Something about OSHA

OSHA Tips
The US Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 5,702 workplace related fatalities
(around 4 departures per 100,000 workers) and approximately 4.2 million incidents of workplace
related non-lethal injuries and sicknesses. This illustrates the continuing importance of initiatives
and OSHA programs to ensure security and health at work.
Strict regulations for the commitment of agencies enforcing the same and workplace safety have
made this remarkable effort a fact.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), an agency under the Department of
Labor, has the primary responsibility of developing and enforcing workplace and worker associated
health and safety regulations. OSHA encourages workplace safety through various manners,
including the 29 CFR 1910.119 PSM standard and the 29 CFR 1910.120 HAZWOPER standard. The
essentials of the OSHA Workplace Injury and Illness Prevention Program emanate in the provisions
of these standards.
All companies are required to implement and keep (a) a workplace Injury and Illness Prevention
Program (IIPP), (b) an OSHA mandated Risk Communication Program (as per 29 CFR 1910.1200),
(c) an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) in accordance with provisions of 29 CFR 1910.38 and (d) a Fire
Protection Plan.
The EAP, orientated towards the IIPP, and disaster management, designed for minimizing incidents,
are not mutually exclusive. Both systems have specific common requirements and complement each
other. A good example of this is the recommended use of Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) to
identify potential dangers which could appear from the different types of chemicals in use at the
workplace. The 1910.119 PSM standard mandates the use of MSDS, meeting the demands of 29 CFR
1910.1200, section (g).
An IIPP is a mechanism for reviewing and eliminating/reducing potential hazards at work. An
effective IIPP can't only protect workers but also help employers by reducing lost man-days and
workers' compensation costs.
The workplace Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) can be conveniently discussed
concerning the California- IIPP was embraced by OSHA. Appropriate categories of companies in
California are required by law, Title 8 (T8), of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) to have an
effective, documented Injury and Illness Prevention Program.
The Cal-OSHA mandated IIPP basically has seven basic elements. These are: (1) identification of
plan implementing personnel, (2) a written outline of the company's system of evaluating and
battling security and health hazards, (3) a schedule of periodic inspections, (4) investigation
processes for workplace injuries and illnesses, (5) a description of employee training program(s) on
safe work practices and particular job-related security information, (6) a system for communication
with employees on work-related safety and health issues and for enforcing safe working practices,
and (7) a retention policy for record documentation compliance.
Records and reports (29 CFR 1904) are important and integral parts of any powerful OSHA

workplace Injury and Illness Prevention Program. Records help develop future strategies for
improving workplace safety and to identify causes of episodes. Records normally include workrelated accidents, fatalities, injuries and illnesses, episodes of exposure to toxic or hazardous
materials, Material Safety Data Sheets, health and safety associated training imparted to employees,
inspections, audits and other statutory records demanded for worker's compensation, insurance etc.
Illness Prevention program and the OSHA workplace Injury, admittedly, imposes scrupulous
demands on employers. Yet the advantages an effective IIPP can supply far outweigh its annoyances.