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As part of its Temporary Worker Initiative, OSHA has provided guidance on the responsibilities of temporary-worker staffing agencies and host employers to protect temporary workers under the federal Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout) standard (29 CFR 1910.147).
OSHA recently promulgated a final rule to ensure the competency of crane operators through training, certification or licensing, and evaluation. Central to the final rule’s provisions is clarification that, in addition to certification of crane operators, employers must continue to evaluate operators for their ability to safely operate equipment. Before the amendments to the standard addressed […]
The Internet of Things (IoT) has grown exponentially over the past few years, and that growth is expected to continue into the foreseeable future. This is especially true for the Operational Technology (OT) networks, where more and more technologies are being incorporated into industrial control systems (ICS) and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. […]
In pre-rule notice in its Fall 2018 Unified Agenda , OSHA indicates that it would like to update the public record on a 2007 advanced notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) to revise its existing (1971) standard governing mechanical power presses (29 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 1910.217). OSHA notes in the Agenda that the current […]
Failure by employers to develop and use hazardous energy control procedures as required by OSHA’s lockout/tagout standard (29 CFR 1910.147) is one of the Agency’s annual top 10 most frequently cited workplace safety violations. Perhaps the most demanding compliance obligation is establishment of a written energy control program.
Pneumatic nail guns (PNGs) are formidable machines powered by air compressors that with a single trigger activation enable nails to be completely driven into hardwood floors, framing lumber, plywood sheathing, and roof substrates. When used properly, PNGs boost productivity, particularly in home construction. However, the power and speed inherent in these tools have led to […]
Does your safety program effectively protect workers when they are exposed to moving machine parts and hazardous energy? The machine guarding and lockout/tagout (LOTO) standards are consistently on the list of the top 10 most frequently cited OSHA standards—read on for a Q&A on the basics, as well as an opportunity to join our live […]
Question: Does OSHA require that we train aerial lift operators on a specific frequency?
OSHA recently cited an Ohio tool manufacturer for not providing adequate protection to an employee who suffered a partial finger amputation when he was caught in the pinch point of a conveyor belt. The employer faces a $213,411 penalty. The company was cited for a similar violation in 2016, says OSHA, which has placed the […]
Yesterday we took a look at what OSHA’s doing to protect tree care workers as well as some of their general procedural recommendations to keep employees safe on the job. Today, we look at some of the more specific hazards surrounding tree care work, from traffic control to aerial lifts, and best practices for controlling […]