OSHA's New Regional Emphasis Programs Target Construction Cranes, Hexavalent Chromium

Crane Safety REP

In August, the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) announced its Regional Emphasis Program (REP) for encouraging crane safety in the regions of Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and New Mexico. The REP is an enforcement initiative for promoting the inspection of cranes used in construction.

OSHA's existing construction crane standard, 29 C.F.R. 1926.550, generally requires employers to inspect construction cranes before each use, during use and annually. OSHA also has specific requirements for inspecting different types of cranes.

With the new REP, OSHA hopes to prevent crane hazards such as workers being struck by objects, crane tip-overs, electrocution, falls and workers being caught in or between machinery — the major causes of crane-related injuries and death in the construction business. OSHA will use a combination of enforcement, outreach, training, onsite consultation, partnerships, alliances and its Voluntary Protection Programs to promote compliance with the program.

For more information about the new crane safety REP, see OSHA's news release.

Hexavalent Chromium REP

OSHA has instituted a special regional emphasis program (REP) on hexavalent chromium in Kansas and eastern Missouri, in addition to the new guidelines issued in January regarding the use of this potentially dangerous chemical compound.

Hexavalent chromium can be carcinogenic to workers who work with chrome plating, pigments, spray paint or other coatings that contain the chemical. Hexavalent chromium can also form during welding on stainless steel, paint removal from steel structures or melting chromium metal. Over a period of years, workers can develop lung cancer from exposure to the chemical.

OSHA's new REP will randomly select construction worksites for inspection within the jurisdictional boundaries of OSHA's Wichita, Kan. and St. Louis offices. OSHA will also conduct partial health inspections, particularly with regard to hexavalent chromium exposure. See OSHA's news release for more information about this REP.

US Department of Labor Announces Drug-Free Work Week

The Department of Labor (DOL) announced that this year's Drug-Free Work Week will be Oct. 20-26. According to the DOL Web site, 75 percent of illegal drug users are employed, as are 79 percent of the nation's heavy alcohol users. What's more, 3.1 percent of drug users and 7.1 percent of alcohol abusers imbibe during work hours or immediately before.

Employers can take steps to promote a drug-free workplace that is safer and more productive:

• Create a drug-free workplace policy if one is not already in effect.
• Educate workers about the negative impact of alcohol and drug use on workplace safety and productivity.
• Offer onsite health screening services (such as those offered by PHS) and allow employees to use the Alcohol Screening tool to perform a self-assessment.

Many more ideas are available on the DOL Web site, which also offers fact sheets, talking points, leaflets and other educational materials for businesses, unions and associations in the Drug-Free Work Week Tool Box. Drug-Free Work Week is coming very soon, so download these helpful materials and make your plans now!

If you are interested in learning more about Professional Health Services' health screening programs for compliance or wellness, please contact us at 1-800-833-3005 or solutions@phsmobile.com.