Safety News
Ken Grist, SMACNA-KC Safety Director
Posted Sep 01, 2009
OSHA enforcement activity has increased under the new administration. There are several inspection emphasis programs resulting in more OSHA inspections for sheet metal companies. OSHA emphasis programs include lead exposure, amputations, hexavalent chromium exposure and stimulus funded construction projects. The SMACNA press brake safety compliance program should be reviewed because of the amputation emphasis program. Lead air sampling and program implementation should be considered if you are working with lead solders or welding on lead based painted structures. Hexavalent Chromium air sampling and program implementation should be considered if you are working with base metal with chrome content, using high fume producing methods and/or are working in poorly ventilated areas.
Missouri has a requirement as of August 29, 2009; all “on site” workers on publically funded projects must have an OSHA 10 hour or OSHA 30hour construction safety card. Missouri HB 390 defines “On-site employees” to include: laborers, workmen, drivers, equipment operators, and craftsmen employed by contractors and subcontractors to be directly engaged in construction at the site of the public works. “Directly engaged in construction” shall mean work performed in the actual erection of the structure or completion of the improvement constituting the public works. In addition, employees working at a nearby or adjacent facility used by the contractor or subcontractor for construction of the public works shall be deemed “on-site employees”. Persons engaged solely in the transportation of materials, fuel, or equipment to the site of the public works shall not be deemed to be “directly engaged in construction”.
PLEASE NOTE: OSHA 10 hour and OSHA 30 hour cards do not expire. Safety training and updates are being conducted on a regular basis, including OSHA 10 Hour, and first aid/CPR. An employee or contractor can request a class at any time by contacting Ken Grist, SMACNA KC Safety Director at 816.421.3360. Training classes are held at the Sheet Metal #2 JATC in Raytown, unless another location is requested by contractor. The Sheet Metal #2 OSHA alliance renewal has been approved and was signed on Monday, September 14th. 2008 was a record year for the amount of training support provided Sheet Metal #2 members by OSHA.
In addition, the SMACNA/OSHA partnership safety program has been renewed and signed on September 14th. This partnership has lead to reduced injuries and workers compensation costs as well as exemption from OSHA inspections for both shop and construction sites. The SMACNA/OSHA partnership members had less than half the national average of severe injuries during 2008. The SMACNA/OSHA partnership inspection exemptions will be very important because of the OSHA emphasis programs. If your company has not joined the SMACNA/OSHA work safe partnership please contact Ken Grist for information. SMACNA/OSHA partnership participation can lead to substantial cost savings as well as provide a substantial competitive advantage with safety aware clients.
The safety committee will continue to offer lunch and learn sessions. September topics include “Dealing with an OSHA inspection” and “Respect for Fellow Workers”.