User:BD2412/Vaccine law resources/Mandates/OSHA
OSHA
Mod 1.
[edit]- Fatality/Catastrophe Reporting
- Only fatalities that appear to be work related.
- Covers many fields, incl. religious workers for secular purposes.
- Can't propose fines for federal agencies.
- Excludes miners, some truckers, atomic energy workers.
- Regulations, inspections, reports, materials.
- Approves state job safety plans; some plans cover limited pools of employees (state employees only in CT and NY)
- Notice of rights/duties must be posted in workplace.
- Right to safe workplace, raise concerns, be informed of hazards, seek OSHA inspection, participate in inspection; file complaint, see citations, get copies of records.
- Employer obligations to provide safe workplace, notify OSHA of workplace death within 8 hours or work-related hospitalization, display poster, post citations near alleged violation
- Safe workplace
- Hazards removed
- Workers trained
- Protection provided
- Exit routes, evacuation plans, noise level controls and hearing tests
- Bloodborne pathogens
- Hazardous chemicals
- Containers must be labeled, data sheets available, list hazardous chemicals in area, inform other employers (e.g. contractors)
- GHS (Globally Harmonized System of labelling chemicals)
- Includes symbols and pictograms indicating hazards
SDS (safety data sheet)
[edit]- Product identifier on label
- Other ID
- Recommended use
- Manufacturer contact info
- 4 First aid measures, grouped by route of exposure
- 5 Firefighting measures
- 6 Accidental release methods
- 7 Handling and storage
- 8 Permissible exposure limits, engineering controls
- 9 Physical/chemical properties
- 10 Stability/reactivity, conditions to avoid, incompatible materials
- 11 Toxicological information; symptoms from exposure (long and short term)
- 12 Ecological info (non-mandatory)
- 13 Disposal considerations (non-mandatory)
- 14 Transport info (non-mandatory)
- 15 Regulatory info (non-mandatory)
- 16 Other information, should include date of preparation
ANSI SDS (Z400.1)
- Manufacturer must provide to customers.
Rights
[edit]- Right to Info
- Employers with more than 10 workers must keep a log of injuries/illnesses
- Must indicate lost workdays, restricted work/transfers, incident requiring more than first aid treatment
- Employees may review current log, logs for past 5 years, annual summary
- Right to complain
- 29 CR 1977.9(c): employees can complain without retaliation; 11(c) of OSH Act also prohibits retaliation.
- Right to training relevant to workplace
- Right to exposure/medical records
- Employers must measure exposure levels, employees can observe
- Right to refuse unsafe work
- 30 days to report retaliation
- Worker responsibilities
- Employees must follow safety/health rules, wear protective gear
- Recordkeeping
- Part 1904 form requirements
- OSHA 300 Log (work-related injuries/illnesses)
- OSHA Form 301 (specific injury/illness report); can subst. Worker's Comp. form.
- OSHA Form 300A - summary of events for the year; must be posted.
- Log must note name (or [Privacy case]); job title, place injury occurred; specific kind of injury.
- Log needs to identify business, city, state, log year.
- Nondiscrimination against workers who exercise rights
- Firing, laying off, demoting
- Must report discrimination within 30 days
- Others
- Post citations
- Provide/pay for PPE
- Maintain PPE quality
- Employees should take care of their PPE
- Employee who loses/intentionally damages PPE may be required to replace it.
Responsibilities
[edit]- Employers must maintain a safe working environment.
- Conditions/practices to protect workers.
- Know and comply with standards; ensure workers have appropriate PPE.
- General Duty Clause
- General training requirement
- Safety/health aspects of job.
- Use of chemicals that will be used on the job.
- Electric/Hazardous materials each require their own training; HazMat = 24 hour initial training, 8 hour annual refresher.
- New training whenever a new hazard is introduced.
- PPE
- Determine if needed, if so what kind.
- Train employees who must use PPE (1910.132(f)).
- Recordkeeping
- Reporting system must be established
- Provide logs on request, post annual summary, report fatality within 8 hrs, hospitalization within 24 hrs.
- Low-hazard industries (e.g., an accountant's office) are exempt from recordkeeping, but must still report.
- Part 1904 form requirements
- OSHA 300 Log (work-related injuries/illnesses)
- OSHA Form 301 (specific injury/illness report); can subst. Worker's Comp. form.
