Oak Creek Insurance Agency

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IN: OSHA: Resources For Small Business Employers

Dear Valued Customer,

In this issue of the “——————“ we focus on OSHA resources for small business employers.

There are numerous OSHA resources and an abundance of information designed specifically for small business employers, including safety and health tools and publications, easy-to-follow guides for specific OSHA standards, and descriptions of benefits that small businesses receive from OSHA. OSHA provides free assistance to create safe and healthy work environments for thousands of business. Read on for all the details.

We appreciate your continued business and look forward to serving you.

Kind regards,

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OSHA Training Institute

Workers_ClappingThe OSHA Training Institute provides training and education in occupational safety and health for federal and state compliance officers, state consultants, other federal agency personnel, and the private sector.

Course Listings and Descriptions

#2040
Machinery and Machine Guarding Standards
Description: This course introduces the student to machinery processes and the related safety standards. The course focuses on the hazards associated with various primary types of machinery and the control of hazardous energy sources (lockout/ tagout). This is a Blended Learning Course. Students must complete a web-based training portion of the course prior to attending the resident portion. The web-based portion may require up to 5 hours seat time. The course focuses on hazards created by mechanical motions and actions, points of operation, and other machinery processes. Hands-on training in the Institute’s laboratories and plant tours provide opportunities to see equipment in operation.
#2050
Cranes and Rigging Safety for Construction
Description: This course introduces the student to the various types of mobile cranes and tower cranes used in construction operations. Students are provided with intermediate information concerning crane operations, crane inspection and maintenance, rigging inspection, reading load charts, and corresponding OSHA and consensus standards. Exercises in applying OSHA and ANSI standards, reading load charts and rigging tables, and preventing accidents are conducted.
#2060
Longshoring and Marine Terminal Processes and Standards
Description: This course introduces longshoring, covers vessel and equipment nomenclature and the application of the longshoring and marine terminal standards. Course highlights include field exercises at a working vessel or landship for longshoring orientation.
#2080
Cranes and Materials Handling for General industry
Description: This course prepares students to inspect various types of overhead cranes, hoists, and powered industrial trucks used in general industry. Students learn to apply basic information concerning overhead and gantry cranes, wire rope, slings, and crane inspection and maintenance procedures, according to appropriate OSHA and ANSI standards and related requirements. Operation and maintenance of powered industrial trucks is also covered. The course features a one-day, hands-on inspection of overhead cranes and hoists
#2090
Shipyard Employment
Description: This course introduces shipyard operations and standards, including the jurisdictional considerations of enforcement. This course covers ship building, repair, breaking, and barge cleaning, and the application of shipyard standards. The course consists of several workshops where the student will have to analyze various scenarios to determine the hazard(s), related standard(s), and apply corrective actions. Course highlights include a field trip to an operating shipyard for a shipyard orientation, and to review the processes involved in building a ship.
#3020
Underground Construction and Tunneling
Description: This course focuses on the safety and health aspects of underground operations and the related OSHA standards. This is a Blended Learning Course. Students must complete a web-based training portion of the course prior to attending the resident portion. The web-based portion of the course may require up to 9 hours seat time. The student is introduced to basic tunneling operations, from sinking the initial shaft to completion of the project. Topics include inspection procedures, drill and blast methods, boring machines, and environmental controls including air quality and ventilation.
#3030
Concrete, Forms and Shoring
Description: This course introduces the student to principles of forms and shoring and the quality of concrete, hot and cold weather placing practices, and inspection procedures. This is a Blended Learning Course. Students must complete a web-based training portion of the course prior to attending the resident portion. The web-based portion of the course may require up to 7 hours seat time. Topics include relevant OSHA standards, curing of concrete, form removal, and ASTM standards on sampling concrete. The session includes laboratories on making concrete, testing hardened concrete, reinforced concrete, pre- and post-stressing of concrete, lift-slab construction, and reading concrete construction blueprints and shoring plans.
