patients.
For more information on safe patient handling
legislation in states and other resources, visit
www.osha.gov/SLTC/nursinghome.
Safe Patient
Handling
“It is much faster to manually move patients.”
FACT: If equipment is located conveniently, accessing it will
not take a long time. It is often more time-consuming to
round up a team of workers to manually lift a patient than
to get safe patient handling equipment.
Preventing
Musculoskeletal
Disorders in
Nursing Homes
“Manual lifting is less expensive than mechanical lifting.”
FACT: Costs associated with back injuries in the
healthcare industry are estimated to be $20 billion
annually. Research shows the use of assistive technology
such as mechanical lifts reduces injuries to workers and
lowers costs associated with workers’ compensation, lost
productivity, and turnover.
OSHA 3708 - 02/2014
www.osha.gov
Disabling Injuries
Nurses and other healthcare workers face many safety
and health hazards in their work environments. In fact,
healthcare workers experience some of the highest
rates of non-fatal occupational injuries and illnesses
of any industry sector.
Injuries & Illnesses Resulting in Days Away from Work, 2012
Cases per 10,000 Full-time Workers
237
Nursing & Residential
Care Facilities
114
Retail
Safe patient handling programs reduce the risk of injury
for both healthcare workers and patients while improving
the quality of patient care. Use of lifting equipment is
essential to a successful safe patient handling program
and has been shown to reduce exposure to manual lifting
injuries by up to 95%.
yy More satisfying work environment and professional status;
yy Improved nursing recruitment and retention;
106
Manufacturing
yy Increased patient satisfaction and comfort;
52
Professional &
Business Services
0
yy Decreased patient falls and pressure ulcers; and
50
100
150
200
250
Data Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
In 2012, injuries and illnesses reported for nursing and
residential care workers were significantly higher than
those in construction, and 2-3 times higher than in
retail or manufacturing. Almost half of the injuries and
illnesses reported for nurses and nursing support staff
were musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Rates of MSDs for
nursing assistants (225.8) were almost four times as high
as the average for all workers (37.8).
MSDs affect the muscles, nerves and tendons. Workrelated MSDs (including those of the neck, upper
extremities and low back) are a leading cause of lost
workday injuries and illnesses for healthcare and social
assistance workers, particularly in nursing homes and
residential care facilities. Examples of MSDs include
muscle strains and low back injuries, rotator cuff injuries
(shoulder problems), and tendinitis.
Research has identified that the risk factors for MSDs include
the repeated and forceful movements associated with
patient care such as lifting, transferring, and repositioning.
Program Evaluation: Regular program evaluation within
the environment of care is critical to the success of the
program. Establish evaluation procedures necessary
to assess the effectiveness of the safe patient handling
program and to ensure its continuous improvement and
long-term success. Credible data sources, including the
OSHA Recordkeeping Log 300, and forms 301 and 300A,
can be used to track and analyze injuries and trends
related to the ongoing implementation of the program.
Benefits of Safe Patient Handling
In addition to reducing healthcare worker injuries and
related lost work time, safe patient handling programs
have other benefits, including:
143
Construction
Work-related MSDs can be prevented. Safe patient
handling programs employ the use of mechanical
equipment and other elements to reduce the number
and severity of work-related MSDs.
yy Reduced costs associated with injuries.
Elements of a Successful Safe Patient
Handling Program
The elements of a successful safe patient handling
program include:
Commitment from Management at All Levels: Gaining
management support, as well as assembling a team for
a safe patient handling program, are critical to program
success. Management can provide visible support by
consistently communicating the importance of safe
patient handling; assigning roles for various aspects of a
safe patient handling program to appropriate managers,
supervisors, and other employees; and providing
appropriate resources for implementing and sustaining
the program over time.
A Safe Patient Handling Committee that Involves
Frontline Workers: To design and implement a safe
patient handling program, as well as to evaluate and
sustain the program into the future, the frontline (nonmanagerial) employees who provide direct care to
patients should be well-represented on the safe patient
handling committee.
Hazard Assessment: Address high-risk units, areas,
and patient-handling tasks. Hazard evaluation should
consider factors such as types of nursing units, the
physical environment of patient care areas, and existing
equipment and its utilization. It is important to consider
characteristics of the patient population such as level of
patient mobility and cognition.
Technology & Prevention Through Design: Implement
methods to control hazards such as lifting, transferring, and
repositioning patients. Manual lifting should be minimized
in all cases and eliminated when feasible. For example, a
“zero-lift“ program or policy minimizes direct patient lifting
by using specialized lifting equipment and transfer tools.
Establish safe patient handling policies that are based
on patients’ physical and medical conditions and the
availability of lifting equipment and lift teams.
Select appropriate lifting equipment in accord with
the hazard assessment, and install and maintain lifting
devices according to manufacturer recommendations.
The best proactive approach is through proper design
of the work environment, including incorporating
health hazard controls into the design of facilities during
construction and remodeling.
Education & Training: Provide sufficient education and
training so that each worker understands the elements
of the safe patient handling program and how to
participate. The education and training of healthcare
workers should be geared toward the assessment of
hazards, selection and use of the appropriate patient
lifting equipment and devices, and review of evidencebased practices for safe patient handling. Training should
include when and how to report injuries.
OSHA Emphasizes the Importance of Safe
Patient Handling Programs
Reducing the number of musculoskeletal disorders in
healthcare workers is a priority for OSHA. The agency
revised its Guidelines for Nursing Homes, Ergonomics
for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders and
launched an educational outreach and enforcement
program to address hazards specific to nursing homes.
OSHA promotes a safety culture of prevention of harm
for both patients and workers through Injury and Illness
Prevention Programs.
Use the OSHA 300 Log for Recordkeeping
In addition to a thorough worksite hazard analysis,
the OSHA 300 Log can be a useful tool to assess the
health and safety needs of facilities and to evaluate the
effectiveness of specific interventions and overall safe
patient handling programs. The OSHA Recordkeeping
Rule (29 CFR 1904) requires healthcare facilities to
Safe Patient Handling Programs
Effectiveness and
Cost Savings
P
rior to establishing a comprehensive safe patient handling program, your
administrators will probably want to get a full picture of the costs and benefits.
This document gives administrators a business case for investing in safe patient
handling programs, policies, and equipment, based on real-life findings from hospitals
across the United States that have successfully implemented these programs.
Many nurses and nursing assistants suffer from
work-related musculoskeletal disorders and pain.
Nearly 50 percent
of injuries and
illnesses reported
in 2011 among
nurses and
nursing support
staff were
musculoskeletal
disorders.
U.S. Department of Labor
www.osha.gov • (800) 321-OSHA (6742)
OSHA 3729 - 09/2013
According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data, workers in hospitals
suffer injuries and illnesses at nearly twice the national average rate. Hospitals had
an incidence rate of 6.8 nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses per 100 full-time
workers in 2011, compared with 3.5 per 100 in all U.S. industries combined.1
The incidence rate for injuries and illnesses resulting in days away from work, measured
across all industries and occupations nationwide, was 1.2 per 100 full-time workers in
2011.1 The incidence rate for these injuries among nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants
across the healthcare industry was nearly four times that, at 4.4 per 100 full-time workers.2 Nearly 50 percent of the reported injuries and illnesses among nurses and nursing
support staff in 2011 were musculoskeletal disorders. Nursing assistants suffered more of
these disorders in 2011 than any other occupation, while registered nurses ranked fifth.2
Patient handling injuries can be very costly to
hospitals.
According to one large national survey drawn from 53 healthcare systems with roughly
1,000 hospitals in all 50 states, patient handling injuries accounted for 25 percent of
all workers’ compensation claims for the healthcare industry in 2011.3 On average,
a workers’ compensation claim related to patient handling cost $15,600, and wage
replacement accounted for the largest share of this cost ($12,000).3 In terms of wage
replacement, patient handling injuries are among the most expensive type of hospital
worker injuries.3,4
In addition to these direct and highly visible costs, there are numerous indirect and
less visible costs from patient handling injuries—difficult to measure, but with a very
real impact on a hospital’s finances and resources. These include employee turnover,
training, overtime, incident investigation time, productivity, and morale. Patient
safety, satisfaction, and recovery times may also be affected if workers are injured
during patient handling and repositioning. These indirect costs can increase the total
cost of patient handling injuries by two to four times.5,6 For example, a number of
studies have tried to estimate the cost of replacing a nurse who leaves the profession, factoring in the costs associated with separation, recruiting, hiring, productivity
loss, and orientation and training. These studies place those costs in the range of
$27,000 to $103,000 per nurse.7
CARING FOR OUR CAREGIVERS
Safe Patient Handling Programs: Effectiveness and Cost Savings
Safe patient handling investments pay for themselves quickly.
Investments in safe patient handling can include permanent
or portable lifts, transfer sheets and other equipment, training
on equipment use and maintenance, implementation of
a “minimal lift” policy that eliminates manual handling
whenever possible, and/or a dedicated “lift team” that
travels through the hospital moving patients with proper
equipment. While the costs for instituting such programs
can be significant, several studies have shown that the
initial capital investment in safe patient handling policies,
programs, and equipment can be recovered in fewer than five
years.8,9,10,11 The map below shows some examples reported
from safe patient handling case studies across the country:
Examples of Safe Patient Handling Cost Savings
Sacred Heart Medical Center,
a 432-bed tertiary care
facility in Oregon, saved
$305,000 over a two-year
period and reported that
“the lifts actually paid for
themselves in 15 months.”12
After investing
$800,000 in a safe
lifting program,
Stanford University
Medical Center saw
a five-year net
savings of $2.2
million. Roughly half
of the savings came
from workers’
compensation, and
half from reducing
pressure ulcers in
patients.16
Northwest Texas Healthcare System,
a 404-bed acute care facility and
medical center, instituted a minimal
lift policy and reported that it nearly
recouped the cost of its three-year
program within one year.5
The University of Iowa Hospitals and
Clinics, a 725-bed comprehensive
tertiary care academic medical center,
reduced its workers’ compensation costs
by more than $475,000 and recovered
its initial investment in a safe patient
handling program within three years.13
Kaleida Health Network, the largest healthcare
provider in western New York, invested $2
million in a comprehensive safe patient
handling program in 2004 and realized a full
return on investment within three years. By
2011, the five hospitals within the network
(with 70 to 511 beds each) had saved $6
million in patient handling injury costs.14
After creating a
culture of safe
patient handling,
Englewood Hospital
and Medical Center,
a 520-bed acute
care teaching
hospital in New
Jersey, reported that
it met and exceeded
its return on
investment goal of
155 percent within
30 months.15
The Veterans Health Administration Patient Safety Center introduced safe patient
handling programs in 23 high-risk units (with 20 to 60 beds each) in seven
Southeast facilities. The cost-benefit analysis showed a net savings of $200,000 per
year, and the initial capital investment was recovered in approximately four years.9, 11
2
Safe Patient Handling Programs: Effectiveness and Cost Savings
Safe patient handling is effective in reducing worker injuries and lost time.
Hospitals with successful safe patient handling programs
have found they can significantly reduce the number of
employee injuries and lost work days from injuries. For
example, injury rates were significantly lower after safe
patient handling programs were introduced in 23 high-risk
units across seven Southeast Veterans Health Administration
facilities. The injury rate fell from 24.0 per 100 workers per
year to 16.9, a 30 percent reduction.9,11
Safe patient handling has been associated with not only fewer
injuries but also a decrease in the severity of injuries. In the
following examples, hospitals reduced injury rates and severity
by implementing various safe patient handling improvements:
• Statistically significant reductions in both frequency and
severity of injuries were seen after 31 rural community
hospitals in Washington implemented a “zero lift program”
that replaced manual lifting, transferring, and repositioning
of patients with mechanical lifting or use of other patient
assist devices. The frequency of patient handling injury
claims decreased from 3.88 per 100 full-time equivalents
to 2.23, a 43 percent reduction. Total incurred loss per
claim decreased by 24 percent.17
• Nine hospitals and one nursing home participated in a
program to introduce lift teams in their facilities in an
effort to reduce injuries associated with lifting patients. All
facilities reported reductions in back injuries due to lifting
patients. The lift teams successfully reduced back injuries
by 69 percent, the incidence rate by 62.5 percent, and lost
work days by 90 percent. Healthcare costs per back injury
were reduced by 88 to 95 percent.18
• After establishing lift teams to perform patient transfers
and repositioning tasks, Tampa General Hospital in Florida
reduced its patient handling injury rate by 65 percent. Its
rate of patient handling injuries among registered nurses
was reduced by 71 percent. The hospital also realized a 90
percent reduction in lost work days, an 84 percent reduction in modified duty days, and a 92 percent reduction in
workers’ compensations costs.19
Minimal lifting replaces manual lifting, transferring, and
repositioning of patients with mechanical lifting or other
patient assist devices.
• Three years after introducing a minimal lift program,
Franklin Square Hospital Center in Baltimore, Maryland,
saw the number of patient handling injuries decrease by
more than 70 percent.20 The consultants hired to implement the program, including all equipment purchased and
staff training, had guaranteed a three-year decrease of 60
percent in patient handling staff injuries or a refund of the
percentage of the difference.
• Two years after creating a culture of safe patient handling,
Englewood Hospital and Medical Center in New Jersey
saw a 57.1 percent reduction in workplace injuries and an
80.5 percent reduction in lost work days.15
3
Safe Patient Handling Programs: Effectiveness and Cost Savings
Safe patient handling saves on the bottom line.
Hospitals that implement a safe patient handling program
substantially reduce their costs associated with patient
handling injuries. For example:
• Three years after the University of Iowa Hospitals and
Clinics implemented a comprehensive safe patient
handling program, workers’ compensation costs fell from
$559,610 to $84,880 (an 85 percent reduction). Lost
work days decreased by 76 percent, from 2,881 days to
529 days. Replacing injured employees for the 2,352 lost
work days that would have been expected to occur prior
to implementing the safe patient handling program is
equivalent to hiring nine full-time registered nurses, at an
estimated cost of about $600,000.13
• Workers’ compensation costs associated with patient
transfer decreased by 99.8 percent after one chronic care
hospital in Canada implemented a zero lift program.8
• Tampa General Hospital saw a 92 percent reduction in
workers’ compensation costs for patient handling injuries
after establishing its lift teams. The Level 1 trauma center’s
workers’ compensation costs as a percentage of total
payroll decreased from 1.14 percent in 1999 to 0.09
percent in 2012.19
• After purchasing mechanical patient lifts, a small community hospital in a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri, saw a
decrease in annual workers’ compensation costs from
$484 to $151 per full-time equivalent.21
Indirect cost savings, such as those associated with registered
nurse turnover, can also be substantial. For example, a small
acute care satellite facility in South Carolina implemented a
minimal lift program to promote safe patient handling and
to improve retention of experienced nurses (defined as those
older than 46). Before implementing the program, registered
nurse turnover averaged 10 percent. Turnover was cut in half,
decreasing to 5 percent during the pilot program. This reduction saved the facility $170,000 in one year.22
Patients also benefit.
The quality of patient care improves when safe patient
handling programs are implemented.23,24 Patients have fewer
falls, skin tears, and pressure ulcers, which can cost the
hospital money and lower their Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) scores.
Mechanical and other safe lift equipment increases patient
mobility, which can reduce patients’ length of stay. Studies have also shown that patients feel significantly more
comfortable and secure when a mechanical transfer device is
used.13,19,22,25,26,27,28,29 All of this results in an enhanced sense
of dignity, leading to increased patient satisfaction.
Careful implementation is required to achieve the full benefits of safe
patient handling programs.
These are just a few of the business reasons to invest in
safe patient handling solutions to ensure that patients are
handled with care and dignity. Overwhelming evidence
suggests not only that safe patient handling is a wise
investment that can reduce worker injuries, but that having
policies, procedures, and products that enhance safe patient
handling can be good for a hospital’s bottom line.
To achieve the fullest possible benefit, however, hospitals
need to consider more than just what type of equipment to
buy. Successful safe patient handling programs also involve
a comprehensive assessment of the nature of patient and
worker needs; full support from administration and key
managers; employee involvement; policies that encourage
the safest techniques for handling patients; the right amount
of equipment that is right for the job; adequate, convenient
storage and maintenance of equipment; education and training;
and ongoing evaluation and improvement. Without these,
your hospital’s culture may not be ready to embrace the new
program, putting your investment at risk. For more information
on ways to build a safety culture that focuses on patient and
worker safety together, see some of the safety and health
management system resources at www.osha.gov/dsg/hospitals.
4
Safe Patient Handling Programs: Effectiveness and Cost Savings
To establish a business case for your facility, you will need to determine:
1. How much your facility spends on patient handling injuries (i.e., workers’ compensation claims) every year.
2. An indirect cost multiplier to cover additional costs associated with injuries, such as temporary staffing and overtime, turnover,
and reduced productivity. You may also wish to include quantifiable data on savings due to improved patient care in the form of
fewer falls, skin tears, and pressure ulcers. Estimates for indirect costs vary. The literature supports multiplying the cost of workers’
compensation claims by two to four to estimate the total cost of patient handling injuries.5,6
3. The projected cost of your safe patient handling program, which includes your initial investment in equipment and installation,
operation and maintenance (including replacing expendable supplies), and training.
4. The percent reduction in patient handling injury costs that you expect to see over time as a result of your safe patient handling
program. You should consider your costs and benefits over multiple years. Several studies have shown that the initial capital
investment in safe patient handling policies, programs, and equipment can be recovered in fewer than five years. 8,9,10,11
__________
1
Bureau of Labor Statistics. 2012. News release: Workplace injuries and illnesses—2011. See www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/osh_10252012.pdf. These data cover all ownership types.
2
Bureau of Labor Statistics. 2012. Table 18. In Economic News Release: Nonfatal Occupational Injuries and Illnesses Requiring Days Away from Work, 2011. See www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/
osh2_11082012.htm. These data cover all ownership types.
3
on Risk Solutions. 2012. 2012 Health Care Workers Compensation Barometer. See www.aon.com/attachments/risk-services/2012-HC-WorkersComp_Barometer_Report_Abridged.pdf. Additional
A
information about workers’ compensation claims related to patient handling was provided by the authors to OSHA in 2013.
4
National Council on Compensation Insurance. 2013. Hospital workers’ compensation claims for policy years 2005–2009. Data provided to OSHA.
5
Hunter, B., M. Branson, D. Davenport. 2010. Saving costs, saving health care providers’ backs, and creating a safe patient environment. Nursing Economic$. 28(2): 130-134.
6
ssociation of Occupational Health Professionals in Healthcare. 2011. Beyond Getting Started: A Resource Guide for Implementing a Safe Patient Handling Program in the Acute Care Setting. See
A
www.aohp.org/aohp/Portals/0/Documents/AboutAOHP/BGS_Summer2011.pdf.
7
Li, Y., and C.B. Jones. 2012. A literature review of nursing turnover costs. Journal of Nursing Management. 21(3): 405-418. (Dollar amounts presented in the text are in 2013 dollars. This is the range
of the values presented in the studies calculated in 2013 dollars using the medical care portion of the consumer price index.)
8
Garg, A. 1999. Long-Term Effectiveness of “Zero-Lift Programs” in Seven Nursing Homes and One Hospital. University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee for National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health. Contract Report No. U60/CCU512089-02.
9
Nelson, A., M. Matz, F. Chen, K. Siddharthan, J. Lloyd, and G. Fragala. 2006. Development and evaluation of a multifaceted ergonomics program to prevent injuries associated with patient handling
tasks. International Journal of Nursing Studies. 43: 717-733.
10
Nelson A.L., J. Collins, H. Knibbe, K. Cookson, A.B. de Castro, and K.L. Whipple. 2007. Safer patient handling. Nursing Management. 38(3): 26-33.
11
S iddharthan, K., A. Nelson, H. Tiesman, and F. Chen. 2005. Cost-effectiveness of a multifaceted program for safe patient handling. Advances in Patient Safety: From Research to Implementation.
05-0021-1(3): 347-358.
12
Yordy, A. 2011. Case study: Sacred Heart Medical Center. The Hastings Center Report. 41(1): 25-26, 52.
13
S tenger, K., L.A. Montgomery, and E. Briesemeister. 2007. Creating a culture of change through implementation of a safe patient handling program. Critical Care Nursing Clinics of North America.
19(2): 213-222.
14
Lancman, R., K. L. T. Wright, and R. Gottfried. 2011. Safe Patient Handling in New York: Short Term Costs Yield Long Term Results. See assembly.state.ny.us/comm/WorkPlaceSafe/20110527a/index.pdf.
15
Cadmus, E., P. Brigley, and M. Pearson. 2011. Safe patient handling: Is your facility ready for a culture change? Nursing Management. 42(11): 12-15.
16
Celona, J., E. Hall, and J. Forte. Making a business case for safe handling. Presented at the 2010 West Coast Safe Patient Handling and Movement Conference. September 2010; San Diego, California.
As cited in: Gallagher, S. M., W. Charney, and L.D. McGinley. 2010. Clinical nursing education series: Rethinking lift teams. Bariatric Times. 7(11): 18-23.
17
Charney, W., B. Simmons, M. Lary, and S. Metz. 2006. Zero lift programs in small rural hospitals in Washington state: Reducing back injuries among health care workers. AAOHN Journal. 54(8): 355-358.
18
Charney, W. 1997. The lift team method for reducing back injuries: A 10 hospital study. AAOHN Journal. 45(6): 300-304.
19
T ampa General Hospital. 2013 update to data that appeared in: Kutash, M., M. Short, J. Shea, and M. Martinez. 2009. The lift team’s importance to a successful safe patient handling program.
Journal of Nursing Administration. 39(4): 170-175.
20