- OSHA Form 300A - summary of events for the year; must be posted.
- Log must note name (or [Privacy case]); job title, place injury occurred; specific kind of injury.
- Log needs to identify business, city, state, log year.
OSHA Standards
[edit]Four categories:
- General industry
- Construction
- Maritime
- Agriculture
Standards for specific hazards (infectious diseases; toxic substances; electrical, fall, machine, fire, explosion, atmosphere)
Everything else falls under OSHA 5(a)(1), the General Duty Clause.
- OSHA standards are in Title 29.
Inspections
[edit]- Priorities
- 1. Immanent danger - reasonable certainty danger exists; inspection within one day
- 2. Fatality/Catastrophe - inspection following an incident
- 3. Complaints/Referrals - complaint is from worker/rep; referral is from agency
- Follow-ups/monitoring following previous issues
- 4. Programmed
- Stages
- Presenting credentials
- Employer can require OSHA to get a warrant
- Opening conference
- Separate conferences if employee/rep objects
- Why is OSHA inspecting? What are they looking for? Get info on company. Is the company exempt from inspection?
- Checks records
- Workers may designate a rep (or may already have one)
- If no worker rep, reasonable number of workers must be questioned
- Walkaround
- Review the site, check for noise levels, etc.
- Interview workers in private (or with a union rep)
- Closing conference
- Again can be separate if workers object (in which case worker conference will be first)
- Observations will be discussed
- Citations/penalties
- After inspecting worksite, inspector will write a report proposing citations/penalties
- Penalty types
- Willful (intentionally and knowingly, or wanton indifference), up to 75,000 penalty
- Serious violation - up to $7,000 per violation
- Other-than serious violation - relationship to safety, but not immediate threat of harm
- Repeat violations
- Failure to abate, 7k
- Falsifying info, fine of up to 10k or 6 months in jail
- Posting violations
- Appeals
- Workers may disagree with/appeal citation
- May request informal conference
- Can contest abatement time (with evidence), but can not contest citations/penalties
- Employer can contest abatement date if abatement can not be done in time allotted.
Sources for help
[edit]- Regulations (Standards - 29 CFR)
- Regulations (Standards - 29 CFR) 1910
- Safety Administration Pre & Post Test
- Supervisors, coworkers, worker reps
- Labels and warning signs
- Label on a hazardous piece of machinery is not enough if the machine can be better secured
- Signs must be bilingual if other-language speakers on site
- Employee orientation manuals and training materials
- Written job/task instructions for specific machinery procedures
- OSHA website
- Factsheets
- QuickCards (small laminated cards)
- Publications link on home page, with, e.g. factsheets
- NIOSH website (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)
- OSHA sister agency
- Health Hazard Evaluations, if workers get sick from unknown or unregulated cause; worker with signatures of two other workers can request inspection
- OTIEC (OSHA Training Institute Education Centers)
- COSH (National Council for Occupational Safety and Health) groups
Options to file OSHA complaint
- Form on website, mail, fax, or online
- Phone or visit local regional or area office
- OSHA must have reasonable grounds to act
- Basic questions:
- Worker/coworkers have injuries/health complaints?
- Who has them, when did they arise, where in the workplace, what is causing them?
- Description of hazardous conditions is most important
- [Do not reveal my name] box
Walking and working surfaces
[edit]15% of all accidental deaths are due to trips, slips, and falls.
- Wet spots/spills
- Floor openings/holes
- Ladders (must be securely held open)
- Obstructions
Surface = "Any surface on which an employee walks or works in order to perform their duties".
Hazard = "A situation in the workplace where accidents or injuries such as slips, trips, or falls may occur".
- Highly polished surfaces
- Transitions
- Wet/greasy spots
- Uneven/damaged floors
- Holes
- Obstructions
Slips = insufficient friction/traction
- Spills on surface
- Changes in traction
- Loose coverings
Trips = foot strikes unexpected object
- Clutter
- Uneven surfaces
- Unfamiliar paths
- Obstructed views
Falls = loss of center of balance
- Same level
- Lower level
Injuries commonly include sprains, strains, bruises/contusions/abrasions, fractures, often to extremities, joints, hips, back, and head
Prevention:
- Clear out obstructions
- Clean spills
- Fix broken lights
- Be alert
- PPE
Contributing factors include age, fatigue, inattentiveness (cell phone), poor eyesight, and improper footwear
NIOSH top ten hazards
- • Contaminants on the Floor
- • Indoor Walking Surface Irregularities
- • Outdoor Walking Surface Irregularities
- • Weather Conditions: Rain, Ice and Snow
- • Inadequate Lighting
- • Stairs and Handrails
- • Stepstools and Ladders
- • Tripping Hazards: Clutter, Loose Cords, etc.
