OSHA Seeks Comments on GHS
OSHA published an Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Sept. 12 Federal Register seeking comments on the implementation of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS). The GHS includes harmonized provisions for classification of chemicals for their health, physical, and environmental effects, as well as for labels on containers and material safety data sheets. Adoption of the GHS would require proposed changes to the Hazard Communication Standard. To help individuals better understand the GHS approach, OSHA prepared a guidance document that summarizes the requirements. Comments must be submitted no later than Nov. 13.
FACOSH to Meet Sept. 28
The Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health (FACOSH) has scheduled its next meeting in Arlington, Va., on Sept. 28. OSHA Administrator Ed Foulke will welcome the 16-person council who advises OSHA on issues concerning the safety and health of federal employees. The meeting is open to the public and will begin at 10 a.m. in Room 2537G-2540K at the Mine Safety and Health Administration's offices, 1100 Wilson Blvd. Agenda items include discussion on U.S. Government Accountability Office audit on federal workplace safety and health, Safety and Health and Return to Employment (SHARE) Initiative, federal agency recordkeeping, and pandemic flu guidance for federal agencies. Details are in the Sept. 8 Federal Register.
Fire Protection Module Added to Shipyard Employment eTool
Employers and employees in the maritime industry will benefit from the launch of a new Fire Protection Module as part of OSHA's interactive Web-based Shipyard Employment eTool. The module and eTool are products of alliances between OSHA and the American Shipbuilding Association, National Shipbuilding Research Program, and the Shipbuilders Council of America. The module stresses the importance of an effective fire protection plan to protect shipyard employees from fire hazards.
Emergency Preparedness Conference Scheduled Next Month
Helping better prepare hospital employees to respond to victims of pandemic flu and natural disasters is the focus of a conference being sponsored by OSHA, Joint Commission Resources, and the American Red Cross. The event, Second Annual Emergency Preparedness Conference: Disaster Readiness on the Home Front, will take place Oct. 19-20 in Washington. Participants will hear about personal experiences, and discuss best practices and lessons learned from natural disasters. Other agenda topics include avian flu, strengthening patient safety and security, employee communication and training, collaboration with local emergency management authorities, surge capacity management, evacuation procedures, and the psychosocial aspects of emergencies. Early registration is encouraged. To register by telephone, or for more information, please call 877-223-6866.
OSHA Warns about Dangers Stemming from Severe Weather Cleanup and Recovery
OSHA is reminding employers, employees and the public to take the appropriate steps to evade injuries and illnesses associated with cleanup and utility restoration efforts following hurricanes and tropical storms. Information on the potential hazards and possible solutions to avoiding those hazards can be found on OSHA's Hurricane Recovery Web page.
Safety and Health Conference Slated for Chicago
OSHA's Chicago Region is co-sponsoring the 18th annual Chicagoland Safety and Health Conference Sept. 18-22 at Northern Illinois University in Naperville, Ill. The conference features more than 45 sessions on construction safety, ergonomics, environmental safety, machine guarding, recordkeeping, bioterrorism, effective safety management and training techniques, among others. OSHA's 10-hour general industry and construction safety and health courses will be offered just prior to the conference. Teresa Harrison, OSHA's Atlanta deputy regional administrator, will deliver a keynote address; exhibitors will also be on hand. For more information, contact Jim Smith at (708) 450-3270, Eugene Satrun at (815) 521-7739, or send e-mail to info@chisafetyconf.org.
Registration Open for Spanish-language Version of Worker Safety and Health Training
Spaces are still available for the Spanish-language version of the 10-hour general industry safety and health course being offered by OSHA and the Illinois On-Site Consultation Program, Northern Illinois University, University of Illinois at Chicago, and Truman College. The two-day course is set for Sept. 29?30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Chicago's West Side Technical Institute, 2800 S. Western Ave. To register, contact Truman College at (773) 907-3994 (bilingual).
Safety and Health Seminars to Benefit Illinois Small Businesses
OSHA's North Aurora, Ill., Area Office is co-sponsoring a series of seminars to help Illinois employers control workplace hazards through effective safety programs. Each seminar will focus on a different subject such as safety and health management systems, workplace inspections, and delivering presentations and training to employees. The dates are Oct. 18, Nov. 15 and Dec. 13. Each session will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Eigerlab, 605 Fulton Ave., Rockford, Ill. To register, call (815) 316-6367, or e-mail rsvp@edge-ni.org.
OSHA Appoints New Director for Philadelphia Area Office
Al D'Imperio, former assistant Philadelphia area director, was recently named as the city's area director. As area director, he will be in charge of OSHA program activities throughout Philadelphia, Delaware and Chester counties.
OSHA Alliance Update
National Office: OSHA and the Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair renewed an alliance to continue protecting the health and safety of automotive industry employees through training and guidance. The alliance renewal was signed Sept. 12. Region V: OSHA's Peoria, Ill., Area Office signed a new alliance with the Central Illinois Golf Course Superintendents Association to promote safe and healthful working conditions for groundskeepers.
Latest VPP Certifications
Visit "recent approvals" on the Voluntary Protection Programs (VPP) page of OSHA's Web site to see the latest list of employers recently approved for new or continued participation in VPP. We encourage you to examine the entire VPP site to learn more about OSHA's premier cooperative program.
Upcoming Events
OSHA recently updated its events Web page with new safety and health-related conference and meeting information. Check for events near you.