Hinton, M.V. 2010. Establishing a safe patient handling/minimal lift program. Orthopaedic Nursing. 29(5): 325-330.
21
Li, J., L. Wolff, and B. Evanoff. 2004. Use of mechanical patient lifts decreased musculoskeletal symptoms and injuries among health care workers. Injury Prevention. 10(4): 212-216.
22
Knoblauch, M.D., and S.A. Bethel. 2010. Safe patient-handling program “UPLIFTS” nurse retention. Nursing. 40(2): 67-68.
23
Facility Guidelines Institute. 2010. Patient Handling and Movement Assessments: A White Paper. 2010 Health Guidelines Revision Committee Specialty Subcommittee on Patient Movement. See
www.fgiguidelines.org/pdfs/FGI_PHAMA_whitepaper_042810.pdf.
24
The Joint Commission. 2012. Improving Patient and Worker Safety: Opportunities for Synergy, Collaboration and Innovation. See www.jointcommission.org/assets/1/18/TJCImprovingPatientAndWorkerSafety-Monograph.pdf.
25
Owen, B.D. 2000. Preventing injuries using an ergonomics approach. AORN Journal. 72(6): 1031-1036.
26
Owen, B.D., K. Keene, and S. Olson. 2002. An ergonomic approach to reducing back/shoulder stress in hospital nursing personnel: A five year follow up. International Journal of Nursing Studies. 39: 295-302.
27
Pellino, T.A., B. Owen, L. Knapp, and J. Noack. 2006. The evaluation of mechanical devices for lateral transfers on perceived exertion and patient comfort. Orthopaedic Nursing. 25(1): 4-10.
28
Zhuang, Z., T.J. Stobbe, J.W. Collins, H. Hsiao, and G.R. Hobbs. 2000. Psychophysical assessment of assistive devices for transferring patients/residents. Applied Ergonomics. 31(1): 35-44.
29
Howard, N. 2010. Patient handling: Fact vs. fiction. American Nurse Today. 5(7): 32-34.
This document is advisory in nature and informational in content. It is not a standard or regulation, and it neither creates new legal obligations nor alters
existing obligations created by OSHA standards or the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
5
Strains, Sprains, and Pains in Home Healthcare:
Working in an Uncontrolled Environment
http://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2010/04/16/homehealthcare/
April 16th, 2010 12:45 pm ET - Traci Galinsky, PhD, and Garrett Burnett, MS, MBA
You hope the discharge planner was a good one. You hope the doors aren’t too narrow for the wheelchair and
the bed is higher than knee-level. Even then, as likely as not, your work area will be the size of a crawlspace
and strewn with clutter and medical equipment.
Welcome to life as a home healthcare provider. In 2007, America’s 896,800 home healthcare workers reported
a staggering 27,400 injuries.1 Some of these resulted from unintentional needlesticks, latex allergies, and
violence against providers. However, the most common injuries were sprains, strains, and other musculoskeletal
injuries related to lifting and moving patients.
The rate of patient lifting injuries in 2007 was 20.5 per 10,000 healthcare workers.2 In homes, the lifting
equipment and adjustable beds that are often available in hospitals are conspicuously absent. Also, nurses,
aides, hospice care workers, and other in-home care providers tend to work alone. Moving a patient without
help, in cramped quarters, and without assistive equipment is a recipe for injury. In fact, research indicates that
if any caregiver is required to lift more than 35 pounds of a patient’s weight, assistive devices should be used
for the transfer.3
Ergonomic Assistive Devices
Here are just a few examples of equipment that can be used to improve safety for workers and patients:
•
•
•
•
A hoist should be used for lifting patients who don’t have enough strength to stand and walk on their
own.
A rolling toileting and showering chair can reduce six transfers (from bed to wheelchair to toilet to
wheelchair to bathtub to wheelchair to bed) to two (from bed to chair and back to bed).
Grab bars, adjustable beds, and raised toilet seats can improve leverage and prevent the need for
awkward and unsafe postures.
Slip sheets and other friction-reducing devices cut back on the effort needed to move a patient.
Recommendations
The work environment shifts drastically from home to home and conditions fall outside the control of both
employer and worker. However, there are methods for reducing musculoskeletal injuries. The best of these is
prevention through ergonomics designing work tasks so that they aren’t beyond workers’ strength and abilities.
In healthcare, ergonomics involves using equipment and methods to decrease strain and increase safety when
lifting and moving patients.
Employers
•
•
•
•
Consult with a professional in patient-care ergonomics to determine when assistive devices are
necessary and to provide training on proper use of the equipment.
Provide ergonomics training for workers.
Evaluate each patient-care plan to determine whether ergonomic assistive devices or more than one care
provider are needed.
Reassess the training, the care plan, and the assistive devices once installed and in use by the caregiver.
Workers
•
•
Use ergonomic assistive devices if they are available.
When it’s not possible to avoid manual patient handling:
o Stand as close to the patient as possible to avoid reaching, bending and twisting. To avoid
rotating the spine, make sure one foot is in the direction of the move.
o Keep your knees bent and feet apart.
o Use gentle rocking motions to move a patient.
o When pulling a patient up from an adjustable bed, lower the head of the bed until it is flat or
down. Raise the patient’s knees and encourage the patient to push.
o Don’t stand in one place. Move around the patient’s bed so you can position yourself in a safe
posture rather than stretching, bending, and reaching.
In applying these recommendations, keep in mind that workers can be injured from lifting too much
weight, regardless of whether they use proper body mechanics.
Nurses and other home healthcare providers should not have to fear becoming patients themselves; however,
many safeguards may appear prohibitive because of cost, organizational inertia, lack of training, the difficulty
of using devices, resistance from families, and so forth. It is important for employers, workers, patients and
families to work together to try to overcome these problems.
Resources – Ergonomics in Home Healthcare
Employers and workers should gather as much information as they can about ergonomics in home healthcare,
starting with the resources listed below:
•
•
•
•
•
NIOSH Hazard Review: Occupational Hazards in Home Healthcare
Preventing Back Injuries in Healthcare Settings
Safe Lifting and Movement of Nursing Home Residents
Parsons, KS, Galinsky, TL, Waters, TR. Suggestions for preventing musculoskeletal disorders in home
healthcare workers part 1: lift and transfer assistance for partially weight-bearing home care patients,
Home Healthcare Nurse 2006 Mar; 24(3):158-164.
Parsons, KS, Galinsky, TL, Waters, TR. Suggestions for preventing musculoskeletal disorders in home
healthcare workers part 2: lift and transfer assistance for non-weight-bearing home care patients, Home
Healthcare Nurse 2006 Apr; 24(4):227-233.
Please share the information in this blog with any home healthcare providers you know, including friends and
family members who provide care for their loved ones. As always, leave your comments, safety tips, and
thoughts on safety roadblocks.
Look for future home healthcare blog entries on latex allergies, bloodborne pathogens and needlestick injuries,
stress, and violence.
Dr. Galinsky (Captain, U.S. Public Health Service) is a research psychologist in the NIOSH Division of Applied
Research and Technology.
Mr. Burnett is a health communications specialist in NIOSH’s Education and Information Dissemination
Division.
References
1, 2. NIOSH Hazard Review: Occupational Hazards in Home Healthcare, NIOSH Publication No. 2010125. January 2010.3. Waters TR, When is it safe to manually lift a patient, American Journal of Nursing,
2007.
SAFE PATIENT HANDLING
Rates of musculoskeletal injuries from overexertion in healthcare occupations are among the highest of
all U.S. industries. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) show that in 2011, the rate of
overexertion injuries averaged across all industries was 38 per 10,000 full time workers. By comparison,
the overexertion injury rate for hospital workers was twice the average (76 per 10,000), the rate for
nursing home workers was over three times the average (132 per 10,000), and the rate for ambulance
workers was over six times the average (238 per 10,000).1The single greatest risk factor for overexertion
injuries in healthcare workers is the manual lifting, moving and repositioning of patients, residents or
clients, i.e., manual patient handling.
Most of the patient handling which occurs in health care settings is performed by nurses and support
staff such as nursing aides and orderlies. The most recent data available from the BLS (2010) show that
within the health care industry, workers in these occupations suffered the most lost-time cases of
general musculoskeletal pain (11,960) and back pain (4,700).2
Rising obesity rates in the United States3 increase the physical demands on caregivers, and the aging of
the workforce likely contributes to the problem; recent data indicate that the average age of a
registered nurse in the U.S. is approximately 44 years. Nursing work demands have also been strained by
an ongoing shortage of nurses which is projected to reach 260,000 unfilled nursing positions by the year
2025 in the US.4
Occupational safety and health programs have fostered research to identify injury risk factors and safety
interventions to prevent injuries during patient handling. Evidence-based research has shown that safe
patient handling interventions can significantly reduce overexertion injuries by replacing manual patient
handling with safer methods guided by the principles of “Ergonomics.” Ergonomics refers to the design
of work tasks to best suit the capabilities of workers. In the case of patient handling, it involves the use
of mechanical equipment and safety procedures to lift and move patients so that health care workers
can avoid using manual exertions and thereby reduce their risk of injury. At the same time, patient
handling ergonomics seeks to maximize the safety and comfort of patients during handling. This web
page contains links to multiple resources for further information on safe patient handling.
Sources:
1 BLS Table R8. Incidence rates for nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from
work per 10,000 full-time workers by industry and selected events or exposures leading to injury or
illness, private industry, 2011. Adobe PDF fileExternal Web Site Icon
2 BLS Table R9. Number of nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses involving days away from work by
occupation and selected natures of injury or illness, private industry, 2010. Adobe PDF fileExternal Web
Site Icon
3 Flegal, KM, Carroll, MD, Ogden, CL, Curtin, LR.[2010] Prevalence and Trends in Obesity Among US
Adults, 1999-2008 JAMA. 2010;303(3):235-241
4 Buerhaus, PI, Auerbach, DI, Staiger, DO, [2009] The Recent Surge In Nurse Employment: Causes and
Implications, Health Affairs July/August 2009 vol. 28 no. 4 w657-w668.
NIOSH Health Care and Social Assistance Program (HCSA) and the National Occupational Research
Agenda (NORA)
“Healthcare and Social Assistance” (HCSA) is one of many occupational sectors studied by U.S. federal
agencies such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), The Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA), and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).Guided by NORAidentified research priorities, the mission of the NIOSH HCSA research program is to eliminate
occupational diseases, injuries, and fatalities among workers in this sector. Much of this research
focuses on safe patient handling.
Collaboration among partners in government, industry, and academia has provided a great deal of
information on safe patient handling through publications, conferences, and safety training programs.
To date, most of the research has focused on the handling of “average-sized” patients in institutional
settings such as hospitals and nursing homes. Continued research in these and other settings such as
home health care and emergency response, and with obese and morbidly obese (“bariatric”) patients is
needed. The research-based evidence gathered thus far has led to the development of safe patient
handling standards, and ongoing legislation to enact laws requiring or promoting the use of safe patient
handling programs in health care settings.
For all NIOSH publications, credits and the complete article go to:
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/safepatient/
Preventing Back Injuries in Health Care Settings
http://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2008/09/22/lifting/
September 22nd, 2008 9:00 am ET - Administrator
Healthcare workers often experience musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) at a rate exceeding that of workers in
construction, mining, and manufacturing.1 These injuries are due in large part to repeated manual patient
handling activities, often involving heavy manual lifting associated with transferring, and repositioning patients
and working in extremely awkward postures. The problem of lifting patients is compounded by the increasing
weight of patients to be lifted due to the obesity epidemic in the United States and the rapidly increasing
number of older people who require assistance with the activities of daily living.2,3
Direct and indirect costs associated with back injuries in the healthcare industry are estimated to be $20 billion
annually.4 Additionally, nursing aides and orderlies suffer the highest prevalence (18.8%) and report the most
annual cases (269,000) of work-related back pain among female workers in the United States.5 In 2000, 10,983
registered nurses (RNs) suffered lost-time work injuries due to lifting patients. Twelve percent of nurses report
that they left the nursing profession because of back pain.6
As our nursing workforce ages (average age 46.8 years) and we face a critical nursing shortage in this country
(an expected 20% shortage by 2015 and 30% by 2020), preserving the health of our nursing staff and reducing
back injuries in healthcare personnel is critical. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH) has a comprehensive research program aimed at preventing work-related MSDs with major efforts to
reduce lifting injuries in healthcare settings. NIOSH’s research with diverse partners has already made great
strides in developing and implementing practical intervention strategies, with further progress expected.
The first research effort was a comprehensive lab and field study to identify safer ways to lift and move nursing
home residents by removing the excessive forces and extreme postures that can occur when manually lifting
residents. Historically, the caregiver has used his or her own strength to provide manual assistance to the
resident. NIOSH conducted a large field study to determine if an intervention consisting of mechanical
equipment to lift physically dependent residents, training on the proper use of the lifts, a safe lifting policy, and
a preexisting medical management program would reduce the rate and the associated costs of the resident
handling injuries for the nursing personnel in a real world setting.7
During the 6-year period, from January 1995 through December 2000, 1,728 nursing personnel were followed
before and after implementation of the intervention. After the intervention, there was a significant reduction in
injuries involving resident handling, workers’ compensation costs, and lost work day injuries. When injury rates
associated with patient handling were examined, workers’ compensation claims rates per 100 nursing staff were
reduced by 61%; Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recordable injury rates decreased by
46%; and first reports of employee injury rates were reduced by 35%. The initial investment of $158,556 for
lifting equipment and worker training was recovered in less than 3 years on the basis of post-intervention
savings of $55,000 annually in workers’ compensation costs and potentially more quickly if indirect costs (lost
wages, cost of hiring and retraining workers, etc.) are considered. This is significant given that cost is an often
cited barrier to purchasing lifting equipment. Another advantage of lifting equipment is the reduction in the rate
of assaults on caregivers during resident transfers—down 72%, 50%, and 30% on the basis of workers’
compensation, OSHA recordable incidents, and the first reports of injury data, respectively.
More information on this study can be found in the NIOSH publication Safe Lifting and Movement of Nursing
Home Residents. Based on the successes achieved in the long-term care industry, NIOSH is undertaking a sixyear longitudinal research study to evaluate the effectiveness of a “best practices” safe patient handling program
at two large acute-care hospitals in the United States.
Another major study demonstrating success in reducing back injuries to health care workers was funded by
NIOSH through a cooperative agreement. The study examined the long-term effectiveness of a safe lifting
program with the primary objective to reduce injuries to healthcare workers resulting from manual lifting and
transferring of patients.8 The safe lifting programs, which used employee management advisory teams
(participatory-team approach), were implemented in seven nursing homes and one hospital. The eight facilities
varied in the available number of beds and number of nursing personnel. In this study, manual lifting and
transferring of patients was replaced with modern, battery operated, portable hoists, and other patient-transfer
assistive devices. Ergonomics committees with nearly equal representation from management and employees
selected the equipment and implemented the safe lifting programs.
Injury statistics were collected post-intervention for 51 months and were compared with 37 months of preintervention data. The results were compelling. The number of injuries from patient transfers decreased by 62%
(range = 3979%), lost work days by 86% (range = 5099%), restricted workdays by 64% (96% decrease to 17%
increase), and workers’ compensation costs by 84% (range = 5399%). Overall, the eight facilities experienced
decreases of 32% in all injuries, 62% in all lost work days, 6% in all restricted work days, and 55% in total
workers’ compensation costs. The program produced many intangible benefits including improvements in
patient comfort and safety during transfers and patient care. The nursing personnel perceived that their backs
were less sore and that they were less tired at the end of their shifts. More pregnant and older workers were able
to perform their regular duties and stay on the job for a longer period.
Despite the obvious advantages to using lifting equipment, schools of nursing continue to teach, and nurses’
licensure exams9 continue to include, outdated and unsafe manual patient handling techniques. This is due in
large part to outdated books and curricula which promote unsafe patient handling practices. To address this, a
team of experts from NIOSH, the American Nurses Association, and the Veterans Health Administration
developed and evaluated an evidence-based training program on safe patient handling for educators at schools
of nursing. The study found that when using the curriculum, nurse educator and student knowledge improved
significantly as did the intention to use mechanical lifting devices in the near future.10,11 The curriculum
module, which won the 2008 National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Partnership Award, is ready for
broad-scale dissemination across nursing schools to reduce the risk of MSDs among nurses.
Looking ahead: Beginning in 2009, NIOSH will conduct a project aimed at improving safety while lifting and
moving bariatric patients. In healthcare settings, the term “bariatric” is used to refer to patients whose weights
exceed the safety capacity of standard patient lifting equipment (300 lbs), or who otherwise have limitations in
health, mobility, or environmental access due to their weight/size.12 Compared to the non-obese population,
obese individuals require more frequent and extensive healthcare due to obesity-related health problems, and
healthcare personnel are encountering hospitalized and critical-care bariatric patients on an increasingly
frequent basis.13,14,15 In the extreme, such patients can weigh over 1,200 pounds. The upcoming NIOSH project
will evaluate bariatric patient handling practices at multiple hospitals, including intervention programs and
health/safety outcomes, in order to identify and promote evidence-based best practices.
We all have a vested interest in taking care of those who help take care of us and our families when we need
medical attention. It is likely that the implementation of the research presented here will significantly reduce
injuries and illnesses for healthcare workers and increase the quality of patient care. In turn, reducing MSDs
among nurses may help address the critical issues of nurse recruitment and retention.
As we contemplate further research, we would like to hear about your experiences with lifting equipment and
practices in medical settings. Additionally, your thoughts about retooling student nursing curriculum as well as
your opinions on state laws regulating safe patient handling and movement would be appreciated.
—Jennifer Bell, PhD; Jim Collins, PhD, MSME; Traci L. Galinsky, PhD; Thomas R. Waters, PhD, CPE
Dr. Bell is a research epidemiologist in the Analysis and Field Evaluations Branch in the NIOSH Division of
Safety Research.
Dr. Collins is (Captain, U.S. Public Health Service) is the Associate Director for Science for the NIOSH
Division of Safety Research.
Dr. Galinsky (Captain, U.S. Public Health Service) is a research psychologist in the NIOSH Division of Applied
Research and Technology.
Dr. Waters is a research safety engineer in the Division of Applied Research and Technology.
Caring for the Caregiver in
Nursing and Residential Care Facilities
Jenelle K. Thelen
Industrial Hygienist
Consultation Education and Training (CET) Division
MIOSHA
Lansing, Michigan
517-322-1809
www.michigan.gov/miosha
Objectives
• Review of 2012 Injury and Illness Data
• Review the OSHA/MIOSHA National Emphasis
Program (NEP) for Nursing and Residential
Care Facilities.
• Describe specific types of facilities covered by
the NEP
• Identify the hazards
• Review MIOSHA outreach and enforcement
activities.
1
Injuries of Healthcare Workers
“OSHA recently took notice when it came to our attention
that that one in every five U.S. workers injured in the
private sector is a healthcare worker.”
“These workers should not be forced to risk injury while
caring for others.”
“It is not acceptable for these workers to continue getting hurt
at such high rates. “
Remarks by Dr. David Michaels
Assistant Secretary of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA)
Seventh EU/US Joint Conference on Occupational Safety and Health
Brussels, Belgium
July 11, 2012
2012 National Rates
2
2012 Michigan Injury and Illness Cases
Chart 1
Distribution of Total Injury and Illness Cases by Industry Division
Michigan, Private Sector 2012
(Total Cases 105,500)
35,000
30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
Michigan Injury and Illness Cases
Total Recordable Case Rate (per 100 employees)
3
Incidence rates of nonfatal occupational
injuries and illnesses
Total Recordable Case Rate (per 100 employees)
NAICS 623 = Nursing and Residential Care
OSHA National Emphasis Program (NEP)
• Federal OSHA instruction
April, 2012
• MIOSHA adopted with no
changes Oct, 2012
• Purpose: implements
programmed inspections of:
▫ Nursing care facilities
▫ Residential intellectual and
development facilities
▫ Continuing Care Retirement
Communities (Only Assisted Living
with onsite care facilities)
4
Hazards Included in the NEP
• Most prevalent source of employee injury:
▫ Musculoskeletal/Ergonomic stress
▫ Workplace violence (assaults by residents or others)
▫ Slips, trips, falls
• Bloodborne pathogens (most frequently cited standard)
• Tuberculosis:
▫ Per CDC, among facilities at highest risk for exposure.
▫ Due to case rate among > 65 age group.
• Note - There are no MIOSHA standards that specifically
address:
▫ Ergonomics
▫ Workplace Violence
▫ Tuberculosis
Nursing and Residential Care
2011 Michigan Cases
8%
Overexertion and bodily
reaction (42%)
42% 2%
Violence and other injuries by
persons or animal (21%)
3%
Falls, slips, trips (20%)
21%
Contact with object, equipment
(8%)
20%
Transportation incidents (4%)
Exposure to harmful substances
or environments (3%)
All other (2%)
21%
5
Nursing and Residential Care
2012 Michigan Cases
Overexertion and bodily
reaction (45%)
2% 2%
9%
Violence and other injuries by
persons or animal (22%)
20%
45%
Falls, slips, trips (20%)
Contact with object, equipment
(9%)
Exposure to harmful substances
or environments (2%)
All other (2%)
22%
Frequently Cited Standards
Occupational Health
• Bloodborne Infectious
Diseases (Part 554)
• Hazard Communication
(Part 92/430)
• Medical Services and
First Aid (Part 472)
• Personal Protective
Equipment (Part 33/433)
• Asbestos (Part 305)
Occupational Safety
• General Provisions (Part 1)
• Floor and Wall Openings,
Stairways and Skylights (Part 2)
• Portable Ladders (Part 4)
• Fire Exits (Part 6)
• Electrical Safety-Related Work
Practices (Part 40)
• Powered Groundskeeping
Equipment (Part 54)
Administrative for all Industries
0 Recording and Reporting of Occupational
Injuries and Illnesses (Part 11)
= Both Occupational Health and Safety Standard
6
#1 Overexertion – Ergonomic Hazards
• Resident handling
▫ Mobility and lift assist requirements noted in care
plan?
▫ Failure to use lifts and lift devices