- • Improper Use of Floor Mats and Runners
- • Poor Drainage: Pipes and Drains
So, clean up spills/clutter, use floor mats properly, make sure drainage is aligned to prevent spills. Proper footwear.
- Employer responsibilities
- Written housekeeping program
- Clean, dry floors
- Warning signs
- Inspect frequently
- Ice/snow removal plans
- Mats/footwear where appropriate
- Weather alerts
- Adequate lighting
- Stairs/handrails
- Visual cues of elevation; slip-resistant treads; clean, free of snow
- Handrails where less than four steps, 34-38", 12" beyond step, on both sides
- Training
- Appropriate footwear, level surfaces, ensure ladder is fully open, three points of contact
- Right equipment to bundle cords
- Guard floor openings, wall openings over 4 feet high
- Insure integrity of scaffolding, keep workers off during ice/snow
Exit Routes, Emergency Action Plans, Fire Prevention
[edit]- Definitions
- Major types
- Self-protection
- Employer obligations
Exit route:
- Must be unobstructed
- Doors must be unlocked
- Fire extinguished is only for small fires
- Exit must have clearly visible sign
Exit route= "continuous, unobstructed path from a point in a building to a point of safety"
- Typically 2 per workplace; can vary by size of building, number of employees, floorplan
- Hazards
- Not clearly marked
- Locked, barricaded, or blocked door
- Exits only on one side of building
- Not enough (insufficient routes for number of people)
- Doors not side hinged
- Doors must be 7.5" tall, 28" wide
- Absence of fire-resistant materials along the way
- Lockable doors
- Discharge does not lead directly outside
- Not permanent
- Three parts:
- Access
- Exit - portion that leads out of the building
- Discharge
Fire hazard = "anything that could easily catch fire or start a fire"
- Employers must train about safety, hazards, what to do
- Employees must observe fire safety requirements
- Exit routes
- Lack of an alarm
- Exit routes that go through hazardous areas
- Temporary routes
- Blockages (either permanent or temporary)
- Locked doors; doors must always be able to open from inside.
- Must be easy to identify, well it, permanent
- have an "EXIT" sign
- at least six inches high
- brightly colored
- reliably lit
- Must be enough exit routes; up to employer to determine
- "must support the maximum permitted occupant load for each floor served"
- Can have only one if that one will always allow everyone to evacuate safely
- Keep explosive and highly flammable materials away from exit
- Fire resistant materials
- Up to three floors = 1-hour fire-resistance rating
- More than three floors = 2-hour fire-resistance rating
- Flammable/Combustible Materials
- Workplaces storing such materials must have adequate fire control
- At least one fire extinguisher outside the door where stored
- For storage of category 1, 2, or 3 liquids, fire extinguished 10-25 feet from area
- Must be a way to dispose of leakage quickly
- Exit route must not require people to walk towards combustible or poisonous materials
- Store hazardous materials away from ignition sources/hot surfaces/sparks
- Electricity is a fire hazard
- Damaged/worn cords
- Faulty wiring
- Poorly grounded
- Use ground fault interrupters
- Exposed receptacle boxes are non-conductive
- Plugs and receptacles prevent energization until insertion complete
- Label fuse boxes
- Train workers on these
- Employees must follow instructions, keep enough space around them, ground anything used near water
- Take damaged receptacles and equipment out of service
- Dry hands before working with electronics
- Self-protection from exit route/fire hazards
- Know the emergency action plan
- Recognize and report issues (know who to report to)
- Recognize emergency quickly and respond quickly; employees with duties should be ready to perform them
- Employee should know
- responsibilities
- what to do if you see something
- how to evacuate
- is path unobstructed
- who to communicate with
- proper precautions around flammable materials
- how to use a fire extinguisher
- Emergency Action Plan
- In writing, kept in workplace, available for employees to review (if fewer than 10 employees can be oral)
- contains procedures, map of escape route, actions to be taken
- covers fires, explosion, toxic chemicals, hurricane, tornado, blizzard, flood
- Employee action
- Take immediate action
- Call 9-1-1, internal emergency number, fire alarm, alert other employees
- Some employees are only responsible for evacuating the building
- Others have specific responsibilities
- Calling 9-1-1
- Notification/evacuation/assisting the disabled
- Rescue/medical duties; shut off machinery; counting heads
- Know the map, should be posted in the workplace
- Conditions, chain of command, specific procedures, incl. for disabled, non-English speakers
- Emergency response coordinator (and backup) should be designated
- Directs emergency activities
- Order evac, contact emergency services
