Thursday, April 1, 2010

OSHA's HAZWOPER standard

The HAZWOPER applies to five separate groups of employers and their employees. This includes any employees who are exposed to hazardous substances and who are engaged in one of the following operations as specified by 1910.120(a)(1)(i-v) and 1926.65(a)(1)(i-v) and 40 Hazwoper training is required by these:
 clean-up operations -- necessary by a governmental body, whether federal, state, local, or other relating hazardous substances -- that are conducted at uninhibited hazardous waste sites;
 remedial actions involving clean-up operations at sites covered by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976 (RCRA) as amended (42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.);
 intentional clean-up operations at sites documented by federal, state, local, or other governmental body as uncontrolled hazardous waste sites;
 operations concerning hazardous wastes that are conducted at treatment, storage, and removal facilities regulated by Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 264 and 265 pursuant to RCRA, or by agencies under accord with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to implement RCRA regulations; and
 emergency response operations for releases of, or considerable threats of releases of, hazardous substances in spite of of the location of the hazard.

Is computer-based training acceptable for Hazwoper and 40 Hazwoper training?
Computer-based training may meet Hazwoper and 4o Hazwoper training requirements, provided that it covers topics pertinent to workers' assigned duties. It must be supplemented by the chance to ask questions of a qualified trainer and by an assessment through tests and quizzes.
In OSHA's view, self-paced, interactive computer-based training can provide as a valuable OSHA training tool in the circumstance of an overall training program. However, use of computer-based training by itself would not be sufficient to meet the intent of most of OSHA training requirements, in particular those of HAZWOPER. OSHA urges employers to be cautious of relying solely on generic, "packaged" training programs in meeting their training requirements. For example, training under 40 HAZWOPER includes site-specific basics and should also, to some degree, be tailored to workers' assigned duties so hands on training is also required.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Lowest prices on OSHA training and OSHA outreach courses

OSHAcertification4all.com is offering lowest possible prices on all OSHA 10 training and Outreach Courses. All these courses are 100% online and OSHA accepted. OSHA 10 Hour is for $89 while OSHA 30 Hour is for $ 189 and 40 Hazwoper is for $ 375!! Login today to view our course catalog at www.oshatraining4all.com.

Monday, March 15, 2010

What are confined spaces? What OSHA training is required?

What are confined spaces? What OSHA 10 training is required?
Many workplaces have spaces that are "confined" because their structure hinders the actions of employees who must enter, work in, and exit them. A confined space has narrow or limited means for entry or exit, and it is not considered for long term employee possession. Confined spaces comprise, but are not limited to underground vaults, tanks, storage bins, manholes, pits, silos, process vessels, and pipelines. OSHA uses the term "permit-required confined space" (permit space) to explain a confined space that has one or more of the below characteristics: contains or has the possibility to contain a hazardous atmosphere; is filled with a material that has the ability to swallow up an entrant; is made of walls that congregate inward or floors that slope descending and get thinner into a smaller area which could entrap or suffocate an entrant; or contains any other documented safety or health hazard, such as unguarded machinery, exposed live wires, or heat stress.
What standards apply?
Confined space hazards are described in specific OSHA standards for the general industry and shipyard employment. OSH Act directs employers to "furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees”. It also requires employers to "comply with occupational safety and health standards promulgated under this Act".
What OSHA 10 training is required?
The OSHA 10 training required for Confined spaces is an important part of the OSHA training standards. This OSHA training course covers the safety parameter of the workers working in permit required confined spaces. It teaches about the accidents that could occur during their work in confined spaces.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

• Have Introduction OSHA training to Confined Spaces
• Know about the Characteristics and structure of Confined Spaces
• Learn the Atmospheric Conditions
• Learn the Prevention Program
• Recognize the Duties of Employers and Employees
• Recognize the Rescue & Emergency Services
• Recognize the Testing Protocol

