Safety Committee Meeting Minutes Available
Meeting minutes from the August 23 APCA Safety Committee meeting have been posted online. All safety committee information as well as other safety materials are available in the Safety Zone.
Updated National Emphasis Program (NEP)
OSHA issued a press release announcing that it has updated the National Emphasis Program (NEP) on preventing trenching and excavation collapses in response to a recent spike in trenching fatalities. The NEP will increase education and enforcement efforts. The program began on October 1, 2018 with a three-month period of education and prevention outreach. During this period, OSHA will continue to respond to complaints, referrals, hospitalizations, and fatalities. OSHA-approved State Plans are expected to have enforcement procedures that are at least as effective as those in this NEP.
OSHA Alliance Program Construction Roundtable Wrap
Another successful OSHA Alliance Program Construction Roundtable on September 20. Record attendance was reported for the meeting focusing on labor trends in construction.
In follow-up, please see the attached roundtable slide presentations. In addition, here is the link to sign up to receive the CPWR Monthly Update Newsletter, in an effort to better track and promote their new outreach/training products and resources. The next OSHA Alliance Program Construction Roundtable is tentatively planned for September 19, 2019.
- OSHA Construction Update
- Labor Trends in Construction
- Robotics and Automation
- Drones in Construction: Worker Safety
- Construction Roundtable
De Minimis Violation Notices-Blood Laboratory Proficiency Testing and Approval
This memo provides guidance on how to evaluate employer's use of clinical laboratories for employee blood lead testing under the general industry Lead Standard and the construction Lead Standard.
OSHA Construction Conference and Silica in Construction FAQs
Jim Shelton, OSHA Compliance Assistant Specialist, attended the Aug 23rd APCA Safety Committee meeting and provided the Committee with valuable OSHA information.
• Silica FAQs August 23, 2018 – These FAQs provide guidance to employers and employees regarding the respirable crystalline silica standard's requirements.
• OSHA Construction Safety and Health Conference – September 13 - 14, 2018 – Houston Marriott Westchase – Houston, TX
OSHA Resources on Silica Now Available
OSHA has announced the availability of two new resources focusing on silica:
• Sample Training PowerPoint for Construction – A sample employee training presentation (with instructor notes) to help employers or other instructors train employees covered under the OSHA respirable crystalline silica standard for construction (29 CFR 1926.1153).
• Video: Protecting Workers From Silica Hazards in the Workplace – A five-minute informational video focusing on the hazards of exposure to respirable crystalline silica.