Introduction to OSHAIntroduction to OSHA

YouthBuild Kick-off Conference January 30, 2008

““The Important Stuff”The Important Stuff”

ScheduleSchedule RestroomsRestrooms Emergency exits and mustering pointEmergency exits and mustering point Cell phonesCell phones

What is OSHA?What is OSHA?

OOccupational ccupational SSafety and afety and HHealth ealth AAdministrationdministration

Responsible for worker safety and Responsible for worker safety and health protectionhealth protection

Is there a need for OSHA?Is there a need for OSHA?

Nearly 6,000 workplace fatalitiesNearly 6,000 workplace fatalities 50,000 deaths from workplace-related 50,000 deaths from workplace-related

illnesses illnesses 5.7 million non-fatal workplace injuries5.7 million non-fatal workplace injuries Injuries alone cost U.S. businesses over $125 Injuries alone cost U.S. businesses over $125

billionbillion

Each year...Each year...

Source - OSHA Publication 2056Source - OSHA Publication 2056

Has OSHA Made a Difference?Has OSHA Made a Difference?

Helped cut the work-related fatality rate in halfHelped cut the work-related fatality rate in half Worked with employers and employees to reduce Worked with employers and employees to reduce

workplace injuries and illnesses by 40%workplace injuries and illnesses by 40% Virtually eliminated brown lung disease in the textile Virtually eliminated brown lung disease in the textile

industry, andindustry, and Reduced trenching and excavation fatalities by 35%Reduced trenching and excavation fatalities by 35%

YES!

Since 1970 OSHA has:

What does OSHA do?What does OSHA do?

Encourages employers and employees to reduce Encourages employers and employees to reduce workplace hazards and implement new or workplace hazards and implement new or improve existing safety and health programsimprove existing safety and health programs

Develops and enforces mandatory job safety and Develops and enforces mandatory job safety and health standardshealth standards

Maintains a reporting and recordkeeping system Maintains a reporting and recordkeeping system to monitor job-related injuries and illnessesto monitor job-related injuries and illnesses

Provides assistance, training and other support Provides assistance, training and other support programs to help employers and workersprograms to help employers and workers

Who is covered by the OSH Act?Who is covered by the OSH Act?

Most private sector employeesMost private sector employees Coverage is provided directly by federal Coverage is provided directly by federal

OSHA or through an OSHA-approved state OSHA or through an OSHA-approved state programprogram

Does not cover the self-employed or Does not cover the self-employed or immediate members of farm families that do immediate members of farm families that do not employ outside workersnot employ outside workers

OSHA StandardsOSHA Standards

OSHA develops and enforces standards that OSHA develops and enforces standards that employers must follow.employers must follow.

Where OSHA does not have standards, employers Where OSHA does not have standards, employers are responsible for following the OSH Act's General are responsible for following the OSH Act's General Duty Clause.Duty Clause.

States with OSHA-approved programs must set States with OSHA-approved programs must set standards standards at least as effectiveat least as effective as federal standards. as federal standards.

What does OSHA Require?What does OSHA Require?

Determine which standards apply to your Determine which standards apply to your workplaceworkplace

Follow the OSHA standards and Follow the OSHA standards and requirementsrequirements

What are workers’ responsibilities?What are workers’ responsibilities? Read the OSHA posterRead the OSHA poster Follow the employer’s safety and health rules Follow the employer’s safety and health rules

and wear or use all required gear and equipmentand wear or use all required gear and equipment Follow safe work practices for your job, as Follow safe work practices for your job, as

directed by your employerdirected by your employer Report hazardous conditions to a supervisor or Report hazardous conditions to a supervisor or

safety committeesafety committee Report hazardous conditions to OSHA, if Report hazardous conditions to OSHA, if

employers do not fix thememployers do not fix them Cooperate with OSHA inspectorsCooperate with OSHA inspectors

(see OSHA Workers' web page for more information)

What are workers’ rights?What are workers’ rights? Identify and correct problems in their workplaces, Identify and correct problems in their workplaces,

working with their employers whenever possibleworking with their employers whenever possible Complain to OSHA about workplace conditions Complain to OSHA about workplace conditions

threatening their health or safety in person, by threatening their health or safety in person, by telephone, by fax, by mail or electronically through telephone, by fax, by mail or electronically through OSHA’s web siteOSHA’s web site

Section 11(c) of the OSH Act gives workers the right Section 11(c) of the OSH Act gives workers the right to seek safe and healthful conditions on the job to seek safe and healthful conditions on the job without being disciplined or firedwithout being disciplined or fired

(see OSHA Workers' web page for more information)

OSHA Workers' PageOSHA Workers' Page

www.osha.gov/as/opa/worker/index.html

What are employers’ rights &What are employers’ rights & responsibilities? responsibilities?

