preventing death and injuries in the workplace: osha’s role

Preventing Death and Injuries in the Workplace:

OSHA’s Role

Jess LankfordChief Administrative Officer

Nevada OSHA

DISCLAIMER The views and opinions expressed in the written materials and in any of the presentations at this conference are those of the presenter and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of Business and Industry, Division of Industrial Relations. The Division does not warranty the materials’ completeness or accuracy.

Goals for Todays Presentation

Understanding OSHA in the 21nd Century

Fundamentals of a Health and Safety Program

Maturing Health and Safety Programs

Identifying Key Indicators

Knowing your Audience

OSHA of the 21nd Century

The Push to be Proactive

OSHA Website

Compliance Assistance

State Plan Process

Independent Interpretations of Regulations

OSHA of the 21nd Century

Growth of Business and Employment Levels

Growth of Existing Businesses

Growth of Industry Segments

New Labor / Recent Hires

Temporary Labor

OSHA of the 21nd Century

Justin Booze

A newly hired permanent worker killed on his first day on the job

Had not received any training on the safe operations of a industrial wood chipper

OSHA of the 21nd Century

Daquan “Day” Davis

A temporary worker killed on the first day on the job

Had not received any training that was critical for self protection

“A worker’s first day at work shouldn’t be his last day on Earth,”

Dr. David Michaels, former OSHA Chief

Health and Safety Programs

Protections for all staff

Addresses all pertinent safety hazards

Reflect past experiences of the business

Health and Safety Programs

Must be effectively communicated

Timely

Specific to the Seriousness of the Hazard

Communication of the program must gain understanding…

Health and Safety Programs

Safety program should have component that initiates efforts for discovery of hazards in the workplace

Health and Safety Programs

Transferable or migrating hazards

Collateral Exposures

Symptoms of Overexposure

Health and Safety Programs

Sierra Chemical Explosion – January 7, 1998

Industry Consensus Practices

Training

Health and Safety Programs

Keep Pushing

Establish a Program that is Resilient to Aging

Growth of the Business and of Staffing

Logistical Changes

Keep Pushing

Your safety program WILL become obsolete

Keep safety staff tuned to industry changes

Keep staff connected to the program

Keep the program connected to the staff

Keep Pushing

Avoid repeating the same mistakes

Low accidents rates Low accident rates

High accidents rates High accidents rates

Keep Pushing

Maintaining a Safety Program

“It’s a thankless job!”

“It never ends!?!”

“Nobody cares”

Key Indicators

What to look for…

Trends and Repeat Events

Capital Expenses

Pay attention to the little things

Key Indicators

Key Indicators

Listen for situations to act upon

Safety Meetings

Separation Interviews

Purchasing

Knowing Your Audience

Labor

“Not my job man…”

Listen

Knowing Your Audience

Know what labor is really doing

Don’t be satisfied that the job gets done

Expect the ridiculous

Bribes do not work

Knowing Your Audience

Who are your customers?

Industry Segment

Profit Levels

Staffing Growth

Preventing Death and Injuries in the Workplace: OSHA’s

Role

Questions?