by Jbs102909 h3 — November 6, 2009—The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released publications in recent weeks concerning temporary workers in construction, warehouses, offices, etc.; the hazards of working with particle accelerators; and the necessity of hazard communication when there are chemicals present in the workplace.
A product of an OSHA alliance, a new video for temporary workers includes a general safety orientation and six modules focusing on identifying hazards at construction, landscaping, manufacturing and food distribution sites, warehouses, and offices.
OSHA’s new Safety and Health Information Bulletin (SHIB) on Special Purpose Particle Accelerators (.pdf file) identifies the risks of operating these devices, and provides information on their safe operation. OSHA says working with the accelerators causes potential exposure to harmful radiation, electrical hazards from high-voltage cable systems, oxygen-deficient atmospheres, and confined spaces.
OSHA has updated its Safety and Health Topics page on Hazard Communication: Foundation of Workplace Chemical Safety Programs, stating that in order to ensure chemical safety in the workplace, information must be available about the identities and hazards of the chemicals. OSHA’s Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) lists requirements of chemical manufacturers and importers as well as all employers with hazardous chemicals in their workplaces.
