Author Archives: Rory McKinnon

OSHA Updates General Industry Site-Specific Targeting (SST) Inspection Plan

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Effective 12/14/2020, OSHA issued a directive updating the 2016 SST inspection plan initiative. The initiative is enforced by all states governed by OSHA and may require updates to state plans to ensure that inspection policies and procedures are as effective as OSHA’s. The SST program targets non-construction businesses with 20 or more employees. By utilizing reported injury and illness information, the program directs enforcement resources to those entities with higher rates to help provide safe and healthy work environments. Per the directive, “OSHA will generate inspection lists of establishments with elevated Days Away, Restricted, or Transferred (DART) rates, both for CY 2019, and sites with upward trending rates for the three-year range of CY 2017-2019.” (1) As stated, the initiative now includes a three year data set to highlight trends. OSHA will also include businesses that did not report the required 300A information and a random selection of low-rate businesses to ensure quality control of the program. For all of the updated information, please review the directive utilizing the link below.

Site-Specific Targeting (SST) (osha.gov)

OSHA Lists Top Cited Standards During COVID-19

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OSHA is increasing efforts to educate and assist employers during the ongoing pandemic.  On November 6th, OSHA published a list of the most common citations that have been issued during inspections.  Along with the citation information, they also provided applicable resource information that can be used for establishing compliance with the standards.

The violations are listed from most to least cited and fall into 4 general standards.  Each standard has additional section information and violations descriptions.  The 4 general standards that are cited are Respiratory Protection, Recording and Reporting Occupational Injuries and Illnesses, Personal Protective Equipment, and the General Duty clause.

To review the list and find more information on the citations, follow the link below.

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/covid-citations-guidance.pdf

Washington Unified Fall Protection WAC 296-880 Takes Effect

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As of today, October 1, 2020, the new Washington Unified Fall Protection code took effect.  WAC 296-880 rulemaking unifies fall protection requirements for most industries from multiple rules under one code.  Included in the new WAC is a quick reference chart that can be accessed with the link below.  If your company deals with fall protection, please review the new WAC 296-880 to ensure compliance.

https://lni.wa.gov/safety-health/safety-rules/chapter-pdfs/WAC296-880.pdf#WAC_296_880_090

Reporting Occupational Illness during COVID-19 Pandemic

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OSHA has issued interim guidance that went into effect on 26 May 2020 regarding the reporting of occupational illnesses, specifically COVID-19.  The interim guidance will remain in effect until further notice and is intended to coincide with the current public health threat.  Following OSHA’s recordkeeping guidance, COVID-19 is a recordable illness and must be documented by the employer if the case is:

  1. A confirmed case of COVID-19, as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC);[2]
  2. Work-related as defined by 29 CFR § 1904.5;[3] and
  3. Involves one or more of the general recording criteria set forth in 29 CFR § 1904.7.[4]

Because there has been difficulty in determining the origin of the illness in some workers, OSHA has also established guidelines for Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHO) to follow when investigating a COVID-19 case.  It would be beneficial for employers to review and understand these guidelines to ensure compliance with interim directives.  The guidelines are included in the release message located here.