Lack of training
Time constraints
Too few devices
Employee fails to recognize the need to use
• Material handling
▫ Laundry
▫ Kitchen
▫ Maintenance
High Risk Activities
• Transfers:
▫
▫
▫
▫
in or out of bed
from a bed to a wheelchair
wheelchair to a toilet
from a bed to and from a
shower chair
• Repositioning while in bed
7
Other High Risk Activities
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Lifting food trays above shoulder level or below knee level
Collecting waste
Pushing heavy carts
Bending to remove items from a deep cart
Lifting and carrying when receiving and stocking supplies
Bending and manually cranking an adjustable bed
Removing laundry from washing machines and dryers
Benefits to Safe Lifting
Benefits for Employers
• Reduced number and severity of staff injuries
• Improved resident safety
• Reduced cost:
▫ Workers’ compensation medical and indemnity costs
▫ Overtime or contract worker
▫ Recruitment and Training
Benefits for Caregivers
• Reduced risk of injury
• More energy at the end of the work shift
• Less pain and muscle fatigue on a daily basis
Benefits for Residents
•
•
•
•
Improved quality of care
Improved resident safety and comfort
Reduced risk of falls, dropping, friction burns, dislocated shoulders
Reduced skin tears and bruises
8
Using Lift Devices
• Essential to reduce employee injury
• Consider new products
▫ Improved quality and usability of lift devices
▫ Different types of products
• Reduced risk of resident falls and skin tears
• Bariatric considerations
Process for Protecting Workers
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Provide Management Support
Involve Employees
Identify Problems
Implement Solutions
Address Reports of Injuries
Provide Training
Evaluate Ergonomics Efforts
9
#2 Violence: Highest Risk Industries
1. Healthcare and social services:
▫
▫
▫
▫
▫
▫
▫
▫
Psychiatric facilities
Hospital emergency departments
Community mental health clinics
Drug abuse treatment clinics
Pharmacies
Community-care facilities
Residential facilities and
Long-term care facilities.
2. Late-night Retail Settings
Workplace Violence
1. Type 1—Criminal Intent
Violent acts by people who enter the workplace to commit a robbery or
other crime—or current or former employees who enter the workplace with
the intent to commit a crime.
2. Type 2—Customer/Client/Patients
Violence directed at employees by customers, clients, patients, students,
inmates or any others to whom the employer provides a service.
3. Type 3—Co-worker
Violence against co-workers, supervisors, or managers by a current or
former employee, supervisor, or manager.
4. Type 4—Personal
Violence in the workplace by someone who does not work there, but who is
known to, or has a personal relationship with, an employee.
Feb. 11, 2014 MI case being investigated:
71 year old direct care worker in a group home slapped in the face by a
resident. Found unconscious. Cause of death listed as blunt traumatic
head injury.
10
Elements of an Effective Violence
Prevention Program
•
•
•
•
•
•
Management commitment
Employee involvement
Worksite analysis
Hazard prevention and control
Safety and health training
Recordkeeping and program evaluation
Worksite Analysis
• Threat assessment team
▫ Management, employees, security, maintenance,
human resources
• Evaluate existing or potential hazards for workplace
violence
▫ Procedures and operations
▫ Specific vulnerable locations
(reception, parking lot, resident room, shower room)
• Review of injury data
• Implement screening survey to document
experiences of employees
• Evaluate effectiveness of existing security and
protective measures
11
Hazard Prevention and Control
Engineering controls remove or reduce the hazard:
• Physical barriers between the hazard and the
employee
▫ Locked doors
▫ Safe rooms and enclosures
▫ Deep counters and shatter-proof glass
• Alarms or panic buttons
• Mirrors to see end of hallway
• Video surveillance in high risk areas (i.e. reception)
Administrative Controls
• Policies and procedures for employees, residents,
visitors and delivery personnel
• Local law enforcement involvement
• Reporting and documenting all incidents
• Trained response team
• Control access:
▫ Facility
▫ Medication storage
• Determine behavioral history for transfers
• Include information related to assaultive and abusive
behavior in resident care plan
• Employee dress code (i.e. no necklaces/lanyards)
• Remove loose (easily thrown objects) from
environment
• Evaluate resident specific sleep/awake times to ensure
residents are not sleep deprived.
12
Workplace Violence Prevention
• OSHA's "Guidelines for Preventing Workplace
Violence for Health Care & Social Service
Workers" resource is available online at
http://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3148/
osha3148.html.
• Additional information on workplace violence is
available at
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/workplaceviolence/
index.html.
#3 Slips, Trips and Falls
Kitchen, dining, hallways, laundry, bathing areas,
points of entry/egress:
• Floors: wet, uneven, cluttered, poor lighting
• Unguarded floor openings.
• Damaged or inadequate stairways
• Elevated work areas without guardrails
• Inadequate aisles
• Improper use of ladders and/or stepstools
13
Slip, Trip and Fall Risk Factors
•
•
•
•
Environment
Equipment
Work Practices: processes or procedures
Individual:
▫ Characteristics
▫ Habits
▫ Behavior
Personal Protective Equipment
 Slip-resistant shoes
 Fall arrest equipment
 Safety platforms
14
Slip, trip and fall hazards:
Nursing homes and Long-term care
• Wet floors
▫
▫
▫
▫
▫
Fresh mopped areas
Outside entrances
Kitchen and laundry areas
Bathing area
Maintenance areas: Chillers, boilers, steam
• Ladders
• Equipment: Resident assistive equipment
• Office area: drawers and cords
Ladder Safety
• Inspect ladder before each use.
• Use only ladders in good condition and
appropriate for the job.
• Use the ladder properly.
• Check ladder weight restrictions.
WRONG
15
Bloodborne Infectious Diseases
Frequently Cited Bloodborne Rules:
• Exposure Control Plan
• Vaccines and Post Exposure Follow-up
• Information and Training
• Recordkeeping
• Exposure Determination
• Engineering Controls
• Communication of Haz
• Waste Disposal
• Work Practice
• Protective clothing
Bloodborne Infectious Diseases
Rule 4 Exposure Control Plan:
• Exposure Determination
• Summary of the training program.
• Procedures for evaluating exposure incidents
• Task specific SOP’s to include:
▫ Employee recognition of exposure
▫ Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
selection, use, maintenance, and disposal
▫ Contingency Plans
• Annual Review
• Employee input on medical device selection
16
Bloodborne Infectious Diseases
Rule 13 Vaccines and Post exposure:
• HBV vaccination▫
▫
▫
▫
Free of charge
Reasonable time and place
Employees at risk of exposure
Within 10 working days of initial
assignment
Employees who decline the
vaccination must sign a declination
form.
Bloodborne Infectious Diseases
Rule 13 Vaccines and Post exposure (continued):
• Document route of exposure and circumstances
• Source individual testing
• Source individual test results made available to
exposed employee
• Testing of the exposed employee
• Postexposure prophylaxis
• Counseling
• Confidential
17
Bloodborne Infectious Diseases
Rule 15 Recordkeeping - Sharps Injury Log:
• Employers required to maintain an injury and illness
log (i.e., MIOSHA Form 300) must maintain a sharps
injury log for the recording of injuries from
contaminated sharps.
• The log must be maintained in a way that ensures
employee privacy and must contain, at a minimum:
▫ Type and brand of device involved in the incident,
▫ Location of the incident, and
▫ Description of the incident.
Bloodborne Infectious Diseases
Rule 6 Engineering Controls:
0 Shall be used.
0 Reduce employee exposure by either removing the
hazard or isolating the worker from the hazard
0 Examples include:
 Sharps disposal containers,
 Self-sheathing needles,
 Safer medical devices, and
 Needleless systems
 Sharps with engineered sharps injury protections
Retractable
Self-Sheathing
18
Bloodborne Infectious Diseases
Rule 10 Regulated Waste Disposal:
• Closable, leakproof containers or bags
▫ Labeled or
▫ Color-coded
• Sharps:
▫
▫
▫
▫
▫
▫
Closable
Leakproof
Puncture-resistant
Labeled or color-coded
Accessible and conveniently located
Not allowed to overfill
• Medical waste regulatory act (DEQ rules)
Bloodborne Infectious Diseases
Rule 8 Protective work clothing and
equipment.
• Must be properly cleaned, laundered,
repaired, and disposed of at no cost to
employees.
• Must be removed when leaving area or
upon contamination.
• Includes gloves; nose, mouth and eye
protection (e.g., safety glasses and mask
or face shields); gowns; head and shoe
covers.
19
Tuberculosis
• MIOSHA Compliance Directive:
GISHD-COM-05-2R2, Enforcement Policy and
Procedures for Evaluating Occupational
Exposure to Tuberculosis (TB)
• Citations would be written under Act 154,
General Duty Clause.
High-Burden Areas in Michigan 2006-2011
20
Skin Tests
• Mantoux skin test : those with direct contact,
annually.
▫ New employees - “2-step” within 2 weeks
▫ No cost to employee
▫ Repeat 6 months for high exposure
• Positive skin tests: evaluated and managed
▫ Converts and those with a history
Note: Current shortage (April, 2013-Present) of TB
antigen for skin tests may defer testing for low-risk. CDC
recommends blood testing program for high-risk until
supply returns to normal levels. Follow CDC
recommendations.
Facilities Providing Care for Infectious
TB Residents
• Isolation Rooms
• Increased TB testing for staff providing care
• Respiratory Protection: Must comply with the
MIOSHA Part 451Respiratory Protection Standard
▫
▫
▫
▫
▫
NIOSH approved N-95 (minimum)
Written program
Medical evaluation -medically fit to wear respirator
Fit-testing
Respirator use, limitations, availability, maintenance
and disposal.
▫ Employee training
21
TB Information and Training
Michigan Department of Community Health:
www.michigan.gov/tb
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Self-Study Modules:
www.cdc.gov/tb/education/ssmodules/default.ht
m
OSHA National Emphasis Program
Other Hazards of Concern
• Multi-drug resistant organisms (MDROs) such as
MRSA (General Duty). Are standard and contact
precautions used?
• Hazardous chemicals:
▫
▫
▫
▫
▫
Parts 92 and 430, Hazard Communication
Parts 33 and 433, Personal Protective Equipment
Part 451, Respiratory Protection
Part 301, Air Contaminants
Expanded standards (asbestos, formaldehyde, etc.)
22
Hazard Communication (Hz Com)
• Hazardous chemicals (examples)
▫ Disinfectants/Sanitizers
▫ Hazardous drugs
• Focus on the following:
▫ Employee training
▫ Warning labels
▫ Access to MSDS/SDS
• 2012 changes to the standard. More information
provided during 11:30 AM presentation (CET
Division)
MIOSHA Resources
CET Division
• Consultation resources (no cost)
• Training programs
• Additional resources:
▫ Publications and media
▫ CET grants
▫ Awards programs
• MIOSHA Website: www.michigan.gov/miosha
23
Summary
• Review of 2012 Injury and Illness Data
• Review the OSHA/MIOHSA National Emphasis
Program (NEP) for Nursing and Residential
Care Facilities.
• Describe specific types of facilities covered by
the NEP
• Identify the hazards covered by the NEP
• Review MIOSHA outreach and enforcement
activities.
• Identify resources available from MIOSHA’s
CET Division.
Thank you for attending
For additional assistance:
MIOSHA
Consultation Education and
Training (CET) Division
Lansing, Michigan
517-322-1809
www.michigan.gov/miosha
24
How to Prevent Musculoskeletal Disorders
A work-related musculoskeletal disorder is an injury of
the muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, joints, cartilage,
bones, or blood vessels in the arms, legs, head, neck, or
back that is caused or aggravated by work tasks such as
lifting, pushing, and pulling. Symptoms include pain, stiffness,
swelling, numbness, and tingling.
Lifting and moving clients create a high risk for back injury and
other musculoskeletal disorders for home healthcare workers.
EMPLOYERS SHOULD
• Develop policies to ensure all care plans determine whether
ergonomic assistive devices are needed.
• Provide ergonomic assistive devices (such as slide boards or
gait belts) when needed.
• Provide training on assistive ergonomic devices, their uses, the
clinical situation requiring them, and how to order them in the
plan of care.
• Develop policies to assess the caregiver’s competence with the
assistive devices once he or she has been trained and is using
them.
EMPLOYEES SHOULD
• Participate in ergonomic training.
• Use ergonomic assistive devices if available.
–– Products such as slip sheets, slide boards, rollers, slings,
belts, and mechanical or electronic hoists (to lift the client)
have been designed to help healthcare workers and clients.
–– Equipment such as adjustable beds, raised toilet seats,
shower chairs, and grab bars are also helpful for reducing
risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries. These types of
equipment can allow the client to help during transfer.
• Use proper body mechanics. Even when assistive devices are used
during client care, some amount of physical exertion may still be
necessary.
–– Move along the side of the client’s bed instead of reaching
while performing tasks at the bedside.
–– When manually moving the client, stand as close as possible
to the client without twisting your back, keeping your knees
bent and feet apart. To avoid twisting the spine, make sure
one foot is in the direction of the move. Using gentle rocking
motions can also reduce exertion.
–– Pulling a client up in bed is easier when the head of the bed
is flat or down. Raising the client’s knees and encouraging the
client to push (if possible) can also help.
–– Apply anti-embolism stockings by pushing them on while you
are standing at the foot of the bed. You can use less force in
this position than standing at the side of the bed.
• Notify your employer promptly of any injury in the workplace.
This is one in a series of six fast fact cards developed to provide practical advice for home healthcare workers
and is based on NIOSH Hazard Review: Occupational Hazards in Home Healthcare, NIOSH Pub No. 2010–125.
Telephone: 1–800–CDC–INFO | TTY: 1–888–232–6348
Email: [email protected] | Web: www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/healthcare
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2012–120
February 2012
Safer - Healthier - People™
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Preventing work-related motor vehicle crashes
2015
You can protect your employees and others on the road
from being hurt or killed in motor vehicle crashes
This fact sheet recommends ways you can keep
workers safe when driving or riding in a motor
vehicle on the job. It outlines components of a
successful motor vehicle safety program. It ends
with a checklist that you can use to implement
the recommendations.
Photo:
Thinkstock
Photo:
Thinkstock
Motor vehicle crashes
are the leading cause
of death among
workers in the U.S.
12,458
18,716
work-related crash
fatalities between
2003 and 2012
deaths in singleor multiplevehicle crashes on
public roadways
Safety
Program
Anyone who operates a motor vehicle as part of his or
her job is at risk of being involved in a roadway crash.
You can help your employees stay safe by creating a
Motor Vehicle Safety Program. A Motor Vehicle Safety
Program can also help protect workers when they are
driving for non-work reasons by promoting safe driving
behaviors.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Photo: Thinkstock
Motor Vehicle
2,942
deaths in crashes
that occurred off
the highway or on
industrial premises
3,316
pedestrian worker
deaths as a result
of being struck by a
motor vehicle
Use this fact sheet to guide you in creating
a Motor Vehicle Safety Program tailored
to your company.
When you create your Motor Vehicle Safety Program,
give special attention to the things that you know
are important to your company. For example, if your
company makes deliveries, scheduling work in a way
that does not cause workers to feel rushed should
be a top priority. Reminders about scheduling should
appear in your printed Motor Vehicle Safety Program,
on signs, and in correspondence.
Work-related motor vehicle crashes
PAGE 2
“When it comes to workplace driving, our members share a common goal – keeping their workers safe,” says Jack Hanley,
Executive Director of the non-profit Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS). “By sharing standardized data, they can
compare their own crash rates with their peers in similar industries, and look at what program elements other companies use.
This ‘benchmarking’ helps them build and maintain successful motor vehicle safety programs.”
Motor Vehicle Safety Program Component 1:
Your company leaders commit to road safety
Who your program covers:
❚❚ In most cases, this will be any employee or contractor
who drives a vehicle owned or leased by your company,
a rental vehicle, or a personal vehicle on company
business.
Commitment to safety means that:
❚❚ Leaders let everyone know road safety is a priority and
that they are expected to drive in a safe and responsible
way.
❚❚ Leaders serve as role models for road safety.
❚❚ Leaders, supervisors, and workers understand and
carry out their roles and responsibilities for effective
implementation of motor vehicle safety programs.
❚❚ Leaders involve workers in shaping road safety practices.
❚❚ Supervisors regularly communicate with drivers about
safe driving.
❚❚ Your company collects and reviews information about its
road safety performance on a regular schedule.
❚❚ If there is a crash, your company does a thorough review
to see if any changes in policy or practices are needed.
❚❚ Your company and your drivers follow all local, state,
and Federal laws and regulations that apply to your
workplace.
Motor Vehicle Safety Program Component 2:
Policies to guide everyone’s actions to promote
road safety
Written policies and procedures should address:
❚❚ Assessment of the hazards your drivers face
»» You should identify hazards associated with drivers,
vehicles, and roads, and decide what steps you will
take to eliminate or reduce those hazards.
❚❚ Journey management
»» Can the work be done without traveling? The most
effective way to prevent motor vehicle crashes is to
reduce the amount of driving your workers do.
»» If travel is necessary, consider safer forms of
transportation such as air and rail.
»» Work schedules should allow employees to obey speed
limits and to follow applicable rules such as hours-ofservice regulations.
»» Make sure that the driver and supervisor agree on the
driver’s route, destination, and travel schedule. The
driver should be able to contact his/her supervisor in
case of an emergency.
»» Establish procedures for reporting and investigating
work-related crashes and vehicle breakdowns.
»» Give employees information about road construction or
closures, and bad road conditions.
❚❚ Seat belts: Require the use of seat belts at all times by all
drivers and passengers.
❚❚ Preventing distracted driving
»» You should ban text-messaging and the
use of hand-held phones while driving.
»» Your employees must know that they are not permitted
to use hand-held phones, tablets, or GPS components
while driving.
»» You may also consider banning the use of hands-free
phones. Phone conversations take the driver’s attention
away from the primary task of driving.
❚❚ Preventing drowsy driving
»» Your company should not require workers
to drive irregular hours or far beyond
their normal working hours. Most drowsy
driving crashes occur between 12 to 2 am,
4 to 6 am, and 2 to 4 pm.
»» You can have policies that allow workers
to take a nap of less than 30 minutes or
stop for the night if they are too tired to
continue driving.
»» You can also give workers information about good
sleep habits and ways to stay more alert while driving
(http://www.nafmp.com/en/; http://www.cdc.gov/
niosh/docs/2014-150/).
Work-related motor vehicle crashes
❚❚ Preventing impaired driving
»» Your company should consider having a policy that
prohibits workers from operating a vehicle under
the influence of alcohol, legal and illegal drugs, or
prescription and over-the-counter medications that
could affect their ability to drive safely.
»» You can give workers information about the possible
effects of prescription and non-prescription medications
on their ability to drive safely. Your company’s health
and wellness program may be able to help you locate
and distribute this information.
Motor Vehicle Safety Program Component 3:
Driver selection, training and evaluation that maximizes road safety
Decide who is eligible to drive for your company:
❚❚ Make sure every worker assigned to drive has a valid
state driver’s license.
❚❚ Review motor vehicle records for all new employees
before you assign them to a job that involves driving.
❚❚ Be aware of Federal and state limitations on driving by
workers under 18. If you do have a younger worker drive
for you, follow all recommendations on the NIOSH fact
sheet, “Work-related motor vehicle crashes among young
people” (http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2013-153/).
Provide driver training
as soon as possible after
hiring anyone whose job
includes driving.
❚❚ Driver training should
include behind-the-wheel
evaluation of driving
skills and behaviors.
Photo: Thinkstock
❚❚ Provide training that is
specific to the type of
vehicle(s) the worker is
expected to operate.
Re-evaluate drivers on a regular schedule:
❚❚ Consider reviewing motor vehicle records at least once a
year for every driver.
❚❚ A supervisor can do regular on-the-road evaluations of
the driver. The goal of the evaluation is to help the driver
learn to better recognize and respond to traffic hazards
and stay focused on driving.
»» The supervisor can ask the driver to describe what he
or she sees, think about what is likely to happen, and
describe what action he or she intends to take. The
PAGE 3
supervisor should give the driver feedback, and should
consider whether more training or coaching is needed.
❚❚ If your company uses in-vehicle monitoring systems to
track driving performance:
»» Explain to workers why the system is being put in
place and how it will work.
»» Use the data to improve safety, not to pressure workers
to drive too fast or too long to meet production quotas.
»» Make sure that drivers get timely coaching to help them
correct unsafe driving behaviors.
Provide periodic “refresher” driver training:
❚❚ Companies with the best road safety performance
generally provide “refresher” driver training every
2 to 3 years.
❚❚ The leading companies also provide corrective
training to drivers who are involved in a crash
where they were at fault.
Motor Vehicle Safety Program Component 4:
Safe and well-maintained vehicles
When buying or leasing company vehicles, you should:
❚❚ Provide vehicles that come with high safety ratings based
on crash testing (http://www.safercar.gov/; http://www.
iihs.org/).
❚❚ Look for advanced safety features such as lane departure
warning systems, collision warning systems, rear-facing
cameras, and adaptive cruise control.
You should also:
❚❚ Have a program for maintaining company vehicles that
follows manufacturers’ specifications.
❚❚ Instruct drivers to conduct pre- and post-trip vehicle
inspections, and document that defective vehicles have
been repaired.
❚❚ Provide information about proper vehicle maintenance to
workers who drive their own vehicles on the job:
»» Keeping tires properly inflated
»» Getting needed repairs done
»» Getting annual vehicle inspections
done on time
»» Following manufacturer’s recommendations
for maintaining the vehicle
Work-related motor vehicle crashes
PAGE 4
Motor Vehicle Safety Program Action Items: A Checklist
Component 1
Your company leaders commit to road safety
❏❏We have written policies and procedures.
❏❏We have shared the written policies and procedures with
all workers.
❏❏Changes in policies and procedures are communicated to
all drivers and supervisors.
❏❏Workers have a voice in shaping our road safety practices.
❏❏Leaders let everyone know road safety is a priority and
that they are expected to drive in a safe and responsible
way.
❏❏Leaders serve as role models for road safety.
Component 2
Policies to guide everyone’s actions
to promote road safety
❏❏Workloads and work schedules allow our workers to
drive at a safe speed.
❏❏Workloads and work schedules allow workers to obey
any applicable hours-of-service regulations.
❏❏We have a system in place to ensure that employees
get information about road construction or closures,
bad road conditions, or any other road hazards.
❏❏The process we use to ensure that the driver can
contact a designated supervisor in case of an
emergency is spelled out clearly.
❏❏We have procedures in place for reporting and
investigating work-related crashes and vehicle
breakdowns.
Preventing distracted driving
❏❏We uphold a ban on the use of hand-held devices for
texting and phone calls while driving.
❏❏We have identified the likely hazards associated with
drivers, vehicles, and roads.
❏❏We have informed workers that hands-free phones and
electronic devices take their attention away from the road
and increase their risk of a crash.
❏❏We have decided what steps we will take to eliminate or
reduce those hazards.
❏❏We have considered banning hands-free devices to make
sure our drivers stay focused on driving.
❏❏We follow all local, state, and Federal laws that apply to
our workplace.
Preventing drowsy driving
❏❏We require the use of seat belts at all times by all drivers
and passengers.
❏❏All workers can expect that they will not have to drive
irregular hours or far beyond their normal working hours.
❏❏We have put in place a system for collecting information
on drivers, vehicles, and incidents.
❏❏All workers know they are allowed to take a nap of
less than 30 minutes or stop for the night if they are too
tired to continue driving.
❏❏We review the information that we have collected on a
regular schedule.
❏❏We’ve given workers information about good sleep habits
and ways to stay more alert while driving.
❏❏In the event of a crash, a thorough review is done to see
if any changes in policy or practices are needed.
Preventing impaired driving
Journey management
❏❏Before we assign a worker to make a trip by motor
vehicle, we consider whether our business needs can
be met without traveling by road.
❏❏The process we use to ensure that the driver and
supervisor agree on the driver’s route, destination, and
travel schedule is spelled out clearly. For example, “The
driver must sign out in the presence of a supervisor,
giving his/her route, destination, and travel schedule.”
❏❏We have considered having a policy that prohibits
workers from operating a vehicle under the influence of
alcohol, legal and illegal drugs, or prescription and overthe-counter medications that could affect their ability to
drive safely.
❏❏We have given workers information about the possible
effects of prescription and non-prescription medications
on their ability to drive safely.
Work-related motor vehicle crashes
Component 3
Driver selection
❏❏We have a system in place to review motor vehicle
records for all new employees.
❏❏We have a system in place so we can know that every
worker assigned to drive has a valid state driver’s license.
❏❏We understand Federal and state limitations on driving by
workers under 18.
Driver training
❏❏We provide driver training as soon as possible after hiring
anyone whose job includes driving.
❏❏We provide training specific to the vehicle(s) that the
worker is expected to operate.
❏❏We provide periodic “refresher” driver training.
❏❏We have noted all recommendations on the NIOSH
fact sheet, “Work-related motor vehicle crashes among
young people.”
❏❏We provide corrective training to drivers who are
involved in a crash where they were at fault.
Driver evaluation
❏❏We do regular on-the-road evaluations of every driver’s
driving skills and behaviors and give training on any
deficiencies we see.
❏❏We review motor vehicle records every year for every
driver.
For more information
Motor vehicle safety programs and management
http://www.nsc.org/Pages/nsc-on-the-road.aspx
http://trafficsafety.org/nets-comprehensive-guide-to-roadsafety-download
http://www.asse.org/ansiasse-z151-2012-safe-practices-formotor-vehicle-operations/ (fee applies)
PAGE 5
❏❏If we use in-vehicle monitoring systems:
❏❏We have explained to workers why the system is
being put in place and how it will work.
❏❏We use the data to improve safety, not to pressure
workers to drive too fast or too long to meet
production quotas.
❏❏We make sure that drivers get timely coaching to help
them correct unsafe driving behaviors.
Component 4
Safe and well-maintained vehicles
❏❏We provide company vehicles with high safety ratings
based on crash testing.
❏❏We purchase or lease vehicles with advanced safety
features such as:
❏❏Lane departure warning systems
❏❏Collision warning systems
❏❏Rear-facing cameras
❏❏Adaptive cruise control
❏❏We maintain company vehicles according to
manufacturers’ specifications.
❏❏We instruct drivers to conduct pre- and post-trip vehicle
inspections, and we document that defective vehicles
have been repaired.
❏❏We give information about proper vehicle maintenance to
workers who drive their own vehicles on the job.
To receive documents or other information about
occupational safety and health topics, contact NIOSH at
Telephone: 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)
TTY: 1-888-232-6348
E-mail: [email protected]
or visit the NIOSH Web site at www.cdc.gov/niosh.
State traffic laws
http://www.iihs.org/laws/default.aspx
For a monthly update on news at NIOSH, subscribe to
NIOSH eNews by visiting www.cdc.gov/niosh/eNews.
NIOSH motor vehicle safety web page
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/motorvehicle/
DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2015-111
March 2015
CDC motor vehicle safety web page
http://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/
Guidelines for Employers to Reduce Motor Vehicle Crashes
This document represents a joint effort by NETS, NHTSA and OSHA to reduce motor vehicle-related deaths and
injuries in the nation's workforce.
This [white paper] was funded under [Purchase Order Number B-9-4-2-3576] for the U.S. Department of
Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent
the official position or policy of the U.S. Department of Labor.
This document is not a standard or regulation, and it creates no new legal obligations. Likewise, it cannot and
does not diminish any obligations established by Federal or state statute, rule, or standard. The document is
advisory in nature, informational in content, and is intended to assist employers in providing a safe and
healthful workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires employers to comply with hazard-specific
safety and health standards. In addition, pursuant to Section 5(a)(1), the General Duty Clause of the Act,
employers must provide their employees with a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death
or serious physical harm. Employers can be cited for violating the General Duty Clause if there is a recognized
hazard and they do not take reasonable steps to prevent or abate the hazard.
Every 12 minutes someone dies in a motor vehicle crash, every 10 seconds an injury occurs and every 5
seconds a crash occurs. Many of these incidents occur during the workday or during the commute to and from
work. Employers bear the cost for injuries that occur both on and off the job. Whether you manage a fleet of
vehicles, oversee a mobile sales force or simply employ commuters, by implementing a driver safety program
in the workplace you can greatly reduce the risks faced by your employees and their families while protecting
your company's bottom line.
Set Up a Safe Driving Program to Keep Your Employees Safe on the Road
Motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of death and injury for all ages. Crashes on and off the job have farreaching financial and psychological effects on employees, their coworkers and families, and their employers.
You need a driver safety program:



To save lives and to reduce the risk of life-altering injuries within your workforce.
To protect your organization's human and financial resources.
To guard against potential company and personal liabilities associated with crashes involving
employees driving on company business.
Your program should work to keep the driver and those with whom he/she shares the road safe. And, if
necessary, the program must work to change driver attitudes, improve behavior, and increase skills to build a
"be safe" culture. By instructing your employees in basic safe driving practices and then rewarding safetyconscious behavior, you can help your employees and their families avoid tragedy.
Employees are an employer's most valuable assets. Workplace driver safety programs not only make good
business sense but also are a good employee relations tool, demonstrating that employers care about their
employees.
This booklet outlines ten steps for building a driver safety program in your workplace. These steps will be
useful to any organization regardless of size of the organization, type of traffic encountered, number of
vehicles involved, or whether employees drive company or personal vehicles for work purposes. Also included
are real-life examples of successful safety programs, key traffic safety issues to address in the workplace,
instructions for calculating your organization's loss from motor vehicle crashes, and a list of resources to help
you fine-tune your program.
Promoting Safe Driving Practices Helps Your Bottom Line
Motor vehicle crashes cost employers $60 billion annually in medical care, legal expenses, property damage,
and lost productivity. They drive up the cost of benefits such as workers' compensation, Social Security, and
private health and disability insurance. In addition, they increase the company overhead involved in
administering these programs.
The average crash costs an employer $16,500. When a worker has an on-the-job crash that results in an
injury, the cost to their employer is $74,000. Costs can exceed $500,000 when a fatality is involved. Off-thejob crashes are costly to employers as well.1
The real tragedy is that these crashes are largely preventable. Recognizing the opportunity that employers
have to save lives, a growing number of employers have established traffic safety programs in their companies.
No organization can afford to ignore a major problem that has such a serious impact on both their personnel
and the company budget.
Calculate Your Costs for Motor Vehicle Crashes
To understand the impact of motor vehicle crashes on your organization, use the Costs of Traffic Crashes to
Employers Worksheet, found at the end of this booklet, to calculate the cost of your crashes. You may want to
initially select one recent crash to illustrate the magnitude and complexity of such losses. Once you master the
worksheet for one crash, you can then apply it to all the crashes experienced in a chosen time frame (e.g.,
annually) within your organization to characterize your crash loss profile.
Once you know the costs associated with motor vehicle crashes you will realize that the costs associated with
implementing a driver safety program are minimal compared to the costs of crashes to your organization.
Examples abound of the positive return-on-investment (ROI) realized by companies – small, medium, and large
– that have implemented well-designed safety programs for the benefit of their employees. In fact, the Liberty
Mutual Insurance Company reported in 2001 that, based on its Executive Survey of Workplace Safety, 61
percent of surveyed business executives believe their companies receive an ROI of $3.00 or more for every
$1.00 they spent on improving workplace safety.2
Where to Start
Depending on the size of your organization, you may have access to all of the data that you need. Or you may
need to work with your human resource manager, safety manager, workers' compensation representative,
accountants, and medical and motor vehicle insurance representatives to obtain the numbers you'll need.
Costs of Motor Vehicle Crashes to Employers Worksheet
Use the worksheet found at the end of this booklet to estimate the cost of a motor vehicle crash to your
organization. The costs included on the worksheet will be estimates based upon the records, receipts and recall
of those involved with the crash. It may be helpful to consult copies of accident reports, police reports,
damage receipts, insurance claim records and payroll records. It is often very difficult to identify all costs
associated with these crashes, so use the best information you have available. If your company incurred
expenses not listed on the worksheet, be sure to include them.
Success Stories: Workplace Driver Safety Programs in Action
Many companies have already benefited from the approach to driver safety outlined in this booklet. Here's
how:
Nationwide Insurance - Columbus, Ohio
Program:


Nationwide, one of the largest insurance and financial services companies in the United States,
operates a large, private motor vehicle fleet.
In 1998, Nationwide developed and implemented a comprehensive motor vehicle safety program using
a 10-step program as outlined in this booklet.
Results:


While the number of miles driven by Nationwide associates has increased by 19 percent, the
organization's preventable crashes have decreased by 53 percent.
The organization's total motor vehicle loss costs are down 40 percent.
Charter Communications – Michigan
Program:

Charter Communications provides cable service to Michigan residents. With a fleet of over 650
vehicles, Charter employees drive 1.5 million miles per month.



