On April 23, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued the final rule requiring demolition and underground construction to follow the same requirements established by the final rule for Cranes and Derricks in Construction, published in August 2010.

Previously, OSHA had separate standards for underground and demolition work involving cranes and derricks.

Now, those standards have been eliminated, and the same rules applying to other crane and derrick construction sectors are now the same for underground construction and demolition.

Common Hazards and Signage Solutions

The hazards associated with cranes and derricks in construction can range from tipping caused by unstable loads to encountering buried electrical cables. Both the operators as well as the ground workers nearby can be affected by these risks.

• For ground workers, Crane Overhead and Swing Radius signs can help remind them to stay clear and be alert that cranes and derricks are operating nearby.
• For operators, High Voltage signs and markings alerting them to stay at least 20 feet away from power lines can help them adhere to regulations and operate at a safe working distance.
• For both ground workers and operators, Crane Hand Signal wallet cards can provide immediate reminders for standard communication signals.

For More Information

If you want to learn more about cranes and derricks, associated hazards and solutions, and OSHA regulations, please visit the following:

• OSHA's web page on Crane, Derrick, and Hoist Safety
• The OSHA Construction eTool on Cranes and Derricks
• The August 2010 Final Rule for Cranes and Derricks in Construction
• The OSHA news release announcing the latest ruling
• The final rule for Cranes and Derricks in Construction: Underground Construction and Demolition

The final rule takes effect May 23, 2013.

About Accuform Signs

 Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

Twenty-five percent of forklift-related deaths result from forklift overturns, according to OSHA. Other forklift injuries occur when:

1. Operators inadvertently drive forklifts off loading docks
2. Lifts fall between docks and unsecured trailers
3. Life trucks strike pedestrians
4. Workers fall from elevated pallets and tines

So what are some procedures and housekeeping rules employers can implement to create a safer workplace?

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) published an alert on Preventing Injuries and Deaths of Workers Who Operate or Work Near Forklifts. In it, NIOSH offers some suggestions for controlling this occupational hazard from several angles which include the following.

For the work environment:

• Do regular safety inspections to identify potential hazards
• Distance workstations and equipment as far away from aisles as possible, and keep aisles clear
• Enforce safe facility traffic rules, such as speed limits and stop signs
• Keep loading docks, aisles and operating surfaces well maintained

For workers on foot:

• Where possible, keep forklift traffic and foot workers separate
• Designate some aisles for foot workers or forklifts only
• Keep employee high traffic areas – such as time clocks and break rooms – off limits to forklifts
• Identify blind corners and intersections where mirrors might improve visibility
• Use horns, alarms and flashing lights to alert workers when forklifts are present

For forklift operators:

• Only operate a forklift if you are trained and licensed to do so
• Use your seatbelt if available
• If your forklift is damaged, report it immediately
• Never jump from an overturning forklift, but hold on firmly, leaning in the opposite direction of the overturn
• Always use extreme caution on ramps and inclines
• Visit NIOSH’s website for more information

More resources are also available on OSHA’s Powered Industrial Trucks page. In conjunction with the Industrial Trucking Association (ITA), OSHA has published Sample Daily Checklists for Powered Industrial Trucks to help with training and maintenance.

What are some ways your facility promotes forklift safety?

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

Step into most industrial facilities, and you will see signage, floor signs and even banners that alert you to the presence of forklift traffic. Additional warnings are posted for forklift operators to be on the alert for pedestrian traffic.

Why is this signage so important? Surely pedestrians will see – or at least hear – when forklifts are coming. And surely forklift drivers will know pedestrians are present, right?

Not necessarily.

OSHA has published case studies that report on fatal occupational injuries associated with forklifts. A few are listed below.

• Fatal Accident Summary Report: Struck and Crushed By a Backing Forklift…
• Press Operator Dies After Forklift Rams Scrap Bin…
• Supply Motorman Killed by Load Falling from a Forklift

Clearly, forklift operation demands safe work practices. In 29 CFR 1910.178, OSHA outlines general requirements for powered industrial trucks. Additional standards by industry group are listed in Frequently Cited OSHA Standards.

OSHA has also published a Safety and Health Information Bulletin that discusses the issue of young workers and forklift operation. Protecting Young Workers: Prohibition Against Young Workers Operating Forklifts is designed to help employers ensure a safe workplace. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, employees under 18 years of age are prohibited from operating forklifts in most circumstances. For more information, review the Department of Labor’s Fact Sheet #43 which outlines youth employment provisions.

Regardless of age, workers must be trained and certified. 29 CFR 1910.178(I)1)(i) states:

“The employer shall ensure that each powered industrial truck operator is competent to operate a powered industrial truck safely, as demonstrated by the successful completion of the training and evaluation…”

The right people with the right training make the difference in busy industrial facilities where pedestrians move about and forklifts operate.