Employers must provide a safe and healthful workplace free of Employers must provide a safe and healthful workplace free of recognized hazards and follow the OSHA standardsrecognized hazards and follow the OSHA standards

The OSH Act grants employers important rights, particularly during and The OSH Act grants employers important rights, particularly during and after an OSHA inspectionafter an OSHA inspection

Employers must provide training, medical examinations and Employers must provide training, medical examinations and recordkeepingrecordkeeping

Competent Person in ConstructionCompetent Person in Construction• A person who;A person who;

Knows the right standard,Knows the right standard, Can identify hazards in the operation, andCan identify hazards in the operation, and Is designated by the employer, and has the authority to take appropriate Is designated by the employer, and has the authority to take appropriate

actions.actions.• "Competent Person" is found in many standards."Competent Person" is found in many standards.• Some standards set specific requirements for the "competent person."Some standards set specific requirements for the "competent person."

Workplace InspectionsWorkplace Inspections

• Establishments covered by the OSH Act are subject to Establishments covered by the OSH Act are subject to inspection by OSHA compliance safety and health inspection by OSHA compliance safety and health officers (CSHO's)officers (CSHO's)

• Most inspections are conducted without advance noticeMost inspections are conducted without advance notice

What Types of Hazards are What Types of Hazards are Addressed in Standards?Addressed in Standards?

ElectricalElectrical CranesCranes FallsFalls ExcavationExcavation

Scaffolding

Machines

Stairways & Ladders

Chemical

The OSH Act of 1970The OSH Act of 1970

Section 5(b) - Follow the written rules.Section 5(b) - Follow the written rules. Section 5(a)(1) - “General Duty Section 5(a)(1) - “General Duty

Clause.”Clause.” Fix what you can know is broken.Fix what you can know is broken. Each employer shall furnish a place of Each employer shall furnish a place of

employment which is free of serious, employment which is free of serious, recognizable hazards to the health and recognizable hazards to the health and safety of their employees.safety of their employees.

Inspection Types IInspection Types I

Programmed Inspections (industry Programmed Inspections (industry problem)problem) Random selection by computer reportRandom selection by computer report Special emphasis programs based on Special emphasis programs based on

kinds of hazards in a line of workkinds of hazards in a line of work Comprehensive with chance of “Focus”Comprehensive with chance of “Focus”

Inspection Types IIInspection Types II

Unprogrammed inspections (site problem)Unprogrammed inspections (site problem) Accidents: fatalities or catastrophes (3 or Accidents: fatalities or catastrophes (3 or

more people admitted to the hospital)more people admitted to the hospital) Complaints: signed by current employee or Complaints: signed by current employee or

“phone & fax” ignored by the employer“phone & fax” ignored by the employer Referral: notice of a hazard by a credible Referral: notice of a hazard by a credible

safety professional or confirmed report from safety professional or confirmed report from the media or by another government agencythe media or by another government agency

InspectionsInspections

Compliance Safety and Health Officers Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHOs) work for the Secretary of Labor (CSHOs) work for the Secretary of Labor to:to: enter without delay and at reasonable enter without delay and at reasonable

times any work place;times any work place; inspect and investigate during regular inspect and investigate during regular

working hours and at other reasonable working hours and at other reasonable times,times,

and to perform their work within reasonable and to perform their work within reasonable limits and in a reasonable manner.limits and in a reasonable manner.

Employer may Qualify for Employer may Qualify for "Focused Inspection""Focused Inspection"

Has to meet certain conditionsHas to meet certain conditions Inspector will "focus" on these four hazard Inspector will "focus" on these four hazard

areas:areas: FallsFalls Struck byStruck by Caught in/betweenCaught in/between Electrical Electrical

Inspection ProcessInspection Process

CSHO displays official CSHO displays official credentialscredentials

Opening conferenceOpening conference Walk-around inspectionWalk-around inspection Closing conferenceClosing conference

Inside an Inspection: The Inside an Inspection: The OpeningOpening

At the Opening Conference, CSHOs:At the Opening Conference, CSHOs: Present their credentials to the highest Present their credentials to the highest

ranking management official - and ranking management official - and everyone else smart enough to ask.everyone else smart enough to ask.