In early 2001, the company began a program to increase seat belt use among their company drivers.
Charter worked with Michigan NETS to establish a corporate seat belt program and to reward seat belt
use.
Participation in the NETS annual Drive Safely Work Week campaign and the NHTSA "Safety Belt Award
Program" were both used to support the corporate program.
During this same period, Charter began a defensive driving program for employees.
Results:


In 2001, Charter-Michigan Region's seat belt use rate was 74 percent. In two years, they reached a 94
percent seat belt use rate and have continued to maintain that rate.
They also experienced a 30 percent decrease in motor vehicle crashes during this time.
General Motors Corporation - Detroit, Michigan
Program:



GM, the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, implemented the Safe Driving Program, "Create the
Habit," for over 250,000 employees in November 1998.
This comprehensive initiative provided workplace education programs and strict seat belt usage
policies.
An incentive program was developed to recognize and reward seat belt use. GM surveyed 90 sites
each quarter.
Results:


GM increased employee seat belt usage from 61 percent in 1998 to 85 percent by December 2003.
Ongoing awareness programs continue to promote the safety message.
The Safe Driving Program is credited with saving five lives a year.
Pike Industries - Barre, Vermont
Program:



Pike Industries, an asphalt paving company, has approximately 250 employees in Vermont. They
operate the 280 vehicles (pickups, tractor-trailers, dump trucks, etc.) in the fleet.
Their fleet safety program requires all new drivers to receive classroom training; each is assigned a
veteran "mentor." Veteran drivers attend annual classroom training, reviewing topics that include
federal regulations and accident avoidance techniques.
All drivers attend weekly "toolbox" talks to discuss fleet safety topics.
Results:


Company drivers traveled over 2 million miles in 2003 hauling construction equipment and materials,
performing construction activities (many were in highly dangerous work zones) and did not have any
significant roadway incidents.
Workers' compensation claims for vehicle incidents dropped from a high of 73 percent of total losses
in 2001 to 2 percent in 2003. Vehicle property damage losses also followed this trend.
NETS 10 Step Program to Minimize Crash Risk
The 10-Step Program provides guidelines for what an employer can do to improve traffic safety performance
and minimize the risk of motor vehicle crashes. Following these steps helps to ensure that you hire capable
drivers, only allow eligible drivers to drive on company business, train them, supervise them, and maintain
company vehicles properly. Adherence to these 10 steps can also help to keep your motor vehicle insurance
costs as low as possible.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Senior Management Commitment & Employee Involvement
Written Policies and Procedures
Driver Agreements
Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Checks
Crash Reporting and Investigation
Vehicle Selection, Maintenance and Inspection
Disciplinary Action System
Reward/Incentive Program
Driver Training/Communication
Regulatory Compliance
These steps are from the NETS Traffic Safety Primer: A Guidebook for Employers.
Step 1: Senior Management Commitment and Employee
Involvement
The safety of an organization's employees as they drive for work and to
and from work is so important that it requires the attention of top-level
management. Senior management can provide leadership, set policies,
and allocate resources (staff and budget) to create a safety culture.
Actively encouraging employee participation and involvement at all
levels of the organization is a good practice and will help the effort to
succeed. Workers and their representatives must be involved in the
initial planning phase.
Step 2: Written Policies and Procedures
A written statement emphasizing the commitment to reducing traffic-related deaths and injuries is essential to
a successful program. Create a clear, comprehensive and enforceable set of traffic safety policies and
communicate them to all employees. These are the cornerstones of an effective driver safety program. Post
them throughout the workplace, distribute copies periodically, and discuss the policies at company meetings.
Offer incentives for sticking to the rules, and point out the consequences of disregarding them. Below are
sample policies that can be adapted for use by your company.
Sample Alcohol and Drug Use Policy
(Name of Company/Organization) has a vital interest in maintaining safe, healthy, and efficient working
conditions for its employees. Therefore, the consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs by any employee during
"duty hours" is prohibited. Duty hours consist of all working hours, including break periods and on-call periods,
whether on or off company premises. The consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs while performing company
business or while in a company facility is prohibited.
Sample Seat Belt Use Policy
(Name of Company/Organization) recognizes that seat belts are extremely effective in
preventing injuries and loss of life. It is a simple fact that wearing your seat belt can
reduce your risk of dying in a traffic crash by 45 percent in a car and by as much as 60
percent in a truck or SUV.
We care about our employees, and want to make sure that no one is injured or killed in a
tragedy that could have been prevented by the use of seat belts. Therefore, all employees
of (Name of Company/Organization) must wear seat belts when operating a companyowned vehicle, or any vehicle on company premises or on company business; and all
occupants are to wear seat belts or, where appropriate, child restraints when riding in a
company-owned vehicle, or in a personal vehicle being used for company business. All employees and their
families are strongly encouraged to always use seat belts and the proper child restraints whenever they are
driving or riding in any vehicle, in any seating position.
Step 3: Driver Agreements
Establish a contract with all employees who drive for work purposes, whether they drive assigned company
vehicles or drive their personal vehicles. By signing an agreement, the driver acknowledges awareness and
understanding of the organization's traffic safety policies, procedures, and expectations regarding driver
performance, vehicle maintenance and reporting of moving violations.
Step 4: Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Checks
Check the driving records of all employees who drive for work purposes. You must screen out drivers who have
poor driving records since they are most likely to cause problems in the future. The MVR should be reviewed
periodically to ensure that the driver maintains a good driving record. Clearly define the number of violations
an employee/driver can have before losing the privilege of driving for work, and provide training where
indicated.
Step 5: Crash Reporting and Investigation
Establish and enforce a crash reporting and investigation process. All crashes, regardless of severity, should be
reported to the employee's supervisor as soon as feasible after the incident. Company traffic safety policies and
procedures should clearly guide drivers through their responsibilities in a crash situation. All crashes should be
reviewed to determine their cause and whether or not the incidents were preventable. Understanding the root
causes of crashes and why they are happening, regardless of fault, forms the basis for eliminating them in the
future.
Step 6: Vehicle Selection, Maintenance and Inspection
Selecting, properly maintaining and routinely inspecting company vehicles is an important part of preventing
crashes and related losses.
It is advisable that the organization review and consider the safety features of all vehicles to be considered for
use. Those vehicles that demonstrate "best in class" status for crash-worthiness and overall safety should be
chosen and made available to drivers.
For the latest information on crash test ratings and other important vehicle safety information, visit
www.safercar.gov. To report a concern about a defect or problem with your vehicle, contact the NHTSA Auto
Safety Hotline at: 1-888-DASH-2-DOT.
Vehicles should be on a routine preventive maintenance schedule for servicing and checking of safety-related
equipment. Regular maintenance should be done at specific mileage intervals consistent with the
manufacturer's recommendations. A mechanic should do a thorough inspection of each vehicle at least
annually with documented results placed in the vehicle's file.
Personal vehicles used for company business are not necessarily subject to the same criteria and are generally
the responsibility of the owner. However, personal vehicles used on company business should be maintained in
a manner that provides the employee with maximum safety and reflects positively on the company.
Step 7: Disciplinary Action System
Develop a strategy to determine the course of action after the occurrence of a moving violation and/or
"preventable" crash. There are a variety of corrective action programs available; the majority of these are
based on a system that assigns points for moving violations. The system should provide for progressive
discipline if a driver begins to develop a pattern of repeated traffic violations and/or preventable crashes. The
system should describe what specific action(s) will be taken if a driver accumulates a certain number of
violations or preventable crashes in any pre-defined period.
Step 8: Reward/Incentive Program
Develop and implement a driver reward/incentive program to make safe driving an integral part of your
business culture. Safe driving behaviors contribute directly to the bottom line and should be recognized as
such. Positive results are realized when driving performance is incorporated into the overall evaluation of job
performance. Reward and incentive programs typically involve recognition, monetary rewards, special
privileges or the use of incentives to motivate the achievement of a predetermined goal or to increase
participation in a program or event.
Step 9: Driver Training/Communication
Provide continuous driver safety training and communication. Even experienced drivers benefit from periodic
training and reminders of safe driving practices and skills. It is easy to become complacent and not think about
the consequences of our driving habits.
Step 10: Regulatory Compliance
Ensure adherence to highway safety regulations. It is important to clearly establish which, if any, local, state,
and/or federal regulations govern your vehicles and/or drivers. These regulations may involve, but may not
necessarily be limited to the:
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Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)
National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Employment Standards Administration (ESA)
Promote Safe Driving Practices to Protect Your Most Valuable Investment – Your Employees
The increasing traffic congestion on our nation's roadways wastes significant time and money, reduces
productivity and promotes risky driving behavior. Employees may feel pressured to drive faster and for longer
periods of time and to engage in potentially distracting in-vehicle activities to meet their job responsibilities.
Engaging in unsafe driving practices affects those who occasionally drive their personal vehicles for work
purposes as well as those who spend their workday driving a company vehicle.
As an employer, do your part by keeping your parking lot well lighted and well maintained. Keep roadway and
parking spaces properly striped, and clear of debris and snow. Install signs at parking lot exits reminding
employees to buckle their seat belts and drive safely. Let your concern for their safety be their final thought as
they leave your parking lot.
Employers have enormous power to protect their businesses by educating their employees about safe driving
practices. The safety issues described below should be addressed in an employee awareness and training
program.
More detailed information on Aggressive Driving, Distracted Driving, Drowsy Driving and Impaired Driving can be
found beginning on page 27.
Secure Materials for Transport
Tools or equipment should be secured while being transported to prevent unsafe movement of materials. During
a crash or when making sudden maneuvers, loose objects can slide around or become airborne, injuring the
driver and any passengers. Objects that could become a hazard should be secured or stored outside the
passenger compartment.
Seat Belt Use
Seat belts are the single most effective means of reducing deaths and serious injuries in traffic crashes. As the
most effective safety device in vehicles, they save nearly 12,000 lives and prevent 325,000 serious injuries in
America each year. During a crash, anyone not wearing a seat belt will slam into the steering wheel, windshield,
or other parts of the interior, or be ejected from the vehicle.
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a factor in 25 to 30 percent of all traffic crashes. With hectic schedules and roadway delays,
many employees feel pressured to multi-task just to keep up with their personal and work-related
responsibilities. More time on the road means less time at home or at work but "drive time" can never mean
"down time." Since drivers make more than 200 decisions during every mile traveled, it's critical for employers to
stress that when driving for work, safe driving is their primary responsibility.
Alcohol and Drug Impaired Driving
Alcohol use is involved in 40 percent of all fatal motor vehicle crashes, representing an average of one alcoholrelated fatality every 30 minutes. It is estimated that three in every 10 Americans will be involved in an impaired
driving-related crash some time in their life. Alcohol, certain prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications,
and illegal drugs can all affect a person's ability to drive safely due to decreased alertness, concentration,
coordination and reaction time. Businesses pay a high price for alcohol and drug abuse; alcohol is a contributing
factor in 39 percent of all work-related traffic crashes.
Fatigued Driving
Fatigued or drowsy driving may be involved in more than 100,000 crashes each year, resulting in 40,000 injuries
and 1,550 deaths. Sadly, these numbers represent only the tip of the iceberg since these crashes are seriously
under-reported. These days, it's more important than ever for employees to be well rested, alert and sober on
the road so that they are in a position to defend themselves from drivers who do not make the same choice.
Train employees to make smart decisions when they're behind the wheel, on and off the job.
Aggressive Driving
Employees commuting to and from work and traveling for work purposes often find themselves caught up in
bottlenecks and traffic delays, wasting their time and reducing their productivity. These situations create a high
level of frustration that can spark aggressive driving behavior. The roadway is one place that being aggressive
never pays.
Aggressive driving acts include excessive speed, tailgating, failure to signal a lane change, running a red light
and passing on the right. The best advice is to avoid engaging in conflict with other drivers and to allow others to
merge.
Young Drivers
The 16-20-year-old population represents a significant highway safety problem. Traffic
crashes are the leading cause of fatalities for teens. Historically, this group is the age group
that has the lowest seat belt use rate and is the most likely to engage in risky driving
behaviors that include: speeding, driving while alcohol or drug impaired and when drowsy. It
is important for employers with young workers to actively promote safe driving practices.
We have learned much about teen driver safety during the past decade. There are proven,
specific safety benefits from a variety of best practices that are commonly referred to as
"graduated driver licensing" or GDL. GDL practices have resulted in substantial reductions in
crashes, injuries and fatalities for novice teenage drivers.
Under Federal law, 16-year-old workers are prohibited from driving as part of their job, and 17-year-olds may
drive for work only under strictly limited circumstances. Some state laws may be more restrictive than Federal
laws. For more information on child labor laws visit, www.youthrules.dol.gov or
www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/youth/.
Reach Out to Family and Community Members
Once your driver safety program is operational, consider extending it to your employees' families and members
of your community. Employers are in a position to foster safe driving practices and reduce the number of traffic
crashes in their communities. Employer programs not only inform employees about traffic hazards and educate
them about responsible driving practices but they can create a safer roadway environment for the entire
community.
Four reasons for reaching out to employees' families and members of the community:
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Provides public relations benefits for your company.
Boosts employee morale.
Creates a safer driving environment for your employees, their dependents, and members of the
community.
Reduces employer and employee healthcare costs.
Where to Go for Additional Information
For more information and assistance in implementing a traffic safety program in your workplace, you can contact the
Network of Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
(NIOSH).
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
NHTSA's mission is to save lives, prevent injuries, and reduce traffic-related health care and other economic costs. The
organization can provide technical assistance, various highway safety awareness materials, and other support for your
program. For more information on highway safety programs, visit www.nhtsa.dot.gov or contact NHTSA at 400 Seventh
Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590.
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
NIOSH, as the national agency responsible for occupational safety and health research, is committed to reducing the toll of
work-related roadway crashes on American workers. Prevention of work-related crashes poses one of the greatest
challenges in occupational safety. The roadway is a unique environment. Compared with other work settings, employers'
ability to control working conditions and to exert direct supervisory controls is limited. Workers may be pressured to drive
faster and for longer periods and to use technologies that may lead to inattention to the driving task. The problem of workrelated crashes affects those who occasionally drive personal vehicles on the job as well as those who routinely drive
commercial motor vehicles over long distances. For more information on motor vehicle occupational research visit:
www.cdc.gov/niosh or contact NIOSH at 1-800-35-NIOSH or 1-800-356-4674.
Network of Employers for Traffic Safety
NETS is an employer-led, nonprofit, public/private partnership dedicated to improving the safety and health of employees,
their families, and members of the communities in which they live and work, by reducing the number of traffic crashes that
occur on and off the job. NETS provides employers of all sizes and industry types with effective programs, policies, best
practices, and employer-led activities, whether an employee drives for work or to and from work. Drive Safely Work Week
(DSWW) is an annual campaign sponsored by NETS to promote safe driving practices for all employees. For further
information on NETS, the 10-Step Program, and DSWW, visit www.trafficsafety.org or contact NETS at 1-800-221-0045.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the
safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education;
establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual improvement in workplace safety and health. Information on motor
vehicle safety can be found on OSHA's website at www.osha.gov/SLTC/motorvehiclesafety/index.html.
The following pages contain more detailed information on Aggressive Driving, Distracted Driving, Drowsy Driving, Impaired
Driving and a worksheet, Costs of Motor Vehicle Crashes to Employers.
Aggressive Driving
As traffic congestion continues to grow, motorists commuting to and from work and traveling for business purposes often
find themselves caught up in bottlenecks and significant delays, wasting time and reducing their productivity. This situation
creates a high level of frustration and can spark aggressive driving among these overwhelmed drivers. To protect against
aggressive driving, remember that your primary responsibility is to drive focused and stay safe.
Safety Facts for the Road
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A major reason for increased traffic congestion is that our highway system has not kept pace with the
growing demands placed on it. Since 1970, the number of drivers increased by 64% while the
roadway system increased by only 6%.
Many Americans believe aggressive driving is on the rise and worry about the behavior of other drivers
but admit to engaging in aggressive driving themselves.
A substantial number of the 6.8 million crashes that occur each year are estimated to be caused by
aggressive driving.
Overly frustrated drivers are turning their cars into extensions of their homes and offices, creating a
dangerous distraction on the road that fuels aggressive driving among other drivers.
Drive Focused. Stay Safe. Avoid Aggressive Driving.
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Correct your own unsafe driving habits that are likely to endanger, antagonize or provoke other
drivers.
Keep your cool in traffic; be patient and courteous to other drivers and don't take their actions
personally.
If you think you have a problem, seek help. Look for anger or stress management classes or self-help
books.
Reduce your stress on the road by allowing plenty of time to reach your destination, plan your route in
advance and alter your schedule or route to avoid busy roads.
If despite all your planning, you're going to arrive late, accept it and avoid aggressive driving.
Make every attempt to safely move out of an aggressive driver's way. If a hostile motorist tries to pick
a fight, do not make eye contact and do not respond. Ignore gestures and refuse to return them.
Report aggressive driving to the police. Provide a vehicle description, license number, location and the
direction of travel.
Are you "just driving like everyone else" or are you driving aggressively?
The Nerves of Steel Survey is a national survey that reveals how Americans define aggressive driving.
Is this act aggressive?
Tailgating
95%
Making rude gestures
91%
Passing on the shoulder
90%
Pulling into parking space someone else is waiting for
88%
Failing to yield to merging traffic
85%
Flashing high beams at the car in front of you
74%
Waiting until the last second to merge with traffic on the highway
66%
Changing lanes without signaling
66%
Driving through a yellow light that is turning red
62%
Honking the horn
53%
Double parking
53%
Driving 10 mph or more under the speed limit
27%
The Steel Alliance, 2002.
For more information on aggressive driving, contact NETS at 1-888-221-0045 or visit: www.trafficsafety.org.
Distracted Driving
Longer commutes, an increase in heavy traffic, the availability of in-vehicle technology are all factors that
result in driver distraction. More time in your vehicle results in less time at home or on the job, causing drivers
to feel the pressure to multi-task to keep up with their responsibilities. Countless distractions tempt drivers to
forget that their primary responsibility is to drive focused and stay safe.
Safety Facts for the Road
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Distracted driving is estimated to be a factor in between 25 to 30% of all traffic crashes—that's 4,000
or more crashes a day.
Events inside and outside the vehicle can distract a driver. Adverse roadway and weather conditions
require a driver's full attention.
While taking one's eyes off the road presents obvious risks, activities that take a driver's mind away
from driving are just as risky.
A driver's ability to manage distractions varies widely and can change from day-to-day depending on
their level of stress and fatigue.
Distracted drivers fail to recognize potential hazards in the road and react more slowly to traffic
conditions, decreasing their margin of safety."
Research suggests that distracted driving increases the risk of rear-end and single-vehicle crashes.
Do you know when you're driving distracted?
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Has a passenger in your car screamed or gasped because of something you did or did not do?
Did you run a stop sign unintentionally?
Have you slammed on your brakes because you didn't see the car in front of you stop?
You do not remember driving from one place to another?
Drive Focused. Stay Safe. Avoid Distracted Driving.
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Safe driving practices require that you constantly search the roadway ahead for situations that could
require you to take quick action.
Recognize that driving requires your full attention.
Did you know that even the most routine activities are potentially
distracting while driving?
A national survey revealed the activities that distract today's drivers.
NETS DISTRACTED DRIVING SURVEY
Activities Drivers Engage in While Driving
96%
Talking to passengers
89%
Adjusting vehicle climate/radio controls
74%
Eating a meal/snack
51%
Using a cell phone
41%
Tending to children
34%
Reading a map/publication
19%
Grooming
11%
Preparing for work
Participation in Distracting Activities While Driving for Work or for Personal
Purposes
57%
Personal purposes
25%
Work purposes
14%
Both equally
2%
Don't drive for work
3%
Don't know
Network of Employers for Traffic Safety, 2001.
For more information on aggressive driving, contact NETS at 1-888-221-0045 or visit: www.trafficsafety.org.
Drowsy Driving
As a driver, your number one responsibility is to get yourself and your passengers to your destination safely.
When behind the wheel, you always need to be alert and focused. At 55 mph, a vehicle travels the length of a
football field in 3.7 seconds. This is no time for a "mini" snooze. Being an attentive driver, and looking out for
the driver who isn't, is increasingly important. Drive focused. Stay safe.
Safety Facts for the Road
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Drowsy driving causes more than 100,000 crashes each year, resulting in 40,000 injuries and 1,550
deaths.
Crashes caused by drowsy driving are often serious crashes and occur most often on high-speed rural
highways when the driver is alone.