#3040
Power Press Guarding
Description: This course focuses on the specific requirements of 29 CFR 1910.217, Mechanical Power Presses. Part revolution and full revolution clutch mechanisms are discussed in detail, with related hazards and guarding methods. Students operate presses in the Institute laboratory, determine appropriate safeguards, and analyze press operations. The students will examine the application of OSHA Directive CPL 03-00-003 – National Emphasis Program on Amputations, October 27, 2006 as it applies to power presses.
#3060
Safety and Health for Grain Handling Operations
Description: This course focuses on the safety and health aspects of the grain handling industry. This is a Blended Learning Course. Students must complete a web-based training portion of the course prior to attending the resident portion. The web-based portion may require up to 8 hours seat time. The web-based portion of the course overviews the grain handling industry, the various processes, and recognized hazards. Students will observe the operation of grain milling and storage, participate in an mock inspection to identify staged hazards in a grain elevator facility, and observe proper operating procedures. Students will review health hazards common to grain handling such as dusts, pesticides, and fumigants, and exposure control methods. Course materials include case histories and a review of OSHA policies and procedures.
#3070
Safety and Health in Sawmills and Logging Operations
Description: This course introduces the basic components of sawmill operations, from log handling to finished products. Hazards, proper controls, and related OSHA standards are discussed for each operation. Topics such as materials handling, electrical hazards, machine guarding, and health hazards are covered. Course features a field exercise at an operating sawmill and a series of field exercises at a logging site.
#3080
Principle of Scaffolding
Description: This course focuses on the safety aspects of scaffolding and current OSHA requirements. This is a Blended Learning Course. Students must complete a web-based training portion of the course prior to attending the resident portion. The web-based portion of the course may require up to 10 hours seat time. The student is introduced to the basics of scaffolding operations from installation to dismantling. Topics include supported and suspended scaffolds, aerial lifts, and the interpretation of related standards. Installation and dismantling methods are demonstrated.
#3110
Fall Arrest Systems
Description: This is a course mainly to train OSHA compliance officers on how to conduct an Oil and Gas safety and health inspection. We offer this course once a year and the next offering will be in May of 2012. For private sector employees, you should take a similar course from one of the OTI education centers.
#3150
Tower Safety
Description: This course is designed to assist OSHA personnel in recognizing the hazards associated with the construction and maintenance of communications towers. This is a Blended Learning Course. Students must complete a web-based training portion of the course prior to attending the resident portion. The web-based portion of the course may require up to 8 hours seat time. Emphasis is placed on acceptable abatement methods, applicable standards, and the implementation of CPL 02-01-036 Interim Inspection Procedures During Communication Tower Construction Activities. Course features a one-day field exercise demonstrating tower erection and safety.
#3220
Applied Welding Principles
Description: This course is designed to increase the student’s knowledge of the processes and hazards associated with welding operations. Topics include the various types of welding processes such as oxy-acetylene, MIG, TIG, and open arc; proper use of each process; personal protective equipment; safety and health hazard recognition and control; and OSHA requirements for general industry and construction. Course features demonstrations and hands-on exercises using various types of welding equipment and a one-half day field exercise.
#3500
Demolition
Description: This course is designed for enforcement personnel who have responsibility for construction demolition safety and health. Course highlights include scope and application of the OSHA standard, terminology, processes, and equipment. Special emphasis is placed on the most hazardous demolition activities. A tour of an active demolition site is arranged. Click for more Information
#6010
Occupational Safety and Health Course for Other Federal Agencies
Description: This course is designed for full-time Federal agency safety and health officers or supervisors assigned responsibilities under Executive Order 12196 and 29 CFR 1960. The course provides an overview of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, Federal agency occupational safety and health responsibilities, and workplace inspection techniques. Participants are given instruction in various OSHA standards. Special emphasis is directed at safety and health hazards that are causing serious injuries and illnesses in the Federal sector. The course features a mock inspection and use of laboratory equipment.This course is limited to Federal agency personnel only.

