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What are the Different Types of OSHA Violations

OSHA was first created to provide certain guidelines for the safety and health of workers in the construction and general industry in the United States. In order to enforce compliance, OSHA regularly sends out inspector to investigate random business to make sure that the business is operating in compliance with the OSHA standards. There are 7 basic types of violations. Penalties and citation vary from state to state. The types of violations are: 1.Other than Serious Violation: These violations are when a situation arises that is related to job safety and health, and that would not possibly cause death or any kind of serious harm. For example, if your employee fails to report or list the work-related injuries in the OSHA Form 300 logs. 2.Serious Violations: A serious violation is when a situation arises that relates to job safety and health and indicated that there is a high possibility of death being caused or serious damage, or if the employers knew about this possibility or should h

Emergency Preparedness Is a Must, Not an Option

An effective workplace emergency planning is vital to save lives, protect facilities from any damage and to prevent injuries. It is what every organization must be prepared for, rather than keeping it off for the last minute. Remember that emergency planning is not really an option which you can choose, but is a federal OSHA requirement and is a state requirement as well. So, you must be sure to meet those requirements. There are various ways to prepare workplace emergencies by coming prepared with: A written emergency action for evacuation and providing shelter for employees (29 CFR 1910.38). A well designed fire prevention plan to protect workers from workplace fires’ ravages (29 CFR 1910.39). Effective alarm systems (29 CFR 1910.165) as well as fire suppression systems (29 CFR 1910.157-163). Well planned and marked fire exits (29 CFR 1910.37). OSHA also requires workers to be trained under OSHA safety training courses or HAZWOPER safety courses based on the requirements of their nee

Job Safety Analysis Regulations of OSHA

Job safety analysis is defined by OSHA as any technique that focuses on job tasks as a way to identify hazards before they occur. Identifying hazards is a good way of minimizing and eliminating them eventually. The goals of job safety analysis should include everything from what can go wrong at a workplace to the resulting consequences. It should also comprise of understanding how difficulties crop up at the work place, the factors contributing towards it and the likeliness of the situation. Once these factors are identified, the hazards triggered will easily be targeted and thus, prevented. In time, these hazards will be completely eliminated from the work site. 40 hour Hazwoper courses teach the importance and implementation of job safety analysis. They teach employees to review job hazard analysis. This helps them determine methods for minimizing risks and alter procedures for safely completing the jobs. The reviews should be carried out periodically to ensure that the analysis alwa

Importance of Respiratory Training Program

OSHA is the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration that works towards maintaining a safe working environment for employees. It requires employers to provide adequate training to their workers on certain occupational risks for the prevention of injuries and illnesses. One such training has been designed for respiratory protection. The standards have been mandated for preventing all kinds of respiratory injuries. A large number of workers in the United States require the use of respirators. These equipments provide protection from certain harmful chemicals, dust, fumes and vapors. They are also used in environments that have a limited supply of oxygen. OSHA believes that complete compliance with the respiratory standards laid down by OSHA can save hundreds of lives per year. Employers should develop and implement respiratory training programs wherever respirators are required. These programs help train employees and let them know of the various on site hazards they can be exp

Understanding the Importance of a Decontamination Plan and Process

The very process of decontamination is always directed towards the confinement of the contaminant, within the Warm Zone. Removing contaminants from equipment and personnel is vital, with regards to lessening the potential of transferring those contaminants outside the hazardous area. However, proper and efficient decontamination is especially vital in those cases where either injured personnel or victims must be transported to medical facilities. The Hazwoper regulation, requires organization employers, to communicate, develop and implement decontamination procedures before any employee, worker or equipment, enters any area, where the potential for exposure to hazardous substances exists. Hence, Hazwoper safety training is an absolute must, for it helps employers by protecting one of their biggest assets and it help the employees, for it helps them lead safe and healthy lifestyles. The contamination process can either take place directly or indirectly. Some of the direct ways

