Industry News
Industry news for the Building Service Contractor, In-House Custodial Manager & Jan/San DistributorMOST READ NEWS
-1072896682Cleanlink News 7/30/2009
OSHA Targets Hazardous Workplaces
Facilities that could potentially release highly hazardous chemicals
resulting in toxic fire or explosion hazards are the focus of a
national emphasis program (NEP) developed by the U.S. Department of
Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
The program
establishes policies and procedures for inspecting workplaces that are
covered by OSHA's process safety management (PSM) standard.
The Chemical NEP, a one-year pilot program, outlines a new approach for
compliance officers who conduct site inspections. The program's
inspection process includes asking detailed questions designed to
gather facts related to PSM requirements and verifying that employers'
written and implemented PSM programs are consistent. The intent of the
NEP is to conduct quick inspections at a large number of facilities
that will be randomly selected from a list of worksites likely to have
highly hazardous chemicals in quantities covered by the standard.
"Several catastrophic incidents have been caused by failure to comply
with the requirements of the PSM standard," said acting Assistant
Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab. "This situation has resulted
in loss of workers' lives. This national emphasis program allows OSHA
inspectors to verify that employers are complying with the requirements
of the PSM standard."
During its first year, the Chemical NEP will be piloted in several
regions around the country, using programmed inspections. Programmed
inspections are planned and do not result from an accident, complaint
or referral. In regions not covered by the pilot, the Chemical NEP will
be used to inspect workplaces reporting PSM-related complaints,
referrals, accidents or catastrophes, that is, unprogrammed inspections.
SPONSOR LINKS:
Stoko® Skincare
Soaps, Sanitizers, & Conditioners
Green Solutions - Superior Savings
Lysol Dispensing Program
FREE LYSOLR Dispensing System.
See loaner agreement for details.
