Masonry Magazine February 1973 Page. 23
OSHA info
Current Information
Relating To The Occupational
Safety and Health Act
by Lawrence P. Sands
(Fred S. James & Co.,
MCAA Insurance
Consultants)
CONSTRUCTION SAFETY ADVISORY COMMITTEE SEEKS CLARIFICATION OF CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
The construction industry should be made to comply only with construction standards, it was determined by the Construction Safety Advisory Committee in a meeting held recently in Washington, D.C. The committee will recommend to the Assistant Secretary of Labor of Occupational Safety & Health that a policy position to that effect be adopted. It was also suggested that occupational safety and health standards in Part 1910, Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, be included in construction standards where applicable. Section 1926.600(a) of Sub-part O-Motor Vehicles, Mechanized Equipment and Marine Operations, was amended by adding the following provisions:
• When work must be performed on machinery or equipment such as repair, the equipment shall be locked out or tagged out and not re-started until all employees are clear.
• Discharge lines from pressure vessels, compressors and manifolds should be equipped with non-return valves. Each air or steam hose connection shall be secured to prevent the hose from whipping. This applies to discharge lines having a flow of compressed air greater than 60 cubic feet per minute.
• Safe access shall be provided to all mobile equipment operator stations or work platforms.
• Materials, tools or equipment shall be loaded on mobile units so as to prevent accident or injury to personnel.
All CMAA members having questions concerning OSHA or desiring information relative to the Act, should write MCAA, OSHA Information, 208 S. LaSalle St., Chicago 60604. The author, Lawrence P. Sands, will be more than pleased to assist you.
awareness of employers of the need for improving workplace safety and health, and because it allows us to be responsive to the special situations of many employers."
STEIGER OSHA AMENDMENT FAILS IN 92nd CONGRESS
The proposed amendment to the Occupational Safety & Health Act to provide for consultative visits to the workplace by OSHA without being subject to citation, except for imminent danger situations, died in the final days of the 92nd Congress.
The proposed amendment was submitted by Congressman William A. Steiger, co-sponsor of the Act. Steiger plans to resubmit the bill early in the 93rd Congress next year. The purpose of the bill (HR 17021) was to permit the Secretary of Labor to make on-site consultative visits to small employers who employ 25 or fewer people which would not trigger the Act's entire enforcement process.
VARIANCES AND PETITIONS
The Labor Department says that an increasing number of the nation's employers are taking part in the development and improvement of workplace safety and health standards. George C. Guenther, Assistant Secretary of Labor who heads the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), indicated that as of September 30, 1972, his agency has received 138 petitions for modification, revocation or issuance of new standards, and 300 applications for variance from the current OSHA standards.
"Under the Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety & Health Act of 1970," he said, "employers and other interested persons may petition for new standards that will offer employee protection against new or unforeseen hazards, or they may petition for modification or revocation of existing standards where they feel a need exists."
Employers can request temporary or permanent variances from OSHA's standards, he said. Temporary variances are granted to afford appropriate time to meet the requirements of the standards. Permanent variances are granted only when substitute procedures are as safe and healthful for employees as that provided by OSHA's standards. Request for variance by an individual employer can point out the need for industry-wide modification of the standards.
"We welcome employer participation in our standards-setting activity," Guenther added, "because it increases the
OSHA SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE AVAILABLE
The Safety & Health standards and regulations under the Williams-Steiger Occupational Safety & Health Act of 1970 are officially published in the Federal Register. The problem with this means of developing a handy reference service is that because of the volume of changes issued almost daily, it takes no time to accumulate a mass of items, making it difficult to refer to the question at hand.
A new service of the U.S. Department of Labor greatly simplifies the system. The new subscription service supplements the Federal Register and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR 29) by providing all of the standards, interpretations, regulations, and procedures in easy-to-use, loose-leaf form punched for a three-ring binder. Changes and additions will be issued on an irregular basis to keep these documents current. Volumes of standards contain subject indexes and are available individually or as a set at the following subscription rates:
Vol. 1-General Industry Standards & Interpretations $21.00
Vol. 2-Maritime Standards & Interpretations $ 6.00
Vol. 3-Construction Standards & Interpretations $ 8.00
Vol. 4 Other Regulations & Procedures $ 5.50
Vol. 5-Compliance Manual $ 8.00
Subscription service started this year for an indefinite period. Order from: Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.