OSHA Inspection Plan Targets High-Hazard Workplaces

December 12, 2010

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is responsible for assuring employers provide safe and healthy workplaces for employees. The agency recently released an inspection plan focusing on high-hazard worksites where injuries and illnesses are most prone to occur.

The Site-Specific Targeting (SST) program takes the lead on inspecting non-construction worksites with 40 workers or more. The plan is based on data from a 2009 OSHA survey on work-related injury and illness given to roughly 80,000 businesses in high-hazard industries. Workplaces in areas such as manufacturing , nursing and personal care are randomly chosen for inspection from a list of over 4,000.

David Michaels, the Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, explained, "The Site Specific Targeting program helps OSHA focus its enforcement resources to high-risk employers who are endangering their workers' health and safety."

Besides the SST program, OSHA also coordinates emphasis inspection programs that focus on high-risk industries and hazards. Examples include trenching/excavations, petroleum refinery process safety management and FAA air traffic control tower monitoring.

Construction Industry Efforts

This year OSHA is also collecting information from roughly 20,000 construction industry workplaces regarding work-related injury and illness. It seems possible that the agency may target construction worksites in future inspection programs.

New OSHA rules for the usage of cranes and derricks on construction sites also took effect the November. Among other things, the new rules require that operators of most construction cranes be properly trained and certified. Employers are given as much as four years to make sure all their operators are properly qualified. Those establishments located in areas with additional requirements will also be subject to those rules. OSHA estimates about 4.8 million workers will be affected by the new cranes and derricks standards.

Hopefully, OSHA's efforts in high-hazard workplaces and the construction industry will result in safer worksites and fewer work-related injuries.

What if You are Injured in a Workplace Accident?

Workers compensation covers medical care and lost wages from workplace accidents. You may, however, have additional personal injury claims against parties other than your employer. Examples include manufacturers of defective equipment or negligence by another contractor on the worksite. Contact an experienced personal injury attorney to have your potential claims evaluated.

Article provided by Corsiglia McMahon & Allard LLP
Visit us at www.san-jose-injury-law.com