Temporary Worker Initiative Bulletin on Lockout/Tagout

A new OSHA bulletin under its temporary worker initiative addresses the control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout).  The bulletin reviews what the staffing agency and host employer can do to ensure that temporary workers are protected from the sudden release of stored energy from machines or equipment in accordance with OSHA's lockout/tagout standard.

FAQs on Silica in General Industry

OSHA has posted new frequently asked questions for its standard for respirable crystalline silica in general industry.

Chainsaw Safety

OSHA has updated its QuickCard (English and Spanish) and fact sheet (English and Spanish) on chainsaw safety. 

Crane Operator Certification Rule FAQs

OSHA has issued a set of Frequently Asked Questions for the operator certification provisions of its cranes and derricks in construction standard. For more information, see OSHA's Cranes and Derricks in Construction webpage.

Snow Removal 

A new OSHA pamphlet reviews how employers can protect their workers from snow removal hazards.

Rollover Protection for Tractors

OSHA has issued a pamphlet on Rollover Protection and Operating Tractors Safely. 

Safe + Sound Week 2019

OSHA has announced that Safe + Sound Week will be August 12-18, 2019.  The week is a nationwide event to raise awareness of the value of safety and health programs.

Fall Prevention Stand-Down 2019

OSHA's sixth annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction will be May 6-10, 2019.

OSHA’s Alliance Program participants issued the following products as part of the Alliance Program from October 1 to December 31, 2018.  These products do not necessarily reflect the official views of OSHA.  For a complete listing of Alliance products, see the Alliance Program Participants Developed Products page. 

CPWR Trenching Infographic

CPWR (The Center for Construction Research and Training) has issued an infographic in English and Spanish on working safely in trenches. 

Hazard Alert on Ground Disturbance in Oil and Gas Construction and Maintenance

The participants in OSHA's Alliance with the National Service Transmission, Exploration, and Production Safety (STEPS) Network and NIOSH have issued a hazard alert on ground disturbance in U.S. onshore upstream oil and gas construction and maintenance activities.  The alert highlights best practices for operators, excavators, and line locators.

Control of Hazardous Energy in Manufacturing

A new NIOSH website features ways that businesses can safeguard employees from the release of hazardous energy during service and maintenance activities.  The website includes resources to help businesses start or improve lockout/tagout programs.

Reducing Fatigue Among Retail Workers

NIOSH has issued a document on Using Total Worker Health Concepts to Reduce Fatigue Among Retail Workers.  The document describes organizational practices related to scheduling, flexibility, and the work environment that can help address the causes and consequences of fatigue among these workers. In recent years, retail workers have engaged in more shift work and longer work hours, which can result in fatigue and related health issues.

Identifying Mold in Buildings

New tools from NIOSH help employers identify and assess areas of dampness and mold in general buildings and in schools. The tools include a checklist and instructions for assessing and recording any damage related to dampness or mold and for tracking conditions through time.

Using Naloxone to Reverse Opioid Overdose in the Workplace

NIOSH has issued a fact sheet called Using Naloxone to Reverse Opioid Overdose in the Workplace: Information for Employers and Workers. NIOSH developed this information to help employers and workers understand the risk of opioid overdose and help them decide if they should establish a workplace naloxone availability and use program.

NIOSH FACE Reports and Products

The NIOSH Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program conducts investigations on workplace fatalities to identify the factors that contributed to these fatal injuries. This information is used to develop comprehensive recommendations for preventing similar deaths.  The NIOSH FACE Program issued the following reports and products from October 1 to December 31, 2018. 

Falls

• Carpenter Severely Injured in 11-Foot Fall From Scaffold, Washington.  See also fatality narrative as slideshow.

Motor Vehicles

• KY FACE Hazard Alert: Incidents Involving Dump Trucks. From 2011-2016
• Foreman of a Highway Line Painting Crew Killed When a Car Enters the Work Zone – Massachusetts
• Dump Truck Driver Loses Control and Flips Truck Resulting in Fire – Kentucky
• Operator of a Trailer Tipper Fatally Struck by a Tractor Trailer at a Landfill – New York
• Truck Driver Struck by Rear Tractor Tires When Semi Tractor Driven Forward – Michigan

Agriculture

• Farmer Died When Clothing Was Entangled in a Rotating Power Take Off Shaft – Michigan
• Farmer Crushed Under Free Standing Grain Bin Struck By Horses and/or Manure Spreader – Michigan

Other FACE Reports

• NY FACE Worker Fatality Maps
• Occupational Fatal Injuries Associated With Mobile Hand-fed Wood Chippers – New York
• Near Miss Alert: Choker Setter Struck When Hung-up Turn Clears - Washington
• Maintenance Mechanic Dies After Being Burned by Hot Boric Acid Solution While Removing Pump – Washington
• Bark Company Owner Dies After Being Crushed By Ecology Block Wall – Washington
• Fertilizer Company Worker Crushed to Death by Falling Concrete Ecology Block – Washington
• A Boat Maintenance Crew Supervisor Dies of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning While Using a Gasoline-Powered Pressure Washer – Washington
• Worker Crushed Unloading Steel Waste Container – New York
• KY FACE Hazard Alert: Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) in the Workplace - Kentucky 

NSC Launches Online Version of Injury Facts

The National Safety Council has launched an online version of its Injury Facts reference source for safety statistics.  This information, formerly available only as a book, is now available at no cost at InjuryFacts.nsc.org.   The site features a workplace safety section that includes work-related fatality trends, top work-related injury causes, and worker off-the-job safety.  It includes work-related incident rate trends, information on how to benchmark an organization’s injury and illness incidence rates with national averages, and industry profiles.  The information is also organized into various safety topics, such as falls, work-related fatigue, and forklifts. 

NSC Infographic on Riskiest Work Schedules

The National Safety Council had developed an infographic called Riskiest Work Schedules that employers can download to raise awareness of risk factors for fatigue at work.  Risk factors include night shifts, rotating shifts, and tasks with long durations.

CPWR Nail Gun Webpage

CPWR (The Center for Construction Research and Training) has posted a webpage on nail gun safety that includes information on the risks of working with nail guns and links to training resources.

CPWR Hazard Alert on Lightning

Construction workers who work in open spaces, on roofs, or in other high places are at risk of being struck by lightning.  A new CPWR Hazard Alert Card (English and Spanish) and related Toolbox Talk (English and Spanish) on lightning provide information on what workers should do when they hear thunder and what they should expect from their employer.

The following materials developed by grantees under OSHA’s Susan Harwood Training Grant Program were posted on the OSHA website from October 1 to December 31, 2018. See the OSHA website for a complete list of a materials developed by Harwood grantees. These materials do not necessarily reflect the official views of OSHA.

Construction

• The Washington On-Site Sewage Association developed materials in English and Spanish on focus four hazards for workers in the wastewater construction industry. 

Fall Protection and Ergonomics

• Sunflower Community Action developed materials in English and Spanish on fall protection and ergonomics for workers in construction and general industry.
• Casa Latina developed materials in English and Spanish on musculoskeletal disorder prevention for day laborers in the construction, gardening, moving, and home healthcare industries.

Agriculture

• AgriSafe Network developed materials on protecting young adults in pork, poultry, fruit/vegetable production, and grain production operations.
• California Rural Legal Assistance developed materials in English and Spanish on heat illness prevention for agricultural workers.