- Point of contact for info
- Designates head-counter
- OSHA standards
- Med assist for injuries
- Designated person to communicate with emergency services
- Communicate with employees after emergency is over
- Alternately let employees know where to go
- Flammable liquids
- Label "Flammable – Keep Fire Away"
- No more than 25 gallons in a building unless in safety cabinets
- Transfer requires proper device (closed piping, safety cans, device drawing through top; approved self-closing valve)
- Fire Detection System
- Correctly installed
- Routine testing/maintenance/cleaning
- On at all times
- Able to alert everyone to be alerted
- Supervised system
- Repaired or replaced by someone qualified
- Fire extinguishers
- For small fires/temp control
- Must be mounted in identified and accessible locations
- Within 75 feet of employees
- Maintained, fully charged, working right
- Where they are supposed to be unless in use
- Employees trained in their use
- Type must be approved by a testing lab
- Employer responsibilities
- Effective emergency action plan (in writing if more than 10 employees)
- Emergency prep
- Employers can be held responsible for worker deaths due to failure to meet standards
- Exit routes must be protected by self-closing fire doors
- Emergency Action Plan
- (c) Minimum elements of an emergency action plan. An emergency action plan must include at a minimum:
- (1) Procedures for reporting a fire or other emergency;
- (2) Procedures for emergency evacuation, including type of evacuation and exit route assignments;
- (3) Procedures to be followed by employees who remain to operate critical plant operations before they evacuate;
- (4) Procedures to account for all employees after evacuation;
- (5) Procedures to be followed by employees performing rescue or medical duties; and
- (6) The name or job title of every employee who may be contacted by employees who need more information about the plan or an explanation of their duties under the plan.
- Fire Prevention Plan
- 1910.39(c) Minimum elements of a fire prevention plan. A fire prevention plan must include:
- (1) A list of all major fire hazards, proper handling and storage procedures for hazardous materials, potential ignition sources and their control, and the type of fire protection equipment necessary to control each major hazard;
- (2) Procedures to control accumulations of flammable and combustible waste materials;
- (3) Procedures for regular maintenance of safeguards installed on heat-producing equipment to prevent the accidental ignition of combustible materials;
- (4) The name or job title of employees responsible for maintaining equipment to prevent or control sources of ignition or fires; and
- (5) The name or job title of employees responsible for the control of fuel source hazards.
Electrical hazards
[edit]- Outlets
- Lamps (leave dead bulb in until replaced)
- Power cord
- Water (carries electrical currents)
- Identify by type, learn to avoid, know employer obligations
- Dangers = burns, electrocution, shock, arc flash/blast, fire, explosion
Most common injury = burns; three types
- Electrical, from flow of current
- Arc/flash, from arc or explosion
- Thermal contact with hot equipment
Electrocution = death (4k injuries per year, 7% of occupational fatalities, 4th leading cause)
- Shut off power, make sure lines are not live
- Release stored energy; follow "lock-out/tag-out procedures"
- Prep shutdown
- Shutdown
- Isolate
- Locks and tags
- Control
- Verify
- OSHA adopted National Fire Protection Assoc. standards for electricity for all post 3/15/72 equipment
Shock = body becomes part of the circuit
Arc flash = release of electrical energy in the air
Fire = mostly faulty outlets/wiring
- Power lines
- 10 feet plus 4 inches per 10k volts over 50k
- All equipment operating at over 50 volts must be guarded
- Covers, dead fronts
Strength of current = volts/resistance, which yields milliamps (used to gauge danger/damage)
- e.g., 120 milliamps causes extreme pain, possibly death
- Protecting yourself
- Safe distance from power lines
- Ground-fault circuit interrupter
- Receptacle fits in the outlet
- Portable built into extension cord
- Circuit breaker, on main circuit board (test monthly)
- GFCI testing - after installation, once per month, after power outage, and per mfg/employer instructions
- Must be used for any 120V, single phase, 15- and 20+ambere temp outlets used in construction
- Inspect tools/cords
- Appropriate used of energized tools/equipment
- Proper guarding
- Lock-out/tag-out
- WAC 296-307-36815(2): All pull boxes, junction boxes, and fittings must have covers approved for the purpose. All metal covers must be grounded. In completed installations each outlet box must have a cover, faceplate, or fixture canopy. A cover of an outlet box with holes through which a flexible cord pendant passes must have bushings designed for the purpose or have a smooth, well-rounded surface for the cord to run on.
