BIG 4 Phase II and Drug Testing

The Utah Labor Commission, Occupational Safety and Health Division announces THE 2009 CONSTRUCITON INSPECTION EMPHASIS INITITATIVE named Big 4 Phase II.

The Utah Labor Commission, Occupational Safety and Health Division (UOSH) announces THE 2009 CONSTRUCTION INSPECTION EMPHASIS INITIATIVE named BIG 4 Phase II, which will be conducted this year at residential and commercial construction job sites statewide, from 04/15/09 to 8/30/09. The Big 4 Phase II for residential construction is designed to help identify and eliminate hazards at residential construction job sites associated with the four major causes of fatalities, accidents and injuries in the state of Utah:

Falls from elevations (e.g., roofs, floors, platforms, aerial lifts and equipment).

Struck by (e.g., falling objects, vehicles and equipment).

Caught in/between (e.g., excavation/trench cave-ins, machinery, and equipment).

Electrical (e.g., power lines, power tools, cords, outlets, temporary wiring).

The Big 4 Phase II for commercial construction is designed to help identify and eliminate hazards
associated with:

Falls from elevations (e.g., roofs, floors, platforms, aerial lifts and equipment).

Crane and rigging safety (construction cranes, mobile cranes, tower cranes)

In all inspections Compliance Safety and Health Officers (CSHO’s) will visit both residential and
commercial construction job sites to:

Determine if serious hazards or imminent danger situations are present. In these cases, an opening
conference will be conducted and the inspection process will begin, as prescribed by Section
R614-1-7.G of the Utah Code.

Determine if an effective safety and health program has been implemented. If an effective safety and
health plan is not in place, an opening conference will be conducted and the Big 4 inspection process
will begin, as prescribed by Section R614-1-7.G of the Utah Code.

Determine if Citations and proposed penalties need to be issued for alleged serious violations found
during the inspection, as prescribed by Utah Code R614-1-7.

Determine if no serious hazards or violations are observed and a safety program is in place. In these
Cases, the CSHO will conduct only an onsite assistance intervention.

UOSH remains committed to the safety and health of Utah’s workers in the construction industry by
taking positive steps to maximize the protection of employees and eliminate workplace hazards at
both residential and commercial construction sites.

For more information, visit http://uosh.utah.gov/
or contact Eldon Tryon, UOSH Compliance Manager at (801) 530- 6901.

Resource: Utah OSHA

Drug Testing!
Although OSHA supports workplace drug and alcohol programs, at this time OSHA does not have a standard. However, in some situations, OSHA’s General Duty Clause, may be applicable where particular hazard is not addressed by any OSHA standard.

Why should I have a Drug Free Workplace?

Let’s look at some facts: 2/3 of drug abusers are employed, of these, 3/4 are full time. Nationwide, almost 10% of employees use drugs in the workplace.

Drug users cost businesses over $100 billion per year, directly and indirectly. Drug abusing employees acquire 300% higher medical costs and benefits which consequently increase health insurance rates. Illicit drug users are five times more likely to file a worker’s compensation claim.

Drug users have 3.6 times as many accidents. Up to 40% of industrial fatalities and 47% of industrial injuries can be linked to alcohol abuse and alcoholism. Employees using drugs are three times more likely to be late for work and 2.5 times more likely to have absences of eight or more days.
Collectively, substance abusers have an absentee rate of 30-35 days per year.

Court decisions provide two more incentives: Courts have upheld drug testing as a legitimate means of determination employees’ ability to work. And, the majority of courts have held business liable for accidents caused by drug using employees; particularly when the company has no formal Drug Free Workplace Policy. Resource- Utah OSHA

CONVINCED?

If you need assistance with a Drug and Alcohol Policy in your workplace, contact the Human Resource Department at A Plus Benefits (801)-443-1090

Production of the A Plus Benefit’s Safety Department for May 09!
1. OSHA Investigations and Hearings- O
2. Company Safety Audits- 4
3. Safety Manuals written -14
4. Tool Box Safety Programs- 14
5. Monthly Newsletter and Blog- Sent to 158 Companies
6. Fall Prevention Classes- 2
7. Hazard Communication Classes- 1
8. Forklift Certifications- 12
9. Mobil Crane Certifications- 4
10. Defensive Driving Classes- 1
11. Completed Projects for Clients to improve their safety programs- 11
12. Safety Videos sent out from library- 5

For a list of written procedures, training materials and safety videos available from A Plus Benefits, contact Rick at rscott@aplusbenefits.com.

Most Frequently OSHA Cited Standards in 2008!
1. Scaffolding- 29 CFR 1926.451
2. Fall Protection- 29 CFR 1926.501
3. Hazard Communication Standard- 29 CFR 1910.1200
4. Control of Hazardous Energy (Lockout/Tagout)- 29 CFR 1910.147
5. Respiratory protection- 29 CFR 1910.134
6. Electrical wiring- 29 CFR 1910.305
7. Powered Industrial Trucks (Forklifts)- 29 CFR 1910.178
8. Ladders- 29 CFR 1910.212
9. Machine Guarding- 29 CFR 1910.212
10. Electrical system designs- 29 CFR 1910.303
Resource: Osha.gov

Rick Scott is the Saftey Director for A Plus Benefits, Inc.