Preparing for Emergencies - Whether Man Made or Natural

A workplace emergency can be either man-made or natural but OSHA has made every employer responsible for the safety of their employees in the workplace. Every employee must be prepared for any emergency and respond as required. This can be found in the regulation that covers emergency action and fire prevention plans, 29 CFR 1910.38 and 29 CFR 1910.39 respectively. An emergency action plan has been developed to organize both the actions of the employer and the employee, which includes evacuations during an emergency at the workplace. The other OSHA regulations that consists of rules addressing workplace emergency preparedness and response include Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response, Hazard Communication, Medical Services and First Aid, Process Safety Management of Highly Hazardous Chemicals and Employee Alarm Systems. Apart from hurricanes, the workplace emergencies include earthquakes, floods, toxic gas releases, fires, tornadoes, chemical spills, workplace violence, exp

The 5 Main Methods of Decontamination

The process of decontamination may be defined as the removal and reduction of harmful chemical agents. This removal process can be accomplished by chemical detoxification. However, a more in depth analysis of the various methods of decontamination is present in every 24 Hour Hazwoper Safety training course. Industrial contamination can be a routine affair in the lives of those who work at construction sites. But the problem arises when there is a a massive contamination incident. Hence, the top and most efficient methods for decontamination would be: Eye washers: These types of washers are generally used to get rid of any pollutants and dirt that may have accumulated in the eyes. These washers have sprinklers that spray water with a great pressure. Body showers: These showers are for general cleaning purposes. The wall mounted ones are the most common types of body showers that are currently being used. But, they are not efficient in cleaning all body parts. Chemicals: Industries often

Some FAQs About Respirator Protectors

Respiratory Protection is a part of the HAZWOPER training courses, designed to provide workers with knowledge about the importance of wearing respiratory protection in the workplace. But before you could get into this in detail, let’s take a look at some of the important questions and the answers about Respirator Protectors which are frequently asked: Q: When does the standard require respirator protectors to be worn? A: An important question to be asked. Respirators are required whenever the health of the employee is at risk from any contamination or oxygen deficiency. This also includes times of emergency when respirators are required to protect workers. Q: Does using a respirator require a fit testing? A: Yes, a fit testing of the respirator is required when OSHA or the employers require workers to wear a tight fitting respirator. Prior to the initial use of the respirator, an employee must clear a fit test. If there are changes in the employee’s physical condition, which could affe

How Harmful are hazardous waste materials

In today's world, many industries fail to prevent the creation of hazardous wastes nor do they follow certain procedures to limit its negative effects. Organizations don't follow these procedures for they want to avoid the costs associated with it. Thus they deal with these waste materials by building landfills on site or sometimes they pay someone to have their wastes removed. According to the EPA, there are four distinct groups of hazardous wastes that are subject to regulation. The four distinct categories are: Firstly,waste materials produced during various industrial processes such as halogenated solvents. Secondly, wastes from specific industrial sources such as untreated water. Thirdly, commercial chemical products such as benzene. Benzene is generally used in detergents, dyes, pesticides and various drugs. Finally, wastes that are considered as toxic such as vinyl chloride. These hazardous wastes are extremely dangerous. Here are some of their harmful e

Why you need Respiratory Protection Training

As a part of the HAZWOPER training program, participants have to go through the respiratory protection training. This training has been designed to protect workers and is required by OSHA for those workers affected by the regulation. Some workplaces have been identified to have respiratory hazards that could affect the health of workers. This exposure of the workers to airborne contaminants could occur if they are not wearing any respiratory protection. If a job involves the potential exposure to atmospheric hazards or contaminants, this training will prove highly beneficial. The Respiratory Protection Training has been mandated by OSHA to help protect workers while they perform their work. This HAZWOPER course will educate workers about the importance of respiratory protection. How to select and use the appropriate respiratory protection equipment for a specific job. The respirators are designed to protect the human respiratory system from inhaling the atmospheric hazards either by su

The Importance of OSHA

Reports have shown that workplace injuries and fatalities are the most common complaints today. This leads to the ever constant demand of OSHA training programs and initiatives to ensure the safety and health of employers and employees at the workplace. It is a fact that all the non-fatal injuries and illnesses at the workplace have been drastically reduced from 2002 to 2005. This has come about due to the stringent regulations for workplace safety and health and because of a few dedicated agencies that enforce the same. This remarkable feat was once viewed as the impossible but has now become a part of our reality only through OSHA. OSHA has been primarily responsible for developing all the worker and workplace safety and health regulations. OSHA helps to promote safety at the workplace though a number of different ways, including such standards as the 29 CFR 1910.120 HAZWOPER standards. All the essential topics related to OSHA workplace injury and illness prevention come from the pro

