The rule will curb lung cancer, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and kidney disease in America's workers by limiting their exposure to respirable crystalline silica.
"More than 80 years ago, Labor Secretary Frances Perkins identified silica dust as a deadly hazard and called on employers to fully protect workers," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. "This rule will save lives. It will enable workers to earn a living without sacrificing their health. It builds upon decades of research and a lengthy stakeholder engagement process—including the consideration of thousands of public comments—to finally give workers the kind of protection they deserve and that Frances Perkins had hoped for them."
OSHA estimates that when the final rule on Occupational Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica becomes fully effective, it will save more than 600 lives annually and prevent more than 900 new cases of silicosis—an incurable and progressive disease—each year. The agency also estimates the final rule will provide net benefits of about $7.7 billion per year.
"The previous exposure limits were outdated and did not adequately protect workers," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. "Limiting exposure to silica dust is essential. Every year, many exposed workers not only lose their ability to work, but also to breathe. Today, we are taking action to bring worker protections into the 21st century in ways that are feasible and economical for employers to implement."
About 2.3 million men and women face exposure to respirable crystalline silica in their workplaces, including two million construction workers who drill and cut silica-containing materials such as concrete and stone, and 300,000 workers in operations such as brick manufacturing, foundries, and hydraulic fracturing. Most employers can limit harmful dust exposure by using equipment that is widely available—generally using water to keep dust from getting into the air or a ventilation system to capture dust where it is created.
- Reducing the permissible exposure limit for crystalline silica to 50 micrograms per cubic meter of air, averaged over an eight-hour shift
- Requiring employers to use engineering controls (such as water or ventilation) and work practices to limit worker exposure, provide respiratory protection when controls are not able to limit exposures to the permissible level, limit access to high exposure areas, train workers, and provide medical exams to highly exposed workers
- Providing greater certainty and ease of compliance to construction employers—including many small employers—by including a table of specified controls they can follow to be in compliance, without having to monitor exposures
- Staggering compliance dates to ensure employers have sufficient time to meet the requirements, e.g., extra time for the hydraulic fracturing (fracking) industry to install new engineering controls and for all general industry employers to offer medical surveillance to employees exposed between the PEL and 50 micrograms per cubic meter and the action level of 25 micrograms per cubic meter
The final rule is written as two standards, one for construction and one for general industry and maritime. Employers covered by the construction standard have until June 23, 2017 to comply with most requirements. Employers covered by the general industry and maritime standard have until June 23, 2018 to comply with most requirements; additional time is provided to offer medical exams to some workers and for hydraulic fracturing employers to install dust controls to meet the new exposure limit.
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How to Implement OSHA’s Globally Harmonized Hazard Communication Standard (GHS)
OSHA has issued a final rule revising its Hazard Communication Standard, aligning it with the United Nations’ globally harmonized system (GHS) for the classification and labeling of hazardous chemicals. This means that virtually every product label, safety data sheet (formerly called “material safety data sheet” or MSDS), and written hazard communication plan must be revised to meet the new standard. Worker training must be updated so that workers can recognize and understand the symbols and pictograms on the new labels as well as the new hazard statements and precautions on safety data sheets.
Draft Recommendations for Handling Silver Nanomaterials Awaiting Public Comments
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently evaluated the available literature on silver and nanosilver to determine if there is sufficient evidence for a size-specific recommended exposure limit (REL). After the public comment period, NIOSH will revise the document in response to the public and peer review comments received before publishing the final recommendations.
OSHA Urges Greater Vigilance Toward Safety After 4 Nebraska Workers Die of Job-Related Injuries in March
After four preventable work-related deaths since March 9, 2016, OSHA is urging Husker state employers to carefully review safety and health programs, and their procedures to stem the tragic tide.
While investigators in the agency's Omaha Area Office prepare their findings, the office is also offering compliance assistance, tips and other information to employers and workers on common workplace safety hazards and how to prevent illness and injury.
"Employers and workers alike can prevent job-related injury and death with simple, common sense safety procedures," said Jeff Funke, OSHA's area director in Omaha. "With spring now upon us, construction and other seasonable work will soon be in full swing.
OSHA's Omaha office is currently investigating the following workplace deaths:
- March 9: A 62-year-old worker in Sutherland died after falling more than 38-feet while installing a platform in preparation for work on a grain leg. Falls remain the leading cause of death in the construction industry.
- March 16: A 42-year-old superintendent at Cooperative Producers, Inc., grain handling site in Hayland suffered fatal injuries caused by an operating auger as he drew grain from a bin.
