Safety Training

Construction Time is Upon Us!

Ensure your employees are kicking it off SAFELY

Join HazCommpliance, LLC on

April 26 and 27, 2012

for10-hours of safety training to receive your Department of Labor

When:
Thursday April 26,8am- 430pm
Friday April 27, 8am- Noon
 
Where:
HazCommpliance, LLC
55 Main Street, Suite 5700
Enfield, CT 06082
 
Cost:
$125/pp
Payment required by April 20^th to hold spot
15 students maximum
Construction Safety Handbook included
 
Refreshments: Coffee is provided. Soft drink vending machine on site. Students must provide their own lunch. 
 
Reserve your space today! Phone 860-253-0050 or email jtetreault@hazcommpliance.com

Our new location will offer up additional space to hold training seminars for your firm; 55 Main Street, Suite 5700 in Enfield, CT 06082. Our first 10 hour OSHA Outreach Construction Training course is slated for April 26 and 27, 2012.

As you know, the task of monitoring the endless compliance regulations can be daunting for your business and HazCommpliance can help you simplify the process in many ways; onsite training, the HazComm Training Center and of course 24/7 access to our team. HazCommpliance continues to set the stage as an industry leader in MSDS management as well as safety compliance management.  Our team is always available to help you. The safety of your business and your employees is our ultimate mission.

Learn more at http://www.HazCommpliance.com or call us at 860-253-0050 and email info@hazcommpliance.com

Once again, according to www.osha.gov, the Hazard Communication Standard has made a recurring appearance on the most frequently cited standards list for many industries.  For the year October 201 0 to September 2011, the Hazard Communication Standard has been cited almost 1,000 times in employment places!  Whether private industry or municipalities, the Hazard Communication Standard is consistently top ranked for citations.  For example, education services (including primary and secondary schools) are note exempt from safety regulations; the Hazard Communication Standard was the most frequently cited regulation for them during the latest quoted time period- with almost double the citations for the Hazard Communication Standard than for the next frequently cited regulation for the schools, Forms (recordkeeping).

The Hazard Communication, one of OSHA’s regulations, requires employees to maintain an MSDS for all the hazardous products that employees work with, label all containers, train employees on the MSDS and the hazards associated with the products, and maintain a written hazard communication program.  However, what may trip many employers up is what is actually involved with complying with these regulations.  From maintaining the MSDS book in an orderly, indexed fashion to labeling transfer containers, the Hazard Communication Standard can be quite involved. 

Although not necessarily overly complex, the time-consuming effort that is put in to maintaining compliance is the part that causes many employers to fall behind.  Perhaps that is why it is the MOST Cited during that time period for the standard industry code 75- Automotive Repair, Services and Parking, with over $150,000 in penalties just for this standard!  And topping the list again for miscellaneous manufacturing industries (SIC 39)- the Hazard Communication Standard even beats out “general requirements for all machines”.  Ranking 3^rd in citations in the standard industry code for Fabricated Metal Products, the Hazard Communication Standard generated over $290,000 in fines for that industry!

For more information on maintaining compliance with Hazard Communication Standard, visit www.hazcommpliance.com.

Jail Time for OSHA Violations?

OSHA regulations are not recommendations; they are Federal Regulations.  Employers across America are familiar with the need to comply with OSHA. Though not all employers comply, many make a valid attempt at protecting their workforce from workplace hazards.  For those that disregard safety in the workplace or fall short in their attempt at OSHA compliance, OSHA citations may be incurred. These OSHA citations can really add up! (OSHA’s fine schedule is listed below, taken from www.osha.gov)

But did you know that you can be IMPRISONED for failure to comply with OSHA regulations?  Last month in September, a New York asbestos contractor was sentenced to 6 years in prison for lying to OSHA inspectors about employee exposure and violating the Clean Air Act.  Employees were neither provided training nor the proper personal protective clothing when handling the hazardous material, which can cause asbestosis and/or lung cancer, as well as mesothelioma.  These types of hazards must be properly communicated to the employee, and the appropriate measures must be taken to protect employees from all hazards.

When it comes to employee safety and hazard communication, employers should ensure compliance with the appropriate OSHA regulations.  HazCommpliance, LLC, offers assistance with complying with the Hazard Communication Standard, as well as other safety regulations. Visit www.osha.gov or www.hazcommpliance.com for more information.

Employers may be under the impression that they are only responsible for the safety of the employees on their payroll when it comes to safety compliance with OSHA’s safety regulations.  But what about contractors who are working at their facility? Are they responsible for their safety as well?

The misconception that contractors are exempt from having to follow such safety guidelines is common.  Employers are responsible for maintaining the safety of not only their own employees, but also all workers who perform work at their facility.  When it comes to contractors, business owners should be ensuring that those contractors are following the safe work practices of their trades.  Although it is impractical to know every regulation that these specialists must follow, it is important to be aware of the general safety requirements for their fields. For example, if a roofer is hired, he should be following the safety regulations pertaining to fall protection; maintenance workers should follow proper ladder safety, guarding and electrical safety requirements. 

Can a business owner be cited if a contractor does not follow such safe work practices?- YES. 

Recently in Hartford, CT, The Hartford Financial Services group Inc. was cited for failing to ensure the contracted electricians were using lockout/tagout- failure to control hazardous energy.  ”What employers must understand is that they or their contractors must first de-energize electrical equipment and circuits before employees work on them,” said Paul Mangiafico, OSHA’s area director in Hartford. “Working on live electrical equipment needlessly exposes workers to potential death or disabling injury from arc flash, arc blast or electric shock. Proper and effective safeguards must be in place and in use at all times.”

The Hartford’s proposed fine was $7,000; the contractors proposed fines was $34,000.  

What can hiring companies do about contractor safety? A solid, comprehensive safety program for the company is key in maintaining compliance with safety regulations such as control of hazardous energy, hazard communications (requiring MSDS), and many more.  By having a complete safety plan, employers will be familiar with many of the safety regulations pertaining to the hazards in their workplace.  A vital component of the safety program is a contractor notification and agreement policy; contractors should not be allowed to begin their work until they acknowledge that they are aware of and agree to follow all of the applicable safety regulations. However, it should be noted that employers/owners should still follow up with contractors while they are onsite to ensure work safe practices are encouraged and adhered to.

HazCommpliance, LLC, offers professional assessment and development of comprehensive safety programs and chemical management.  For more safety information, visit www.hazcommpliance.com or www.osha.gov.