Tuesday, January 5, 2010

A New Year, A New Beginning

Well, it is hard for me to believe it is 2010. I have been on the planet for 40 years now and I now have teenagers. Man life changes quickly. So does government. We have a new OSHA Assistant Secretary of Labor named David Michaels. He has a long resume, an epidemiologist, a history in research and regulatory policy, and program administration, he was, I believe, an interim Chair in the Evironmental and Occupational Health Department at George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services. He worked for President Clinton as the Department of Energy's Assistant Secretary for Environment, Safety and Health.
According to an email I recieved from BLR Safety Daily Advisor, Mr. Michaels stated in an article written in New York Committee of Occupational Safety and Health's newletter, that OSHA should focus on 1) a workplace injury and illness prevention program rule, 2) an increase in workplace health and safety capacity (I am not sure what the refers to, honestly), 3) the development of a new electronic recordkeeping and reporting system (that's a little scarey to me), and 4) a campaign to change the way the nation thinks about workplace safety.
He also said the Obama Administration's objective should not be better/smarter enforcement, but should create a bold campaign to change the workplace culture of safety. Which refers to the last point of the four parts mentioned. OSHA has been hinting for a while that the new focus is going to be enforcement and not compliance. We shall see. Everyone should be ready for a visit. It's almost time to put out your Summary logs. If you need help just let me know. There is a link on the right side of this page that will take you right ot the OSHA site's recordkeeping page and to the documents that you will need. I will be putting reminders out on the blog and the facebook page, as well as sending out hard copy reminders to my regular customers.
If you haven't put safety first in your company, 2010 is the right year to do it! Remember my new slogan "Salus Primoris" Safety First!
Have a great 2010.
Craig

Inspection is Crucial

Inspection is Crucial
Make sure you inspect your ladder regularly. Your safety depends on it!