When you see forklift or pedestrian signage in your facility, pay attention. It’s there for a reason, and that reason may be you.

Next time, we’ll look into the potential hazards associated with forklifts in work environments and what employers and employees can do to help ensure a safe workplace.

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

According to OSHA, 15% of all accidental deaths and the majority of general industry accidents result from slips, trips and falls. In fact, OSHA describes slips, trips and falls as the leading cause of fatalities, “second only to motor vehicles.”

Putting one foot in front of the other does not seem like a dangerous process; but in busy industrial settings, sometimes crowded workspaces and cluttered aisles, the reality is that it can be.

Be aware of common hazards

The causes of slips, trips and falls are so basic that employees might be tempted to ignore them. However, employers should train employees on common pitfalls and enforce housekeeping protocols to prevent unnecessary injuries.

OSHA identifies several common culprits that contribute to slips, trips and falls:

• Ice and wet spots
• Grease
• Polished floors
• Loose flooring or carpeting
• Uneven walking surfaces
• Clutter
• Electrical cords
• Open desk drawers and filing cabinets
• Damaged ladder steps

Read that list again, and realize just how little “common sense” is needed to avoid these hazards.

As OSHA states:

“The controls needed to prevent these hazards are usually obvious, but too often ignored, such as keeping walkways and stairs clear of scrap and debris; coiling up extension cords, lines, and hoses when not in use; keeping electrical and other wires out of the way; wearing lug soles in icy weather; clearing parking lots, stairs, and walkways in snowy weather; and using salt/sand as needed.”

29 CFR 1910.21 to 1910.30 address Walking/Working Surfaces, and OSHA even offers a 10-hour training outreach for workers. For more information, visit OSHA’s safety and health topics page on Walking/Working Surfaces.

Identify floor marking solutions

Employers and supervisors should recognize hazards in their workplaces and determine what best practices to apply and what product solutions to use.

Some popular floor marking solutions include:

• Fold-Ups® Signs: Portable, free-standing signs identify temporary hazardous conditions and display messages quickly and easily. High-impact plastic signs feature the same message on both sides for maximum visibility.
• Slip-Gard™ Floor Signs: Non-slip, vinyl floor signs apply directly to the floor and feature a pebble-textured surface for slip resistance. Bold, graphic messages alert of specific hazards, provide safety reminders or identify equipment and locations in your facility.
• Floor Marking Tapes: Accuform Signs offer a variety of floor marking tapes – from Slip-Gard™ textured marking tapes to grit tapes to message tapes and more. Contact us to find a solution for your unique environment.

 Which floor marking products do you use at your facility?

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

Thank you to those who responded to the post A Sound Partnership: Facility Identification and PPE.

One of the comments I received introduced me to the 85-3 Campaign that launched at the 2012 National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA) Conference. The purpose of this campaign is to raise the standard for hearing protection and ultimately help protect workers from the “silent epidemic” caused by occupational hearing loss.

The NHCA states the 85-3 mission this way:

"Our mission is to recognize organizations and employers that have adopted 85 dBA for an 8-hour noise exposure limit measured with a 3-dB exchange rate for their hearing loss prevention programs, and to encourage others to adopt this same hearing protective strategy."

How does this campaign differ from OSHA’s requirements, and how widespread is its reach?

Stricter requirements

According to the Occupational Noise Exposure page, OSHA currently allows a permissible exposure limit (PEL) of 90 dBA (decibel). The 85-3 Campaign requires a lower decibel level, 85 dBA, as required by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). 

The “3” in 85-3 refers to a 3-dB exchange rate (as opposed to OSHA’s 5-dB exchange rate), meaning that the PEL may be raised by only 3 dB when exposure time is cut in half. For example, if exposure time is reduced from 8 hours to 4 hours, the PEL may increase up to 88 dBA.

In other words, the 85-3 Campaign calls for more stringent standards than OSHA dictates.

Global reach

Several prominent United States agencies, including the Department of Defense (DoD) and National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), participate in this campaign. But the influence of this program extends beyond America’s shores to the worldwide level – including dozens of countries.

Participating companies, agencies and nations are called “85-3 Pioneers” for their progressive stand on noise exposure.

To learn more or become a member, visit the NHCA’s web page on the 85-3 Campaign.

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

Facility and workplace safety signs help prevent injuries on a daily basis, and safety signs are often your last line of defense. Accuform Signs is the leading manufacturer of ANSI and OSHA safety signs, OSHA safety tags, OSHA safety labels, motivational banners and other facility safety identification products.

We have danger signs, caution signs, notice signs, warning signs, admittance signs, exit signs, directional signs, glow in the dark signs, photo-luminescent signs, surveillance signs, floor signs, no trespassing signs, traffic signs, chemical and corrosive safety signs, fire extinguisher signs, projection signs, equipment and pinch point signs, arc flash signs and labels, bilingual signs, hot work signs, PPE signs, fuel and petroleum signs, flammable signs, hazardous material signs, door signs, restricted area signs, authorized personnel only signs, think signs and safety first signs.

