OSHA IN THE NEWS:

OSHA has published a new Injury and Illness Prevention Programs White Paper on the agency's Web site. An injury and illness prevention program is a proactive process to help employers find and fix workplace hazards before workers are hurt. These programs are effective at reducing injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. Many workplaces have already adopted such approaches, for example as part of OSHA's cooperative programs. Not only do these employers experience dramatic decreases in workplace injuries, but they often report a transformed workplace culture that can lead to higher productivity and quality, reduced turnover, reduced costs, and greater employee satisfaction.

Thirty-four states and many nations around the world already require or encourage employers to implement such programs. The key elements common to all of these programs are management leadership, worker participation, hazard identification and assessment, hazard prevention and control, education and training, and program evaluation and improvement.

OSHA believes that adoption of injury and illness prevention programs based on simple, sound, proven principles will help millions of U.S. businesses improve their compliance with existing laws and regulations, decrease the incidence of workplace injuries and illnesses, reduce costs (including significant reductions in workers' compensation premiums) and enhance their overall business operations. Read more on OSHA's Injury and Illness Prevention Programs Web page.

The high costs of falls in construction for employers

A new OSHA PowerPoint presentation shows the heavy financial cost resulting from falls in construction. OSHA analyzed workers’ compensation data for injuries resulting from falls from elevations suffered by roofers and carpenters. The data, which covers 2005-2007, comes from 38 states, which comprises approximately 1/3 of total workers’ compensation benefits.

OSHA's analysis of fall injuries for roofers and carpenters found that: falls from elevations by roofers cost an average of approximately $106,000 each; falls from elevations by carpenters cost an average of over $97,000 each. To find out more information, view the PowerPoint presentation of Workers' Compensation Costs of Falls in Construction* posted on OSHA's Residential Fall Protection Web page.

 Our Regional Administrator is presently in Washington at OSHA’s national office and has been replaced by California’s very capable Regional Administratior.  I am looking for some very positive changes to OSHA’s practices within the region.  I have heard nothing but good things about this Administrator.

  TRAINING SCHEDULE:

NEW EMPLOYEE TRAINING

Mandatory New Employee Safety Training for our clients is offered FREE of charge.

*Call Pam at (417) 866-8686 for reservations.

OSHA 10-HOUR CONSTRUCTION SAFETY TRAINING

Per OSHA, this training MUST be conducted over AT LEAST two days.  Cost is $155 per person and reservations are required by calling Brittney.  In addition, feel free to call Brittney to setup custom classes for your company with special pricing available.

*Call Pam for reservations at (417) 866-8686.

FIRST-AID & CPR TRAINING

Class takes about 4 hours, with certification being for 2-years.  Cost is $67 per person and reservations must be made by calling Brittney to sign-up.

DOT NEWS: 

Initial fines for use of cell phone while driving is $2750, it also could result in a fine to the company of $11,000 if they required or condoned the drivers' use of the cell phone.

Remind your CDL drivers NOT to use their cell phones while driving, they could lose their licenses.

As an employer you should have a program detailing the requirements to your employees and the penalties for violating those rules.