In a recent letter to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on the proposed “Walking-Working Surfaces and Personal Protective Equipment” rule (29 CFR, Part 1910), the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) urged OSHA to utilize existing fall standards and the voluntary consensus standards process widely used in industry as it develops the new rule.

Last April, The Compliance Resource Center reported that NIOSH, OSHA and NHCA (National Hearing Conservation Assoication), recently signed and agreement  to help prevent work-related hearing loss.
Now researchers at NIOSH’s Pittsburgh Research Laboratory have developed QuickFitWeb, an online tool to allow users to check their hearing protection in a minute or less. The site notes that ear muffs, ear plugs, and other hearing protection devices can reduce the risk of hearing loss, but only if the wearer gets a good fit and wears them properly. The NIOSH sound player tool allows users to perform a quick test of whether they are getting at least a minimal 15 decibel (dB) level of protection.

The test sounds are bands of random noise with a center frequency of 1000 Hz. This is the same type of sound used in standard hearing protector ratings including the “American National Standard Methods for Measuring the Real-Ear Attenuation of Hearing Protectors” (ANSI S12.6). Both tracks are the same, but the second track is 15 decibels (dB) louder than the first. Most hearing protectors will block or “attenuate” sound by more than 15 dB if they are the right size and shape to fit the ears and are worn correctly. A sound that is barely audible at a worker’s threshold of hearing without hearing protection should be inaudible though hearing protection even if it’s boosted by 15 dB.

To use the tool, visit www.cdc.gov/niosh/mining/topics/hearingloss/quickfitweb.htm.

OSHA recently fined a roofing company over $200,000 when an employee was killed when he fell 16 feet through a skylight. OSHA issued eight willful citations to the company for its failure to provide fall protection in hoisting areas and on low-sloped roofs; failing to cover skylight openings to prevent falls; and not training employees about fall hazards. Seven of the citations allege per-instance willful violations of three OSHA requirements. A willful violation is defined as one committed with an intentional disregard of, or plain indifference to, the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and regulations.

Falls are the #1 cause of worker’s death in the construction industry.  The Compliance Resource Center reported on (ANSI)/ASSE Z359.2 fall protection in May of 2007.  Fall protection must be provided at four feet in general industry, five feet in maritime and six feet in construction. Here are some Fall Protection Tips from OSHA:

Fall Protection Tips
• Identify all potential tripping and fall hazards before work starts.
• Look for fall hazards such as unprotected floor openings/edges, shafts, skylights, stairwells, and roof openings/edges.
• Inspect fall protection equipment for defects before use.
• Select, wear, and use fall protection equipment appropriate for the task.
• Secure and stabilize all ladders before climbing them.
• Never stand on the top rung/step of a ladder.
• Use handrails when you go up or down stairs.
• Practice good housekeeping.  Keep cords, welding leads and air hoses out of walkways or adjacent work areas.

According to Prevent Blindness America, 90 percent of all eye injuries are preventable simply by wearing the proper eye protection. The organization has designated March as Workplace Eye Health and Safety Awareness Month to encourage workers in all industries to protect their eyes now to ensure healthy vision in the future.

“Our vision is something that so many people take for granted until it’s damaged,” said Daniel D. Garrett, senior vice president of Prevent Blindness America. “We hope to encourage employers and employees to make sure that eye protection is on the ‘to do’ list every day.”

Most eye injuries occur in production, transportation and service industries. OSHA requires employers to provide a safe work environment. In fact, the group states that eye and face protection must be provided whenever necessary to protect against chemical, environmental, radiological or mechanical irritants and hazards. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that eye injuries total more than $300 million annually in lost production time, medical expenses and worker compensation.

“Not only does practicing eye safety at work make good business sense, most importantly, it is integral in ensuring the health of employees, which is any company’s most valuable asset,” Garrett said.

Prevent Blindness America recommends the following tips to promote safety in the workplace:
Safety eyewear must have “ANSI Z87″ clearly marked on all glasses or goggles and should be worn at all times whenever eye hazards are present.
Workers should know where the nearest eyewash station is at their job site and how to use it.
Employers should be notified immediately if safety hazards are discovered.
Employees should have regular eye exams to make sure their vision is adequate to do their jobs safely.
Those who already have reduced vision should ask their employers if prescription glasses or goggles can be provided.

Prevent Blindness America offers several free fact sheets and brochures to safety managers and consumers. Employers may also request information on the Wise Owl safety education program by calling 1-800-331-2020 or visiting the workplace section of http://www.preventblindness.org/

I have frequently been asked about ANSI and ANSI standards.  New people in safety want to know what is ANSI, and experienced safety people ask about certain standards and where can they get the standard. 

ANSI is the American National Standards Institute.  The Institute oversees the creation, promulgation and use of thousands of norms and guidelines that directly impact businesses in nearly every sector: from acoustical devices to construction equipment, from dairy and livestock production to energy distribution, and many more. ANSI is also actively engaged in accrediting programs that assess conformance to standards – including globally-recognized cross-sector programs such as the ISO 9000 (quality) and ISO 14000 (environmental) management systems.

ASSE will often partner with ANSI to help develop safety standards such as ANSI/ASSE Z359, Fall Protection Code.  Organizations such as ANSI, ASSE, and other for-profit companies sell ANSI standards.  So now you know what ANSI is and where to find any standard you are looking for.  Have a safe day!

OSHA Eye Protection Regulations
According to OSHA regulations on eyewear, it is the responsibility of the owner or employer of the company to investigate, and guarantee that employees comply with OSHA regulations. The full details of the rules are described in the OSHA regulation 29 CFR 1910.133.

29 CFR 1910.133 (a)(1) states the hazards to the eye, such as chemical gases, acid, or light radiation.

29 CFR 1910.133 (a)(2) is more specific and describes regulation to enforce employees with eye prescriptions be given prescription safety glasses.

The rest of the 29 CFR 1910.133 regulations address compliance with ANSI Z89.1-1989 - “American National Standard Practice For Occupational and Educational Eye and Face Protection.”

New OSHA guidance will help employers select and use the appropriate slings when handling and moving materials. The document, Guidance on Safe Sling Use, was recently released by the agency.

“OSHA’s current general industry standard is more than 30 years old,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, Edwin G. Foulke Jr. “This guidance document will aid users in the safe selection and use of slings, including synthetic round slings, which are not covered in OSHA’s standard, as well as the newer grades of materials being used in alloy steel chain and wire rope slings.”

OSHA adopted its general industry sling standard on June 27, 1975, based on ANSI B30.9-1971 Slings standard. OSHA has since made only minor corrections. OSHA issued its construction industry sling standard on Feb. 9, 1979, and its sling standard for shipyards on April 20, 1982.

Improper selection or use of slings can result in sling failure or load slippage, which in turn can lead to injuries or death. OSHA accident data for the years 1994–1996 show that there were four fatalities in general industry involving the misuse or failure of slings.

OSHA intends to format the final product for use on the Web. With the document in web format, a user can quickly get information on the type of sling being used without having to look through material that is not relevant to the workplace.