Safety in the News: November 2018

Fall Protection in Construction: OSHA Launches Emphasis Program in Pacific Northwest (Safety+Health)
Enforcement of the REP – which covers Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington – will begin after a period of outreach and education, a Nov. 2 press release from OSHA states.

OSHA's Top 10 Violations of 2018 (EC&M)
OSHA announced its preliminary Top 10 list of most cited violations for 2018 at the National Safety Council (NSC) Congress and Expo in late October in Houston.

OSHA Publishes Updates to Crane Operator Certification Requirements (Building Design + Construction)
The new rule specifies that certification/licensing must be accomplished via an accredited testing service, an independently audited employer program, military training, or compliance with qualifying state or local licensing requirements.

Tips for Safe Outdoor Winter Work (Safety.BLR.com)
Winter is approaching fast, and with it comes the hazards of outdoor work in cold conditions, snow and ice removal, and other dangers. At its Winter Weather resource site, OSHA lists 10 common winter weather hazards that employers should train employees to recognize.

Incident Investigations: Getting Started (Safety+Health)
Workplace incidents should be actively investigated. The Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety points out that when incidents are investigated, “the emphasis should be concentrated on finding the root cause of the incident so you can prevent the event from happening again.”

Making the Workplace Safe(r) (Business World)
In August 2018, Republic Act 11058, otherwise known as “An Act Strengthening Compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Standards and Providing Penalties for Violations Thereof,” was enacted. This law seeks to enforce stricter and wider coverage for compliance with safety rules in the workplace and provides that “the State shall ensure a safe and healthful workplace for all working people by affording them full protection against all hazards in their work environment.