- AEGCP (assured equipment-grounding conductor program) = written procedure requiring periodic testing of all equipment-grounding conductors of cords/plugs used by employees. Test records must be maintained and a competent person designated to enforce.
- Qualified Persons shall at a minimum be trained and familiar with the following:
- 1. Skills and knowledge necessary to distinguish exposed live parts from other parts of electric equipment;
- 2. Skills and techniques necessary to determine nominal voltage of exposed parts; and,
- 3. The clearance distances specified in 1910.333(C) and the corresponding voltages to which the qualified person will be exposed.
- First Aid training for a sufficient number of employees to deal with potential emergencies
HazMat
[edit]Hazard Communication = identifying hazardous chemicals in the workplace
- OSHA HCS
- Manufacturers/importers are required to evaluate products and document hazards
Bloodborne pathogens
[edit]Risks
- Improper disposal of regulated waste
- Contact with blood or bodily fluids
- Gloves should be worn
- Never wash/decontaminate/reuse disposable gloves
- Contaminated garments should be removed in a way that voids contact
What are bloodborne pathogens
- Pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood
- Hep A (1.8%)
- Hep B (6-30% risk from needlestick/cut)
- HIV (0.3%; 0.1 from exposure to eye/nose/mouth)
- No case of HIV from blood on intact skin
Case study:
- Absence of training
- lack of specific procedures
- failure to update program with changing tech
- failure to train workers exposed to Traysol (stabalizing chemical for shipping blood samples)
- Hep B
- Hep B virus (HBV)
- Acute or chronic illness
- Infants = 90% chance of infection (adults only 2-6%)
- Can lead to cirrhosis or liver cancer
- Hep C
- Hep C virus (HCV)
- Chronic for 70-85% of infected
- Long term health problems/death
- No vaccine
- HIV
- AIDS; affects immune system, makes sufferer vulnerable to infection/illness
- No vaccine, no cure
- Vulnerable workers include healthcare, housekeeping
Occupational exposure = "Reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane"
- Universal precautions
- Treat all blood/potentially infectious material as if protected
- Always wear PPE
- Engineering controls
- Limit employee exposure
- Disposable containers for sharps
- Self-resheathing
- Safety features
- Work practice controls
- Facilities to wash hands immediately
- Wash hands after removing gloves
- Dispose of used instruments in puncture-resistant leak-proof containers
- PPE
- Gloves, gowns, lab coats, eye protection, face masks/shields
- Exposure incident
- Wash (soap and water)
- Irrigate eyes (water/saline)
- Flush splashes to noes/mouth/skin
- Report
- Get treatment
- Employer responsibilities
- Vaccine, records, training
- Hep B vaccination
- Three doses over six month period, given by licensed professional/lab, made available w/in 10 days of assignment
- Not needed for employees who already have antibodies/have contraindication
- Employees who decline must sign declination form; must still be able to get vaccine if they change their mind
- Records must be kept separate from other employee records
- Name/SS#
- Vaccination status
- Results of exams/testing/follow-up
- Healthcare professional opinion
- Records must be kept for 30 years after employment ends
- Exposure incident report
- As early as possible; employer must evaluate circumstances
- Sharps injury log to evaluate devices being used; must be evaluated annually
- Kept for five years, no employee names
- Training, at time of assignment, annually, and when changes occur
- Training records must be kept for three years
- Controls
- Engineering controls - must be evaluated annually
- Work practice controls - way tasks are performed
- Exposure control plan
- Identify jobs/tasks
- Outline protection used
- Procedure to evaluate exposure
- Note how employer will provide Hep B vaccinations