Over the last few months the following question has come up repeatedly; “How does a customer document GHS Training?” Well, quite simply, or not so simply, GHS Training just like many other training documentation required by OSHA. Documentation may not be required.

Essentially the company would keep a record of employee training sessions, either electronically or on paper, which shows that on X day those employees attended a particular training. Part of almost any OSHA inspection is a records review.

There is no one OSHA requirement for training records that applies in all situations. Recordkeeping requirements for training sessions vary from regulation to regulation. In some cases, OSHA sets a record retention time or specifies requirements for the contents of training records, but this is not always the case. The HazCom standard does not specify how training records are to be maintained or for how long.

Deliverables on things like our GHS Training DVD Program, or GHS Webinar, would be minimal in terms of documentation for recordkeeping purposes, but in this specific instance, there’s not much more you need.

Documentation, or certification of training, is required on these standards:

• Lockout/Tagout, 29 CFR 1910.147(c)(7)(iv)
• Process Safety Management, 29 CFR 1910.119(g)(3)
• Hazardous Waste Operations (HAZWOPER), 29 CFR 1910.120(p)(8)(iii)(C)
• Personal Protective Equipment, 29 CFR 1910.132(f)(4)
• Respiratory Protection, 29 CFR 1910.134(m), which does not specifically use the word "training," but refers to "written information regarding medical evaluations, fit testing, and the respirator program."
• Permit-Required Confined Spaces, 29 CFR 1910.146(g)(4)
• Powered Industrial Trucks, 29 CFR 1910.178(l)(6)

By far, the best policy is to document all formal safety training for each of your employees, regardless of whether or not it’s required, it’s just good practice. You can also document additional information not required by OSHA. For example, it might be useful to keep track of the following safety training data:

• Past training on the same safety topic
• Content summary
• Safety orientation dates for new employees and orientation program content
• Future training schedule

For additional information, contact your Accuform Signs Regional Sales Manager or call 1.800.237.1001. You can also find other materials on our GHS web page.

About Accuform Signs

Accuform Signs, located in Brooksville, FL, is the leading manufacturer of facility safety identification products. Founded in 1976, Accuform Signs sells products to a network of distributors throughout North America, South America and Asia. From personalized safety signs, safety tags and safety labels, to traffic safety and lockout/tag out products, Accuform Signs provides the products and sales support for the distributors that define the safety industry.

Here at Accuform Signs, we partner with industry-leading distributors who supply safety products that work hand in hand with our facility identification solutions.

Why is this so important? Let's discuss an example. Many of our safety distributors offer PPE (personal protective equipment) such as earmuffs and earplugs to protect workers from noise exposure, while Accuform provides the warning signage to identify and alert employees of high noise environments where PPE is required.

You can’t have one without the other.

OSHA on Hearing PPE

Noise, or unwanted sound, is a pervasive occupational health problem, a by-product of many industrial processes. According to OSHA, hazardous noise affects 30 million people each year.

Exposure to high levels of noise causes hearing loss and may cause other harmful health effects as well. The extent of damage depends primarily on the intensity of the noise and the duration of the exposure.

OSHA 29 § 1910.95 requires employers to have a hearing conservation program and provide hearing protectors to employees when noise hazards are present.

“The employer shall administer a continuing, effective hearing conservation program … whenever employee noise exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (TWA) of 85 decibels measured on the A scale (slow response) or, equivalently, a dose of fifty percent.”

For more information, visit www.osha.gov and the page on Occupational Noise Exposure.

Through hearing conservation programs, employers provide the training and tools to help create safe workplaces. Not surprisingly, these programs include provisions for the identification of noise sources.

OSHA on Warning Signage

Everyone needs reminders. The best-trained worker may be running late and leave behind his earmuffs. The work environment may be hot and stuffy, and a worker may be tempted to remove hearing protection.

In these situations, what provides the reminder to retrieve - or the warning not to remove - hearing protection?

The answer is facility signage.

OSHA provides a Sample Hearing Conservation Program that includes “Identification of Noise Sources” as part of the plan. The sample program states:

“Equipment or areas with noise levels equal to or exceeding 85 dBA will be identified with labels or signs, which will be posted on the individual pieces of equipment (whether owned and leased) or at the entrance to noisy areas.

“The sign or label will state either “Hearing Protection Is Required While the Equipment Is Operating” or “Hearing Protection Is Required While Working in the Area” or similar wording, as appropriate.”

Noise-induced hearing loss can be temporary or permanent. Temporary hearing loss results from short-term exposures to noise, with normal hearing returning after period of rest. Generally, prolonged exposure to high noise levels over a period of time gradually causes permanent damage.

Together, Accuform Signs and our distributor partners provide the PPE and signage to help employers inform and protect workers - and comply with regulations.

