|
|
 |
|
What's New With OSHA?
|
 |
| New faces, new procedures, new regulations…..what does it mean for you? During a recent “OSHA Update” session held at the Safety Council’s Baton Rouge training center,
OSHA Compliance Assistance Officer Alex Novas shared his insight on “what’s new with OSHA.” |
| Critical issues included the new OSHA administration, the National Emphasis Programs (NEP) for recordkeeping & chemical plants, combustible dust, and recent VPP concerns. There has been some recent news as to whom the President plans to nominate to head OSHA.
Professor David Michaels, an epidemiologist, who served as Assistant Secretary of Energy from 1998 to 2001, would serve under Labor Secretary Hilda Solis if he is confirmed by the Senate. No word on when the confirmation hearing will be held.
Concerning the recordkeeping NEP, Novas recommends companies have written and implemented plans for all procedures. He says this type of system can demonstrate to OSHA your intentions in times of investigations. As part of the NEP, OSHA officers will perform thorough records reviews and investigate the extent to which employers may be discouraging workers from reporting injuries and illnesses. The other NEP of note is a pilot program that will conduct inspections of
facilities with highly hazardous chemicals across the country. See the OSHA directive on PSM Covered Chemical Facilities National Emphasis Program
here. |
Professor David Michaels,
nominated to head OSHA
|
Novas also
expects there to be a rulemaking on ergonomics and combustible dust in the near
future. OSHA recently published a news release discussing combustible dust
hazards and published a Hazard Communications Guide for Combustible Dusts. View
the press release
here.
Stay Tuned!
 Go
to Gotta Minute? Home
|
|
Gotta Minute?
Comes to you from Safety Council of Louisiana
Capital Area
8180 Siegen Lane Baton Rouge, LA
70810 (225) 766-0955
We hope you enjoy this email. If you would
like to be removed, click here. | |
