New Rapp Session Safety Topics: Logs

Rappsession Safety Topic: Hazcom MSDS Basics

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

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Long Time Absent

Man, has it been a while since I last posted anything. Sorry for that. Of course there are probably not a lot of folks waiting to hear about safety stuff on my little ol' blog, but apologies non-the-less.
There has been alot of talk about OSHA coming and how we all have to be prepared. It is true. Each of you need to get it on your mind, that you will most likely be visited some time soon. Bone up, get your PPE on, (enforce that with your employees), make sure your recordkeeping is up, make sure your signage is up, complete your inspections, look for and correct hazards, and get your employees involved.
Don't let safety fall by the way side. In this economy, safety should not be left behind, but rather stepped up. Now is the time for each of you to really have the best possible employees out there. 1 in 6 Americans are nbot working. That means the pool of employees is vast to choose from. Use safety as a way of acquiring the best employees. If an employee does not want to abide by safety policy and rules that the government and your company has set forth, there are literally millions of people out there that will. A costly accident because someone neglected to follow basic safety procedures not only will result in medical costs, but higher insurance premiums, and a possible fine from OSHA. None of which help your bottom line.

OSHA is coming. Are you ready?

All the new releases and reports coming out of OSHA are saying that the focus has changed from compliance to enforcement. You can debate or disagree all you like, but the fact is they are coming to a location near you. Everyone needs to review your safety processes, re-evaluate your hazard communication programs, ensure your employees are adequately trained in the safety issues that effect them, and get your supervisors on board with safety. Check your record keeping paperwork, and follow-up on your accident investigations. Now is a good time to review your safety manuals and incentive plans. Remember, anything that might keep an employee from reporting a near miss or accident, is not a good incentive plan, and will spark a closer look from OSHA when they visit. Let's make our working environments safer for everyone.