Find It Easy! Cal/OSHA Regulation Index. You can find all Cal/OSHA regulations grouped by topic ("Heat illness" "Postings") on the Dept. of Industrial Relations website. Go to www.dir.ca.gov, and click on the right column button titled TITLE 8 INDEX.
Time to Post OSHA 300A Annual Summary of Work Related Injuries and Illnesses for 2010. During the year, employers are required to keep record of any injuries and illnesses on the Cal/OSHA Form 300. At the end of the year you create a summary report (Cal/OSHA 300A) and post it from February 1 through April 30. Learn more at: www.dir.ca.gov/T8/14300_32.html.
Now in Effect: Additional Heat Illness Requirements
· "Shade up" at 85 degrees. When the temperature is 85 degrees (a cool day in the Sac Valley) shade must be up and available at the job site. The shade must be enough to allow 25% of their on-site employees to sit comfortably at the same time.
· "High-heat" procedures at 95 degrees. When it's 95 degrees, take additional steps: Assure workers can communicate with a supervisor by voice, observation or phone/text message. A supervisor or designee must observe employees for signs of heat illness and remind workers to drink water. New workers need close supervision for the first two weeks of employment during warm temperatures. DOCUMENT your actions!
Heat Illness Prevention is Safety 101. Training, Water, Shade, Planning. It's good for your employees, and expensive to ignore. Document your training and make employees comply. Find the complete regs using the Cal/OSHA Title 8 Index at www.dir.ca.gov.
Realistic Possibility Now Defines Serious Violation. New legislation is now in effect that clarifies Cal/OSHA's decision points for a "Serious Violation" citation. The old threshold was "substantial probability" of death or serious harm. The new threshold is "realistic possibility" and further defines serious harm as:
· Hospitalization for more than medical observation;
· Loss of any member of the body or any serious degree of permanent disfigurement;
· Impairment of the body that causes a part of the body or the functions of an organ to lose efficiency permanently and significantly on or off the job.
Cal/OSHA will ask you for background information before they issue a "serious" citation. They will ask you to tell them about training, procedures, documentation and other info that's relevant to the citation.
Serious violations are a huge issue to contractors because they bring higher penalties and have the potential to affect employer insurance rates and contracting ability.
Contractors must take safety seriously.
Courtesy of Valley Contractors Exchange, Chico, CA