Drowsy driving can happen to anyone. A recent National Sleep Foundation study revealed that one
half (51%) of adults have driven while drowsy and 17% report having fallen asleep while driving
within the past year.
Drive Focused. Stay Safe. Avoid Aggressive Driving.
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Be aware of your behavior and the behavior of others on the road during the late night, early morning
and mid-afternoon hours when drowsy driving crashes are most likely to occur. Plan a rest stop during
these hours.
Get a full night of rest before driving. If you become tired while driving, stop. A short nap (15 to 45
minutes) and consuming caffeine can help temporarily.
Stop at regular intervals when driving long distances. Get out of the car every 2 hours to stretch and
walk briskly.
Set a realistic goal for the number of miles you can safely drive each day.
Avoid taking medications that cause drowsiness.
Do you know when you're driving drowsy?
Some warning signs of fatigue:
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You can't remember the last few miles driven.
You hit a rumble strip or drift from your lane.
Your thoughts are wandering and disconnected.
You yawn repeatedly.
You have difficulty focusing or keeping your eyes open.
You tailgate or miss traffic signs.
You have trouble keeping your head up.
You keep pulling your vehicle back into the lane.
If you're tired and are in danger of falling asleep, then you cannot
predict when a "mini" sleep may occur. A driver cannot react to road
dangers when tired. Getting enough sleep will not only help you feel
better, it can save your life.
For more information on aggressive driving, contact NETS at 1-888-221-0045 or visit: www.trafficsafety.org.
Impaired Driving
On our congested roadways, it's more important than ever to drive with a clear head and a sharp focus. Make
it a life-governing rule not to drive when you've had too much to drink. On average, a driver makes over 200
decisions per mile, so it's critical that a driver make the decision to drive alert before getting behind the wheel.
Not only will you be a safer driver but you will be in a much better position to defend yourself from the driver
who doesn't make that choice. Drive focused. Stay safe.
Safety Facts for the Road
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Alcohol impaired driving accounts for about 40% of fatal crashes.
About three in every 10 Americans will be involved in an alcohol-related crash at some time in their
lives.
Research shows that alcohol is a contributing factor in 39% of all work-related traffic crashes.
Nearly 1.5 million people are arrested each year for driving while intoxicated (DWI). Two-thirds of all
drivers arrested for DWI are first time offenders.
A DWI/DUI conviction on a person's driving record may prevent them from getting a job, receiving a
promotion or even result in a job loss.
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Many companies have corrective action programs that suspend company driving privileges for a
DWI/DUI violation.
Nine out of 10 insurance companies automatically cancel the policy of a driver convicted of a DWI/DUI
violation. Consequently, the driver must find a high-risk insurance company and face substantial rate
increases.
Drive Focused. Stay Safe. Avoid Aggressive Driving.
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Alcohol involvement is highest at night (9 p.m. to 6 a.m.), on weekends and on holidays.
Driving skills, especially judgment, are impaired in most people long before they exhibit visible signs of
drunkenness.
Celebrations are a part of our lives and sometimes they include alcohol. They should not, however,
involve impaired driving:
Decide who is the designated driver before the party starts.
Be the kind of co-worker who will take the keys if someone has had too much to drink.
If you're impaired, make the safe choice – ride with a designated driver, call a taxi, stay
where you are, or call a sober friend or family member. Making the safe choice could save
your life.
Can you spot an impaired driver on the road?
Drivers under the influence of alcohol often display certain
characteristic driving behaviors. Keep these in mind to avoid a
dangerous situation.
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Weaving, swerving, drifting or straddling the center line.
Driving on the wrong side of the road.
Driving at a very slow speed.
Stopping without cause or braking erratically.
Turning abruptly or responding slowly to traffic signals.
Driving with the window down in cold weather.
Driving with headlights off at night.
If you spot an impaired driver, stay a safe distance from their vehicle.
Alert the police that there is an unsafe driver on the road.
For more information on aggressive driving, contact NETS at 1-888-221-0045 or visit: www.trafficsafety.org.
Costs of Motor Vehicle Crashes to Employers Worksheet
Direct Costs to the Organization
Workers' compensation benefits
$_______________
Healthcare costs
$_______________
Increases in medical insurance premiums
$_______________
Auto insurance and liability claims and settlements
$_______________
Physical and vocational rehabilitation costs
$_______________
Life insurance and survivor benefits
$_______________
Group health insurance dependent coverage
$_______________
Property damage (equipment, products, etc.)
$_______________
Motor vehicle repair and replacement
$_______________
EMS costs (ambulance or medivac helicopter)
$_______________
Vehicle towing, impoundment and inspection fees
$_______________
Municipality or utility fees for damage to roads, signs or poles
$_______________
Direct Total
$_______________
Indirect Costs
Supervisor's time (rescheduling, making special arrangements)
$_______________
Fleet manager's time to coordinate vehicle repair, replacement, etc.
$_______________
Reassignment of personnel to cover for missing employees (less efficient)
$_______________
Overtime pay (to cover work of missing employees)
$_______________
Employee replacement
$_______________
Re-entry and retraining of injured employees
$_______________
Administrative costs (documentation of injuries, treatment, absences, crash
investigation)
$_______________
Inspection costs
$_______________
Failure to meet customer requirements resulting in loss of business
$_______________
Bad publicity, loss of business
$_______________
Indirect Total
$_______________
TOTAL
$_______________
1 NHTSA [2003]. The economic burden of traffic crashes on employers: costs by state and industry and by
alcohol and restraint use. Publication DOT HS 809 682.
2 Liberty Mutual Insurance Company [2001]. Liberty Mutual Executive Survey of Workplace Safety.
Portable Ladder Safety
Falls from portable ladders (step, straight, combination and extension) are one of the leading
causes of occupational fatalities and injuries.

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
Read and follow all labels/markings on the ladder.
Avoid electrical hazards! – Look for overhead power lines before handling a ladder. Avoid using a
metal ladder near power lines or exposed energized electrical equipment.
Always inspect the ladder prior to using it. If the ladder is damaged, it must be removed from service
and tagged until repaired or discarded.
Always maintain a 3-point (two hands and a foot, or two feet and a hand) contact on
the ladder when climbing. Keep your body near the middle of the step and always
face the ladder while climbing (see diagram).
Only use ladders and appropriate accessories (ladder levelers, jacks or hooks) for
their designed purposes.
Ladders must be free of any slippery material on the rungs, steps or feet.
Do not use a self-supporting ladder (e.g., step ladder) as a single ladder or in a
partially closed position.
Do not use the top step/rung of a ladder as a step/rung unless it was designed for
that purpose.
Use a ladder only on a stable and level surface, unless it has been secured (top or
bottom) to prevent displacement.
Do not place a ladder on boxes, barrels or other unstable bases to obtain additional
height.
Do not move or shift a ladder while a person or equipment is on the ladder.
An extension or straight ladder used to access an elevated surface must
extend at least 3 feet above the point of support (see diagram). Do not
stand on the three top rungs of a straight, single or extension ladder.
The proper angle for setting up a ladder is to place its base a quarter of the
working length of the ladder from the wall or other vertical surface (see
diagram).
A ladder placed in any location where it can be displaced by other work
activities must be secured to prevent displacement or a barricade must be
erected to keep traffic away from the ladder.
Be sure that all locks on an extension ladder are properly engaged.
Do not exceed the maximum load rating of a ladder. Be aware of the
ladder’s load rating and of the weight it is supporting, including the weight
of any tools or equipment.
For more information:
Occupational
Safety and
Health
Administration
U.S. Department of Labor
www.osha.gov (800) 321-OSHA
OSHA 3246-09N-05
EXCAVATION AND
TRENCHING
Excavations and trench cave-ins
account for an increasing number
of fatalities and serious injuries in
construction, usually resulting from
separate, yet related causes.
Inadequate shoring, misjudgment
of soil conditions, defective shoring
materials, and failure to adjust to changing
conditions surrounding excavations and
trenching operations are some of the
leading causes of deaths and injuries.
A checklist to determine what type of
shoring is needed should include such
specific conditions as: Traffic, nearness
of structures and their conditions, soil,
ground water, water table, overhead and
underground utilities, and weather.
For complete trenching and shoring
safety requirements, refer to MIOSHA
(Michigan Occupational Safety and Health
Act) Construction Safety Standards, Part
9. Remember the major causes of deaths
and accidents are:
• Improperly shored and sloped
trenches.
• Loads too near trenches.
• Shocks and vibrations.
• Improper or defective shoring material.
• Change in soil conditions.
• Improper site and trench preparations.
PROPER LIFTING
Another leading cause of injuries, not
only in construction but all occupations,
is back injuries from over-exertion due to
improper lifting.
To avoid back injuries, remember these
two rules: BEND YOUR KNEES — USE
YOUR LEG MUSCLES TO LIFT — and
IF THE LOAD IS TOO BIG — GET
HELP!
There is a right way and wrong way to
lift. Size up the load, get a good footing,
and put your body close to the load. Place
your feet about 8 to 12 inches apart and
bend your knees to grasp the load. While
bending at the knees, grasp the load,
lifting gradually by straightening the legs,
and keep your back straight. Always keep
the load close to your body.
CONSTRUCTION
SAFETY
Construction
Safety
As a construction worker, you are part
of a challenging industry and part of a
unique team. While working, your fellow
construction workers safety will also
depend on you.
This brochure is provided to help you
do your job safely. The seven topics
covered here are only some of the
conditions that could lead to accidents
and injuries, but they are the LEADING
SEVEN areas of accidents in the
construction industry in Michigan.
Remember – the SAFE WAY is the
BEST WAY!
If you intend to place an object on a
table or bench, rest it on the edge, then
slide the object above your waist, lift the
object for support. Change your grip,
then bend your knees again to get extra
leg-muscle power for the final lift.
When carrying a load, decide in
advance the route you will take and check
for hazards that might trip you. Use
caution while changing direction with
loads. Don’t twist your body, but turn it to
match changes in foot direction.
The Department of Labor & Economic Growth will not discriminate against any
individual or group because of race, sex, religion, age, national origin, color,
marital status, disability, or political beliefs. If you need assistance with reading,
writing, hearing, etc., under the Americans with Disabilities Act, you may make
your need known to this agency.
Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth
MIOSHA • Consultation Education & Training Division
(517) 322-1809 • www.michigan.gov/miosha
Total printed 2,500. Printing cost: $530.56. Per copy cost: $0.21.
MIOSHA/CET #0119 (Rev. 2/08)
A look at
some
common
causes of accidents
in the industry
and
How to
Prevent Them
SLIPS AND FALLS
LADDERS
SCAFFOLDING
ELECTRICITY
Slips and falls are the leading cause of
construction accidents in Michigan, so
remember these safety tips:
Used in 95 percent of all construction
jobs, the ladder is a simple tool that is
another leading cause of construction
accidents and injuries. Workers overlook
the potential danger by using ladders
improperly. Remember these tips:
Scaffolding, in itself, cause two
conditions that can lead to construction
accidents and injuries – falls from elevated
positions, and being struck by objects
falling from scaffolds.
Almost every construction worker uses
powered tools or temporary electrical
wiring on the job.
All too often, fixing a worn cord or
grounding a temporary lighting system
is thought of as the electrician’s job.
Unfortunately, this attitude leads to many
serious accidents on the construction site
– accidents that could have been avoided
if workers would treat all situations
involving electricity with respect, because
as little as 46 volts can kill a person.
An important fact to remember is that
even a small shock can have serious
consequences on a construction site. An
improperly grounded drill can cause a
worker to fall off a ladder or slip from a
scaffold. Shocks from a frayed extension
cord could cause carpenters to drop a
circular saw on themselves or someone
below.
In order to avoid such experiences,
and possible serious injury, construction
workers should follow these few simple
rules:
1) When working in wet conditions,
all electrical tools must be used with
a G.F.C.I. (ground fault conductor
interrupter) grounded power supply.
2) Ground fault conductor interrrupters,
or an assured ground program, must
be used on all electric power tools.
3) Extension cords must not have frayed
insulation or be fastened with staples,
hung from nails, or suspended from
wires.
4) All temporary lights must be equipped
with non-conductive guards.
• Keep walking and working surfaces
clear of litter and debris.
• Keep walking and working surfaces as
level as possible. Faulty patching, wear,
sagging supports, warped boards, and
poorly constructed working surfaces
are conditions to look for to eliminate
slips and falls.
• Grease, oil, water, dirt, and inclement
weather all leave surfaces potentially
dangerous. A continuous effort should
be made to keep working surfaces
clear and dry.
• If a slip and fall condition does exist,
remember this important suggestion:
when crossing rough or slippery
surfaces, take short steps – toes
pointed out, walking on the whole
portion of your foot. (The closer you
come to putting your foot straight
down, the less chance you have of
slipping and falling). Do not make
sharp turns. If a fall does start to
happen, protect your head and neck
from injury by looking at the spot you
are about to hit. Relax, go limp, and
don’t resist the fall. As you land – roll.
• Inspect a ladder before use. If unsafe,
don’t use it. Look for wear, loose
rungs, and defects.
• Don’t over reach. Move your ladder
with your work. Both shoulders outside
the ladder means you’re reaching too
far.
• Place your ladder on solid footing. If
there’s a danger of the ladder moving
– tie it off! If there’s a danger of the
ladder being hit – barricade it.
• Never use metal ladders outdoors
during inclement weather or on windy
stormy days.
• Use a ladder that will reach the work.
A ladder should reach three feet above
the work level.
• Use the four to one rule: For every
four feet of height, move the base of a
ladder one foot away from the wall.
• Carry tools in proper carrying devices
and keep your hands free for climbing.
• When climbing, always face your
ladder.
Defective and unsafe ladders and
improper use result in ladder accidents.
Periodic inspections and continuing safety
reminders are two ways to help eliminate
them.
All scaffolding must be guarded with
safety railing when working at heights of
10 feet or more. It must be equipped with
toeboards, and be adequately designed to
support at least four times the anticipated
weight of the workers and materials
that will be working on it. Scaffolding
components that are not designed to be
compatible should not be mixed.
Inspect all scaffolding equipment each
day, before using. Never use damaged
or defective equipment and avoid rusted
parts as their strength is unknown.
When erecting scaffolding, provide
adequate sills for scaffold post and use
base plates. Use adjusting screws instead
of blocks when on uneven grades. Make
sure you plumb and level scaffolding
and do not force end braces when
constructing.
A recent study revealed that 54 percent
of all scaffolding accidents result from
problems with planking. Use properly
graded and inspected lumber for planking.
Inspect it daily for splits, knots, and
remove damaged planking.
Toeboards also must be installed to
eliminate the possibility of tools and debris
being kicked or pushed on people below.
PERSONAL
PROTECTIVE
EQUIPMENT
Being hit by falling objects…striking
objects as you slip or fall…flying objects…
and having objects roll over your feet are
some of the reasons construction workers
need personal protective equipment!
Whether it is a hard hat, safety shoes,
safety belts, ear plugs, lanyards, shields,
glasses, or goggles, the rule is the same…
to be protected, workers must wear
personal protective equipment!
The most important piece of safety
equipment a construction worker can
wear is the hard hat. About three percent
of all disabling injuries are injuries where
safety helmets could have provided a
significant level of protection.
A 12-inch crescent wrench from an
elevation of 58 feet can strike a worker
in one second at a speed of 43.5 m.p.h.
Never be on the job without a hard hat!
Foot injuries also account for many
of construction’s on-the-job injuries. A
typical foot injury is caused by objects
falling less than four feet and weighing
about 65 pounds. Wear foot protection!
No matter what the job — your hands,
eyes, legs, and arms are important. Wear
personal protective equipment — it’s
designed to protect YOU!
FALL INJURIES PREVENTION IN THE WORKPLACE
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/falls/
Falls are a persistent hazard found in all occupational settings. A fall can occur during the simple acts of
walking or climbing a ladder to change a light fixture or as a result of a complex series of events affecting an
ironworker 80 feet above the ground. According to the 2009 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 605
workers were killed and an estimated 212,760 workers were seriously injured by falls to the same or lower
level.
The highest frequency of fall-related fatalities was experienced by the construction industry, while the highest
counts of nonfatal fall injuries continue to be associated with the health services and the wholesale and retail
industries. Healthcare support, building cleaning and maintenance, transportation and material moving, and
construction and extraction occupations are particularly at risk of fall injuries.
Circumstances associated with fall incidents in the work environment frequently involve slippery, cluttered, or
unstable walking/working surfaces; unprotected edges; floor holes and wall openings; unsafely positioned
ladders; and misused fall protection. Federal regulations and industry consensus standards provide specific
measures and performance-based recommendations for fall prevention and protection. However, persistent
unsafe practices and low safety culture across many industries define steady fall injury rates year after year.
Fall injuries constitute a considerable financial burden: workers’ compensation and medical costs associated
with occupational fall incidents have been estimated at approximately $70 billion annually in the United Sates
[NSC 2002]. Many countries are facing the same challenges as the United States on fall injury in the workplace.
The international public health community has a strong interest in developing strategies to reduce the toll of fall
injuries.
Successful reduction of fall injury and fatality rates requires continued concerted efforts of regulators and
industry leaders, professional associations and labor unions, employers and employees, safety professionals and
researchers in enhancing the work environment, implementing new effective fall prevention and protection
technologies, and improving the work safety culture through continuous education of the workforce. NIOSH, as
the leader in occupational safety research, plays a key role in these complex fall-injury prevention efforts.
Fall-Related Research and Development Activities at NIOSH
Planning and Guidance of Fall-Related Research at NIOSH
The NIOSH fall-injury prevention research strategic planning and goal setting is structured throughout industry
sector and cross-sector programs, and takes into consideration the magnitude or emergence of the problem as
evidenced by data, immediacy of need expressed by critical stakeholders, current resources and expertise in the
goal area, current research, strength of partnerships in current research, and status and momentum on the course
of research-to-practice. The strategic planning process has been recently enhanced with input from the National
Academy of Sciences program review.
Program contact: Hongwei Hsiao, Ph.D.
Protective Technology Branch
(304) 285-5910; [email protected]
Fall Injuries Prevention in the Workplace Resources
•
•
•
•
•
•
Research Laboratories
Fall-related Research Projects
NIOSH Ladder Safety Mobile Application
Publications
Other Pages of Interest
International Conference on Fall Prevention and Protection
CDC: There’s Nothing ‘Easy’ About Falling Off a Ladder
A new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that falls remain a
leading cause of death and nearly half of those deadly falls have been from ladders.
May 2, 2014 Sandy Smith
Workers who are six feet or more above lower levels are at risk for serious injury or death if they should fall. To
protect these workers, employers must provide fall protection and the right equipment for the job, including the
right kinds of ladders, scaffolds, and safety gear.
OSHA
•
The Truth About Fall Fatalities and Injuries [Infographic]
What’s the old saying? It’s as easy as falling off a ladder? Judging by a recent study released by the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is easy to fall off a ladder and it often can be
deadly.
The study, published in the most recent Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), found that
falls remain a leading cause of unintentional injury mortality nationwide, and 43 percent of fatal falls
in the last decade have involved a ladder.
Among workers, approximately 20 percent of fall injuries involve ladders, and among construction
workers, an estimated 81 percent of fall injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms involve a
ladder.
To fully characterize fatal and nonfatal injuries associated with ladder falls among workers in the
United States, researchers Christina M. Socias, DrPH, of CDC, and Cammie K. Chaumont
Menéndez, Ph.D., James W. Collins, Ph.D., and Peter Simeonov, Ph.D., of NIOSH’s Division of
Safety Research, analyzed data across multiple surveillance systems: the Census of Fatal
Occupational Injuries (CFOI), the Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) and the
National Electronic Injury Surveillance System–occupational supplement (NEISS-Work).
Percentage of ladder fall fatalities* and nonfatal ladder fall injuries treated in emergency departments, by fall height
(when documented)
In 2011, work-related ladder fall injuries (LFIs) resulted in 113 fatalities (0.09 per 100,000 full-time
equivalent [FTE] workers), an estimated 15,460 nonfatal injuries reported by employers that involved
more than 1 day away from work (DAFW) and an estimated 34,000 nonfatal injuries treated in
emergency rooms. Rates for nonfatal, work-related, emergency room-treated LFIs were higher (2.6
per 10,000 FTE) than those for such injuries reported by employers (1.2 per 10,000 FTE).
“LFIs represent a substantial public health burden of preventable injuries for workers,” noted the
researchers.
According to the study:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Men and Hispanics had higher rates of fatal and nonfatal LFIs compared with women and nonHispanic whites and workers of other races/ethnicities.
LFI rates increased with age, except for injuries treated in emergency rooms.
Fatality rates were substantially higher for self-employed workers (0.30 per 100,000 FTE workers)
than salary/wage workers (0.06 per 100,000 FTE workers).
Companies with the fewest employees had the highest fatality rates.
The construction industry had the highest LFI rates compared with all other industries.
Across all industries, the highest fatal and nonfatal LFI rates were in the following two occupation
groups: construction and extraction (e.g., mining) occupations, followed by installation, maintenance
and repair occupations.
Head injuries were implicated in about half of fatal injuries (49 percent), whereas most nonfatal
injuries involved the upper and lower extremities for employer-reported and emergency room-treated
nonfatal injuries.
National Stand-Down June 2-6
Because falls are the leading cause of work-related injuries and deaths in construction, NIOSH,
OSHA and the Center for Construction Research and Training are promoting a national campaign to
prevent workplace falls. NIOSH also is developing innovative technologies to complement safe
ladder use.
OSHA has scheduled a national safety stand-down from June 2 to 6 to raise awareness among
employers and workers about the hazards of falls, said Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of
labor for occupational safety and health. “Falls account for more than a third of all deaths in this
industry. We’re working with employers, workers, industry groups, state OSH plans, and civic and
faith-based organizations to host safety stand-downs that focus on recognizing hazards and
preventing falls. We are getting the message out to America's employers that safety pays and falls
cost.”
During the stand-down, employers and workers are asked to pause their workday to talk about fall
prevention in construction, and discuss topics like ladder safety, scaffolding safety and roofing work
safety. OSHA also launched an official national safety stand-down web site with information on how
to conduct a successful stand-down. Afterwards, employers will be able to provide feedback and
receive a personalized certificate of participation.
The stand-down is part of OSHA's ongoing Fall Prevention Campaign, which was started in 2012
and was developed in partnership with NIOSH and NIOSH's National Occupational Research
Agenda program. The campaign provides employers with lifesaving information and educational
materials on how to plan ahead to prevent falls, provide the right equipment for their workers and
train all employees in the proper use of that equipment.
“We are pleased to join again with OSHA and our NORA partners to focus on fall prevention at
construction sites,” said NIOSH Director Dr. John Howard. “Preventing falls in the construction
industry benefits everyone, from the worker, to the employer, to the community at large. This safety
stand-down serves as an important opportunity for everyone to take the time to learn how to
recognize and prevent fall hazards.”
For the entire article go to the below link.
http://ehstoday.com/construction/cdc-there-s-nothing-easy-about-falling-ladder?page=1
FactSheet
Personal Protective Equipment
Personal protective equipment, or PPE, is designed to protect workers from serious
workplace injuries or illnesses resulting from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other workplace hazards. Besides face shields, safety
glasses, hard hats, and safety shoes, protective equipment includes a variety of devices
and garments such as goggles,coveralls, gloves, vests, earplugs, and respirators.
Employer Responsibilities
OSHA’s primary personal protective equipment standards are in Title 29 of the Code of
Federal Regulations (CFR), Part 1910 Subpart I,
and equivalent regulations in states with OSHAapproved state plans, but you can find protective equipment requirements elsewhere in the
General Industry Standards. For example, 29
CFR 1910.156, OSHA’s Fire Brigades Standard,
has requirements for firefighting gear. In addition, 29 CFR 1926.95-106 covers the construction industry. OSHA’s general personal protective equipment requirements mandate that
employers conduct a hazard assessment of
their workplaces to determine what hazards
are present that require the use of protective
equipment, provide workers with appropriate
protective equipment, and require them to use
and maintain it in sanitary and reliable condition.
Using personal protective equipment is often
essential, but it is generally the last line of
defense after engineering controls, work practices, and administrative controls. Engineering
controls involve physically changing a machine
or work environment. Administrative controls
involve changing how or when workers do
their jobs, such as scheduling work and rotating workers to reduce exposures. Work practices involve training workers how to perform
tasks in ways that reduce their exposure to
workplace hazards.
As an employer, you must assess your workplace to determine if hazards are present
that require the use of personal protective
equipment. If such hazards are present, you
must select protective equipment and require
workers to use it, communicate your protective
equipment selection decisions to your workers,
and select personal protective equipment that
properly fits your workers.
You must also train workers who are required to
wear personal protective equipment on how to
do the following:
• Use protective equipment properly,
• Be aware of when personal protective equipment is necessary,
• Know what kind of protective equipment is
necessary,
• Understand the limitations of personal protective equipment in protecting workers from
injury,
• Put on, adjust, wear, and take off personal protective equipment, and
• Maintain protective equipment properly.
Protection from Head Injuries
Hard hats can protect your workers from head
impact, penetration injuries, and electrical
injuries such as those caused by falling or
flying objects, fixed objects, or contact with
electrical conductors. Also, OSHA regulations
require employers to ensure that workers
cover and protect long hair to prevent it from
getting caught in machine parts such as belts
and chains.
Protection from Foot and Leg Injuries
In addition to foot guards and safety shoes,
leggings (e.g., leather, aluminized rayon, or
otherappropriate material) can help prevent
injuries by protecting workers from hazards
such as falling or rolling objects, sharp objects,
wet and slippery surfaces, molten metals, hot
surfaces, and electrical hazards.
Protection from Eye and Face Injuries
Besides spectacles and goggles, personal
protective equipment such as special helmets
or shields, spectacles with side shields, and
faceshields can protect workers from the hazards of flying fragments, large chips, hot sparks,
optical radiation, splashes from molten metals,
as well as objects, particles, sand, dirt, mists,
dusts, and glare.
Protection from Hearing Loss
Wearing earplugs or earmuffs can help prevent
damage to hearing. Exposure to high noise
levels can cause irreversible hearing loss or
impairment as well as physical and psychological stress. Earplugs made from foam, waxed
cotton, or fiberglass wool are self-forming and
usually fit well. A professional should fit your
workers individually for molded or preformed
earplugs. Clean earplugs regularly, and replace
those you cannot clean.
Protection from Hand Injuries
Workers exposed to harmful substances through
skin absorption, severe cuts or lacerations,
severe abrasions, chemical burns, thermal
burns, and harmful temperatureextremes will
benefit from hand protection.
Protection from Body Injury
In some cases workers must shield most or all
of their bodies against hazards in the workplace, such as exposure to heat and radiation as
well as hot metals, scalding liquids, body fluids,
hazardous materials or waste, and other hazards. In addition to fire-retardant wool and fireretardant cotton, materials used in whole-body
personal protective equipment include rubber,
leather, synthetics, and plastic.
When to Wear Respiratory Protection
When engineering controls are not feasible,
workers must use appropriate respirators to
protect against adverse health effects caused by
breathing air contaminated with harmful dusts,
fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays, or
vapors. Respirators generally cover the nose
and mouth or the entire face or head and help
prevent illness and injury. A proper fit is essential, however, for respirators to be effective.
Required respirators must be NIOSH-approved
and medical evaluation and training must be
provided before use.
Additional Information
For additional information concerning protective equipment view the publication, Assessing
the Need for Personal Protective Equipment: A
Guide for Small Business Employers (OSHA
3151) available on OSHA’s web site at www.
osha. gov. For more information about personal
protective equipment in the construction industry, visit www.osha-slc.gov/SLTC/constructionppe/ index.html.
Contacting OSHA
To report an emergency, file a complaint or seek
OSHA advice, assistance or products, call (800)
321-OSHA or contact your nearest OSHA
regional or area office.
This is one in a series of informational fact sheets highlighting OSHA programs, policies or
standards. It does not impose any new compliance requirements. For a comprehensive list of
compliance requirements of OSHA standards or regulations, refer to Title 29 of the Code of Federal
Regulations. This information will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request.
The voice phone is (202) 693-1999; teletypewriter (TTY) number: (877) 889-5627.
For more complete information:
U.S. Department of Labor
www.osha.gov
(800) 321-OSHA
DOC 4/2006
U.S. Department of Labor
Program Highlights
Fact Sheet No. OSHA 92-08
PROTECT YOURSELF WITH PERSONAL
PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Hard hats, goggles, face shields, earplugs, steel-toed shoes, respirators. What do all these items
have in common? They are all various forms of personal protective equipment.
Yet, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics show:
•
•
•
•
Hard hats were worn by only 16% of those workers who sustained head injuries, although
two-fifths were required to wear them for certain tasks at specific locations;(1)
Only 1% of approximately 770 workers suffering face injuries were wearing face
protection;(2)
Only 23% of the workers with foot injuries wore safety shoes or boots;(3) and
About 40% of the workers with eye injuries wore eye protective equipment.(4)
A majority of these workers were injured while performing their normal jobs at regular
worksites.
OSHA standards require employers to furnish and require employees to use suitable protective
equipment where there is a "reasonable probability" that injury can be prevented by such
equipment. The standards also set provisions for specific equipment.
While use of personal protective equipment is important, it is only a supplementary form of
protection, necessary where all hazards have not been controlled through other means such as
engineering controls. Engineering controls are especially important in hearing and respiratory
protection which have specific standards calling for employers to take all feasible steps to control
the hazards.
HEAD PROTECTION
Cuts or bruises to the scalp and forehead occurred in 85% of the cases, concussions in 26%. Over
a third of the cases resulted from falling objects striking the head.(5)
Protective hats for head protection against impact blows must be able to withstand penetration
and absorb the shock of a blow. In some cases hats should also protect against electric shock.
Recognized standards for hats have been established by the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI).
FOOT AND LEG PROTECTION
Sixty-six percent of injured workers were wearing safety shoes, protective footwear, heavy-duty
shoes or boots and 33%, regular street shoes. Of those wearing safety shoes, 85% were injured
because the object hit an unprotected part of the shoe or boot.(6)
For protection against falling or rolling objects, sharp objects, molten metal, hot surfaces and
wet, slippery surfaces workers should use appropriate footguards, safety shoes or boots and
leggings. Safety shoes should be sturdy and have an impact- resistant toe. Shoes must meet
ANSI standards.
EYE AND FACE PROTECTION
Injured workers surveyed indicated that eye and face protection was not normally used or
practiced in their work areas or it was not required for the type of work performed at the time of
the accident.
Almost one-third of face injuries were caused by metal objects, most often blunt and weighing
one pound or more. Accidents resulted in cuts, lacerations, or punctures in 48% of the total, and
fractures (including broken or lost teeth) in 27%.(7)
Protection should be based on kind and degree of hazard present and should: 1) be reasonably
comfortable, 2) fit properly, 3) be durable, 4) be cleanable, 5) be sanitary, and 6) be in good
condition.
EAR PROTECTION
Exposure to high noise levels can cause irreversible hearing loss or impairment. It can also create
physical and psychological stress.
Preformed or molded ear plugs should be individually fitted by a professional. Waxed cotton,
foam or fiberglass wool earplugs are self-forming. Disposable earplugs should be used once and
thrown away; non-disposable ones should be cleaned after each use for proper maintenance.
OSHA has promulgated a final rule on requirements for a hearing conservation program.
Information on the program is available from the closest OSHA office.
ARM AND HAND PROTECTION
Burns, cuts, electrical shock, amputation and absorption of chemicals are examples of hazards
associated with arm and hand injuries. A wide assortment of gloves, hand pads, sleeves and
wristlets for protection from these hazards is available.
The devices should be selected to fit the specific task. Rubber is considered the best material for
insulating gloves and sleeves and must conform to ANSI standards (copies available from ANSI,
1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018).
TORSO PROTECTION
Many hazards can threaten the torso: heat, splashes from hot metals and liquids, impacts, cuts,
acids, and radiation. A variety of protective clothing is available: vests, jackets, aprons,
coveralls, and full body suits.
Fire retardant wool and specially treated cotton clothing items are comfortable, and they adapt
well to a variety of workplace temperatures. Other types of protection include leather, rubberized
fabrics, and disposable suits.
RESPIRATOR PROTECTION
Information on the requirements for respirators to control of occupational diseases caused by
breathing air contaminated with harmful dusts, fogs, fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays, and
vapors is available in 29 CFR 1910.134. Proper selection of respirators should be made
according to the guidance of ANSI Practices for Respiratory Protection.
REMEMBER!!!
Using personal protective equipment requires hazard awareness and training on the part of the
user. Employees must be aware that the equipment alone does not eliminate the hazard. If the
equipment fails, exposure will occur.
FOR COPIES OF OSHA STANDARDS OR CLARIFICATION
Check your phone book under the U.S. Department of Labor listing for the OSHA office nearest
you.
FOOTNOTES:
1. U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accidents Involving Head Injuries,
Report 605, (Washington, D.C., Government Printing Office, July 1980) p. 1.
2. U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accidents Involving Face Injuries,
Report 604, (Washington, D.C., GPO, May 1980) p. 10, Table 10.
3. U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accidents Involving Foot Injuries,
Report 626, (Washington, D.C., GPO, January 1981) p. 13, Table 11.
4. U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accidents Involving Eye Injuries,
Report 597, (Washington, D.C., GPO, April 1980) p. 12, Table 9.
5. U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accidents Involving Head Injuries,
Report 605, (Washington, D.C., GPO, July 1980) p. 7, Table 6.
6. U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accidents Involving Foot Injuries,
Report 626, (Washington, D.C., GPO, January 1981) p. 13, Table 11, and p. 1.
7. U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Accidents Involving Face Injuries,
Report 604, (Washington, D.C., May 1980) p. 4, Table 3, and p. 2, Table 2.
This is one of a series of fact sheets highlighting U.S. Department of Labor programs. It is
intended as a general description only and does not carry the force of legal opinion. This
information will be made available to sensory impaired individuals upon request. Voice phone:
(202) 523-8151. TDD message referral phone: 1-800-326-2577.
Back to PPE Links
Personal Protective Equipment
What is personal protective equipment?
Personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as "PPE", is equipment worn to minimize exposure
to serious workplace injuries and illnesses. These injuries and illnesses may result from contact with
chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other workplace hazards. Personal protective
equipment may include items such as gloves, safety glasses and shoes, earplugs or muffs, hard hats,
respirators, or coveralls, vests and full body suits.
What can be done to ensure proper use of personal protective equipment?
All personal protective equipment should be of safe design and construction, and should be maintained in
a clean and reliable fashion. It should fit well and be comfortable to wear, encouraging worker use. If the
personal protective equipment does not fit properly, it can make the difference between being safely
covered or dangerously exposed. When engineering, work practice, and administrative controls are not
feasible or do not provide sufficient protection, employers must provide personal protective equipment to
their workers and ensure its proper use. Employers are also required to train each worker required to use
personal protective equipment to know:

When it is necessary

What kind is necessary

How to properly put it on, adjust, wear and take it off


The limitations of the equipment
Proper care, maintenance, useful life, and disposal of the equipment
If PPE is to be used, a PPE program should be implemented. This program should address the hazards
present; the selection, maintenance, and use of PPE; the training of employees; and monitoring of the
program to ensure its ongoing effectiveness.
Personal protective equipment is addressed in OSHA standards for Construction, General Industry,
Shipyard Employment, Marine Terminals, and Longshoring. OSHA requires that many categories of
personal protective equipment meet or be equivalent to standards developed by the American National
Standards Institute (ANSI).
How do I find out about employer responsibilities and worker 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 worker rights.
OSHA can help answer questions or concerns from employers and workers. To reach your regional or
area OSHA office, go to OSHA's Regional & Area Offices webpage or call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742).
Small businesses may contact OSHA's free on-site consultation services funded by OSHA to help
determine whether there are hazards at their worksites. To contact free consultation services, go to
OSHA's On-site Consultation web page or call 1-800-321-OSHA (6742) and press number 4.
Workers may file a complaint to have OSHA inspect their workplace if they believe that their employer is
not following OSHA standards or that there are serious hazards. Workers can file a complaint with OSHA
by calling 1-800-321-OSHA (6742), online via eCompliant Form, or by printing the complaint form and
mailing or faxing it to the local OSHA area office. Complaints that are signed by an worker are more likely
to result in an inspection.
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.
Five Minute Safety Talk No.8
"Personal Protective Equipment"
CONSULTATION EDUCATION & TRAINING DIVISION
Probably the last thing that comes to mind when you watch a pro football game is safety.
It starts in the locker room before the game when the players put on their uniforms. To play
the game, they must wear protective equipment, including a shock-absorbing helmet with
face guard, shoulder pads, knee pads, and cleated shoes. These things can get pretty bulky
and uncomfortable, especially when its 95 degrees on the field and the only shade you can
get is from someone's shadow.
Football is a rough game, and if a player wants to be with his family after the game instead of
in a hospital, protective equipment must be worn. After all, a player is not much good to the
team when sidelined with injuries.
A real pro knows these things. When protective equipment is worn, chances of getting
through the game without a disabling injury are much greater; therefore, chances of
continuing as a successful football player and family member are greater. Next to that, a little
discomfort and inconvenience is a small price to pay.
Like a pro football player, you may work on a job that requires personal protective
equipment; say ear muffs, hard hat, or safety shoes. This equipment can't prevent some
accidents from happening. It can't prevent a drill from breaking, or stop a fellow worker from
dropping a box on your foot, but it can prevent a serious injury. Take one example—in an
automobile plant, an employee's feet were run over by a fork-lift truck. The worker was
wearing safety shoes at the time, and the only injuries were a fractured left toe and bruises. I
don't have to tell you how severe the injuries could have been had the employee been
wearing regular shoes.
I know such things as safety glasses, hardhats, and safety shoes may be a nuisance to put on
and may seem bulky and uncomfortable at first. In fact, it's tempting not to put them on at all,
unless the safety supervisor is looking.
Complaints are as varied as the kinds of equipment. For Instance:
"It's too heavy."
"It gives me a headache. "
"They hurt my eyes."
"They're too hot" or "too cold," and so on.
Often these are real complaints. A poorly fitted piece of protective equipment can cause
headache or pain, and if it does, see your supervisor immediately to have it adjusted or
refitted.
Most of the time, it's just a matter of getting used to wearing particular equipment. This is a
lot easier when you remember that like the football player, you stand a better chance of
continuing successfully with your job and your home life if you are protected from possible
serious injury by protective equipment.
Instead of laying in a hospital bed wondering how they are getting along without you at
work, you'll be on the job, gaining valuable experience and receiving an uninterrupted
paycheck. As you become accustomed to the feeling of protection you get from wearing
safety equipment, you'll discover your confidence in your ability to handle the job will grow,
and with it, your chances of a pay raise or promotion.
Personal protective equipment has its place in sports, construction, manufacturing, and many
other fields. It is up to us to be real professionals and to recognize the role of protective
equipment and take advantage of the benefits.
To request consultation education and training services, call: 517-322-1809.
Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs
Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration
Consultation Education & Training Division
7150 Harris Drive, Box 30643
Lansing, MI 48909-8143
517-322-1809
MIOSHA-CET-8 (Rev. 6/05)
www.osha.gov
Personal Protective
Equipment
OSHA 3151-12R 2003
This informational booklet provides a
general overview of a particular topic
related to OSHA standards. It does not alter
or determine compliance responsibilities in
OSHA standards or the Occupational Safety
and Health Act of 1970. Because interpretations and enforcement policy may change
over time, you should consult current OSHA
administrative interpretations and decisions
by the Occupational Safety and Health
Review Commission and the Courts for
additional guidance on OSHA compliance
requirements.
This publication is in the public domain
and may be reproduced, fully or partially,
without permission. Source credit is
requested but not required.
This information is available to sensory
impaired individuals upon request.
Voice phone: (202) 693-1999; teletypewriter
(TTY) number: (877) 889-5627.
Personal Protective
Equipment
U.S. Department of Labor
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
OSHA 3151-12R
2003
Contents
Introduction...4
The Requirement for PPE...5
The Hazard Assessment...6
Selecting PPE...8
Training Employees in the Proper Use of PPE...9
Eye and Face Protection...9
Prescription Lenses...10
Eye Protection for Exposed Workers...10
Types of Eye Protection...11
Welding Operations...12
Laser Operations...16
Head Protection...16
Types of Hard Hats...18
Size and Care Considerations...18
Foot and Leg Protection...19
Special Purpose Shoes...21
Foundry Shoes...22
Care of Protective Footwear...22
Hand and Arm Protection...22
Types of Protective Gloves...23
Leather, Canvas or Metal Mesh Gloves...23
Fabric and Coated Fabric Gloves...24
Chemical- and Liquid-Resistant Gloves...24
Care of Protective Gloves...29
Body Protection...29
Hearing Protection...30
2
OSHA Assistance...32
Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines...33
State Programs...33
Consultation Services...34
Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP)...34
Strategic Partnership Program...35
Alliance Programs...35
OSHA Training and Education...36
Information Available Electronically...36
OSHA Publications...37
Contacting OSHA...37
OSHA Regional Offices...38
List of Tables
Table 1:
Filter Lenses for Protection Against Radiant Energy...13
Table 2:
Construction Industry Requirements for Filter Lens Shade
Numbers for Protection Against Radiant Energy...15
Table 3:
Selecting Laser Safety Glass...16
Table 4:
Chemical Resistance Selection Chart for Protective
Gloves...26
Table 5:
Permissible Noise Exposures...31
Appendix A: OSHA Standards that Require PPE...40
3
Introduction
Hazards exist in every workplace in many different forms: sharp
edges, falling objects, flying sparks, chemicals, noise and a myriad
of other potentially dangerous situations. The Occupational Safety
and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that employers protect
their employees from workplace hazards that can cause injury.
Controlling a hazard at its source is the best way to protect
employees. Depending on the hazard or workplace conditions,
OSHA recommends the use of engineering or work practice
controls to manage or eliminate hazards to the greatest extent
possible. For example, building a barrier between the hazard and
the employees is an engineering control; changing the way in which
employees perform their work is a work practice control.
When engineering, work practice and administrative controls are
not feasible or do not provide sufficient protection, employers must
provide personal protective equipment (PPE) to their employees
and ensure its use. Personal protective equipment, commonly
referred to as "PPE", is equipment worn to minimize exposure to a
variety of hazards. Examples of PPE include such items as gloves,
foot and eye protection, protective hearing devices (earplugs,
muffs) hard hats, respirators and full body suits.
This guide will help both employers and employees do the
following:
■
Understand the types of PPE.
■
Know the basics of conducting a "hazard assessment" of the
workplace.
■
Select appropriate PPE for a variety of circumstances.
■
Understand what kind of training is needed in the proper use
and care of PPE.
The information in this guide is general in nature and does not
address all workplace hazards or PPE requirements. The
information, methods and procedures in this guide are based on
the OSHA requirements for PPE as set forth in the Code of Federal
Regulations (CFR) at 29 CFR 1910.132 (General requirements); 29
CFR 1910.133 (Eye and face protection); 29 CFR 1910.135 (Head
protection); 29 CFR 1910.136 (Foot protection); 29 CFR 1910. 137
(Electrical protective equipment); 29 CFR 1910.138 (Hand
protection); and regulations that cover the construction industry, at
4
29 CFR 1926.95 (Criteria for personal protective equipment); 29 CFR
1926.96 (Occupational foot protection); 29 CFR 1926.100 (Head
protection); 29 CFR 1926.101 (Hearing protection); and 29 CFR
1926.102 (Eye and face protection); and for the maritime industry at
29 CFR 1915.152 (General requirements); 29 CFR 1915.153 (Eye and
face protection); 29 CFR 1915.155 (Head protection); 29 CFR
1915.156 (Foot protection); and 29 CFR 1915.157 (Hand and body
protection).
This guide does not address PPE requirements related to
respiratory protection (29 CFR 1910.134) as this information is
covered in detail in OSHA Publication 3079, "Respiratory
Protection". There is a brief discussion of hearing protection in this
publication but users should refer to OSHA Publication 3074,
"Hearing Conservation" for more detailed information on the
requirements to protect employees’ hearing in the workplace.
The Requirement for PPE
To ensure the greatest possible protection for employees in the
workplace, the cooperative efforts of both employers and
employees will help in establishing and maintaining a safe and
healthful work environment.
In general, employers are responsible for:
■
Performing a "hazard assessment" of the workplace to identify
and control physical and health hazards.
■
Identifying and providing appropriate PPE for employees.
■
Training employees in the use and care of the PPE.
■
Maintaining PPE, including replacing worn or damaged PPE.
■
Periodically reviewing, updating and evaluating the effectiveness
of the PPE program.
■
In general, employees should:
Properly wear PPE,
■
Attend training sessions on PPE,
■
Care for, clean and maintain PPE, and
■
Inform a supervisor of the need to repair or replace PPE.
5
Specific requirements for PPE are presented in many different
OSHA standards, published in 29 CFR. Some standards require that
employers provide PPE at no cost to the employee while others
simply state that the employer must provide PPE. Appendix A at
page 40 lists those standards that require the employer to provide
PPE and those that require the employer to provide PPE at no cost
to the employee.
The Hazard Assessment
A first critical step in developing a comprehensive safety and
health program is to identify physical and health hazards in the
workplace. This process is known as a "hazard assessment."
Potential hazards may be physical or health-related and a comprehensive hazard assessment should identify hazards in both
categories. Examples of physical hazards include moving objects,
fluctuating temperatures, high intensity lighting, rolling or pinching
objects, electrical connections and sharp edges. Examples of health
hazards include overexposure to harmful dusts, chemicals or
radiation.
The hazard assessment should begin with a walk-through
survey of the facility to develop a list of potential hazards in the
following basic hazard categories:
■
Impact,
■
Penetration,
■
Compression (roll-over),
■
Chemical,
■
Heat/cold,
■
Harmful dust,
■
Light (optical) radiation, and
■
Biologic.
In addition to noting the basic layout of the facility and
reviewing any history of occupational illnesses or injuries, things
to look for during the walk-through survey include:
■
Sources of electricity.
■
6
Sources of motion such as machines or processes where
movement may exist that could result in an impact between
personnel and equipment.
■
Sources of high temperatures that could result in burns, eye
injuries or fire.
■
Types of chemicals used in the workplace.
■
Sources of harmful dusts.
■
Sources of light radiation, such as welding, brazing, cutting,
furnaces, heat treating, high intensity lights, etc.
■
The potential for falling or dropping objects.
■
Sharp objects that could poke, cut, stab or puncture.
■
Biologic hazards such as blood or other potentially infected
material.
When the walk-through is complete, the employer should
organize and analyze the data so that it may be efficiently used in
determining the proper types of PPE required at the worksite. The
employer should become aware of the different types of PPE
available and the levels of protection offered. It is definitely a good
idea to select PPE that will provide a level of protection greater than
the minimum required to protect employees from hazards.
The workplace should be periodically reassessed for any
changes in conditions, equipment or operating procedures that
could affect occupational hazards. This periodic reassessment
should also include a review of injury and illness records to spot
any trends or areas of concern and taking appropriate corrective
action. The suitability of existing PPE, including an evaluation of its
condition and age, should be included in the reassessment.
Documentation of the hazard assessment is required through a
written certification that includes the following information:
■
Identification of the workplace evaluated;
■
Name of the person conducting the assessment;
■
Date of the assessment; and
■
Identification of the document certifying completion of the
hazard assessment.
7
Selecting PPE
All PPE clothing and equipment should be of safe design and
construction, and should be maintained in a clean and reliable
fashion. Employers should take the fit and comfort of PPE into consideration when selecting appropriate items for their workplace.
PPE that fits well and is comfortable to wear will encourage
employee use of PPE. Most protective devices are available in
multiple sizes and care should be taken to select the proper size for
each employee. If several different types of PPE are worn together,
make sure they are compatible. If PPE does not fit properly, it can
make the difference between being safely covered or dangerously
exposed. It may not provide the level of protection desired and may
discourage employee use.
OSHA requires that many categories of PPE meet or be equivalent
to standards developed by the American National Standards Institute
(ANSI). ANSI has been preparing safety standards since the 1920s,
when the first safety standard was approved to protect the heads and
eyes of industrial workers. Employers who need to provide PPE in
the categories listed below must make certain that any new
equipment procured meets the cited ANSI standard. Existing PPE
stocks must meet the ANSI standard in effect at the time of its
manufacture or provide protection equivalent to PPE manufactured
to the ANSI criteria. Employers should inform employees who
provide their own PPE of the employer’s selection decisions and
ensure that any employee-owned PPE used in the workplace
conforms to the employer’s criteria, based on the hazard assessment,
OSHA requirements and ANSI standards. OSHA requires PPE to
meet the following ANSI standards:
■
Eye and Face Protection: ANSI Z87.1-1989 (USA Standard for
Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection).
■
Head Protection: ANSI Z89.1-1986.
■
Foot Protection: ANSI Z41.1-1991.
For hand protection, there is no ANSI standard for gloves but
OSHA recommends that selection be based upon the tasks to be
performed and the performance and construction characteristics of
the glove material. For protection against chemicals, glove selection
8
must be based on the chemicals encountered, the chemical
resistance and the physical properties of the glove material.
Training Employees in the Proper Use of PPE
Employers are required to train each employee who must use
PPE. Employees must be trained to know at least the following:
■
When PPE is necessary.
■
What PPE is necessary.
■
How to properly put on, take off, adjust and wear the PPE.
■
The limitations of the PPE.
■
Proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal of PPE.
Employers should make sure that each employee demonstrates
an understanding of the PPE training as well as the ability to
properly wear and use PPE before they are allowed to perform
work requiring the use of the PPE. If an employer believes that a
previously trained employee is not demonstrating the proper
understanding and skill level in the use of PPE, that employee
should receive retraining. Other situations that require additional or
retraining of employees include the following circumstances:
changes in the workplace or in the type of required PPE that make
prior training obsolete.
The employer must document the training of each employee
required to wear or use PPE by preparing a certification containing
the name of each employee trained, the date of training and a clear
identification of the subject of the certification.
Eye and Face Protection
Employees can be exposed to a large number of hazards that
pose danger to their eyes and face. OSHA requires employers to
ensure that employees have appropriate eye or face protection if
they are exposed to eye or face hazards from flying particles,
molten metal, liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids, chemical
gases or vapors, potentially infected material or potentially harmful
light radiation.
9
Many occupational eye injuries occur because workers are not
wearing any eye protection while others result from wearing
improper or poorly fitting eye protection. Employers must be sure
that their employees wear appropriate eye and face protection and
that the selected form of protection is appropriate to the work being
performed and properly fits each worker exposed to the hazard.
Prescription Lenses
Everyday use of prescription corrective lenses will not provide
adequate protection against most occupational eye and face
hazards, so employers must make sure that employees with
corrective lenses either wear eye protection that incorporates the
prescription into the design or wear additional eye protection over
their prescription lenses. It is important to ensure that the protective
eyewear does not disturb the proper positioning of the prescription
lenses so that the employee’s vision will not be inhibited or limited.
Also, employees who wear contact lenses must wear eye or face
PPE when working in hazardous conditions.
Eye Protection for Exposed Workers
OSHA suggests that eye protection be routinely considered for use by
carpenters, electricians, machinists, mechanics, millwrights, plumbers and
pipefitters, sheetmetal workers and tinsmiths, assemblers, sanders,
grinding machine operators, sawyers, welders, laborers, chemical process operators and handlers, and timber cutting and logging workers.
Employers of workers in other job categories should decide whether
there is a need for eye and face PPE through a hazard assessment.
Examples of potential eye or face injuries include:
■
Dust, dirt, metal or wood chips entering the eye from activities
such as chipping, grinding, sawing, hammering, the use of
power tools or even strong wind forces.
■
Chemical splashes from corrosive substances, hot liquids,
solvents or other hazardous solutions.
■
Objects swinging into the eye or face, such as tree limbs, chains,
tools or ropes.
■
Radiant energy from welding, harmful rays from the use of
lasers or other radiant light (as well as heat, glare, sparks, splash
and flying particles).
10
Types of Eye Protection
Selecting the most suitable eye and face protection for
employees should take into consideration the following elements:
■
Ability to protect against specific workplace hazards.
■
Should fit properly and be reasonably comfortable to wear.
■
Should provide unrestricted vision and movement.
■
Should be durable and cleanable.
■
Should allow unrestricted functioning of any other required PPE.
The eye and face protection selected for employee use must
clearly identify the manufacturer. Any new eye and face protective
devices must comply with ANSI Z87.1-1989 or be at least as effective
as this standard requires. Any equipment purchased before this
requirement took effect on July 5, 1994, must comply with the
earlier ANSI Standard (ANSI Z87.1-1968) or be shown to be equally
effective.
An employer may choose to provide one pair of protective
eyewear for each position rather than individual eyewear for each
employee. If this is done, the employer must make sure that
employees disinfect shared protective eyewear after each use.
Protective eyewear with corrective lenses may only be used by the
employee for whom the corrective prescription was issued and may
not be shared among employees.
Some of the most common types of eye and face protection
include the following:
■
Safety spectacles. These protective eyeglasses have safety
frames constructed of metal or plastic and impact-resistant
lenses. Side shields are available on some models.
■
Goggles. These are tight-fitting eye protection that completely
cover the eyes, eye sockets and the facial area immediately
surrounding the eyes and provide protection from impact, dust
and splashes. Some goggles will fit over corrective lenses.
■
Welding shields. Constructed of vulcanized fiber or fiberglass
and fitted with a filtered lens, welding shields protect eyes from
burns caused by infrared or intense radiant light; they also
protect both the eyes and face from flying sparks, metal spatter
and slag chips produced during welding, brazing, soldering and
11
cutting operations. OSHA requires filter lenses to have a shade
number appropriate to protect against the specific hazards of the
work being performed in order to protect against harmful light
radiation.
■
Laser safety goggles. These specialty goggles protect against
intense concentrations of light produced by lasers. The type of
laser safety goggles an employer chooses will depend upon the
equipment and operating conditions in the workplace.
■
Face shields. These transparent sheets of plastic extend from
the eyebrows to below the chin and across the entire width of
the employee’s head. Some are polarized for glare protection.
Face shields protect against nuisance dusts and potential
splashes or sprays of hazardous liquids but will not provide
adequate protection against impact hazards. Face shields used
in combination with goggles or safety spectacles will provide
additional protection against impact hazards.
Each type of protective eyewear is designed to protect against
specific hazards. Employers can identify the specific workplace
hazards that threaten employees’ eyes and faces by completing a
hazard assessment as outlined in the earlier section.
Welding Operations
The intense light associated with welding operations can cause
serious and sometimes permanent eye damage if operators do not
wear proper eye protection. The intensity of light or radiant energy
produced by welding, cutting or brazing operations varies
according to a number of factors including the task producing the
light, the electrode size and the arc current. The following table
shows the minimum protective shades for a variety of welding,
cutting and brazing operations in general industry and in the
shipbuilding industry.
12
Table 1
Filter Lenses for Protection Against Radiant Energy
Operations
Electrode size in
1/32” (0.8mm)
Arc current
Minimum*
protective
shade
<3
3-5
5-8
>8
< 60
60 - 160
160 - 250
250 - 550
7
8
10
11
< 60
60 - 160
160 - 250
250 - 500
7
10
10
10
< 50
50 - 150
150 - 500
8
8
10
Shielded metal
arc welding
Gas metal arc welding
and flux cored
arc welding
Gas tungsten
arc welding
Air carbon
(light)
< 500
10
Arc cutting
(heavy)
500 - 1,000
11
< 20
20 - 100
100 - 400
400 - 800
6
8
10
11
< 300
300 - 400
400 - 800
8
9
10
Plasma arc welding
Plasma arc cutting
(light)**
(medium)**
(heavy)**
Torch brazing
3
Torch soldering
2
Carbon arc welding
14
13
Table 1 (continued)
Filter Lenses for Protection Against Radiant Energy
Operations
Plate thickness
inches
Plate thickness Minimum*
mm
protective
shade
Gas welding:
Light
< 1/8
< 3.2
4
Gas welding:
Medium
1/8 - 1/2
3.2 - 12.7
5
Gas welding:
Heavy
> 1/2
> 12.7
6
Oxygen cutting:
Light
<1
< 25
3
Oxygen cutting:
Medium
1-6
25 - 150
4
Oxygen cutting:
Heavy
>6
> 150
5
Source: 29 CFR 1910.133(a)(5).
* As a rule of thumb, start with a shade that is too dark to see the weld
zone. Then go to a lighter shade which gives sufficient view of the weld
zone without going below the minimum. In oxyfuel gas welding or
cutting where the torch produces a high yellow light, it is desirable to
use a filter lens that absorbs the yellow or sodium line in the visible light
of the (spectrum) operation.
** These values apply where the actual arc is clearly seen. Experience
has shown that lighter filters may be used when the arc is hidden by the
workpiece.
14
The construction industry has separate requirements for filter
lens protective levels for specific types of welding operations, as
indicated in the table below:
Table 2
Construction Industry Requirements for Filter Lens Shade
Numbers for Protection Against Radiant Energy
Welding Operation
Shade Number
Shielded metal-arc welding
1/16-, 3/32-, 1/8-, 5/32-inch diameter electrodes
10
Gas-shielded arc welding (nonferrous)
1/16-, 3/32-, 1/8-, 5/32-inch diameter electrodes
11
Gas-shielded arc welding (ferrous)
1/16-, 3/32-, 1/8-, 5/32-inch diameter electrodes
12
Shielded metal-arc welding
3/16-, 7/32-, 1/4-inch diameter electrodes
12
5/16-, 3/8-inch diameter electrodes
14
Atomic hydrogen welding
10 - 14
Carbon-arc welding
14
Soldering
2
Torch brazing
3 or 4
Light cutting, up to 1 inch
3 or 4
Medium cutting, 1 to 6 inches
4 or 5
Heavy cutting, more than 6 inches
5 or 6
Gas welding (light), up to 1/8-inch
4 or 5
Gas welding (medium), 1/8- to 1/2-inch
5 or 6
Gas welding (heavy), more than 1/2-inch
6 or 8
Source: 29 CFR 1926.102(b)(1).
15
Laser Operations
Laser light radiation can be extremely dangerous to the
unprotected eye and direct or reflected beams can cause
permanent eye damage. Laser retinal burns can be painless, so
it is essential that all personnel in or around laser operations
wear appropriate eye protection.
Laser safety goggles should protect for the specific wavelength
of the laser and must be of sufficient optical density for the energy
involved. Safety goggles intended for use with laser beams must be
labeled with the laser wavelengths for which they are intended to
be used, the optical density of those wavelengths and the visible
light transmission.
The table below lists maximum power or energy densities and
appropriate protection levels for optical densities 5 through 8.
Table 3
Selecting Laser Safety Glass
Intensity, CW maximum
power density (watts/cm2)
Attenuation
Optical density
Attenuation
(O.D.)
factor
10 -2
5
105
10 -1
6
106
1.0
7
107
10.0
8
108
Source: 29 CFR 1926.102(b)(2).
Head Protection
Protecting employees from potential head injuries is a key
element of any safety program. A head injury can impair an
employee for life or it can be fatal. Wearing a safety helmet or hard
hat is one of the easiest ways to protect an employee’s head from
16
injury. Hard hats can protect employees from impact and
penetration hazards as well as from electrical shock and burn
hazards.
Employers must ensure that their employees wear head
protection if any of the following apply:
■
Objects might fall from above and strike them on the head;
■
They might bump their heads against fixed objects, such as
exposed pipes or beams; or
■
There is a possibility of accidental head contact with electrical
hazards.
Some examples of occupations in which employees should be
required to wear head protection include construction workers,
carpenters, electricians, linemen, plumbers and pipefitters, timber
and log cutters, welders, among many others. Whenever there is a
danger of objects falling from above, such as working below others
who are using tools or working under a conveyor belt, head
protection must be worn. Hard hats must be worn with the bill
forward to protect employees properly.
In general, protective helmets or hard hats should do the
following:
■
Resist penetration by objects.
■
Absorb the shock of a blow.
■
Be water-resistant and slow burning.
■
Have clear instructions explaining proper adjustment and
replacement of the suspension and headband.
Hard hats must have a hard outer shell and a shock-absorbing
lining that incorporates a headband and straps that suspend the
shell from 1 to 1 1/4 inches (2.54 cm to 3.18 cm) away from the
head. This type of design provides shock absorption during an
impact and ventilation during normal wear.
Protective headgear must meet ANSI Standard Z89.1-1986
(Protective Headgear for Industrial Workers) or provide an
equivalent level of protection. Helmets purchased before July 5,
1994 must comply with the earlier ANSI Standard (Z89.1-1969)
or provide equivalent protection.
17
Types of Hard Hats
There are many types of hard hats available in the marketplace
today. In addition to selecting protective headgear that meets ANSI
standard requirements, employers should ensure that employees
wear hard hats that provide appropriate protection against potential
workplace hazards. It is important for employers to understand all
potential hazards when making this selection, including electrical
hazards. This can be done through a comprehensive hazard
analysis and an awareness of the different types of protective
headgear available.
Hard hats are divided into three industrial classes:
■
Class A hard hats provide impact and penetration resistance
along with limited voltage protection (up to 2,200 volts).
■
Class B hard hats provide the highest level of protection against
electrical hazards, with high-voltage shock and burn protection
(up to 20,000 volts). They also provide protection from impact
and penetration hazards by flying/falling objects.
■
Class C hard hats provide lightweight comfort and impact
protection but offer no protection from electrical hazards.
Another class of protective headgear on the market is called a
“bump hat,” designed for use in areas with low head clearance.
They are recommended for areas where protection is needed from
head bumps and lacerations. These are not designed to protect
against falling or flying objects and are not ANSI approved. It is
essential to check the type of hard hat employees are using to
ensure that the equipment provides appropriate protection. Each
hat should bear a label inside the shell that lists the manufacturer,
the ANSI designation and the class of the hat.
Size and Care Considerations
Head protection that is either too large or too small is inappropriate for use, even if it meets all other requirements. Protective
headgear must fit appropriately on the body and for the head size
of each individual. Most protective headgear comes in a variety of
sizes with adjustable headbands to ensure a proper fit (many adjust
in 1/8-inch increments). A proper fit should allow sufficient
clearance between the shell and the suspension system for
18
ventilation and distribution of an impact. The hat should not bind,
slip, fall off or irritate the skin.
Some protective headgear allows for the use of various
accessories to help employees deal with changing environmental
conditions, such as slots for earmuffs, safety glasses, face shields
and mounted lights. Optional brims may provide additional
protection from the sun and some hats have channels that guide
rainwater away from the face. Protective headgear accessories must
not compromise the safety elements of the equipment.
Periodic cleaning and inspection will extend the useful life of
protective headgear. A daily inspection of the hard hat shell,
suspension system and other accessories for holes, cracks, tears or
other damage that might compromise the protective value of the
hat is essential. Paints, paint thinners and some cleaning agents can
weaken the shells of hard hats and may eliminate electrical
resistance. Consult the helmet manufacturer for information on the
effects of paint and cleaning materials on their hard hats. Never drill
holes, paint or apply labels to protective headgear as this may
reduce the integrity of the protection. Do not store protective
headgear in direct sunlight, such as on the rear window shelf of a
car, since sunlight and extreme heat can damage them.
Hard hats with any of the following defects should be removed
from service and replaced:
■
Perforation, cracking, or deformity of the brim or shell;
■
Indication of exposure of the brim or shell to heat, chemicals or
ultraviolet light and other radiation (in addition to a loss of
surface gloss, such signs include chalking or flaking).
Always replace a hard hat if it sustains an impact, even if
damage is not noticeable. Suspension systems are offered as
replacement parts and should be replaced when damaged or when
excessive wear is noticed. It is not necessary to replace the entire
hard hat when deterioration or tears of the suspension systems are
noticed.
Foot and Leg Protection
Employees who face possible foot or leg injuries from falling or
rolling objects or from crushing or penetrating materials should
19
wear protective footwear. Also, employees whose work involves
exposure to hot substances or corrosive or poisonous materials
must have protective gear to cover exposed body parts, including
legs and feet. If an employee’s feet may be exposed to electrical
hazards, non-conductive footwear should be worn. On the other
hand, workplace exposure to static electricity may necessitate the
use of conductive footwear.
Examples of situations in which an employee should wear foot
and/or leg protection include:
■
When heavy objects such as barrels or tools might roll onto or
fall on the employee’s feet;
■
Working with sharp objects such as nails or spikes that could
pierce the soles or uppers of ordinary shoes;
■
Exposure to molten metal that might splash on feet or legs;
■
Working on or around hot, wet or slippery surfaces; and
■
Working when electrical hazards are present.
Safety footwear must meet ANSI minimum compression and
impact performance standards in ANSI Z41-1991 (American
National Standard for Personal Protection-Protective Footwear) or
provide equivalent protection. Footwear purchased before July 5,
1994, must meet or provide equivalent protection to the earlier
ANSI Standard (ANSI Z41.1-1967). All ANSI approved footwear has
a protective toe and offers impact and compression protection. But
the type and amount of protection is not always the same.
Different footwear protects in different ways. Check the product’s
labeling or consult the manufacturer to make sure the footwear will
protect the user from the hazards they face.
Foot and leg protection choices include the following:
■
Leggings protect the lower legs and feet from heat hazards such
as molten metal or welding sparks. Safety snaps allow leggings
to be removed quickly.
■