Is the Gulf of Mexico oil spill over yet

After 86 days of gushing oil, it seems the worst oil spill in the history of the United States has come to an end. But, has BP really taken control of the oil leak permanently? Oil giant BP has closed the three valves on the new cap atop the ruptured well this Thursday afternoon and after three months, the oil has finally been stopped from gushing into the water. BP will keep a watch now to see the pressure readings to look out for any sign of any new leaks that may develop. Even though this cap has stopped the oil, it is still in its testing phase and it is a little too early to say that the project is 100% completed. The cap has successfully contained the leak but the question arises for how long? The pressure reading will be monitored only for a period of 48 hours. Again, this solution is only a temporary one. A much larger issue for BP is the construction of nearby relief well, which they are billing as a permanent solution to stop the oil spill. However, Thursday's endeavor ha

Can 24 hour HAZWOPER Safety Training help Oil Spill Workers

Among all the HAZWOPER training courses, 24 Hour HAZWOPER training course has some special characteristics that can help the workers working in Gulf of Mexico oil spill areas. This course is designed for the employees who are exposed to Uncontrolled Hazardous Waste Operations. This course meets the requirements for the certification under 29 CFR, Part 1910.120 (e). The trainees who want to take this course must take 24 hours of initial training and one day of supervised field experience. This 24 hour HAZWOPER course covers wide issues that involve hazard recognition at work places. This course helps the workers so that they can identify the various hazards and suggest possible preventive measures and precautions to diminish and eliminate work site hazards. Now at oil spill affected areas, the workers are exposed to an uncontrolled hazardous environment where there is threat of safety and life. Once, the workers get the 24 hour HAZWOPER course training, they will come to know the purpo

All About 24 hour HAZWOPER safety course

HAZWOPER is a part of OSHA that stands for Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response. It is a blend of training courses recommended by OSHA so that the workers can expose to the hazardous materials safely. There are three main types of HAZWOPER training: 40 hour HAZWOPER training 24 hour HAZWOPER training 8hour annual HAZWOPER refresher training All these three courses comply with the standard or regulation of OSHA. Importantly, all the courses are available online. All workers do not need these courses except those who expose to the hazardous substances. The 24 hour HAZWOPER course is designed to protect the workers who work in an uncontrolled hazardous waste operations and the course meets the requirements for the certification under 29 CFR, Part 1910.120 (e). The courses have great value as they are broadly concern with the issues of hazardous workplace. The learning outcomes of the course are: The trainees will understand the purpose of OSHA and how it regulates occupationa

About hazardous waste materials

No matter how big or small industry is, hazardous waste is generated by almost every industry. Hazardous waste has certain properties that make it potentially harmful to human health and the environment which makes it very important to make sure that hazardous waste disposal in done with proper care. Hazardous materials consist of one or more of these characteristics: Corrosive: It can burn your skin, cause irritation in the eyes and also is capable of destroying living tissue when there is any contact. It can corrode metals, rubber or plastics. Intangible: This kind of hazardous waste is highly inflammable. It is proficient of burning at or below 140 degree F. Toxic: These waste products are fatal if swallowed. Explosive or Reactive: Such kind of waste is capable of causing an explosion or releasing poisonous fumes when it is exposed to water, air or other chemicals. Radioactive: This type of waste is expert of damaging and destroying cells and chromosomal material in the human body a

Benefits of a 24 Hour Hazwoper Course

Life is unpredictable and all it takes is a small little mistake, and one can lose their life. And this loss is very common among the workers who are actively engaged at hazardous sites. OSHA through HAZWOPER has been assisting these workers by providing OSHA HAZWOPER training to ensure the safety and health of the workers at the workplace and to reduce risk. The courses also aim at enhancing the environment of the workplace to make the workers comfortable. The 24 hour HAZWOPER course provides safety measures to the employees who work at the hazardous sites. The three main types of HAZWOPER training courses are: 40 hour HAZWOPER training 24 hour HAZWOPER training 8hour annual HAZWOPER refresher training The 24 hour HAZWOPER course is designed to protect the workers who work in uncontrolled and hazardous environments. Among the three safety training courses, this course meets the requirements for the certification under 29 CFR, Part 1910.120 (e). Listed below are the benefits of the 24