GHS (Globally Harmonized System) is a worldwide program developed by the United Nations which strives to provide a consistent, globally harmonized system of classifying chemical hazards on labels and safety data sheets through standardizing:

• How hazards are classified
• Hazard statements
• Hazard symbols
• Hazard signal words

GHS is important because a consistent system for classifying chemicals in the workplace promotes worker safety and understanding. The shift toward standardized classification, labeling and safety data sheets provides a more uniform, user-friendly approach to hazard communication. In addition, a worldwide, harmonized system helps promote safe and efficient chemical handling and trade on a global level.

The UN’s GHS lays out the standardization practices for participating countries but does not enforce compliance. Each country is responsible for adopting and implementing the GHS through their enforcement agencies, like the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). On March 26, 2012, OSHA published the final rule to revise the Hazard Communication                       UN Purple Book           Standard §1910.1200 to align with the GHS.

The first step towards compliance with the revised Hazard Communication Standard is to educate and train employees on new GHS label elements and safety data sheet (SDS) format. Now is the time to start preparing for new requirements. The compliance date to have all employees trained is December 1, 2013.

GHS has been a super-hot topic for more than a year now, and Accuform Signs has a wealth of information and educational material including downloadable PDF's, OSHA SDS resource (quick card), a Key Points slide presentation, whitepaper and even product videos to help you stay on track with the timeline.

Contact your regional sales manager or customer service representative today to find out how Accuform can further help you stay in compliance with OSHA concerning the GHS.

Accuform Signs Recognized for Exemplary Safety by OSHA, USF SafetyFlorida

Brooksville, FL – January 15, 2013 -- OSHA and USF SafetyFlorida officially recognize Accuform Signs as a leader in workplace safety. 

Accuform Signs, itself a supplier of workplace safety solutions, received OSHA's SHARP (Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program) award, which is given to private sector, small businesses with exemplary safety and health management programs. Fewer than 100 companies in Florida are SHARP-certified. 

Wayne Johnson, CEO of Accuform Signs stated that “we are extremely honored to have successfully achieved our SHARP certification. I would strongly recommend participation in the SHARP program to other businesses because the process really helped to strengthen our internal health and safety program, and it is great to receive recognition for our continued effort. As a manufacturer of safety solutions this also uniquely identifies Accuform as being serious about safety.”

Charlene Sitterly, program director of USF SafetyFlorida, says that earning a SHARP award is a badge of honor. “Businesses dedicated to workplace safety and health that earn this award work tremendously hard every day to keep their people safe. I commend Accuform Signs for its commitment to their employees’ safety and well-being.”

USF SafetyFlorida recommends employers to OSHA for a SHARP award. To qualify, an employer must request a consultation from USF Safety Florida that involves a complete hazard identification assessment and engages employees in the consultation process. The company agrees to correct hazards identified during the consultation, implement and maintain a safety and health management system that addresses OSHA’s Safety and Health Program Management Guidelines, reduce its Days Away, Restricted or Transferred (DART) rate and Total Recordable Case (TRC) rate below national average, and agree to notify its state Consultation Project Office prior to making changes to working conditions or introducing new hazards into the workplace. 

To learn more about the SHARP Program, leave me a comment or call 800.237.1001.

Each morning, we enter our place of business, walk the familiar hallways, and then settle into our work routine. Yet if I asked you where the nearest fire extinguisher is to your workstation, would you be able to tell me?

Portable fire extinguishers should be an integral part of your facility’s fire safety program, because they can be an effective tool for immediately responding to and suppressing small fires. Oftentimes, a trained employee will be your first line of defense to quench a small fire before it burns out of control.

OSHA makes clear that employers are responsible for placing portable fire extinguishers where employees can easily access and identify them.

29 CFR §1910.157(c)(1) – “The employer shall provide portable fire extinguishers and shall mount, locate and identify them so that they are readily accessible to employees without subjecting the employees to possible injury.”

Accuform Signs offers several product solutions designed specifically to help increase the visibility of portable fire extinguishers located throughout your facility.

• Fire & Emergency Projection™ Signs – Available in 3D, 90D and 180D styles, Projection™ signs “project” outward from the wall to draw attention to the location of portable fire extinguishers.
• Fire Extinguisher Cover – Available in bilingual Spanish or French, this cover not only protects the extinguisher from dust, corrosion and sunlight; but its bright orange color provides high visibility. The cover also includes basic instructions for extinguisher use and space to check off the type of fire extinguisher (learn more about this product by watching the video).

For specific guidance on selection and placement of portable fire extinguishers, visit OSHA’s web page on Extinguisher Placement and Spacing.

Next time, we’ll look at OSHA’s requirements on proper maintenance and recordkeeping for portable fire extinguishers.

It’s that time of year when Santa holds everyone’s hopes and dreams in the palm of his fluffy mitten-covered hands. He’s making a list and checking it twice. But are you going to end up on the naughty list?

