MIOSHA heat safety, Safe + Sound Week, electronic HazCom
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MIOSHA introduces SEP for heat-related hazards
Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently introduced a State Emphasis Program for indoor and outdoor heat-related hazards.
The state agency can use additional measures like “comprehensive inspection targeting and outreach,” which include “compliance assistance” and education. Although the sample program was specially designed for outdoor heat, the elements are valuable and applicable for indoor heat as well.
Employers are encouraged to utilize MIOSHA’s sample heat illness prevention plan, which can be used as a template to establish their own heat illness prevention procedures and reduce the risk of work-related heat illness among their employees.
Register for Safe + Sound Week
On to the next news, Safe + Sound Week, an annual initiative from OSHA, NIOSH, and a coalition of safety organizations – including the National Safety Council is open for registration.
This year’s event will take place between August 15 to 21. OSHA says the event will work to proactively identify and manage workplace hazards before they cause injury or illness, improving sustainability and the bottom line, all the while promoting awareness and understanding of workplace safety and health programs.
Electronic hazard communication
Last news of the week, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is seeking input as it considers implementing electronic hazard communication as an alternative to paper-based documents. PHMSA says, “widely adopted technologies could supplement, or replace, the existing paper-based hazard communication system and offer opportunities for improved emergency response and oversight, as well as increased efficiency in the operations of transportation networks.
“PHMSA anticipates that electronic communication would improve transportation safety, efficiency and effectiveness by providing electronic access to the same required information currently contained in hazard communication documents.” The deadline to comment on the RFI is September 9.
