Consultant's Corner

While driving, the very sight of orange cones, barrels and other construction signage creates a sense of dread in me. It seems as if nearly every major highway I travel has some sort of on-going project.

Most employers know that sprinkler, employee alarm, and smoke/fire detection systems are to be maintained and inspected as needed or annually. However, what employers may not realize is that portable fire extinguishers, in addition to the required annual inspection [1910.157(e)(3)], must be visually inspected monthly as well [1910.157(e)(2)]. Employers are also solely responsible for keeping all extinguishers in operable order [1910.157(c)(4)].

As an employer who is responsible for the safety and health of your employees, you need to determine if there are any occupational hazards present or likely to be present that may require employees to wear personal protective equipment (as required in 29 CFR 1910.132(d)(1)). Personal protective equipment, such as respirators and hearing protection devices, should be selected based on the occupational exposure levels found at the workplace. Therefore, an industrial hygiene initial assessment should be conducted to determine those levels.

An Injury and Illness Prevention Program (I2P2) provides systematic policies, procedures and practices that are adequate to recognize and protect workers from occupational safety and health hazards. Employers are encouraged to establish an effective I2P2 since it can significantly reduce occupational safety and health injuries and illnesses and lead to reduced workers’ compensation insurance costs.

If your company melts or works with metal, it exposes your employees to noise, dust, heat, and fumes. Here in Florida, known for sun, citrus, and tourists, we also have many companies engaged in the smelting and refining of both ferrous and nonferrous metals. Some of our state's manufactured products include nails, spikes, insulated wires and cables, steel piping (both sheets and bars), copper and aluminum products. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced in August a new National Emphasis Program aimed at reviewing the health and safety programs of companies considered to be Primary Metals Industries.

Your shop floor, warehouse, or production line is a classroom, and you’re the teacher. With each movement, your employees are learning lessons in ergonomics. Some of these lessons might hurt. But you can teach your employees how to do their job pain-free.

Forklifts or powered industrial trucks are commonly used pieces of equipment in many industries. They move heavy and often cumbersome materials or items from one place to another, stack items on top of each other or in storage racks, and load and unload trucks. Manufacturers design their forklifts for drivers to use safely.

In 2010 hazard communication was the third most frequently cited hazard by OSHA enforcement and was the fifth most commonly identified hazard by USF SafetyFlorida consultants. Labels and other forms of warnings followed sixth.

Editor's note: On June 8, 2011, Assistant Secretary of Labor Dr. David Michaels announced a three-month phase-in enforcement period for the new Fall Protection in Residential Construction directive. The June 16-September 15 phase-in period will allow residential construction employers to come into compliance with the new directive.