If you don’t have an effective lockout/tagout program in place, your name could be crossed off the nice list and all that will turn up in your stocking is a dirty lump of coal. So take a cue from Santa, make a list and get to checking it twice.

1. Know the Regs – 29 CFR 1910.147, the control of hazardous energy, requires employers to have a lockout/tagout program in place and establish procedures to prevent unexpected start-ups.

2. Identify Machinery & Equipment – make a list of all equipment around your facility that may require a lockout procedure.

3. Mark Energy Sources – on each piece of equipment, identify and document all energy sources. (Note to self: Add Energy Source ID Tags to my holiday wish list!)

4. Determine Lockout Controls – gather, document, and standardize the required lockout devices to properly isolate and lockout each energy source. (Santa says: StopOut® devices from Accuform Signs make the best stocking stuffers!)

5. Develop Procedures and Training – ensure that all affected employees are properly trained and standardized procedures for each lockout have been developed and documented.

6. Implement Plan – all of the preparations are done, now just start following the plan you’ve laid out.

7. Review Plan - continue to test, add to, and adjust the plan on a regular basis. Be certain to train newly affected employees on proper lockout procedures and retrain even experienced workers at planned intervals. 

OSHA provides a wealth of information, including an online interactive tutorial to help you understand the lockout/tagout regulation and start or improve your own lockout/tagout program. And here at Accuform Signs, we have all of the lockout/tagout solutions to support your program.

This year, be sure to give the gift of safety your entire workforce…and end up on the Nice List!

Each year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announces its Top 10 Most Frequently Cited Standards. In 2011, Lockout/Tagout (1910.147) ranked fifth on this list with 3,639 violations.

When the Top 10 were announced at the National Safety Congress this year, Lockout/Tagout had dropped to ninth place at 1,572 violations.

That’s good news for the standard that outlines requirements to prevent unexpected equipment start-up and the release of stored energy. Let's hope this year's results are just the start of a growing trend toward fewer lockout/tagout violations.

How we can help

Accuform Signs provides innovative, Lockout/Tagout solutions through our STOPOUT® brand of products designed to inform and protect workers.

This year, we released some new products in this line:

Twist ‘n Lock Cinch Lockout Hasp is an easy-to-use cable and cinch lockout hasp solution. To lock out a device, simply insert the cable through the device and then pull the cable taut. A short 15 degree turn of the hasp halves tightens and cinches the cable in place. Secure with lockout tag and up to four padlocks (available separately).

For more information on Lockout/Tagout, visit OSHA’s Safety and Health Topic page on Lockout Tagout or the standard page 1910.147.

Trailer-Lock Glad Hand Lockout is to designed to prevent the unplanned movement of trailers from docks and storage areas by blocking access to the emergency brake airline. Clam-style device hinges to completely cover the glad hand coupling point – fits standard valves. Secure with padlock and tag (sold separately) to discourage removal.

For our complete STOPOUT® line of products, contact us today, or visit our website at Accuform.com/STOPOUT to learn more.

The other day, I pointed out an evacuation assembly sign in our parking lot as a good example of a "muster" sign. The person with me asked, "Did you say mustard?"

No, I didn't say "mustard" - as in the condiment mustard, the tiny little mustard seed, or the vintage yellow color. I said “muster,” defined by dictionary.com as “to gather, summon, rouse.”

Ok, so what is a muster sign? Quite simply, it is a sign that indicates a central location where employees should gather in response to safety procedures. For example, do you have a central indoor location for a tornado shelter or an outdoor meeting location in the event of a fire? That gathering place can be marked with a muster sign.

In other words, muster signs are designed for emergency evacuation situations. They designate the location where personnel, visitors, contractors – anyone in the building – should assemble in the event of a drill or actual emergency.

Do you have a plan in place for emergency situations?

OSHA Standard 1910.38 Emergency Action Plans outlines the requirements for an emergency plan and spells out the minimum elements it must include:

• 1910.38(c)(1) Procedures for reporting a fire or other emergency;
• 1910.38(c)(2) Procedures for emergency evacuation, including type of evacuation and exit route assignments;
• 1910.38(c)(3) Procedures to be followed by employees who remain to operate critical plant operations before they evacuate;
• 1910.38(c)(4) Procedures to account for all employees after evacuation;
• 1910.38(c)(5) Procedures to be followed by employees performing rescue or medical duties; and
• 1910.38(c)(6) The name or job title of every employee who may be contacted by employees who need more information about the plan or an explanation of their duties under the plan.

OSHA’s web page on Emergency Preparedness includes an Evacuation Planning Matrix which lists online resources available.

Do your employees know where to report – in other words, a muster point – in the event of a disaster?

Accuform Signs offers a selection Emergency and Evacuation signs, including Muster Signs. Visit our website, or contact us today to learn more about our emergency identification solutions.

