OSHA to enforce beryllium standard
OSHA will start enforcing the final rule on occupational exposure to beryllium in general, construction and shipyard industries May 11. The start of enforcement had previously been set for March 12.
In January 2017, OSHA issued new comprehensive health standards addressing exposure to beryllium in all industries. In response to feedback from stakeholders, the agency is considering technical updates to the January 2017 general industry standard, which will clarify and simplify compliance with requirements. OSHA will also begin enforcing the new lower eight-hour permissible exposure limit and short-term (15-minute) exposure limit for construction and shipyard industries May 1.
For more information, visit www. osha.gov or call (800) 321-OSHA [6742].
BCSP, ABC partner for construction safety
The Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) and Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) will collaborate to improve occupational safety and health at construction workplaces.
BCSP and ABC will provide communication, outreach, and occupational safety and health development opportunities by:
- Developing and disseminating information on management systems, best practices and career opportunities through print and electronic media.
- Strengthening recruiting efforts for students to enter occupational safety and health technical, undergraduate and graduate programs.
- Supporting occupational safety and health competency in the construction workplace at all levels.
- Participating in health and safety conferences and events.
- Promoting and facilitating the transfer of relevant occupational safety and health research findings.
For more information, visit www. bcsp.org or www.abc.org.
Administrator Pruitt signs emissions standards corrections
Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt has proposed amendments to the Petroleum Refinery Sector Risk and Technology Review and the New Source Performance Standards. These technical corrections provide both regulatory clarity for refineries and cost savings up to $11.5 million.
"These commonsense actions provide regulatory clarity and certainty for refineries across the country," said Pruitt. "The proposed amendments simplify compliance with national standards, generate significant cost savings, and ultimately enhance protection of human health and the environment."
For more information, visit www. epa.gov or call (202) 564-4700.
Integrating health, safety better for overall employee wellbeing
A new report from the Campbell Institute indicates not all employers are getting worker wellbeing right, and it could be affecting the sustainability of their businesses.
According to the report, wellbeing is where health protection (such as safety training) and health promotion (such as free flu shots or other immunizations) intersect. To get the most out of their wellbeing programs, organizations should consider improving the areas of highest risk to their teams.
The Campbell Institute proposes a systematic approach to assessing and addressing total worker wellbeing, such as implementing the "Plan Do Check Act" (PDCA) model.
The PDCA model is intended to not only discover and implement improvements in worker wellbeing but also ensure those improvements are maintained. The system is well known in the safety industry and is repeated continuously for ongoing progress.
By using the PDCA model, employers can identify top problem areas and then develop intervention strategies at an organizational level to address those risks.
To view the full report, visit www. thecampbellinstitute.org.
ISO releases global health, safety management standard
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) recently published ISO 45001, Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems -- Requirements, a voluntary consensus standard.
One of the new standard's requirements is for organizations to establish processes for eliminating hazards and reducing risks to health and safety by implementing the hierarchy of controls. The new standard also focuses on health and safety leadership within an organization, worker participation in health and safety decisions, and external factors that affect health and safety.
According to ISO, a projected benefit for organizations that adopt the new standard is a mechanism for improving health and safety across supply chains.
For more information, visit www. iaha.org or www.iso.org.