Look Out For That…! – 02/14/2022

Safety E-QuickTips

U.S. Compliance Systems, Inc.

Monday Feb 14, 2022

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Look Out for That _____!

Last week we talked about what information should be in your safety program and we used OSHA’s General Duty Clause to help clarify why you should include information on hazards created by the work you perform, as well as hazards created by others working with and around your employees.

As a reminder here’s what OSHA says.

The OSHA General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, requires that each employer furnish to each of its employees a workplace that is free from recognized hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm.

This week we are going to look at a few scenarios where your employees may be exposed to a hazard created by others.

• 1.You’re a carpentry contractor and your employees are working on a multi contractor site. A mechanical contractor has cut several holes on the second floor to install equipment and they’ve left them all uncovered or protected.

Your employees need to perform work on the second floor and when they get there, they see the holes in the floor unprotected. What should they do?

Answer: Your employees should not work on the floor until the holes are properly covered or protected by guard rails.

• 2.You have a machine shop and are having an electrical contractor perform work on your overhead lights while you continue production.The electrical contractor is using a scissors lift to perform the work and is working directly over your employees throughout the day, exposing them to a potential struck by hazard from overhead. What should you do?

Answer: You would need to provide your employees hard hats while they are exposed to the struck by hazards from the overhead work or remove them from the immediate area until the work is complete.

• 3.You’re a contractor performing work on a multilevel building, and they have installed the stairs to access each of the levels but have not installed any handrails. Should you allow your employees to use those stairs to access different levels?

Answer: No, not until there are handrails installed.

In each of the above scenarios, your company or your employees had nothing to do with creating the hazard, but you as the employer had the responsibility to protect your employees from those hazards.You have the responsibility not only because it is in your employees’ best interest but because OSHA’s General Duty Clause requires it.

And if you’re wondering what OSHA would do if they came to your worksite and saw your employees exposed to those hazards, I can tell you from the hundreds of employers I’ve represented over the years with OSHA (some with those exact scenarios), you would be cited.

Employee QuickTip

If you are not sure how to protect yourself from a specific work hazard, ask your co-worker or supervisor and do what is necessary to protect yourself and those working with you.

Employer/Management QuickTip

It would be impossible to anticipate every potential workplace hazard that your employees may be exposed to by others, but it’s in everyone’s best interest if you work to incorporate information on as many as possible into your Company Safety Program. Remember it is a reference manual that can help prevent an accident or an OSHA Citation.

Last Notice for 2021 Illness Recordkeeping and Report Requirements

If you have 11 or more employees at any time during the previous calendar year and are not included as one of OSHA’s low-hazard industries, you will need to complete the OSHA 300 Log and complete the 300A for posting.

For more information regarding OSHA Injury and Illness Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements, go to: https://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/

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Thanks for Reading and Please – Stay Healthy and Work Safe.