Explain the general “Nature and Scope” Explain the general “Nature and Scope” of the inspection - why they’re there of the inspection - why they’re there and where they intend to look.and where they intend to look.

More on the Opening More on the Opening ConferenceConference

Subcontractors should be invited to Subcontractors should be invited to the opening conference if the the opening conference if the inspection will include their work inspection will include their work areas.areas.

Employees who are members of a Employees who are members of a union must be allowed to have a union must be allowed to have a representative present during the representative present during the opening conference.opening conference.

Inside the Inspection: The Walk-Inside the Inspection: The Walk-

AroundAround The physical inspection of the workplace The physical inspection of the workplace

is called the Walk-around. is called the Walk-around. Employers should always have a Employers should always have a

representative walk with the CSHO.representative walk with the CSHO. Authorized reps for employees also Authorized reps for employees also

have the right to be on the walk-around. have the right to be on the walk-around. The CSHO decides how to do the walk. The CSHO decides how to do the walk.

More on the Walk- AroundMore on the Walk- Around

CSHOs have the authority to:CSHOs have the authority to: Take photographs and site samples Take photographs and site samples

related to the purpose of the inspection.related to the purpose of the inspection. Privately interview any employee.Privately interview any employee.

CSHOs have a duty to:CSHOs have a duty to: Be fair, thorough and reasonable in the Be fair, thorough and reasonable in the

time and manner of inspection.time and manner of inspection. To not create hazards or labor problems.To not create hazards or labor problems.

Inside an Inspection: More Inside an Inspection: More InfoInfo

Records ReviewRecords Review Injury and illness Injury and illness

recordsrecords Safety plansSafety plans ContractsContracts Training recordsTraining records

ResearchResearch Manufacturer’s infoManufacturer’s info Industry practicesIndustry practices OSHA policyOSHA policy Reviewing other Reviewing other

contractor’s contractor’s programsprograms

Inside an Inspection:Closing Inside an Inspection:Closing ConferenceConference

A Closing Conference is held at the end A Closing Conference is held at the end of an inspection for all representatives.of an inspection for all representatives. If more research is needed, a Preliminary If more research is needed, a Preliminary

Closing is still given to list concerns so Closing is still given to list concerns so employers can fix any problems right away.employers can fix any problems right away.

Closings are a chance to ask questions or to Closings are a chance to ask questions or to speak up if folks think the CSHO speak up if folks think the CSHO misunderstood the situation.misunderstood the situation.

What Happens After What Happens After an OSHA Inspection?an OSHA Inspection?

OSHA may or may not issue citationsOSHA may or may not issue citations Citations inform employer and employees of the Citations inform employer and employees of the

regulations and standards allegedly violated and regulations and standards allegedly violated and of the proposed time for abatement of the proposed time for abatement

Employer must post a copy of each citation at or Employer must post a copy of each citation at or near place where violation occurred, for 3 days near place where violation occurred, for 3 days or until violation is corrected, whichever is or until violation is corrected, whichever is longer longer

CitationsCitations

Other than seriousOther than serious SeriousSerious RepeatRepeat WillfulWillful EgregiousEgregious

Recordkeeping and ReportingRecordkeeping and Reporting

• Employers of 11 or more Employers of 11 or more employees must maintain employees must maintain records of occupational records of occupational injuries and illnessesinjuries and illnesses

• AllAll employers must display the OSHA employers must display the OSHA poster, and report to OSHA within 8 hours poster, and report to OSHA within 8 hours any accident that results in a fatality or in-any accident that results in a fatality or in-patient hospitalization of 3 or more patient hospitalization of 3 or more employeesemployees

Recordkeeping FormsRecordkeeping Forms

Maintained on a Maintained on a calendar year basiscalendar year basis

Summary of records Summary of records for the previous year for the previous year must be posted from must be posted from February through February through April April

Recordkeeping: The 300 LogRecordkeeping: The 300 Log

Each employer shall:Each employer shall: Keep a log and summary of all Keep a log and summary of all

recordable injuries and illnesses (Form recordable injuries and illnesses (Form 300).300).

