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The new year is in full swing, and with it, the opportunity for you to get up dated on current rules and regulations.
Get familiarized with the following key safety topics which include OSHA Reporting Modifications, Global Harmonization Standard (GHS) and FMCSA rules.
New Injury Reporting & Exempt List Effective January 1, 2015
New OSHA requirements for reporting injuries are in effect for businesses:
- ALL fatalities (regardless if they are work related or not) must be reported to OSHA within 8 hours of occurrence.
- If ANY employee is hospitalized (admitted), OSHA must be notified with 24 hours (old rule was 3 or more employees).
- ANY amputation or loss of eye must be reported within 24 hours (old rule was amputation by mechanical press).
- Updated OSHA Recordkeeping exclusion listing that expands the number of industry types that do not have to generate 300 and 300A logs as well as other recordkeeping requirements (This does not exclude companies from complying with OSHA rules and regulations). View full details on OSHA.gov.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW AND DOWNLOAD A QUICK GUIDE ON REPORTING UPDATES.
Now Citable: Global Harmonization Standard (GHS)
As of December 1, 2013, the Global Harmonization Standards were in effect, requiring retraining for all employees. This is now citable for organizations.
Three major changes from the previous Hazard Communication Programs:
- MSDS now becomes SDS and there are 16 specific sections on the forms
- Pictograms and Specific Signal words now are on labels, shipping documentation, and SDS
- The rating systems are reversed. Current HMIS and NFPA ratings 0-4 with 4 as high hazard are now 1-4 with 1 as high hazard on GHS labels. This is key as the shipping documents will not fully change to this new rating until 12/1/2015
- View the full information here: https://www.osha.gov/dsg/hazcom/index.html
Transportation Rules & Regulations In Motion by the FMCSA
More recent rules continue to be emphasized, including:
As of October 28, 2013 – Rule finalized that excludes short haul drivers (less than 100 miles) from the mandatory 30 minute break rule.
- Hours Of Service (HOS) rules:
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- Weighs 10,001 pounds or more
- Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating of 10,001 pounds or more
- Is designed or used to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver) not for compensation
- Is designed or used to transport 9 or more passengers (including the driver) for compensation
- Is transporting hazardous materials in a quantity requiring placards
- Log books; a point of emphasis with DOT/FMCSA
- Cargo Securement is becoming more of emphasis
Looking Ahead: National Emphasis Programs
These programs, highlighted by Federal OSHA, are being emphasized as focus areas for field agents. Watch for more on these programs in the near future:
- Amputations/Machine Guarding
- Combustible Dusts.
- Electrical (70E)
- Federal Agencies
- Hexavalent Chromium
- Isocyanates
- Lead
- Primary Metals
- Process Safety Management (PSM)
- Nursing Homes
- Silica
- Ship Breaking
- Trenching
About Oswald Companies
Founded in 1893, Cleveland-based and employee-owned, Oswald is one of the nation’s largest independent insurance brokerage firms. As a proud member of Assurex Global, the world’s largest association of privately held insurance brokers, our risk management professionals can service and support the needs of our clients worldwide. Learn more at www.OswaldCompanies.com.
This article originally appeared as guest article for Wire-Net, a Cleveland-based non-profit economic development organization dedicated to improving the community through nurturing manufacturing and the jobs and prosperity that come with it. Learn more at Wire-Net.org.