Metatarsal guards protect the instep area from impact and
compression. Made of aluminum, steel, fiber or plastic, these
guards may be strapped to the outside of shoes.
■
Toe guards fit over the toes of regular shoes to protect the toes
from impact and compression hazards. They may be made of
steel, aluminum or plastic.
20
■
Combination foot and shin guards protect the lower legs and
feet, and may be used in combination with toe guards when
greater protection is needed.
■
Safety shoes have impact-resistant toes and heat-resistant soles
that protect the feet against hot work surfaces common in
roofing, paving and hot metal industries. The metal insoles of
some safety shoes protect against puncture wounds. Safety
shoes may also be designed to be electrically conductive to
prevent the buildup of static electricity in areas with the potential
for explosive atmospheres or nonconductive to protect workers
from workplace electrical hazards.
Special Purpose Shoes
Electrically conductive shoes provide protection against the
buildup of static electricity. Employees working in explosive and
hazardous locations such as explosives manufacturing facilities or
grain elevators must wear conductive shoes to reduce the risk of
static electricity buildup on the body that could produce a spark and
cause an explosion or fire. Foot powder should not be used in
conjunction with protective conductive footwear because it
provides insulation, reducing the conductive ability of the shoes.
Silk, wool and nylon socks can produce static electricity and should
not be worn with conductive footwear. Conductive shoes must be
removed when the task requiring their use is completed. Note:
Employees exposed to electrical hazards must never wear
conductive shoes.
Electrical hazard, safety-toe shoes are nonconductive and will
prevent the wearers’ feet from completing an electrical circuit to the
ground. These shoes can protect against open circuits of up to 600
volts in dry conditions and should be used in conjunction with
other insulating equipment and additional precautions to reduce
the risk of a worker becoming a path for hazardous electrical
energy. The insulating protection of electrical hazard, safety-toe
shoes may be compromised if the shoes become wet, the soles are
worn through, metal particles become embedded in the sole or
heel, or workers touch conductive, grounded items. Note:
Nonconductive footwear must not be used in explosive or
hazardous locations.
21
Foundry Shoes
In addition to insulating the feet from the extreme heat of
molten metal, foundry shoes keep hot metal from lodging in shoe
eyelets, tongues or other shoe parts. These snug-fitting leather or
leather-substitute shoes have leather or rubber soles and rubber
heels. All foundry shoes must have built-in safety toes.
Care of Protective Footwear
As with all protective equipment, safety footwear should be
inspected prior to each use. Shoes and leggings should be checked
for wear and tear at reasonable intervals. This includes looking for
cracks or holes, separation of materials, broken buckles or laces.
The soles of shoes should be checked for pieces of metal or other
embedded items that could present electrical or tripping hazards.
Employees should follow the manufacturers’ recommendations for
cleaning and maintenance of protective footwear.
Hand and Arm Protection
If a workplace hazard assessment reveals that employees face
potential injury to hands and arms that cannot be eliminated
through engineering and work practice controls, employers must
ensure that employees wear appropriate protection. Potential
hazards include skin absorption of harmful substances, chemical
or thermal burns, electrical dangers, bruises, abrasions, cuts,
punctures, fractures and amputations. Protective equipment
includes gloves, finger guards and arm coverings or elbow-length
gloves.
Employers should explore all possible engineering and work
practice controls to eliminate hazards and use PPE to provide
additional protection against hazards that cannot be completely
eliminated through other means. For example, machine guards
may eliminate a hazard. Installing a barrier to prevent workers
from placing their hands at the point of contact between a table
saw blade and the item being cut is another method.
22
Types of Protective Gloves
There are many types of gloves available today to protect
against a wide variety of hazards. The nature of the hazard and the
operation involved will affect the selection of gloves. The variety of
potential occupational hand injuries makes selecting the right pair
of gloves challenging. It is essential that employees use gloves
specifically designed for the hazards and tasks found in their
workplace because gloves designed for one function may not
protect against a different function even though they may appear to
be an appropriate protective device.
The following are examples of some factors that may influence
the selection of protective gloves for a workplace.
■
Type of chemicals handled.
■
Nature of contact (total immersion, splash, etc.).
■
Duration of contact.
■
Area requiring protection (hand only, forearm, arm).
■
Grip requirements (dry, wet, oily).
■
Thermal protection.
■
Size and comfort.
■
Abrasion/resistance requirements.
Gloves made from a wide variety of materials are designed for
many types of workplace hazards. In general, gloves fall into four
groups:
■
Gloves made of leather, canvas or metal mesh;
■
Fabric and coated fabric gloves;
■
Chemical- and liquid-resistant gloves;
■
Insulating rubber gloves (See 29 CFR 1910.137 and the following
section on electrical protective equipment for detailed requirements on the selection, use and care of insulating rubber gloves).
Leather, Canvas or Metal Mesh Gloves
Sturdy gloves made from metal mesh, leather or canvas provide
protection against cuts and burns. Leather or canvass gloves also
protect against sustained heat.
23
■
Leather gloves protect against sparks, moderate heat, blows,
chips and rough objects.
■
Aluminized gloves provide reflective and insulating protection
against heat and require an insert made of synthetic materials to
protect against heat and cold.
■
Aramid fiber gloves protect against heat and cold, are cut- and
abrasive-resistant and wear well.
■
Synthetic gloves of various materials offer protection against
heat and cold, are cut- and abrasive-resistant and may withstand
some diluted acids. These materials do not stand up against
alkalis and solvents.
Fabric and Coated Fabric Gloves
Fabric and coated fabric gloves are made of cotton or other
fabric to provide varying degrees of protection.
■
Fabric gloves protect against dirt, slivers, chafing and abrasions.
They do not provide sufficient protection for use with rough,
sharp or heavy materials. Adding a plastic coating will
strengthen some fabric gloves.
■
Coated fabric gloves are normally made from cotton flannel with
napping on one side. By coating the unnapped side with plastic,
fabric gloves are transformed into general-purpose hand
protection offering slip-resistant qualities. These gloves are used
for tasks ranging from handling bricks and wire to chemical
laboratory containers. When selecting gloves to protect against
chemical exposure hazards, always check with the manufacturer
or review the manufacturer’s product literature to determine the
gloves’ effectiveness against specific workplace chemicals and
conditions.
Chemical- and Liquid-Resistant Gloves
Chemical-resistant gloves are made with different kinds of
rubber: natural, butyl, neoprene, nitrile and fluorocarbon (viton); or
various kinds of plastic: polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl alcohol
and polyethylene. These materials can be blended or laminated for
24
better performance. As a general rule, the thicker the glove
material, the greater the chemical resistance but thick gloves may
impair grip and dexterity, having a negative impact on safety.
Some examples of chemical-resistant gloves include:
■
Butyl gloves are made of a synthetic rubber and protect against
a wide variety of chemicals, such as peroxide, rocket fuels,
highly corrosive acids (nitric acid, sulfuric acid, hydrofluoric acid
and red-fuming nitric acid), strong bases, alcohols, aldehydes,
ketones, esters and nitrocompounds. Butyl gloves also resist
oxidation, ozone corrosion and abrasion, and remain flexible at
low temperatures. Butyl rubber does not perform well with
aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons and halogenated solvents.
■
Natural (latex) rubber gloves are comfortable to wear, which
makes them a popular general-purpose glove. They feature
outstanding tensile strength, elasticity and temperature
resistance. In addition to resisting abrasions caused by grinding
and polishing, these gloves protect workers’ hands from most
water solutions of acids, alkalis, salts and ketones. Latex gloves
have caused allergic reactions in some individuals and may not
be appropriate for all employees. Hypoallergenic gloves, glove
liners and powderless gloves are possible alternatives for
workers who are allergic to latex gloves.
■
Neoprene gloves are made of synthetic rubber and offer good
pliability, finger dexterity, high density and tear resistance. They
protect against hydraulic fluids, gasoline, alcohols, organic acids
and alkalis. They generally have chemical and wear resistance
properties superior to those made of natural rubber.
■
Nitrile gloves are made of a copolymer and provide protection
from chlorinated solvents such as trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene. Although intended for jobs requiring dexterity
and sensitivity, nitrile gloves stand up to heavy use even after
prolonged exposure to substances that cause other gloves to
deteriorate. They offer protection when working with oils,
greases, acids, caustics and alcohols but are generally not
recommended for use with strong oxidizing agents, aromatic
solvents, ketones and acetates.
25
The following table from the U.S. Department of Energy
(Occupational Safety and Health Technical Reference Manual) rates
various gloves as being protective against specific chemicals and
will help you select the most appropriate gloves to protect your
employees. The ratings are abbreviated as follows: VG: Very Good;
G: Good; F: Fair; P: Poor (not recommended). Chemicals marked
with an asterisk (*) are for limited service.
Table 4
Chemical Resistance Selection Chart for Protective Gloves
Chemical
Neoprene Latex/Rubber Butyl
Acetaldehyde*
VG
G
VG
Acetic acid
VG
VG
VG
Acetone*
G
VG
VG
Ammonium hydroxide
VG
VG
VG
Amy acetate*
F
P
F
Aniline
G
F
F
Benzaldehyde*
F
F
G
Benzene*
P
P
P
Butyl acetate
G
F
F
Butyl alcohol
VG
VG
VG
Carbon disulfide
F
F
F
Carbon tetrachloride*
F
P
P
Castor oil
F
P
F
Chlorobenzene*
F
P
F
Chloroform*
G
P
P
Chloronaphthalene
F
P
F
Chromic acid (50%)
F
P
F
Citric acid (10%)
VG
VG
VG
Cyclohexanol
G
F
G
Dibutyl phthalate*
G
P
G
Diesel fuel
G
P
P
Diisobutyl ketone
P
F
G
Dimethylformamide
F
F
G
Dioctyl phthalate
G
P
F
Dioxane
VG
G
G
26
Nitrile
G
VG
P
VG
P
P
G
F
P
VG
F
G
VG
P
F
F
F
VG
VG
G
VG
P
G
VG
G
Table 4 (continued) Chemical Resistance Selection Chart for Protective Gloves
Epoxy resins, dry
Ethyl acetate*
Ethyl alcohol
Ethyl ether*
Ethylene dichloride*
Ethylene glycol
Formaldehyde
Formic acid
Freon 11
Freon 12
Freon 21
Freon 22
Furfural*
Gasoline, leaded
Gasoline, unleaded
Glycerin
Hexane
Hydrazine (65%)
Hydrochloric acid
Hydrofluoric acid (48%)
Hydrogen peroxide (30%)
Hydroquinone
Isooctane
Kerosene
Ketones
Lacquer thinners
Lactic acid (85%)
Lauric acid (36%)
Lineolic acid
Linseed oil
Maleic acid
Methyl alcohol
Methylamine
Methyl bromide
Methyl chloride*
VG
G
VG
VG
F
VG
VG
VG
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
VG
F
F
VG
VG
G
G
F
VG
G
G
VG
VG
VG
VG
VG
VG
F
G
P
VG
F
VG
G
P
VG
VG
VG
P
P
P
P
G
P
P
VG
P
G
G
G
G
G
P
F
VG
F
VG
F
P
P
VG
VG
F
F
P
VG
G
VG
VG
F
VG
VG
VG
F
F
F
F
G
F
F
VG
P
G
G
G
G
G
P
F
VG
F
VG
VG
F
F
VG
VG
G
G
P
VG
F
VG
G
P
VG
VG
VG
G
G
G
G
G
VG
VG
VG
G
G
G
G
G
F
VG
VG
P
P
VG
VG
G
VG
VG
VG
G
F
P
27
Table 4 (continued) Chemical Resistance Selection Chart for Protective Gloves
Methyl ethyl ketone*
G
Methyl isobutyl ketone*
F
Methyl metharcrylate
G
Monoethanolamine
VG
Morpholine
VG
Naphthalene
G
Napthas, aliphatic
VG
Napthas, aromatic
G
Nitric acid*
G
Nitric acid, red and white
fuming
P
Nitromethane (95.5%)*
F
Nitropropane (95.5%)
F
Octyl alcohol
VG
Oleic acid
VG
Oxalic acid
VG
Palmitic acid
VG
Perchloric acid (60%)
VG
Perchloroethylene
F
Petroleum distillates
(naphtha)
G
Phenol
VG
Phosphoric acid
VG
Potassium hydroxide
VG
Propyl acetate
G
Propyl alcohol
VG
Propyl alcohol (iso)
VG
Sodium hydroxide
VG
Styrene
P
Styrene (100%)
P
Sulfuric acid
G
Tannic acid (65)
VG
Tetrahydrofuran
P
Toluene*
F
Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) F
28
G
F
G
G
VG
F
F
P
F
VG
VG
VG
VG
VG
F
F
P
F
P
P
F
VG
G
G
VG
G
F
P
P
P
VG
F
VG
VG
F
P
P
F
F
VG
G
VG
VG
G
P
P
F
F
VG
VG
VG
VG
G
G
P
F
G
VG
F
VG
VG
VG
P
P
G
VG
F
P
G
P
G
VG
VG
G
VG
VG
VG
P
P
G
VG
F
P
G
VG
F
VG
VG
F
VG
VG
VG
F
F
G
VG
F
F
F
Table 4 (continued) Chemical Resistance Selection Chart for Protective Gloves
Trichloroethylene*
Triethanolamine (85%)
Tung oil
Turpentine
Xylene*
F
VG
VG
G
P
F
G
P
F
P
P
G
F
F
P
G
VG
VG
VG
F
Note: When selecting chemical-resistant gloves be sure to consult the
manufacturer’s recommendations, especially if the gloved hand(s) will
be immersed in the chemical.
Care of Protective Gloves
Protective gloves should be inspected before each use to ensure
that they are not torn, punctured or made ineffective in any way. A
visual inspection will help detect cuts or tears but a more thorough
inspection by filling the gloves with water and tightly rolling the cuff
towards the fingers will help reveal any pinhole leaks. Gloves that
are discolored or stiff may also indicate deficiencies caused by
excessive use or degradation from chemical exposure.
Any gloves with impaired protective ability should be discarded
and replaced. Reuse of chemical-resistant gloves should be
evaluated carefully, taking into consideration the absorptive
qualities of the gloves. A decision to reuse chemically-exposed
gloves should take into consideration the toxicity of the chemicals
involved and factors such as duration of exposure, storage and
temperature.
Body Protection
Employees who face possible bodily injury of any kind that
cannot be eliminated through engineering, work practice or administrative controls, must wear appropriate body protection while
performing their jobs. In addition to cuts and radiation, the
following are examples of workplace hazards that could cause
bodily injury:
■
Temperature extremes;
■
Hot splashes from molten metals and other hot liquids;
29
■
Potential impacts from tools, machinery and materials;
■
Hazardous chemicals.
There are many varieties of protective clothing available for
specific hazards. Employers are required to ensure that their
employees wear personal protective equipment only for the parts
of the body exposed to possible injury. Examples of body
protection include laboratory coats, coveralls, vests, jackets, aprons,
surgical gowns and full body suits.
If a hazard assessment indicates a need for full body protection
against toxic substances or harmful physical agents, the clothing
should be carefully inspected before each use, it must fit each
worker properly and it must function properly and for the purpose
for which it is intended.
Protective clothing comes in a variety of materials, each effective
against particular hazards, such as:
■
Paper-like fiber used for disposable suits provide protection
against dust and splashes.
■
Treated wool and cotton adapts well to changing temperatures,
is comfortable, and fire-resistant and protects against dust,
abrasions and rough and irritating surfaces.
■
Duck is a closely woven cotton fabric that protects against cuts
and bruises when handling heavy, sharp or rough materials.
■
Leather is often used to protect against dry heat and flames.
■
Rubber, rubberized fabrics, neoprene and plastics protect against
certain chemicals and physical hazards. When chemical or
physical hazards are present, check with the clothing manufacturer to ensure that the material selected will provide protection
against the specific hazard.
Hearing Protection
Determining the need to provide hearing protection for
employees can be challenging. Employee exposure to excessive
noise depends upon a number of factors, including:
■
The loudness of the noise as measured in decibels (dB).
■
The duration of each employee’s exposure to the noise.
■
Whether employees move between work areas with different
noise levels.
30
■
Whether noise is generated from one or multiple sources.
Generally, the louder the noise, the shorter the exposure time
before hearing protection is required. For instance, employees may be
exposed to a noise level of 90 dB for 8 hours per day (unless they
experience a Standard Threshold Shift) before hearing protection is
required. On the other hand, if the noise level reaches 115 dB hearing
protection is required if the anticipated exposure exceeds 15 minutes.
For a more detailed discussion of the requirements for a comprehensive hearing conservation program, see OSHA Publication
3074 (2002), “Hearing Conservation” or refer to the OSHA standard
at 29 CFR 1910.95, Occupational Noise Exposure, section (c).
Table 5, below, shows the permissible noise exposures that
require hearing protection for employees exposed to occupational
noise at specific decibel levels for specific time periods. Noises are
considered continuous if the interval between occurrences of the
maximum noise level is one second or less. Noises not meeting
this definition are considered impact or impulse noises (loud
momentary explosions of sound) and exposures to this type of
noise must not exceed 140 dB. Examples of situations or tools that
may result in impact or impulse noises are powder-actuated nail
guns, a punch press or drop hammers.
Table 5
Permissible Noise Exposures
Duration per day, in hours
8
6
4
3
2
11/2
1
1/2
1/4
or less
Sound level in dB*
90
92
95
97
100
102
105
110
115
*When measured on the A scale of a standard sound level meter
at slow response.
Source: 29 CFR 1910.95, Table G-16.
31
If engineering and work practice controls do not lower employee
exposure to workplace noise to acceptable levels, employees must
wear appropriate hearing protection. It is important to understand
that hearing protectors reduce only the amount of noise that gets
through to the ears. The amount of this reduction is referred to as
attenuation, which differs according to the type of hearing
protection used and how well it fits. Hearing protectors worn by
employees must reduce an employee’s noise exposure to within the
acceptable limits noted in Table 5. Refer to Appendix B of 29 CFR
1910.95, Occupational Noise Exposure, for detailed information on
methods to estimate the attenuation effectiveness of hearing
protectors based on the device’s noise reduction rating (NRR).
Manufacturers of hearing protection devices must display the
device’s NRR on the product packaging. If employees are exposed
to occupational noise at or above 85 dB averaged over an eighthour period, the employer is required to institute a hearing conservation program that includes regular testing of employees’ hearing
by qualified professionals. Refer to 29 CFR 1910.95(c) for a
description of the requirements for a hearing conservation program.
Some types of hearing protection include:
■
Single-use earplugs are made of waxed cotton, foam, silicone
rubber or fiberglass wool. They are self-forming and, when
properly inserted, they work as well as most molded earplugs.
■
Pre-formed or molded earplugs must be individually fitted by a
professional and can be disposable or reusable. Reusable plugs
should be cleaned after each use.
■
Earmuffs require a perfect seal around the ear. Glasses, facial
hair, long hair or facial movements such as chewing may reduce
the protective value of earmuffs.
OSHA Assistance
OSHA can provide extensive help through a variety of programs,
including technical assistance about effective safety and health
programs, state plans, workplace consultations, voluntary
protection programs, strategic partnerships, training and education,
and more. An overall commitment to workplace safety and health
can add value to your business, to your workplace and to your life.
32
Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines
Effective management of worker safety and health protection is
a decisive factor in reducing the extent and severity of work-related
injuries and illnesses and their related costs. In fact, an effective
safety and health program forms the basis of good worker
protection and can save time and money (about $4 for every dollar
spent) and increase productivity and reduce worker injuries,
illnesses and related workers’ compensation costs.
To assist employers and employees in developing effective
safety and health programs, OSHA published recommended Safety
and Health Program Management Guidelines (Federal Register 54
(16): 3904-3916, January 26, 1989). These voluntary guidelines
apply to all places of employment covered by OSHA.
The guidelines identify four general elements critical to the
development of a successful safety and health management
program:
■
Management leadership and employee involvement.
■
Work analysis.
■
Hazard prevention and control.
■
Safety and health training.
The guidelines recommend specific actions, under each of these
general elements, to achieve an effective safety and health
program. The Federal Register notice is available online at
www.osha.gov.
State Programs
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSH Act)
encourages states to develop and operate their own job safety and
health plans. OSHA approves and monitors these plans. There are
currently 26 state plans: 23 cover both private and public (state and
local government) employment; 3 states, Connecticut, New Jersey
and New York, cover the public sector only. States and territories
with their own OSHA-approved occupational safety and health
plans must adopt standards identical to, or at least as effective as,
the federal standards.
33
Consultation Services
Consultation assistance is available on request to employers
who want help in establishing and maintaining a safe and healthful
workplace. Largely funded by OSHA, the service is provided at no
cost to the employer. Primarily developed for smaller employers
with more hazardous operations, the consultation service is
delivered by state governments employing professional safety and
health consultants. Comprehensive assistance includes an appraisal
of all-mechanical systems, work practices and occupational safety
and health hazards of the workplace and all aspects of the
employer’s present job safety and health program. In addition, the
service offers assistance to employers in developing and implementing an effective safety and health program. No penalties are
proposed or citations issued for hazards identified by the
consultant. OSHA provides consultation assistance to the employer
with the assurance that his or her name and firm and any
information about the workplace will not be routinely reported to
OSHA enforcement staff.
Under the consultation program, certain exemplary employers
may request participation in OSHA's Safety and Health
Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP). Eligibility for participation in SHARP includes receiving a comprehensive consultation
visit, demonstrating exemplary achievements in workplace safety
and health by abating all identified hazards and developing an
excellent safety and health program.
Employers accepted into SHARP may receive an exemption
from programmed inspections (not complaint or accident investigation inspections) for a period of one year. For more information
concerning consultation assistance, see the OSHA website at
www.osha.gov.
Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP)
Voluntary Protection Programs and onsite consultation services,
when coupled with an effective enforcement program, expand
worker protection to help meet the goals of the OSH Act. The three
levels of VPP are Star, Merit, and Demonstration designed to
recognize outstanding achievements by companies that have successfully incorporated comprehensive safety and health programs
into their total management system. The VPPs motivate others to
achieve excellent safety and health results in the same outstanding
34
way as they establish a cooperative relationship between
employers, employees and OSHA.
For additional information on VPP and how to apply, contact the
OSHA regional offices listed at the end of this publication.
Strategic Partnership Program
OSHA’s Strategic Partnership Program, the newest member
of OSHA’s cooperative programs, helps encourage, assist and
recognize the efforts of partners to eliminate serious workplace
hazards and achieve a high level of worker safety and health.
Whereas OSHA’s Consultation Program and VPP entail one-on-one
relationships between OSHA and individual worksites, most
strategic partnerships seek to have a broader impact by building
cooperative relationships with groups of employers and
employees. These partnerships are voluntary, cooperative relationships between OSHA, employers, employee representatives and
others (e.g., trade unions, trade and professional associations,
universities and other government agencies).
For more information on this and other cooperative programs,
contact your nearest OSHA office, or visit OSHA’s website at
www.osha.gov.
Alliance Programs
The Alliance Program enables organizations committed to
workplace safety and health to collaborate with OSHA to prevent
injuries and illnesses in the workplace. OSHA and the Alliance
participants work together to reach out to, educate and lead the
nation’s employers and their employees in improving and
advancing workplace safety and health.
Alliances are open to all groups, including trade or professional
organizations, businesses, labor organizations, educational institutions and government agencies. In some cases, organizations may
be building on existing relationships with OSHA that were
developed through other cooperative programs.
There are few formal program requirements for Alliances
and the agreements do not include an enforcement component.
However, OSHA and the participating organizations must define,
implement and meet a set of short- and long-term goals that fall
into three categories: training and education; outreach and commu-
35
nication; and promoting the national dialogue on workplace safety
and health.
OSHA Training and Education
OSHA area offices offer a variety of information services, such as
compliance assistance, technical advice, publications, audiovisual
aids and speakers for special engagements. OSHA’s Training
Institute in Arlington Heights, Ill., provides basic and advanced
courses in safety and health for federal and state compliance
officers, state consultants, federal agency personnel, and private
sector employers, employees and their representatives.
The OSHA Training Institute also has established OSHA Training
Institute Education Centers to address the increased demand for its
courses from the private sector and from other federal agencies.
These centers are nonprofit colleges, universities and other organizations that have been selected after a competition for participation
in the program.
OSHA also provides funds to nonprofit organizations, through
grants, to conduct workplace training and education in subjects
where OSHA believes there is a lack of workplace training. Grants
are awarded annually. Grant recipients are expected to contribute
20 percent of the total grant cost.
For more information on grants, training and education, contact
the OSHA Training Institute, Office of Training and Education, 2020
South Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005, (847)
297-4810 or see “Outreach” on OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov.
For further information on any OSHA program, contact your nearest
OSHA area or regional office listed at the end of this publication.
Information Available Electronically
OSHA has a variety of materials and tools available on its
website at www.osha.gov. These include e-Tools such as Expert
Advisors, Electronic Compliance Assistance Tools (e-cats), Technical
Links; regulations, directives and publications, videos and other
information for employers and employees. OSHA’s software
programs and compliance assistance tools walk you through
challenging safety and health issues and common problems to find
the best solutions for your workplace.
36
OSHA’s CD-ROM includes standards, interpretations, directives
and more, and can be purchased on CD-ROM from the U.S.
Government Printing Office. To order, write to the Superintendent
of Documents, P.O. Box 371954, Pittsburgh, PA 15250-7954 or phone
(202) 512-1800, or order online at http://bookstore.gpo.gov.
OSHA Publications
OSHA has an extensive publications program. For a listing of
free or sales items, visit OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov or
contact the OSHA Publications Office, U.S. Department of Labor,
200 Constitution Avenue, NW, N-3101, Washington, DC 20210.
Telephone (202) 693-1888 or fax to (202) 693-2498.
Contacting OSHA
To report an emergency, file a complaint or seek OSHA advice,
assistance or products, call (800) 321-OSHA or contact your nearest
OSHA regional or area office listed at the end of this publication.
The teletypewriter (TTY) number is (877) 889-5627.
You can also file a complaint online and obtain more
information on OSHA federal and state programs by visiting
OSHA’s website at www.osha.gov.
37
OSHA Regional Offices
Region I
(CT,* ME, MA, NH, RI, VT*)
JFK Federal Building, Room E340
Boston, MA 02203
(617) 565-9860
Region II
(NJ,* NY,* PR,* VI*)
201 Varick Street, Room 670
New York, NY 10014
(212) 337-2378
Region III
(DE, DC, MD,* PA,* VA,* WV)
The Curtis Center
170 S. Independence Mall West
Suite 740 West
Philadelphia, PA 19106-3309
(215) 861-4900
Region IV
(AL, FL, GA, KY,* MS, NC,* SC,* TN*)
61 Forsyth Street, SW
Atlanta, GA 30303
(404) 562-2300
Region V
(IL, IN,* MI,* MN,* OH, WI)
230 South Dearborn Street, Room 3244
Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 353-2220
38
Region VI
(AR, LA, NM,* OK, TX)
525 Griffin Street, Room 602
Dallas, TX 75202
(214) 767-4731 or 4736 x224
Region VII
(IA,* KS, MO, NE)
City Center Square
1100 Main Street, Suite 800
Kansas City, MO 64105
(816) 426-5861
Region VIII
(CO, MT, ND, SD, UT,* WY*)
1999 Broadway, Suite 1690
PO Box 46550
Denver, CO 80201-6550
(303) 844-1600
Region IX
(American Samoa, AZ,* CA,* HI, NV,* Northern Mariana Islands)
71 Stevenson Street, Room 420
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 975-4310
Region X
(AK,* ID, OR,* WA*)
1111 Third Avenue, Suite 715
Seattle, WA 98101-3212
(206) 553-5930
*These states and territories operate their own OSHA-approved job safety
and health programs (Connecticut, New Jersey and New York plans cover
public employees only). States with approved programs must have a
standard that is identical to, or at least as effective as, the federal standard.
Note: To get contact information for OSHA Area Offices, OSHA-approved
State Plans and OSHA Consultation Projects, please visit us online at
www.osha.gov or call us at 1-800-321-OSHA.
39
Appendix A
OSHA Standards that Require PPE
29 CFR 1910, General Industry
Standards that Require the Employer to Provide PPE:
1910.28
1910.66
1910.67
1910.94
1910.119
1910.120
1910.132
1910.133
1910.135
1910.136
1910.137
1910.138
1910.139
1910.157
1910.160
1910.183
1910.218
1910.242
1910.243
1910.252
1910.261
1910.262
1910.268
1910.269
1910.333
1910.335
1910.1000
1910.1003
1910.1017
1910.1029
1910.1043
1910.1096
40
Safety requirements for scaffolds
Powered platforms for building maintenance
Vehicle-mounted elevating and rotating work platforms
Ventilation
Process safety management of highly hazardous
chemicals
Hazardous waste operations and emergency response
General requirements (personal protective equipment)
Eye and face protection
Occupational foot protection
Occupational foot protection
Electrical protective devices
Hand protection
Respiratory protection for M. tuberculosis
Portable fire extinguishers
Fixed extinguishing systems, general
Helicopters
Forging machines
Hand and portable powered tools and equipment,
general
Guarding of portable power tools
General requirements (welding, cutting and brazing)
Pulp, paper, and paperboard mills
Textiles
Telecommunications
Electric power generation, transmission and distribution
Selection and use of work practices
Safeguards for personnel protection
Air contaminants
13 carcinogens, etc.
Vinyl chloride
Coke oven emissions
Cotton dust
Ionizing radiation
Standards that Require the Employer to Provide PPE
at No Cost to the Employee:
1910.95
1910.134
1910.146
1910.156
1910.266
1910.1001
1910.1018
1910.1025
1910.1027
1910.1028
1910.1030
1910.1044
1910.1045
1910.1047
1910.1048
1910.1050
1910.1051
1910.1052
1910.1450
Occupational noise exposure
Respiratory protection
Permit-required confined spaces
Fire brigades
Logging operations
Asbestos
Inorganic Arsenic
Lead
Cadmium
Benzene
Bloodborne pathogens
1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane
Acrylonitrile
Ethylene oxide
Formaldehyde
Methylenedianiline
1,3-Butadiene
Methylene chloride
Occupational exposure to chemicals in laboratories
29 CFR 1915, Shipyard Employment
Standards that Require the Employer to Provide PPE:
1915.12
1915.13
1915.32
1915.34
1915.35
1915.51
1915.73
1915.77
1915.135
1915.156
1915.157
1915.158
1915.159
Precautions and the order of testing before entering
confined and enclosed spaces and other dangerous
atmospheres
Cleaning and other cold work
Toxic cleaning solvents
Mechanical paint removers
Painting
Ventilation and protection in welding, cutting and
heating
Guarding of deck openings and edges
Working surfaces
Powder actuated fastening tools
Foot protection
Hand and body protection
Lifesaving equipment
Personal fall arrest systems (PFAS)
41
Standards that Require the Employer to Provide PPE
at No Cost to the Employee:
1915.154 Respiratory Protection
1915.1001 Asbestos
29 CFR 1917, Marine Terminals
Standards that Require the Employer to Provide PPE:
1917.22
1917.25
1917.26
1917.91
1917.93
1917.95
1917.126
1917.152
1917.154
Hazardous cargo
Fumigants, pesticides, insecticides and hazardous waste
First aid and lifesaving facilities
Eye and face protection
Head protection
Other protective measures
River banks
Welding, cutting and heating (hot work)
Compressed air
Standards that Require the Employer to Provide PPE
at No Cost to the Employee:
1917.92
Respiratory protection
29 CFR 1918, Longshoring
Standards that Require the Employer to Provide PPE:
1918.85
1918.88
1918.93
1918.94
1918.104
1918.105
Containerized cargo operations
Log operations
Hazardous atmospheres and substances
Ventilation and atmospheric conditions
Foot protection
Other protective measures
Standards that Require the Employer to Provide PPE
at No Cost to the Employee:
1918.102
Respiratory protection
29 CFR 1926, Construction
Standards that Require the Employer to Provide PPE:
1926.28
1926.52
42
Personal protective equipment
Occupational noise exposure
1926.57
1926.64
1926.65
1926.95
1926.96
1926.100
1926.101
1926.102
1926.104
1926.105
1926.106
1926.250
1926.300
1926.302
1926.304
1926.353
1926.354
1926.416
1926.451
1926.453
1926.501
1926.502
1926.550
1926.551
1926.701
1926.760
1926.800
1926.951
1926.955
1926.1101
Ventilation
Process safety management of highly hazardous
chemicals
Hazardous waste operations and emergency response
Criteria for personal protective equipment
Occupational foot protection
Head protection
Hearing protection
Eye and face protection
Safety belts, lifelines and lanyards
Safety nets
Working over or near water
General requirements for storage
General requirements (Hand and power tools)
Power-operated hand tools
Woodworking tools
Ventilation and protection in welding, cutting and
heating
Welding, cutting and heating in way of preservative
coatings
General requirements (Electrical)
General requirements (Scaffolds)
Aerial lifts
Duty to have fall protection
Fall protection systems criteria and practices
Cranes and derricks
Helicopters
General requirements (Concrete and masonry
construction)
Fall protection (Steel erection)
Underground construction
Tools and protective equipment
Overhead lines
Asbestos
Standards that Require the Employer to Provide PPE
at No Cost to the Employee:
1926.60
1926.62
1926.103
1926.1127
Methylenedianiline
Lead
Respiratory protection
Cadmium
43
44
www.osha.gov
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