In February of this year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited an Ohio-based company after a worker was injured when his clothes become caught in a conveyor belt not adequately locked out for maintenance work.

That same month, OSHA also cited a company in Oklahoma for an accident involving two teenage workers who suffered leg amputations after becoming caught in an improperly guarded conveyor auger.

The stories of conveyor belt injuries are too common, but there are steps companies can take to help keep employees safe and comply with OSHA regulations.

OSHA Standard 29 CFR § 1926.555 describes the general requirements for conveyors. These include:

• Means for stopping the motor or engine provided at the operator’s station
• Audible warning signal to sound immediately before starting up the conveyor
• Emergency stop switches
• Suitable guards to protect employees

 Additionally, OSHA requires that conveyor hazards be properly identified and marked.

• 1926.555(a)(6): “All crossovers, aisles, and passageways shall be conspicuously marked by suitable signs..”

• 1926.555(a)(7): “Conveyors shall be locked out or otherwise rendered inoperable, and tagged out with a “Do Not Operate” tag during repairs and when operation is hazardous to employees performing maintenance work.”

To help make employees more aware of conveyor hazards, the Conveyor and Equipment Manufacturer’s Association (CEMA) has developed a series of standardized labels to identify potential hazards associated with human operations in and around conveying equipment. As of September 2011, CEMA released two new labels to accommodate smaller locations on conveyors.

While employers are responsible for having engineering controls in place, properly identifying hazards, and providing employees with the proper equipment and training for protection, employees should be actively involved and aware of how they contribute to their own safety.

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) provides some helpful information for conveyor safety, including steps as simple as:

• Wearing PPE – including hard hats and safety shoes
• Remembering to tie back or tuck in long hair
• Removing jewelry before working with conveyors
• Not wearing loose clothing
• Never climbing on conveyors

Accidents do happen. But having the proper engineering controls in place and following clearly defined regulations and safety procedures can help prevent conveyor accidents and keep employees safe and productive. 

The information provided is for general purposes only, and not to be relied upon as legal advice, legal opinion, and absolute and complete for the specific facts or circumstances. 

In Part 1, we discussed what can happen if you don't have a lockout/tagout program at your facility, and in Part 2 we outlined the first few steps you can take. So here's the last installment of our 3 part series on an effective seven-step lockout/tagout program from Accuform, and as always, you can download the whitepaper. 

4. Determine the Lockout Controls —Identify and document the necessary devices that isolate and lockout energy sources, and secure them for on-site use. Standardize the devices for various functions for proper identification.  

For example, develop different color locks for each shift at your plant and for supervisors. Be sure that everyone working on a machine understands that all locks for each shift must be removed only by the person responsible for each lock before the machine is safe to operate. 

Accuform Signs also has custom made tags available that feature the picture of the specific worker who must remove the tag before a machine can be re-started. Lockout steering wheel covers also are available.

5. Set-up Lockout Training & Procedure Program —Develop, standardize, and document the lockout process – for each energy source. Identify employees’ level of involvement in the program. They're broken down into three groups by OSHA – those who are made aware of, those who are affected by and those who perform the lockout procedures. Accomplish this through comprehensive training programs and certifications.

Employee training, according to OSHA, must cover at least three areas:

• Aspects of the employer’s energy control program
• Elements of the energy control procedure relevant to the employee’s duties or assignment
• The various requirements of the OSHA standards related to lockout/tagout. 

Accuform Signs has an excellent DVD available on how to set up written lockout/tagout procedures titled, “Lockout/Tagout, Your Key to Safety.” OSHA also has updated advice on its website, www.OSHA.gov.

6. Implement the Lockout Program —Initiate and enact the lockout/tagout program that follows the training procedures. Post reminders and have the necessary lockout/tagout devices readily available.

When completed, your lockout/tagout program must have a written procedure for the safe shutdown and startup of each machine in your company. You should have written and photographic documentation of what device is being used at each lockout point and the names of the people authorized to remove each lockout device.

7. Review Lockout Program —Finally, identify and document changes to existing lockout procedures and new energy sources that require lockout. Make corrections, changes, and additions to the program. Conduct periodic review of lockout procedures (required at least annually) to ensure they are up to date and requirements are being met

At this point, your company should have marked all energy control points with permanent labels or tags.  Each piece of equipment should have a posted step-by-step energy control procedure that will prevent unexpected start up and prevent injury to employees. 

Creating an effective lockout/tagout program is a complicated procedure. But the benefits are numerous. Good lockout/tagout programs save lives and prevent injuries, which in turn, saves money lost to employee recuperation time and worker compensation costs. Productivity also is improved due to minimal equipment downtime.

Please leave a comment or question about creating an effective lockout/tagout program at your facility. Accuform can also help with solutions for your program. And download the whitepaper for easy reference.