- March 20: A 42-year-old Lincoln resident died after a vehicle struck him at a road construction site on the southwest corner of Highway 94 and County Road 31 in Walthill. He was a temporary worker employed by Labor Ready of Lincoln working as a flagger for the road construction project managed by Brandt Excavation. Struck-by incidents are the leading cause of workplace fatalities investigated by OSHA in Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri, with 23 struck-by fatalities occurring in fiscal year 2015. Stuck-by incidents accounted for at least 20% of all fatalities in FY 2014.
- March 21: A trench collapse killed a 61-year-old plumber employed by Clau-Chin Construction, Inc., of Alliance and injured another worker as they installed residential sewer lines in the 2800 block of Toluca Street in Alliance. OSHA's trenching standards require employers to use protective systems on trenches deeper than 5 feet and keep soil and other materials at least two feet from the edge of trench. Research shows that a cubic yard of soil can weigh as much as 3,000 lbs., about the weight of small automobile. Trenching and excavation are among the most dangerous construction activities, and cave-ins are often lethal to workers crushed or suffocated by thousands of pounds of soil and rock.
So far in 2016, four work-related deaths have been reported in Nebraska. In 2015, 12 workers died on the job in the state.
Additionally, OSHA has also opened 41 investigations since January 1, 2016, 32 incidents were hospitalizations and nine were due to amputations.
Since January 1, 2015, OSHA requires employers to report any severe work-related injury—defined as a hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye—within 24 hours. The requirement that an employer report a workplace fatality within eight hours remains in force. In the first full year of the program, employers nationwide reported 10,388 severe injuries, including 7,636 hospitalizations and 2,644 amputations.
"The prompt reporting of worker injuries has created opportunities for us to work with employers to develop safer workplaces," Funke said. "When employers, workers, unions, and safety professionals from OSHA work together we can ensure better working conditions and safety training for all Nebraskans and prevent debilitating injuries, illness, and death that cost our economy and families untold sums."
To ask questions, obtain compliance assistance, file a complaint, or report amputations, eye loss, workplace hospitalizations, fatalities, or situations posing imminent danger to workers, the public should call OSHA's toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or the agency's Omaha office at 402-553-0171.
Safety Failures at Tecta America Southeast LLC Lead to Worker Fatality
Had their employer inspected an aerial lift properly, it might not have malfunctioned and surged forward, crushing one worker to death and severely injuring another as they removed rain gutters at a local car dealership on September 30, 2015, investigators from OSHA have determined.
Employed by Tecta America Southeast, LLC, Robert Heyman and another man were on the lift working when it suddenly lurched forward and pinned Heyman between its control panel and the edge of the roof. The 35-year-old foreman and father of three was pronounced dead at the scene. His co-worker was able to crawl out of the lift's basket and then fell nearly three stories, suffering multiple fractures in his left leg.
The workers were rehabilitating a Ford dealership on Volusia Avenue in Orange City.
OSHA opened its investigation upon learning of the fatal incident. Proposed penalties total $63,900.
"Tecta America Southeast could have prevented this tragedy by simply inspecting the lift before allowing its workers to use it," said Brian Sturtecky, director of OSHA's Jacksonville Area Office. "This company must immediately address safety hazards at its work sites and be vigilant in the future to protect its employees from harm."
American Design Builders LLC Cited for Lack of Training After Logging Worker’s Tragic Death
The agency found the Columbia-based company, failed to train workers in CPR or emergency first aid, as required or provide a written training certification record.
“When a job site has limited access to medical facilities, employers must train workers in emergency first aid and make provisions for prompt emergency treatment if it’s needed,” said Aaron Priddy, OSHA’s area director in Fairview Heights. Employers need to plan for all scenarios.”
OSHA has proposed penalties of $2,400.
Five Companies Fail to Notify Employees of Asbestos Hazards, Fines Total $185,150
OSHA has cited five Texas companies for failing to inform construction workers renovating a San Antonio building of the presence of dangerous asbestos, and allowing other hazards. In total, the companies now face $185,150 in fines.
The agency also cited One Eighty Construction for one serious violation for failing to ensure workers properly removed the asbestos tainted materials. OSHA previously cited both companies for willful asbestos-related violations at a second San Antonio apartment complex in November 2015. Jason Berkowitz, a local developer, owns both Roscoe and One Eighty Construction. Roscoe Properties is a commercial real estate management firm with more than 50 properties in Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio.
The site of the inspection, One Eleven Park Avenue, is a multi-family rental property in San Antonio.
OSHA also cited Varco Builders of Texas, LLC, a renovation contractor, for failing to use adequate work practices during asbestos removal and for failure to protect employees from electrical hazards. The building’s owner, One Eleven Park LLC, and flooring contractor Colors Unlimited, also received citations for asbestos related violations at the site.
The agency has proposed the following penalties (links to the citations included):
“Exposure to asbestos can have devastating outcomes, including lung disease and cancer,” said Alejandro Porter, OSHA’s area director in the San Antonio Office. “It’s imperative that employers take action to keep workers from harm by informing and protecting them when asbestos hazards exist in the workplace.”
Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs Exposed Employees to Multiple Hazards
After its most recent inspection, inspectors in OSHA’s Little Rock Area Office issued one willful, two repeat, eight serious, and four other notices on March 22 for unsafe or unhealthful working conditions to the hospital.The program is a fiscal year based, programmed inspection program focusing on specific federal agency service/operating locations reporting high numbers of lost time cases.
“John L. McClellan Veterans Memorial Hospital willfully and repeatedly exposed its employees to the dangers of electrocution, amputation, blood borne pathogens, and other hazards. That is unacceptable,” said Carlos Reynolds, OSHA’s area director in Little Rock. “If this institution was a private employer, McClellan Veterans Hospital would be facing nearly $200,000 in fines.”
- Not having a spreader and a non-kickback fingers on a table saw
- Failing to guard shafts, pulleys, and belts
- Not making sure oxygen and acetylene cylinders had valve caps
- Allowing oxygen and acetylene cylinders to be stored together
- Failing to ensure use of needles with safety devices
- Failing to ensure contaminated needles were not recapped
If accessed, the hospital would have faced $184,700 in penalties, and a 10% increase for having a history of OSHA violations.
Ultratec Special Effects Had Three Explosions in 2015 Amid OSHA Warnings
The agency initiated an investigation after learning of two explosions at the pyrotechnic facility on October 1, 2015.
The repeated citations relate to the employer not:
OSHA cited the company for the same violations in 2015 at this location.
The serious citations relate to the employer's failure to:
- Update process safety information to address equipment changes
- Conduct a pre-start safety review after significant modifications were made to production buildings
"Ultratec continues to endanger its employees, as it has not addressed previously identified safety hazards and deficiencies with its process safety management system," said Ramona Morris, OSHA's area director in Birmingham. "Fortunately, no one was injured in these incidents, but management must take immediate action to address safety hazards before an employee is seriously injured or killed."
Proposed penalties total $72,688.
D&J Enterprises Inc. Exposed Workers to Trench Cave-ins
The employer is a full-service contracting company.
OSHA cited D&J Enterprises with a willful violation for allowing employees to work in an excavation, up to 10-feet deep without cave-in protection, while installing new water and sewer lines. The agency requires that all trenches and excavation sites 5-feet or deeper be protected against sidewall collapses. Protection may be provided through shoring of trench walls, sloping of the soil at a shallow angle, or by using a protective trench box. The repeated citation was issued for failure to provide employees information and training to recognize and avoid cave-in hazards.
The agency cited D&J previously after an October 2015 inspection found trenching hazards and failed to provide required hazard training to employees. Originally classified as a willful citation, the trenching hazard was changed to a serious citation as part of the agency's settlement with D&J.
Proposed penalties total $64,350.
"It concerns us that, after settling an October 2015 inspection that found dangerous trench hazards, D&J Enterprises continues to put workers at risk of serious injury or death," said Joseph Roesler, OSHA's area director in Mobile. "The employer has the responsibility for ensuring a safe and healthful job site."
Kenneth Snider Inc. Fined $59,000 for Amputation, Electrical, and Other Hazards
OSHA opened an investigation on October 21, 2015, in response to a complaint alleging a long list of workplace safety and health hazards at the sawmill. The investigation was also conducted under the agency's national emphasis program for amputations.
While onsite, OSHA inspectors observed employees working within inches of an unguarded saw and cited Kenneth Snider, Inc., with a willful violation. The company was also cited for not having a hearing conservation program for employees exposed to noise above the permissible limit over an eight-hour period and failure to provide hearing protection. Other cited hazards include:
- No collection system for the removal of combustible saw dust from the work area
- Electrical hazards
- The lack of a hazard communication program
- The lack of an energy control program for employees to use when servicing equipment
Proposed penalties total $59,000.
"It only takes a second for a worker to make contact with a machine that isn't properly guarded and suffer a serious injury that could have been prevented," said Prentice Cline, director of OSHA's Charleston Area Office. "When an employer like Kenneth Snider Inc. allows more than 50 workplace safety violations to exist, it is clear the company is disregarding its obligation to provide workers with a safe and healthy work environment. They will be held accountable for their lack of compliance."
Lineage Logistics LLC Exposed Workers, Community to Anhydrous Ammonia Hazards
OSHA initiated the October 2015 inspection following a report of ammonia release at Lineage Logistics, LLC, a warehousing and logistics company in McAllen, Texas.
The fines total $58,000
“Employers that fail to follow the minimum requirements of the PSM standards could release hazardous chemicals, exposing workers, endangering the surrounding community and opening themselves to scrutiny from federal law enforcement agencies,” said Travis Clark, OSHA’s Area Director in the Corpus Christi office. “Having the right equipment, procedures and plans in place to prevent hazards in the workplace must be an employer’s top priority.”
