Last month, OSHA’s administrator for Region VII issued a press release announcing the agency’s intention to counter the increase in work-related fatalities in Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. During the current fiscal year (Oct17-Sep18), OSHA has investigated 34 fatalities in these states. Sadly, that number has continued to rise in the weeks since the press release was issued. What can we learn from this announcement?
OSHA
OSHA suspends and may delete requirement to electronically submit detailed injury/illness data
By Brad Hiles & Avi Meyerstein on
Yesterday (July 30), OSHA published a proposed rule to amend its Injury & Illness Record-keeping standard, 29 CFR Part 1904. OSHA proposes two significant changes that address long-standing industry concerns.
What happens to safety agencies under plan to merge with Department of Education?
By Avi Meyerstein on
by Julia Banegas
How would the Trump administration’s government reorganization plan affect highly technical workplace safety programs, such as OSHA and MSHA? Part of the plan, announced June 21, 2018, proposes merging the Department of Labor (where OSHA and MSHA sit) and the Department Education into a new agency named the “Department of Education and the Workforce.”
OSHA silica rule takes effect this week with 30-day grace period
By Avi Meyerstein on
Posted in Enforcement updates, OSHA
OSHA’s new final silica rule that dramatically reduces allowable exposures to respirable crystalline silica takes effect this week for most employers. In particular, the rule kicks in on June 23, 2018 for employers in general industry, maritime companies, and hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) in the oil and gas industry (for fracking, engineering controls still do not take effect until June 2021).
With no chief in place, OSHA rulemaking plans grow
By Avi Meyerstein on
Posted in OSHA, Rulemaking news
by Leah Kaiser
Nearly 18 months into the new administration, OSHA still has no confirmed leader. The nominee, Scott Mugno, awaits Senate confirmation. Nonetheless, OSHA’s regulatory agenda marches on with several rules moving from “long-term” to “short-term” priorities.
OSHA and industry mark National Forklift Safety Day
By Avi Meyerstein on
Posted in Compliance tips, OSHA
Today, OSHA and industry observe National Forklift Safety Day to raise awareness about the the importance of powered industrial truck safety. In anticipation, OSHA is promoting its extensive online forklift safety resources.
OSHA seeking to limit injury records employers must submit electronically
By Avi Meyerstein on
Posted in OSHA, Rulemaking news
OSHA has begun rulemaking efforts that could limit how much injury and illness information employers must submit electronically under a 2016 rule. Under the proposed changes, employers would only have to submit to OSHA the annual summary of injuries and illnesses, rather than also submitting logs and reports detailing each incident.
Thought you were off the hook? Now, employers in state plan states must submit OSHA injury data, too.
By Avi Meyerstein on
Posted in Compliance tips, OSHA
When a number of states with their own OSHA plans had not implemented new regulations similar to OSHA’s 2016 injury and illness electronic reporting rule, many employers in those states believed they would simply be off the hook until the states caught up. Based on a recent notice, OSHA disagrees.
Top 10 OSHA construction penalties under Trump administration: $271k to more than $1.5m
By Avi Meyerstein on
Posted in Enforcement updates, OSHA
Kim Slowey of Construction Dive reviews the top 10 OSHA penalties in construction under the Trump administration. She notes that while the new OSHA’s news releases may be toned down from the prior administration’s, “that doesn’t mean OSHA stopped citing and fining companies.”
Need an OSHA-authorized trainer? Check out OSHA’s new online database.
By Avi Meyerstein on
Posted in Compliance tips, OSHA
Need an authorized instructor to train your team? OSHA has launched a new online database of trainers who provide 10-hour and 30-hour OSHA outreach training courses. The site (available here) is searchable by location and provides contact information to email or call each trainer.