In part 1 of the series, we learned that a lockout/tagout program:

• Prevents an estimated 120 fatalities and 50,000 injuries each year.
• Approximately 3 million workers service equipment and face the greatest risk of injury if lockout/tagout is not properly implemented.
• Workers injured on the job from machinery that was not shut off properly lose an average of 24 workdays for recuperation
• The lack of a program can also cost a company millions of dollars.

Following is a seven-step program that Accuform Signs has created as a guideline to an effective lockout/tagout program. Additional helpful information is available on the OSHA website, www.osha.gov, or through your local safety equipment, or industrial solutions provider.

1. Be Aware of the Lockout Regulations —Become familiar with the federal regulations known as The Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout).

OSHA defines lockout/tagout as the “specific practices and procedures to safeguard employees from the unexpected energization or startup of machinery and equipment, or the release of hazardous energy during service or maintenance activities.”

Here are some of the most significant OSHA requirements for a Lockout/Tagout program:

• Only authorized workers may lockout or tagout machines or equipment in order to perform servicing or maintenance.
• Lockout devices (locks) and tagout devices cannot be used for any other purposes and must be used only for controlling energy.
• Lockout and tagout devices (locks and tags) must identify the name of the worker applying the device.
• All energy sources to equipment must be identified and isolated.
• After the energy is isolated from the machine or equipment, the isolating device(s) must be locked out or tagged out in safe or off position only by the authorized employees.
• Following the application of the lockout or tagout devices to the energy isolating devices, the stored or residual energy must be safely discharged or relieved.
• Prior to starting work on the equipment, the authorized employee must verify that the equipment is isolated from the energy source, for example, by operating the on/off switch on the machine or equipment.
• Locks and tags must remain on the machine until the work is completed.
• Only the authorized employee who placed the locks and tags may remove his/her lock or tag, unless the employer has a specific procedure as outlined in OSHA's Lockout/Tagout standard.

2. Develop List of Machinery & Equipment —Survey your facility for all machinery and equipment that have the potential for requiring lockout. In even a medium-sized building, this list could include several hundred pieces of equipment, each of which requires a separate lockout/tagout procedure. 

Among machinery that should be listed are:

• Any automated machines
• Boilers
• Chillers
• Compressors
• Conveyors
• Generators
• Production equipment and
• Pumps

For each machine, you will need to create a lockout procedure that details the specific steps for shutting down and securing it with special emphasis on safe release of any hazardous energy.

3. Identify & Mark Energy Sources & Lockout Points —Locate and document start up areas of energy sources, such as:

• Electrical
• Hydraulic
• Mechanical
• Pressure
• Process Control
• Stored Energy — gravity — springs
• Thermal

Post signs, apply labels and tags……to warn and identify energy source areas and points requiring shut down and lockout/tagout procedures. 

Use graphics, including photographs and diagrams to clearly illustrate where the energy sources and lockout points are on each machine. Accuform Signs has a complete line of solutions to help meet your lockout/tagout requirements and to make your employees aware of the energy source hazards found throughout your facility.

Be sure to check back with us for Part 3 - the conclusion of the seven-step program that Accuform Signs has created as a guideline to an effective lockout/tagout program. Additional helpful information is available on the OSHA website, or through your local safety equipment, or industrial solutions provider. You can also download the whitepaper.

So, do you need a lockout/tagout program at your company? Last year, a lumber mill had $1.6 million worth of reasons to say “yes.”  

The company had repeatedly ignored OSHA citations for serious safety violations. Employees, according to OSHA, were exposed to amputation hazards while maintaining, cleaning and clearing jams on machinery that didn’t have their energy sources locked out. 

After an employee suffered a partial finger amputation while clearing a machine that hadn’t been locked out and another suffered a severe hand injury while working on an unguarded machine, OSHA issued 24 willful violations at a maximum of $70,000 each to the company, including failure to properly shut down and lockout 23 pieces of machinery before employees were required to clean them. 

While this may be an extreme example of what can happen if you don’t have a comprehensive lockout/tagout program at your company, it does illustrate the potential dangers to your employees as well as the possible economic impact.

            According to OSHA:

• Approximately 3 million workers service equipment and face the greatest risk of injury if lockout/tagout is not properly implemented. Compliance with the lockout/tagout standard prevents an estimated 120 fatalities and 50,000 injuries each year.
• Workers injured on the job from machinery that was not shut off properly lose an average of 24 workdays for recuperation.

Clearly, implementing a good lockout/tagout procedure saves significantly on costs from lost employee time, workman’s compensation and other insurance costs.

But at the end of the day, the reason your company should implement a logout/tagout program is that you are ensuring the employees go home safely. Safety in your workplace has a priceless value for the company, the workers and the workers’ families. Quite simply, not only is a lockout/tagout program a required OSHA regulation, it’s the right thing to do. Safety is a family value.

However, ensuring employee safety is more than just shutting off, unplugging or disconnecting equipment. Procedures, devices and personnel must be set in place to prevent a serious injury when a worker thinks a machine is safely off. 

