OSHA announces that the notice of proposed rulemaking for respirable silica.

Rulemaking for respirable silica has been published in the Federal Register.

WASHINGTON – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced that the notice of proposed rulemaking for respirable crystalline silica has published in the Federal Register. 

              

OSHA invites and strongly encourages the public to participate in the process of developing a final rule through written comments and participation in public hearings.

The public will have until Dec. 11, 2013, to submit written comments on the proposed rule.

Hearings on the proposed silica rule are scheduled to begin on March 4, 2014 at the Department of Labor’s Frances Perkins Building in Washington, DC. Members of the public who wish to participate in public hearings must submit a notice of intention to appear by Nov. 12, 2013.

Additional information on the proposed rule, including five fact sheets, and procedures for submitting written comments and participating in public hearings is available at http://www.osha.gov/silica/index.html.

See the Federal Register notice to read the notice of proposed rulemaking.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

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On the Job Toolbox Talks - Trenching and Excavation

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the United States between 2000 and 2009, 350 workers died in excavation or trench collapses. Trenching operations usually include water, sewer, pipeline, communications or power line construction. One study indicated 64% of fatalities occurred in excavations of less than 10 feet (3 meters). In addition to collapses, trenching operation hazards include: falls; falling objects from above and hazardous atmospheres. Prior to any trenching or excavation, local utility companies should be contacted to locate and identify any underground cables, pipes, tunnels or tanks that may be in the excavation area. “Pot-hole” to determine their exact location prior to digging.

Trench Depths
• Less than 5 feet (1.5 meters) - A competent person should review the excavation soil and plans and determine if a protective system as described below is required.
• 5 feet (1.5 meters) to less than 20 feet (6.1 meters) - a protective system must be in place unless a competent person has determined that the excavation is entirely in solid, stable rock with no potential for cave-in.
• 20 feet or greater – a protective system designed and approved by a registered professional engineer must be installed.

Competent Person
A person trained in trenching and excavation safety should inspect the excavation daily. The inspection should berepeated if conditions change (e.g. after rain fall, freeze/thaw weather changes). The competent person should be
authorized to order immediate corrective action, including restricting entry into the excavation, until any hazards orpotential hazards have been eliminated.

Protective Systems to prevent cave-ins
• Benching – excavating the sides of an excavation to form one or more horizontal levels or steps (1)
• Sloping – Cutting back the trench wall at an angle away from the excavation. (2)
• Shoring – Installing a support system of using materials such as posts, beams, planking and hydraulic jacks tosupport or “shore up” the sides of the excavation. (3)
• Shielding - Using trench boxes or similar enclosures to prevent cave-ins. (4)
• Refer to ANSI A12.10-1998 for specific design requirements.

Other safety requirements
• Keep heavy equipment away from the sides of the excavation
• Keep spoils piles at least 2 feet (1 meter) away from the trench edge. (5)
• For excavations deeper than 4 feet – conduct air monitoring similar to confined space entry – oxygen,combustibles, and toxic gases/vapors.
• Ladders, steps, or ramps must be provided for safe exiting from the trench. An exit point must always be within
25 feet of all workers at all times. These may need to be continuously relocated as the job progresses. (6)
• Ensure workers are trained on work hazards and proper work practices.
• Develop a trench emergency action plan and train workers and supervisors on the proper actions to take in an
emergency.

View Steps 1-6  

[MORE]

Why Accidents Occur

Every accident is caused by a breakdown in one of four areas: the worker, the tools used, the materials used, or the methods used. Often there is a breakdown in at least two areas; one being the worker and the other coming from one of the three other areas. The accident’s cause usually results from an unsafe act or an unsafe condition. Here is a review of some types of unsafe acts, the results from, and unsafe conditions.

Guide for Discussion On the Job.

Types of Unsafe Acts:
Operating a tool or some equipment without authority.
Working at an unsafe speed.
Using unsafe or defective equipment or using equipment in an unsafe manner.
Disconnecting safety devices.
Unsafe unloading, placing or mixing materials.
Assuming an unsafe position or posture.
Working on moving equipment.
Horseplay or distractions; taking shortcuts.
Failure to wear and use personal protective equipment.

Unsafe Acts Result From:
An improper attitude.
Lack of knowledge or skills.
Reduced mental or physical capacities.

Unsafe Conditions:
Improper guarding.
Defective equipment or materials.
Unsafe working procedures.
Improper housekeeping.
Poor lighting or ventilation.
Improper personal attire (Poor dress).
No or improper evaluation of site conditions.

Information provided by: Washington State Dept. of Labor & Industries

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US Department of Labor’s OSHA announces proposed rule to protect workers exposed to crystalline silica.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced a proposed rule aimed at curbing lung cancer, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and kidney disease in America’s workers. The proposal seeks to lower worker exposure to crystalline silica, which kills hundreds of workers and sickens thousands more each year. After publication of the proposal, the public will have 90 days to submit written comments, followed by public hearings.

“Exposure to silica can be deadly, and limiting that exposure is essential,” said Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health. “Every year, exposed workers not only lose their ability to work, but also to breathe. This proposal is expected to prevent thousands of deaths from silicosis—an incurable and progressive disease—as well as lung cancer, other respiratory diseases and kidney disease. We’re looking forward to public comment on the proposal.”

Once the full effects of the rule are realized, OSHA estimates that the proposed rule would result in saving nearly 700 lives per year and prevent 1,600 new cases of silicosis annually.

Exposure to airborne silica dust occurs in operations involving cutting, sawing, drilling and crushing of concrete, brick, block and other stone products and in operations using sand products, such as in glass manufacturing, foundries and sand blasting.

The proposal is based on extensive review of scientific and technical evidence, consideration of current industry consensus standards and outreach by OSHA to stakeholders, including public stakeholder meetings, conferences and meetings with employer and employee organizations.

“The proposed rule uses common sense measures that will protect workers’ lives and lungs—like keeping the material wet so dust doesn’t become airborne,” added Michaels. “It is designed to give employers flexibility in selecting ways to meet the standard.”

The proposed rulemaking includes two separate standards—one for general industry and maritime employment, and one for construction.

The agency currently enforces 40-year-old permissible exposure limits (PELs) for crystalline silica in general industry, construction and shipyards that are outdated, inconsistent between industries and do not adequately protect worker health. The proposed rule brings protections into the 21st century. 

The proposed rule includes a new exposure limit for respirable crystalline silica and details widely used methods for controlling worker exposure, conducting medical surveillance, training workers about silica-related hazards and recordkeeping measures. 

OSHA rulemaking relies heavily on input from the public and the agency will conduct extensive engagement to garner feedback from the public through both written and oral comments. OSHA will accept public comments on the proposed rule for 90 days following publication in the Federal Register, followed by public hearings. Once public hearings conclude, members of the public who filed a notice of intention to appear can then submit additional post-hearing comments. Additional information on the proposed rule, including a video; procedures for submitting comments and the public hearings can be found at www.osha.gov/silica.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.                                                                        
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Free construction safety classes in Spanish

Location:

Obrero Latino

(Latino Worker Resource Center)

Construction Safety Council

4100 Madison Street

Hillside, IL 60162

Friday-August 30

Scaffold Hazard Awareness

Peligros de los andamios

8-Noon

Saturday - August 31

WorkZone/Flagger Hazard Awareness

Zona de trabajo-Abanderados

8-Noon

Call 1-888-595-5972

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