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Question: In LOTO, if the disconnecting means is "in the line of sight" you do not have to apply your locks and tags?

Answer: OSHA has 3 different Standards that address the Control of Hazardous Energy, or LOTO as commonly called.

While the specific procedures vary a bit from Standard to Standard, they always require that the energy isolating means be under lock and tag - or in some rare cases, under tag only control.  Industry best practices is to always use lockout / tagout equipment specific for that application.  No common gangbox locks etc.
 

 


 

Rated Capacities of Rigging Equipment PDF Print E-mail
Safety - Safety News
Written by Barry Moreland   
Tuesday, 17 January 2012 21:17

OSHA has recently completed phase 3 of their Standard Improvement Project, which involves identifying and revising standards that are confusing, outdated, duplicative or inconsistant in the construction industry.  One of the many changes involves slings and shackles used for rigging activities.

Employers can no longer use the load capacity tables found in OSHA's construction standard, 1926.251, to establish working capacities of slings.  The tables , originally based on ANSI B30.9-1971 criteria, are now  considered to be obsolete.

The outdated tables are being replaced with a requirement that prohibits employers from loading slings in excess of the recommended safe working load as prescribed on permanently affixed identification markings.  

To avoid potential OSHA compliance issues, you should check your inventory of rigging equipment and ensure that rated capacities are legible and permanently affixed.  With use, the tags and markings can become detached or damaged. Employers are not only required to ensure that the slings retain their integrity, they are to replace tags that become detached or otherwise unreadable so the end user can safely apply the equipment within the rated capcity.

The rule applies to slings made from allow steel chain, wire rope, natural and synthetic materials as well as shackles and hooks.  Adoption of these changes is slated for early 2012.

Section 1926.251 Rigging Equipment for Material Handling

(a) (General) (2) Employers must ensure that rigging equipment: (i) Has permanently affixed and legible markings as prescribed by the manufacturer that indicates the recommended safe working load; (ii) Not be loaded in excess of its recommended safe working load as prescribed on the identification marking by the manufacturer; and (iii) Not be used without affixed, legible identification markings, required by paragraph (a)(2)(i) of this section.

 
Last Updated on Tuesday, 17 January 2012 21:54
 
OR-OSHA Proposes Changes to Penalty Structure PDF Print E-mail
Safety - Safety News
Written by Barry Moreland   
Wednesday, 23 November 2011 18:20

This rulemaking would make adjustments to the penalty rule to more effectively use Oregon OSHA’s existing penalty authority. Both nationally and at state levels, it has been suggested that Oregon OSHA penalties are not as effective as they might be in promoting health and safety in the workplace. The proposal grows not out of a desire to increase penalties but is instead an effort to develop a more effective approach to use penalties to encourage employers to comply with safety and health rules.

That is how OR-OSHA recently announced their proposed rulemaking to modify how penalty amounts are calculated.  The proposal calls for 6 significant changes to their existing method of penalty assessment. The list below is taken from the original announcement and is condensed for this article.  Full text at http://www.orosha.org/pdf/notices/proposed2011/div1penalties_ltr.pdf

1. Increasing the difference between small employer and large employer penalties.  

-The change to increase the difference between small employer and large employer penalties is proposed as a way to better motivate larger employers. The current penalty structure may motivate the small employer but is unlikely to motivate the larger employer to the same degree.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 23 November 2011 19:24
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Fall Protection Training - More Than an OSHA Card PDF Print E-mail
Safety - Safety News
Written by Barry Moreland   
Wednesday, 15 June 2011 21:20

Ask 10 people what fall protection means and you’re likely to get 10 different answers. For many in the construction industry, equipment is the first thing that comes to mind: personal fall-arrest systems, safety nets, or guardrails, for example.

Fall protection is more than just equipment. Fall protection is what you do to eliminate fall hazards and to prevent falls through employee training and documentation.

A contractor was recently visited by OR-OSHA who was interested in their fall protection program, specifically employee training. The employer had a fall protection program in their safety manual, a site specific fall protection plan and provided employee training records from tool box talks and completion of an OSHA 10 course.

Strangely, that was not enough for the inspector.
Last Updated on Wednesday, 15 June 2011 21:38
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NIETC Safety Newsletter

January 2012 Topics

  • Safety Meeting & Events Schedule
  • OR-OSHA Confined Space Reg Update
  • Crane Standard Update
  • Recordkeeping / Reporting Notice

 

 

 

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NECA - IBEW Joint Safety Committee Meeting Minutes
IBEW Local 48 labor representatives and Oregon-Columbia Chapter NECA Safety Managers meet monthly to discuss jobsite safety concerns, review new safety regulations and develop industry best practices to elevate safety for our industry.  The committee was recognized at the 2009 Oregon Governor's Occupational Safety and Health Conference for their achievements in working together to solve difficult safety challenges.  

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Safety Tool Box Talks are used in the workplace to address site specific safety concerns.  They can be used to document initial and refresher training as well as inform other subs or GCs of workplace safety concerns.  The NIETC Safety Talks are organized by topic and month but can be used in any manner that best fits your needs. 

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Within OSHA standards there are many applications that require employers to train their employees to different levels of competency depending upon the degree of hazard, exposure or level of responsibility.  Examples include general awareness training, competent person training, qualified person training and proof of training and competency through a formal certification process.  The NIETC provides a wide variety of safety training, some of which qualifies or certifies the students to perform specific tasks.