|
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration functions under the umbrella of the U.S. Department of Labor and was created under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which was signed by President Richard M. Nixon on December 29, 1970. Since the agency was created in 1971, occupational deaths have been cut by 62% and injuries have declined by 42%.1
We at SOS Technologies are committed to helping your company comply with the complex array of OSHA requirements and necessary written plans. Below we have listed some FAQ's to introduce you to OSHA.
How many work-related injuries, illnesses, and deaths occur each year in the United States?
In 2001, there were 5.2 million occupational injuries and illnesses among U.S. workers. Approximately 5.7 of every 100 workers experienced a job-related injury or illness, and 5,900 workers lost their lives on the job
What is OSHA's budget, and how many inspectors does the agency have?
OSHA's budget for Fiscal Year 2003 is $450 million. The agency has a staff of 2,303, including 1,327 compliance safety and health officers. Twenty-six states run their own OSHA State Programs with 2,960 state employees, including 1,327 compliance safety and health officers.
How many inspections does OSHA conduct each year?
OSHA inspected 37,493 workplaces during Fiscal Year 2002. The agency plans to conduct 37,700 inspections in FY 2003. The 26 states running their own OSHA programs conducted an additional 58,402 inspections in FY 2002.
What are OSHA's inspection priorities?
Top priority are reports of imminent dangers-accidents about to happen; second are fatalities or accidents serious enough to send three or more workers to the hospital. Third are employee complaints. Referrals from other government agencies are fourth. Fifth are targeted inspections-such as the Site Specific Targeting Program, which focuses on employers that report high injury and illness rates, and special emphasis programs that zero in on hazardous work such as trenching or equipment such as mechanical power presses. Follow-up inspections are the final priority.
What's the penalty for violating an OSHA standard?
OSHA penalties range from $0 to $70,000, depending upon how likely the violation is to result in serious harm to workers. Other-than-serious violations often carry no penalties but may result in penalties of up to $7,000. Serious violations may have penalties up to $7,000. Repeat and willful violations may have penalties as high as $70,000. Penalties may be discounted if an employer has a small number of employees, has demonstrated good faith, or has few or no previous violations. For more information on OSHA penalties, see Section 17 of the OSH Act or information on penalties in the OSHA Publication  All About OSHA.
What if OSHA inspects my workplace and I disagree with the findings?
Employers have the right to contest OSHA citations and/or penalties before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission. Employers must file notices of contest within 15 working days of being issued citations.
How can I find out about OSHA inspections of my workplace or other companies?
OSHA maintains an inspection database on this web site that you can use to search for companies by name or by Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code. You can limit your search by state or by year if you wish.
Who must keep records of work-related injuries and illnesses?
About 1.3 million employers with 11 or more employees-20 percent of the establishments OSHA covers-must keep records of work-related injuries and illnesses. Workplaces in low-hazard industries such as retail, service, finance, insurance, and real estate are exempt from record keeping requirements.
What should I do if I am exposed to blood?
According to OSHA:
"According to the NIOSH Alert in March of 1999, it is estimated that 600,000 to 800,000 needle stick injuries (NSIs) and other percutaneous injuries occur annually among health care workers. Post-exposure management is an integral part of a complete program for preventing infection following bloodborne pathogen exposure. The following references provide useful information about the management of occupational exposures to blood. "
Additional information can be found directly from OSHA at the following web page:
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/bloodbornepathogens/postexposure.htm
On November 7, 2002 the FDA announced its approval of a new rapid test for HIV anti-bodies. Results can be reported back to the patient the same day. This quick turnaround time has both medical and psychological benefits. Further information can be found in the CDC's November 22, 2002 Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. A copy of that edition of the report can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5146a5.htm
Is there a specific law or regulation about about needlestick safety?
Yes, there is; the Needlestick Safety and Prevention Act addresses this issue.
What can SOS Technologies do to help my organization comply with OSHA requirements?
We offer an array of OSHA compliance and safety training courses as well as a series of custom-tailored OSHA compliant written safety plans.
| 
