OSHA Update

Jim Shelton

Houston North

Oct 2009

Houston Oct (FY10) Fatalities

• SIC 4911 - Employees splicing de-energized downed oil field line running beneath a 7300 volt power line. While pulling the two ends together to splice the oil field line contacted the 7300 volt line electrocuting employee

• SIC 1761 – Replacing roof on residential building. Employees were measuring trim to be cut with measuring tape when employee walked backwards off roof and fell

Houston Fatality Investigations - Draft

As of 1 Oct 09

Houston Fatality Investigations - Draft

0

20

40

60

80

H-South Cnst 16 9 11 10 22

H-North Cnst 7 6 5 9 12

Houston Total Cnst 23 15 16 19 34

Houston-Total 57 53 54 44 60

FY 05 FY 06 FY 07 FY 08 FY 09*

As of 1 Oct 09

Fatality Investigations – Tot vs.Cnst - Draft

Fatality Investigations - % Cnst - Draft

Recordkeeping NEP

• CPL 02-09-08 Effective 30 Sep 09• Pilot program test to determine whether

injuries and illnesses are under recorded• Focused primarily on designated

industries with highest incident rates involving nonfatal days away, restricted or job transfer (DART) with a rate between 5.7 and 8.1

GHS

• Proposal to modify the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) to align with provisions of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS)

• The HCS requires chemical manufacturers and importers to evaluate the chemicals they produce or import and provide hazard information to downstream employers and workers by putting labels on containers and preparing MSDSs

GHS

• Under the current HCS all employers must have a HCS program for exposed workers including container labels, safety date sheets, and training

• The GHS will increase the quality and consistency of information by adopting a standardized approach to hazard classification, labels, and safety data

GHS

• The GHS provides a single set of harmonized criteria for classifying chemicals according to health and physical hazards and specifies hazard communication elements for labeling and safety data sheets

• Under GHS, labels would include signal words, pictograms, and hazard and precautionary statements and safety data sheets would have a standardized format

GHS – Major Proposed Changes to HCS

– Hazard classification – Specific criteria for classification of health and physical hazards as well as classification of mixtures

– Labels – Manufacturers and importers to provide label that includes harmonized signal word, pictogram, and hazard statement for ach hazard class and category. Precautionary statements must be provided

– Safety data sheets – Specified 16 section format– Information and training – GHS does not address but

proposed HCS will require worker training on the new requirements within 2 years of final rule publication

H1N1 Related Inspections

• A compliance directive will be issued to ensure uniform procedures when conducting inspections to identify and minimize or eliminate high to very high risk occupational exposures to H1N1

• Directive will closely follow the CDCs Interim Guidance on Infection Control Measures for 2009 H1N1 Influenza in healthcare Settings, Including Protection of Healthcare Personnel

H1N1 Related Inspections

• In response to complaints inspectors will ensure healthcare employers implement a hierarchy of controls, including source control, engineering, and administrative measures, encourage vaccination, and other CDC recommended work practices

• Respirators, when required, must follow OSHA respiratory standard including worker training and fit testing

H1N1 Related Inspections

• CDC recommendation of respirator at least as effective as a fit tested disposable N95 respirator for healthcare workers in close contact (within 6 feet) of patients with suspected or confirmed H1N1

• If respirators are not commercially available an employer could be in compliance if good faith efforts have been shown to acquire them

Where is OSHA Located?

Houston North Area Office507 N. Sam Houston Pkwy E. Ste. 400Houston, TX 77060

281-591-2438Houston South Area Office

17625 El Camino Real #400Houston, TX 77058281-286-0583