Kroger Butcher Lost Fingertip in Unguarded Band Saw
OSHA opened an investigation of the grocer after a 65-year-old employee’s left middle finger tip was amputated by a band saw he was operating to butcher meat.
Inspectors found:
“Employees working with dangerous equipment such as band saws must be properly trained to prevent injuries,” said Ken Montgomery, OSHA’s area director in Cincinnati. “Common-sense safety standards to prevent workers from coming in contact with operating machine parts.”
Proposed penalties total $45,500.
Vista Window Co. Fined $44,500 After Worker’s Arm Fractured in Machine
OSHA opened an investigation of the window manufacturer after a 22-year-old employee's right hand was caught in the rollers of a glass press he was cleaning. The worker suffered fractures, nerve and tendon damage.
Inspectors found:
"This was a preventable injury had Vista followed common-sense safety standards to prevent workers from coming in contact with operating machine parts," said Howard Eberts, OSHA's area director in Cleveland. "Each year, hundreds of manufacturing workers are injured on the job. Employers can do better."
Proposed penalties total $44,500.
J. Walter Miller Co. Exposed Workers to Excessively High Levels of Lead and Cadmium
On September 9, 2015, OSHA began an investigation in response to a complaint alleging numerous health and safety hazards, including worker exposure to lead at the foundry. OSHA inspectors found the employer exposed employees to lead at seven times the permissible limit, and to elevated levels of airborne cadmium. The employer was cited for violations of both the lead and cadmium standards for General Industry, including deficiencies in written programs, exposure monitoring, engineering controls, respiratory protection, labeling of contaminated clothing, decontamination before entering lunchrooms, medical surveillance, and training. The agency also found employees were exposed to high levels of noise without adequate controls to protect employees.
Proposed penalties total $42,700.
"J. Walter Miller is exposing its employees to hazards that can lead to serious life-altering health conditions. Lead and cadmium have toxic health effects that are widely known. Unsafe levels of lead are toxic to the nervous system, reproductive system, kidneys and other organs. Long-term cadmium exposure can result in kidney damage, or increase the risk of lung or prostate cancer," said Kevin Kilp, director of OSHA's Harrisburg Area Office. "Employers have a responsibility to provide a safe and healthy work environment for employees. OSHA will not tolerate anything less than that."
Alton Industries Inc. Cited for Willfully Exposing Workers to Trench Hazards
The Pittsburg Area Office issued a willful citation for the violation. The inspection comes five months after the company was cited for the lack of cave-in protection. The same foreman who was present during the previous inspection was onsite and overseeing the work on October 29.
Proposed penalties total $41,580.
“Alton Industries, Inc., continues to put its employees in considerable danger despite previous violations for unsafe and potentially lethal excavation work. This practice will not be tolerated,” said Christopher Robinson, director of OSHA’s Pittsburgh Area Office. “Without proper protection, trenching and excavating sites can become deathtraps for workers in the blink of an eye.”
Eight Hoosier Companies Recognized with Workplace Safety Awards
The companies were honored for their proactive efforts to eliminate and reduce worker exposure to occupational safety and health hazards.
The annual event is hosted by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and Central Indiana Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers in partnership with the Indiana Department of Labor.
“There is no greater achievement as a business or organization than ensuring all employees go home safely at the end of the workday,” said Commissioner Ruble. “Today, we honor eight Hoosier organizations that have been successful in doing just that through innovation, education and outreach and partnerships,” Ruble added.
Indiana companies were recognized in the following categories: Rising Star, Education and Outreach, Innovations and Partnerships.
The 2016 Governor’s Workplace Safety Award recipients are:
- XL Industrial Services, Inc., LaPorte—Innovations for a Small-Sized Employer
- Gribbins Insulation Co., Inc., Evansville—Innovations for a Medium-Sized Employer
- Lilly Research Laboratories – Health, Safety, & Environmental, Indianapolis—Innovations for a Large-sized Employer
- Indianapolis Roofers Safety Group, Indianapolis—Partnerships
- Monsanto, Remington—Education and Outreach in General Industry
- Solid Platforms, Inc., Portage—Education and Outreach in Construction
- Kennedy Tank & Mfg. Company, Indianapolis—Rising Star in Construction
- City of Greenwood, Greenwood—Rising Star in General Industry
“The most rewarding benefit of workplace safety is protecting a company’s most important asset—its workers,” said Indiana Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kevin Brinegar. “On top of that, a healthier workplace translates into more productive employees and a more profitable workplace.”
The annual Governor’s Workplace Safety Awards are a result of a partnership among government, business, and safety leaders including the Indiana Department of Labor, on behalf of the Governor, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and the Central Indiana Chapter of the American Society of Safety Engineers.
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