Everyone at Blackhawk wants you to have the healthiest and safest possible workplace. As technology advances, new variables emerge to challenge your ability to maintain adequate safety. To keep you informed, here’s a look at relevant news from inside the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Standards and Guidance

Lockout/Tagout Standards under review (May 2019). OSHA is re-evaluating existing LOTO regulations with regard to control-circuit devices to isolate energy, as well as the evolving technology for robotics. The current LOTO standard, published in 1989, requires that all sources of energy be controlled during servicing and maintenance of machines and equipment using an energy-isolating device. The standard specifies that control circuit devices cannot be used as energy-isolating devices, but the agency recognizes recent technological advances may have improved the safety of control circuit-type devices.

New respirator fit testing approved (Sept. 2019). OSHA issued a final rule that provides employers with two new fit testing protocols for ensuring that employees’ respirators fit properly: (1)  the modified ambient aerosol condensation nuclei counter (CNC) quantitative fit testing protocol for full-facepiece and half-mask elastomeric respirators, and (2) the modified ambient aerosol CNC quantitative fit testing protocol for filtering facepiece respirators. Both protocols are variations of the original OSHA-approved ambient aerosol CNC protocol, but have fewer test exercises, shorter exercise duration, and a more streamlined sampling sequence. The rule took effect on Sept. 26, 2019.

Enforcement

Reminder to Submit Injury and Illness Data (Aug. 2019). OSHA reminds employers to submit 2018 OSHA Form 300A (Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses). Companies with 250+ employees as well as smaller companies in certain industries must complete and submit the form, which can be done electronically at www.osha.gov/300A.

Advisory

12 new members named to NACOSH (Sept. 2019). A dozen professionals representing a cross-section of occupational health, safety, labor, management and public sectors were appointed to the National Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health. NACOSH advises, consults with and makes recommendations to the Secretaries of Labor and health and Human Services in matters related to the OSHA Act of 1970. NACOSH meets twice a year, and meetings are open to the public.

Winter Weather preparedness

Cold temperatures, snow and ice are in the forecast! OSHA is your guide to preparing your workers and workplace for the gathering chill.

Open for Your Comments

The U.S. Labor Department operates a portal where interested parties can file comments pertaining to certain issues under review. These may include documents, proposed and existing rules and other materials. (The site is not limited to OSHA.) Open topics change frequently and filing deadlines are indicated.

For more details on these topics, follow the links provided above.

Inside OSHA: Did you know?

OSHA has a broad spectrum of free resources on the following web pages:

• For Workers — Workers’ rights, whistleblower guidelines and other resources aimed at worker protection.
• For Employers — Employer responsibilities, small business resources, recordkeeping facts, recommendations, compliance assistance and consulting services.
• Standards — All the basics of OSHA compliance, including standards, resources, interpretations, training requirements and the regulatory agenda.
• Enforcement — The go-to source for information about inspection procedures, policies, compliance assistance, targeted enforcement programs, industry alters and penalties.
• Special Initiatives — The place to learn how to establish safety and health programs in the workplace, or learn about National Emphasis Programs (NEPs), such as the Combustible Dust Program.
• Training — Links to OSHA-authorized safety training programs, training requirements and other resources.
• Data and Statistics — A useful site for companies either performing OSHA inspections or seeking to compare performance against industry standards. Includes data for injuries, illnesses and a link to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) data base.

Need help choosing safety equipment or PPE apparel? Need advice with a specific workplace safety challenge? Ask BlackHawk. Our trained experts and supplier contacts will find the right solution for your situation. We’re here to help.