Source: United States Department of Labor, “OSHA Training Institute” https://www.osha.gov website. Accessed November 24, 2015. https://www.osha.gov/dte/oti/index.html

© Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. This content is strictly for informational purposes and although experts have prepared it, the reader should not substitute this information for professional insurance advice. If you have any questions, please consult your insurance professional before acting on any information presented. Read more.

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OSHA’s On-Site Consultation Program

Workers_Meeting-ShakeHandsWelcome!

OSHA’s On-site Consultation Program offers free and confidential advice to small and medium-sized businesses in all states across the country, with priority given to high-hazard worksites. In FY 2013, responding to requests from small employers looking to create or improve their injury and illness prevention programs, OSHA’s On-site Consultation Program conducted approximately 30,000 visits to small business worksites covering over 1.5 million workers across the nation.

On-site Consultation services are separate from enforcement and do not result in penalties or citations. Consultants from state agencies or universities work with employers to identify workplace hazards, provide advice on compliance with OSHA standards, and assist in establishing injury and illness prevention programs.

On-site Consultation Program Information

Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP)

 

On-site Consultation Data

Small Business Resources

Source: United States Department of Labor, “On-site Consultation Program” https://www.osha.gov website. Accessed November 24, 2015. https://www.osha.gov/dcsp/smallbusiness/consult.html

© Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. This content is strictly for informational purposes and although experts have prepared it, the reader should not substitute this information for professional insurance advice. If you have any questions, please consult your insurance professional before acting on any information presented. Read more.

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Benefits & Resources

Workers_MatureBusinessMenDiscussionOSHA’s Free On-site Consultation Program

OSHA’s free On-site Consultation Program offers free and confidential advice to small and medium-sized businesses in all states across the country, with priority given to high-hazard worksites. On-site Consultation services are separate from enforcement and do not result in penalties or citations. Consultants from state agencies or universities work with employers to identify workplace hazards, provide advice on compliance with OSHA standards, and assist in establishing injury and illness prevention programs. Read more about OSHA’s free On-site Consultation Program.

Compliance Assistance Specialists (CAS)

Each OSHA Area Office in states under federal jurisdiction has a Compliance Assistance Specialist. These staffers respond to requests for help from a variety of groups, including small businesses. CAS’s put on seminars and workshops for small businesses and other groups. They promote OSHA’s cooperative programs, OSHA’s training resources, and the OSHA web site. To read more about Compliance Assistance Specialists and find a directory of CAS’s in your area, click here.

Penalty Reductions

OSHA takes employer size into consideration when assessing penalties. Please see the OSHA Administrative Penalty Information Bulletin for additional information on small employer eligibility for penalty reductions.

OSHA’s Cooperative Programs

OSHA offers cooperative programs under which businesses, labor groups, and other organizations can work cooperatively with the Agency to help prevent fatalities, injuries, and illnesses in the workplace. For help on deciding which cooperative programs are right for you, see Find a Cooperative Program. If you are located in a State with an OSHA-approved State Plan, please contact your state agency for information about cooperative programs. All States with OSHA-approved programs have their own cooperative programs.

Diverse Workforce/Limited English Proficiency Coordinators

OSHA’s Diverse Workforce/Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Coordinators assist a variety of groups, including small businesses, trade associations, union locals, and community and faith-based groups with outreach, education and training to Spanish-speaking and other diverse workers. The coordinators are available for seminars, workshops, and speaking events for diverse workers. They promote OSHA’s cooperative programs and Spanish/other-than-English training materials and compliance assistance resources available on the OSHA Web site. There is one Diverse Workforce/LEP Coordinator in each of the ten OSHA Regions. To find the Diverse Workforce/LEP Coordinator in your Region, click here.

Training and Education

OSHA’s Training Institute (OTI) and OSHA’s Training Education Centers across the country provide basic and advanced courses in safety and health. OSHA’s area offices offer information services, such as audiovisual aids, technical advice, and speakers for special engagements. In addition, the Training Centers have begun offering one-day or one-half-day seminars to increase opportunities for small business employers to attend safety/health training.

Susan Harwood Training Grants Program – Training and educational programs for small businesses is a priority for the grants program. The program has funded Small Business Development Centers.

Electronic Tools and Resources
OSHA's Safety and Health Management Systems eTool

OSHA eTools are “stand-alone”, interactive, Web-based training tools on occupational safety and health topics. They are highly illustrated and utilize graphical menus. Some also use expert system modules, which enable the user to answer questions, and receive reliable advice on how OSHA regulations apply to their work site.

OSHA Safety and Health Topics Pages provide access to selected occupational safety and health information. The subjects of these pages include specific workplace hazards, as well as individual industries.

OSHA’s Compliance Assistance Quick Start is a tool to introduce employers and employees, especially those at new or small businesses, to the compliance assistance resources on OSHA’s website.

OSHA’s $afety Pays Program is an interactive expert system to assist employers in estimating the costs of occupational injuries and illnesses and the impact on a company’s profitability. This system uses a company’s profit margin, the AVERAGE costs of an injury or illness, and an indirect cost multiplier to project the amount of sales a company would need to generate in order to cover those costs.

Frequently Cited OSHA Standards is a query tool which allows the user to determine the most frequently cited Federal and State OSHA standards for a given NAICS code. The NAICS code may be determined by accessing the online NAICS Manual.

Publications

OSHA has many publications, including specific topics for small businesses that are available or can be ordered online.

Source: United States Department of Labor, “Benefits and Resources” https://www.osha.gov website. Accessed November 24, 2015. https://www.osha.gov/dcsp/smallbusiness/benefits.html

© Copyright 2016. All rights reserved. This content is strictly for informational purposes and although experts have prepared it, the reader should not substitute this information for professional insurance advice. If you have any questions, please consult your insurance professional before acting on any information presented. Read more.