Process Safety Management OSHA (PSM) of Highly Hazardous Chemicals The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 5,702 workplace deaths (around 4 deaths per 100,000 workers) and approximately 4.2 million incidents of workplace-related nonfatal injuries and illnesses. This demonstrates the need to continue programs and OSHA initiatives to ensure the safety and health at work.
Available data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) said that non-fatal injuries and diseases have been gradually reduced from 5.3 to 4.6 cases per 100 full-time equivalent workers, during the period 2002-2005. Strict rules for safety at work and dedication of the enforcement agencies have done the same this remarkable feat a reality.
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), an agency of the Ministry of Labour, has the primary responsibility to develop and implement worker and workplace-related health and safety. OSHA promotes safety through a variety of ways, including standard 29 CFR 1910.119 PSM and 29 CFR 1910.120 HAZWOPER standard. The bulk of the OSHA injury and illness prevention program from the provisions of those standards.
All employers are required to implement and maintain (a) and workplace injury or illness prevention program (IIPP), (b) a warrant for OSHA Hazard Communication Program (under 29 CFR 1910.1200), (c) an emergency action plan (EAP) in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.38 and (d) a fire protection plan.
The EAP-oriented disaster management, and IIPP, designed to minimize the incidents, are not mutually exclusive. The two programs complement each other and have some common requirements. An example of this is the recommended use of data sheets (MSDSs) to identify potential hazards that could result from different types of chemicals used at work. 1910.119 PSM standard mandates the use of MSDS, meeting the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.1200, section (g).
An IIPP is a mechanism to review and eliminate / reduce potential hazards in the workplace. An effective IIPP can not only protect workers but also employers, reducing lost man-days and cost of workers' compensation.
The Workplace Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) can be easily discussed in terms of California has adopted IIPP-OSHA. categories applicable to California employers are required by law, Title 8 (T8) of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) to be an effective, documented injury and illness prevention program.
The Cal-OSHA IIPP mandate has essentially seven basic components. These are: (1) identification of program implementation staff, (2) a written description of the contract system to evaluate and control against the security and health risks, (3) a schedule inspections, (4) investigative procedures for occupational accidents and diseases, (5) a description of the training program for employees (s) on safe work practices and safety of specific information related employment (6), a system of communication with employees about health and safety issues and enforce safe work practices, and (7) a conservation policy document compliance record.
Documents and reports (29 CFR 1904) are an integral and important parts of all work effectively OSHA Injury and Illness Prevention Program. Records help to identify the causes of incidents and develop strategies to improve safety. Records typically include accidents, deaths, injuries and illnesses, incidents of exposure to toxic or hazardous materials, MSDS training, health and safety risks communicated to employees, inspections, audits and other legal documents required for wo.
Posted on July 5, 2010.