Be sure to check back with us for Part 2 - a seven-step program that Accuform Signs has created as a guideline to an effective lockout/tagout program. Additional helpful information is available on the OSHA website, or through your local safety equipment, or industrial solutions provider. You can also download the whitepaper.

OSHA’s final rule to revise the Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) has spurred much discussion about new GHS label elements and the new uniform format for safety data sheets (SDS). We’ve talked about those changes in previous posts.

But what you may not have heard yet is that some standard workplace warning signs are getting a facelift. 

Just a little over halfway through the final rule document (323 pages) is a section called Workplace Warning Language on Signs and Labels, which begins this way:

OSHA proposed to update the language for workplace signs and labels to incorporate the GHS hazard statement and the applicable precautionary statement(s), where required. Most OSHA substance-specific health standards require hazard warning signs, usually for regulated areas, and the language required on the signs varies greatly… OSHA proposed to modify the language to be compatible with GHS and consistent throughout the OSHA standards.

Read on, and you’ll find that the proposed changes carried through to the final rule.

In short, OSHA is revising the wording on warning signs to be consistent with the language of GHS hazard and precautionary statements. Let’s find out what that means for facility identification.

Which warning signs are changing?

Specifically, OSHA is referring to warning signs for cancer-causing substances.

The final rule gives the example of three current hazard statements to show the need for consistent wording:

Does one statement imply a higher risk than the others? No, the intent was not to suggest tiers of cancer warnings; however, it's easy to see how someone could misinterpret the different statements to mean different hazard levels.

To prevent confusion and promote clarity, OSHA has settled on the wording “May Cause Cancer,” which will become the standard wording for carcinogen warning signs.

Table XIII-4. Regulated Areas in Substance-Specific Health Hazards summarizes the changes to the warning message for each substance.

When will the old signs be phased out?

Until June 1, 2016, employers may use the current sign language. Existing substance-specific label warnings may be used until June 1, 2015.

But why wait? Now is the time to start updating your facility signage to meet the new warning sign requirements.

Accuform offers signs and labels that reflect the new warning messages as prescribed in the final rule. Visit our Carcinogen Warning Signs section on our website, or contact us to today to learn more. 

The information provided is for general purposes only, and not to be relied upon as legal advice, legal opinion, and absolute and complete for the specific facts or circumstances. 

You may see these signs on buildings when you are out shopping, going to work, or picking up your children from school. In Florida, the signs are in the shape of a Maltese cross, while in other states, they are shaped as a circle or triangle. The question is: What are these signs, and what do they mean?

Truss signs are specific to states (or cities) and serve to identify buildings that have a light-frame, truss-type construction. What that means is repetitive wood or light steel framing comprises the primary elements of the structure.

Appearances are deceiving

Buildings that use trusses pose a greater hazard for collapse during a fire than traditional roof and floor construction. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recognizes the potential hazard posed by truss signs, describing it as a “hazard to the fire service” in the publication Fire Service Features of Buildings and Fire Protection Systems. The publication states:

“Trusses are widely used in construction to span wide areas without the need for vertical supports, reducing both material and construction costs. Under ordinary conditions, trusses work well and building codes have permitted this type of construction for many years. However, trusses often fail suddenly and totally during a fire … It is impossible for crews operating at a fire to predict the time or extent of a collapse since they cannot see how many trusses are affected, which components, and to what extent.”

Thus, a building’s exterior offers no indication to firefighters as to whether or not trusses were used in the construction, and that is why truss signs are important. They provide a visual identifier to warn firefighters about the increased potential for collapse and help them determine whether or not they can safely enter the structure. 

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) published an alert on Preventing Injuries and Deaths of Fire Fighters Due to Truss System Failures, recommending that building owners “should consider posting building construction information outside a building to advise fire fighters of the conditions they may encounter.”

No national standard

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has developed voluntary standards that address fire fighter safety related to roof and floor trusses, including NFPA 1620, NFPA 1521, NFPA 1001, and NFPA 921. Some states, such as Florida in rule 69A-3.012, have incorporated NFPA standards into their truss sign laws.

However, there is no national standard for truss signs. Some states and cities have adopted truss sign laws, and although the requirements for truss signs often vary in shape and size, the signs generally share some key elements:

• The letters F, R and F/R appear in the center of the truss sign and indicate whether the Floor, Roof, or Floor and Roof use light-frame truss structures.
• The sign is required to be a bright, reflective color and/or made of a reflective material.

Accuform currently offers truss signs for Florida; New Jersey; New York; Vermont; Mississippi; San Francisco, Calif.; and Acushnet, Mass. If your state or city has truss sign regulations and you need a sign made, contact us today to find out how we can help.

The information provided is for general purposes only, and not to be relied upon as legal advice, legal opinion, and absolute and complete for the specific facts or circumstances.