Occupational safety training

OSHAtraining4all.com a nationwide OSHA training firm declared a new program to decrease fire related accidents at workplace and deal with hazardous waste material in your industries.
Every day employees prove they are able to use poorly designed equipment, often under difficult working conditions. People adapt and can tolerate small departures from optimal designs of the equipment they use and the environments in which they work. However, there is a limit to the amount of adaptation a person can reasonably make. Beyond this is a cost in job efficiency, discomfort, frustration, job dissatisfaction, and fatigue. All of these increase potential for accidents and personal injury, attendance problems, and employee turnover.
Some employers say even though they have purchased the latest, most ergonomically sound office equipment, employees still complain of discomfort. Problems such as stiff necks, sore backs, and carpel tunnel syndrome continue to occur. Unfortunately, many employees don't understand the ergonomic concept. The most ergonomically sound chair will not help if it is not adjusted or used properly. In addition, there may be other factors such as the position of the monitor or keyboard that may be the real culprit. According to Ken Zans, a recognized ergonomics specialist, "Our work environment impacts our comfort, health, and performance. Quite often we have control over our environment, yet we either don't know how to make change, or we become creatures of our own bad habits. When you take the time to educate an employee about proper work practices, you also establish expected work behaviors and procedures. An ergonomic assessment of the work station and a review of an employee's work habits should be a part of every performance appraisal."
• First, a training program reinforces how ergonomics is a part of the organization's business initiatives to maximize productivity and quality in a safe and healthy work environment.
• Second, participant's workstations are individually analyzed and employees are counseled on methods to improve the efficiency of their work area.
• Third, follow-up is provided to insure methods are being utilized and problems have been resolved.
Using the OSHA training specified "Ergonomics Solutions" method, over 90% of participants have reported the program was extremely effective in improving overall work comfort and employee morale. In addition, 100% of participants have seen at least some improvement in job performance.
Risk management is critical to any organization's success. Ergonomics is a proven method of reducing workplace risks. At the same time, implementing an effective ergonomic program is a cost effective method to increase productivity, improve employee morale, and maximize the company's bottom line.

OSHA training

40 Hazwoper

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OSHA safety training

Friday, March 12, 2010

Are you violating OSHA standards? Share your thoughts with us

Everybody these days working in the field knows about OSHA, but are you really acquainted with the violations you should avoid? Every year, thousands of dollars are spent by big companies on penalties put upon them by OSHA for violating the guidelines and standards also for OSHA training. Recently Disney Land had to pay huge amount on the same!! So, are ready to have OSHA inspect you? Are you 100% in line with the standards…..let’s see.
Here is a list of the most common citations in the Construction industry:

Wiring methods, components, and equipment for general use.
Requirements for protective systems.
Respiratory Protection.
Aerial lifts.
Fall protection systems criteria and practices.
Training requirements.
General safety and health provisions.
Training requirements.
Safety training and education.
Head protection.
Eye and face protection.
Wiring design and protection.
General requirements.
Stairways.
Asbestos
Criteria for personal protective equipment.
Cranes and derricks.


Now the question comes..How to avoid these violations? The most important aspect is to have your staff properly trained for OSHA training and OSHA certification. Each of the above mentioned violations or field of operations needs specific OSHA training and OSHA certification. Some come under OSHA training for health like Asbestos, and some under Hazardous waste training, like 40 Hazwoper training.
How OSHA training does affect your OSHA standing?? That is because of two important things; first OSHA checks that the workers working in a particular field have the proper training certificate for that, Second, if the workers are properly trained they will know safety tips and how to perform in the work environment in line with safety and health guidelines, this will automatically reduce your chances for violations and penalties.
The other important aspect is to use the right and safe materials and equipment when working in the field. The machines should be properly oiled and checked for loose fittings before starting an operation. The electric wiring should be properly covered and earthed. Proper handling of stairways and ladders. Here again the importance of OSHA training cannot be ignored. If someone doesn’t have proper OSHA training on how to use stairways & ladders or work in confined spaces, we cannot expect them to use the right equipment.
Another important tip to remember is record keeping and human resource management. A complete record of the health conditions of all the workers should be kept saved in order to use it in case of insurance claim. Also if a worker gets sick, his past record will help you justify the condition in front of OSHA.
So, there we go….OSHA training, OSHA certification, record keeping, proper equipment….well there is more to cover….but next time. I will appreciate if you share you OSHA training or OSHA inspection experience with us, or just let me know if I haven’t covered something really important.

Monday, March 8, 2010

HOW CAN YOU BECOME A CERTIFIED OSHA TRAINER

To become an official instructor, you must take a required OSHA training for trainer course. But the pre-requisite for trainer course is OSHA outreach training. By completing 30 Outreach OSHA certification you will become eligible to take the trainer course
General Industry:
Course #501, Trainer Course in Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry.
Prerequisites are:
5 years of general industry safety experience and a completed 30 Hours Outreach OSHA Training and completion of course #511, Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry.
Construction Industry:
Course #500, Trainer Course in Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry.
Prerequisites are:
5 years of construction safety experience, a completed 30 Hours Outreach OSHA Training and completion of course #510, Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry.


These courses offer an outline of the majority of hazardous and referenced standards. The courses can be taken online or from a certified OSHA training institute.
When you finish the course, you are approved to train for four years. Before the end of four years, you have to take an refresher course to renew your permission for another four years. There are two update courses available:
 Course #502: Update for Construction Industry Outreach Trainers
 Course #503: Update for General Industry Outreach Trainers.

Workers' Compensation: OSHA is Listening

Workers' Compensation: OSHA is Listening

Get your OSHA Training and OSHA certification now to avoid penalties...
 
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