OSHA Training News Update
June 16, 2021
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An Effective Rescue Plan Protects Workers in Confined Spaces
Have you considered the accident that you haven’t planned for?
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The number of jobsite fatalities in confined spaces as well as the number of rescuers who are dying attempting rescues in confined spaces continue to be on the rise. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 1,030 workers died from occupational injuries involving a confined space from 2011 to 2018 (the most recent year for which data is available), with annual figures ranging from a low of 88 to a high of 166.
Although OSHA has recognized and implemented standards that address working in confined spaces, OSHA provides minimum regulatory standards to address confined space entries. Are these standards sufficient to provide the highest level of worker safety? Should employers be content with simply following the minimum acceptable standard? As a longtime safety professional, I believe it is critical to realize that, while existing standards set the bar at the minimum, our focus should be on implementing best safety practices that will assure the health and safety of employees working in confined spaces.
Best safety practices would outline definitive criteria for an effective on-site confined space program. Part of that on-site specific program should include an effective rescue plan and procedures. It is critical that employers establish on-site rescue procedures that are specific not only to the site but to each specific confined space. Space specific procedures are an integral part of an effective and successful confined space entry and rescue program.
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Learn to recognize, evaluate, prevent and abate safety and health hazards associated with confined space entry. This 3-day course covers the recognition of confined space hazards, basic info about instrumentation to evaluate atmospheric hazards, and ventilation techniques, and features practice with permit entry classification and program evaluation.
June 28-30, 2021
In-Person
Sacramento, CA
We follow physical distancing and other safety protocols.
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OSHA Confined Spaces Advisor provides guidance to help employers protect workers from the hazards of entry into permit-required confined spaces. The Advisor will help you determine if a space is covered by OSHA's Permit-Required Confined Spaces regulation. Learn More
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Meet Instructor Michael Estep |
Dr. Michael S. Estep, OSHP.CSMP.CSM.LSP.PhD., has 24 years experience in the field of safety compliance, fire protection, emergency medical services , hazardous materials and incident command. He has worked in both general and construction industry safety and compliance as well as in the specialty areas of hazardous materials and confined space entry/rescue. Mike teaches OSHA #2264-Permit Required Confined Space Entry as well as other OSHA courses through the OSHA Training Institute Education Center.
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Eye and Face Protection a Key Part of OSHA's General Industry PPE Requirements |
Thousands of people are blinded each year from work-related eye injuries that could have been prevented with the proper selection and use of eye and face protection. OSHA requires employers to provide eye and face protection when necessary to protect against chemical, environmental, radiological or mechanical irritants and hazards. Personal protective equipment (PPE) for the eyes and face is designed to prevent or lessen the severity of injuries to workers when engineering or administrative controls are not feasible or effective in reducing these exposures to acceptable levels.
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OSHA’s General Industry Standards Require Employers to Provide PPE |
Employers are required by OSHA’s General Industry Standards to assess their workplace to determine if hazards are present (or likely to be present) which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). If the workplace assessment indicates hazardous conditions, the employer must provide workers with the appropriate PPE that will protect them from the hazards identified in the assessment. Categories of protection that are common in many workplaces include eyes and face, feet, head, respiratory and fall protection.
PPE for eyes, face, head, and extremities, protective clothing, respiratory devices, hearing protection and protective shields and barriers, must be provided, used and maintained in a sanitary and reliable condition when there is a hazard from processes or environment, chemical hazards, radiological hazards, or mechanical irritants that may cause injury or illness to workers through absorption, inhalation or physical contact.
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OSHA Supports Trench Safety Month |
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During Trench Safety Month, OSHA wants to help educate employers and workers on how to prevent more loss of life. The annual Trench Safety Stand Down, June 14-18, is a great time to learn more about trenching hazards and how to keep workers safe.
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This 4-day course covers OSHA policies, procedures and standards, and construction safety and health principles, and is the prerequisite to OSHA #500-Trainer Course for the Construction Industry. Topics include scope and application of OSHA construction standards, with special emphasis on the most hazardous areas, using OSHA standards as a guide.
June 28-July 1, 2021
Virtual, Instructor-Led (via Zoom)
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In Region IX OSHA numbered Virtual, Instructor-Led classes offered via Zoom are only available to participants located in California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa and the Northern Mariana Islands. Contact us if you are unsure if this applies to you.
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OSHA Issues Emergency Temporary Standard to Protect Health Care Workers from the Coronavirus |
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OSHA has issued an emergency temporary standard to protect healthcare workers from contracting coronavirus. The standard focuses on healthcare workers most likely to have contact with someone infected with the virus. OSHA announced the new standard alongside new general industry guidance, both of which are aligned with CDC guidance.
The health care emergency temporary standard is aimed at protecting workers facing the highest hazards—those working in health care settings where suspected or confirmed coronavirus patients are treated, including employees in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities; emergency responders; home health care workers; and workers in ambulatory settings where suspected or confirmed coronavirus patients are treated.
The standard will require non-exempt facilities to conduct a hazard assessment and have a written plan to mitigate virus spread and requires health care employers to provide some employees with N95 respirators or other personal protective equipment. In addition, covered employers must ensure 6 feet of distance between workers. In situations where this is not possible, employers should erect barriers between employees where feasible.
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Choose 10- or 30-Hr. Construction, 10-Hr. General Industry, transportation training and more. Visit our OSHA Training Portal.
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WE'VE MOVED!
Don't forget to
update your records
NEW ADDRESS
5860 Owens Drive
3rd Floor
Pleasanton, CA 94588
Phone: 866-936-6742
Fax: 925-460-0133
E-Mail
Website
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We are still primarily working remotely, but we are available to respond to your inquiries by email or phone (phone inquiries will be answered within 24 hours).
The recommendations in this newsletter are advisory in nature, informational in content, and intended to assist employers in providing a safe and healthful workplace.
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