Safety News International
Mass Retail Association Forms Alliance With OSHA Ergonomics: Guidelines for Nursing Homes Failure to Protect Workers From Safety Hazards May Cost Waupun, Wis. Firm $154,350
ISO/IEC Guide 50:2002
Safety aspects -- Guidelines for child safety ISO/IEC Guide 51:1999
Safety aspects -- Guidelines for their inclusion in standards ISO/IEC Guide 63:1999
Guide to the development and inclusion of safety
aspects in International Standards for medical devices (available in English only) INTERNATIONAL MASS RETAIL ASSOCIATION FORMS ALLIANCE WITH OSHA
Reducing ergonomic injuries in the industry
is the focus
WASHINGTON -- The International Mass Retail Association (IMRA) became the first retail trade association to join with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to focus efforts on reducing ergonomic injuries in the industry, OSHA announced today. Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA John Henshaw and IMRA President Sandra L. Kennedy signed the agreement in Orlando, FL during the
association's Loss Prevention, Auditing and Safety Conference.
"This Alliance validates that IMRA recognizes the value of safe and healthful workplaces," Henshaw said. "Together, we can assure that thousands of American employers and workers in the retail industry are armed with the information and tools to make their workplaces safer."
Added IMRA President Sandra Kennedy: ""IMRA applauds OSHA's approach recognizing
that one size does not fit all and that ergonomic flexibility is critical to the changing retail environment."
IMRA joins 23 other organizations participating in eight ergonomic-specific Alliances with OSHA. Under the agreement, OSHA and IMRA will provide Association members with specific information and guidance on dealing with ergonomic safety in the workplace. One means of achieving that objective will be through conferences, events, or through print and
electronic media, including links to both organizations' web sites.
OSHA and IMRA plan to promote the effectiveness of safety, health and ergonomic programs through workshops, exhibits, conferences, and other venues. OSHA will also reach out to individual IMRA members who may benefit from mentoring or guidance in developing, implementing or improving safety and health programs.
OSHA also plans to encourage the Association's membership to act as industry liaisons and
resources for OSHA's cooperative programs and Compliance Assistance Specialists. A national dialogue on workplace safety and health will be pursued through IMRA's outreach to others in the retail industry, and both organizations participation in forums and round table discussions on ergonomic issues.
Based in Arlington, VA, the International Mass Retail Association is a coalition of retailers and suppliers, and represents workers in more than
100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers nationwide and provides industry research and education, government advocacy, and a forum for its members to establish relationships for the benefit of the consumer and the mass retail industry.
OSHA is dedicated to saving lives, preventing injuries and illnesses, and protecting America's workers. Safety and health add value to business, the workplace and life. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.istration recognizes the value of safety and health in America's workplaces," Henshaw said. "At a time when the nation is tightening its belt, the President has not only proposed a budget increase but has specifically allocated money for new programs to reach those most in need of OSHA's assistance."
Under the President's proposed budget, the
agency will receive an additional $7.2 million for compliance assistance and outreach, including the new multilingual initiative. The new money will allow OSHA to expand its outreach to Spanish-speaking workers, whose fatality rates rose 11 percent in 2000 and 9 percent in 2001. Existing outreach efforts include a variety of Spanish-language programs, services and collaborative efforts at both national and local levels. With additional money the agency can
expand these activities and add new ones.
Other new areas of compliance assistance include special outreach to the small business community and expansion of OSHA's voluntary and partnership programs.
"Our commitment to assure the safety and health of workers in this country extends to all workers, regardless of their language or their immigration status," said Henshaw. "OSHA's bottom line remains reducing injuries, illnesses and fatalities in
every workplace in this nation."
Enforcement remains a high priority for OSHA, with an increase of $4.2 million for enforcement activities that will continue to target the workplaces and industries with the highest rates of injuries, illnesses and fatalities. OSHA has scheduled 37,700 inspections of workplaces this year, and is planning on the same number in FY 2004. The agency also looks to fund a health hazard survey to investigate chemicals associated
with respiratory disease in the workplace.
Under the President's proposed budget, OSHA will also receive an additional $2 million for support of state plan partners; $2 million for evaluation projects; and $750,000 each for expanded health targeting and emergency preparedness programs.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is dedicated to saving lives, preventing injuries and illnesses, and protecting America's workers. Safety and health add value
to business, the workplace and life. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
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Ergonomics:
Guidelines for Nursing Homes OSHA issued an ergonomics guideline for the nursing home industry on March 13, 2003. To develop the guidelines OSHA reviewed existing ergonomics practices and programs, State OSHA programs, as well as available scientific information. OSHA also met with stakeholders to gather information on the ergonomic problems present in the nursing home environment and the practices that have been used successfully in the
industry. OSHA disseminated draft guidelines for public comment on August 30, 2002. On November 18, 2002, OSHA held a stakeholder meeting in the Washington, DC area to discuss the draft. OSHA thanks the many organizations and individuals involved for their thoughtful comments, suggestions, and assistance. Failure to Protect Workers From
Safety Hazards May Cost Waupun, Wis. Firm $154,350
U.S. Labor Secretary Says Hazards of Improperly Protected Machines
Are Well Known, No Excuse for Exposure
MADISON -- The failure to address the hazards of unguarded machinery in a timely manner and inadequate protection of employees exposed to the potential of unexpected energization of equipment at the Waupun, Wis.
plant of Silgan Containers Corporation has resulted in a $154,350 fine assessed by the U.S. Labor Department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the agency announced today.
"The dangers of unguarded machinery and the hazards of servicing machinery that accidentally can be activated are well known," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "Far too often the result is an amputation or loss of life. We cannot allow such a careless attitude toward
worker safety."
OSHA opened an investigation into workplace safety and health conditions at the plant in September, 2002, as a targeted inspection based on the company's lost-workday injury and illness rate of 14.7. OSHA inspectors found serious violations of federal regulations including machine guarding, electrical deficiencies, and an improperly guarded work platform. The agency also issued citations characterized as willful that allege the employer failed to have workers
lockout equipment in an appropriate manner prior to servicing and maintenance, and for unguarded point-of-operations on mechanical power presses.
The Waupun plant employs over 90 workers in the manufacture of tin cans for the food processing industry. There are 5,000 employees company-wide at some 40 plants throughout the U.S.
The company has 15 working days from receipt of the citations and proposed penalties to appeal before the independent Occupational Safety and
Health Review Commission.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is dedicated to saving lives, preventing injuries and illnesses, and protecting America's workers. Safety and health add value to business, the workplace and life. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.
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