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2014Ebola workplace safety: 7 prevention steps
OSHA has teamed up with other state health agencies to release recommendations that will help protect workers from Ebola. Workers in certain professions could potentially be exposed to Ebola. These include: ◾healthcare workers ◾emergency responders ◾laboratory staff ◾death care workers ◾airline crews and airport staff, and ◾quarantine operations staff. The safety recommendations urge employers to: ◾Make sure workers who are at risk of Ebola exposure…
16
2014The Seven Worst Things to Find in Your Refrigerator or Ice Machine
Health inspectors get to see the worst of the worst when it comes to commercial kitchens. They see the little extras that are left behind the refrigerator, they notice the smells in the walk-in freezers, and they notice the slime inside of the ice bin. We’ve taken our cues from the health inspectors and compiled some of the worst things that you can find. 1….
10
2014OSHA seeks new approach to hazardous chemicals
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is launching a national dialogue with chemical manufacturers and users on methods to prevent illnesses caused by workplace exposure to hazardous substances, the agency has announced. OSHA Administrator David Michaels unveiled the program in a teleconference Oct. 9. Further details of the program—including a 180-day comment period—will be released in a notice soon to be published in the Federal…
06
2014Chronic complainer… What would you do?
Here’s a challenging scenario you could face in the workplace: A 20-year employee is a good worker and follows all the safety procedures but complains about it constantly. It’s hurting safety morale, and employees are fed up, the complainer is poisoning safety morality. What would you do or say?
02
2014Proposed Rule : Drug history database for commercial Drivers
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) wants to make it easier for companies to find out if a commercial driver has past drug or alcohol violations. But the rule includes a requirement for employers as well. The agency issued a proposed rule that would create a “drug and alcohol clearinghouse” for all commercially licensed drivers. Companies would be required to search the online database…
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2014Workers in the marijuana industry face unique safety concerns
The marijuana industry comes with its own unique set of safety hazards, Washington OSHA Implementing preventative safety measures in this emerging industry will help to combat potential hazards as they arise. OSHA has compiled a series of issues for employees who work with marijuana to look out for. The lists cover all types of jobs, from producers and growers to processors and retailers. Producers and…
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2014How To File A Complaint & Request OSHA inspection
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 gives employees and their representatives the right to file a complaint and request an OSHA inspection of their workplace if they believe there is a serious hazard or their employer is not following OSHA standards. The Act gives complainants the right to request that their names not be revealed to their employers. Complaints from employees and their…
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2014Whistleblowing Protection
OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection Program enforces the whistleblower provisions of more than twenty whistleblower statutes protecting employees who report violations of various workplace safety, airline, commercial motor carrier, consumer product, environmental, financial reform, food safety, health insurance reform, motor vehicle safety, nuclear, pipeline, public transportation agency, railroad, maritime, and securities laws. Rights afforded by these whistleblower acts include, but are not limited to, worker participation in…
17
2014OSHA announces top 10 violations of 2014
1. Fall protection – 6,143 2. Hazard Communication – 5,161 3. Scaffolding – 4,029 4. Respiratory Protection – 3,223 5. Lockout/Tagout – 2,704 6. Powered Industrial Trucks – 2,662 7. Electrical – Wiring Methods – 2,490 8. Ladders – 2,448 9. Machine Guarding – 2,200 10. Electrical – General Requirements – 2,056 Looking to train employees on these hazards and make sure your organization is…
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2014OSHA updates recordkeeping rule: What’s changed
OSHA announced a final rule updating the agency’s recordkeeping regs, specifically updating when a workplace injury resulting in hospitalization must be reported. As reported yesterday, the updated standard – Occupational Injury and Illness Recording and Reporting Requirements – NAICS Update and Reporting Revisions — got the OK from the Office of Management and Budget. Today, OSHA announced the final rule, which takes effect Jan. 1,…