Enter each recordable injury and illness Enter each recordable injury and illness on the log and summary no later than 6 on the log and summary no later than 6 working days after receiving information working days after receiving information that a recordable injury or illness has that a recordable injury or illness has occurred.occurred.

Reporting AccidentsReporting Accidents

If there is a death or catastrophe If there is a death or catastrophe (hospitalization of three or more (hospitalization of three or more employees) as the result of a single employees) as the result of a single work-related incident, the employer work-related incident, the employer must call and report the event to OSHA.must call and report the event to OSHA. Calls must be made within 8 hours.Calls must be made within 8 hours. Calls can be placed to the National Hotline Calls can be placed to the National Hotline

at 1-800-321-OSHA. Know the area’s zip at 1-800-321-OSHA. Know the area’s zip code. code.

Sources of AssistanceSources of Assistance• OSHA web site (www.osha.gov)OSHA web site (www.osha.gov)• Consultation assistanceConsultation assistance• Federal and State area officesFederal and State area offices

Speakers, publications, a/v aids, Speakers, publications, a/v aids, technical advicetechnical advice

• Training and educationTraining and education OSHA Training Institute (OTI) and the OSHA Training Institute (OTI) and the

OTI Education CentersOTI Education Centers OSHA Outreach Training ProgramOSHA Outreach Training Program

• OSHA Office of State ProgramsOSHA Office of State Programs• Voluntary Protection ProgramsVoluntary Protection Programs

OSHA Web SiteOSHA Web Site(www.osha.gov)(www.osha.gov)

About OSHA (events, what’s new . . .)About OSHA (events, what’s new . . .) Compliance Assistance (regulations, Compliance Assistance (regulations,

directives, consultation, eTools, training . . .)directives, consultation, eTools, training . . .) Cooperative Programs (VPP, partnerships …)Cooperative Programs (VPP, partnerships …) News Room (publications, news releases . . .)News Room (publications, news releases . . .) Safety / Health Topics (technical links to Safety / Health Topics (technical links to

various topics)various topics) Statistics (Inspection data, BLS survey link ...)Statistics (Inspection data, BLS survey link ...)

Where to Get OSHA Where to Get OSHA StandardsStandards

Federal Register in public Federal Register in public libraries or at GPO web sitelibraries or at GPO web site

CD-ROM subscription through CD-ROM subscription through U.S. Government Printing Office U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO)(GPO)

Code of Federal Regulations Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) in public libraries and (CFR) in public libraries and through GPOthrough GPO

OSHA web site - OSHA OSHA web site - OSHA standards, interpretations, standards, interpretations, directives (www.osha.gov)directives (www.osha.gov)

Consultation AssistanceConsultation Assistance Provided at no cost Provided at no cost Developed for smaller employers with more Developed for smaller employers with more

hazardous operationshazardous operations Delivered by state government agencies or Delivered by state government agencies or

universities employing professional safety universities employing professional safety and health consultantsand health consultants

No penalties are proposed or citations No penalties are proposed or citations issuedissued

Possible violations of OSHA standards are Possible violations of OSHA standards are not reported to OSHA enforcement staff not reported to OSHA enforcement staff unless employer fails to eliminate or control unless employer fails to eliminate or control any serious hazard or imminent dangerany serious hazard or imminent danger

OSHA Emergency Hot-LineOSHA Emergency Hot-Line1-800-321-OSHA1-800-321-OSHA

• Report workplace safety or health fatalities Report workplace safety or health fatalities or the hospitalization of 3 or more or the hospitalization of 3 or more employeesemployees• Report a workplace hazardReport a workplace hazard• File a complaint about a workplace hazard File a complaint about a workplace hazard • Request information on OSHARequest information on OSHA• Request an OSHA publicationRequest an OSHA publication

SummarySummary OSHA helps save lives and prevent OSHA helps save lives and prevent

injuriesinjuries OSHA balances a cooperative approach OSHA balances a cooperative approach

with traditional enforcementwith traditional enforcement OSHA standards are the enforceable OSHA standards are the enforceable

requirements for worker safety and healthrequirements for worker safety and health Inspections are OSHA’s way to ensure Inspections are OSHA’s way to ensure

compliancecompliance OSHA offers various means of assistanceOSHA offers various means of assistance