OSHA 3138-01R, Permit-Required Confined Spaces. Many workplaces contain spaces that are considered to be "confined" because their configurations hinder the activities of employees who must enter into, work in or exit from them. In many instances, employees who work in confined spaces also face increased risk of exposure to serious physical injury from hazards such as entrapment, engulfment, and hazardous atmospheric conditions. Confinement itself may pose entrapment hazards and work in confined spaces may keep employees closer to hazards such as machinery components than they would be...

OSHA 3142-09R, Lead in Construction. Pure lead (Pb) is a heavy metal at room temperature and pressure. A basic chemical element, it can combine with various other substances to form numerous lead compounds. Lead has been poisoning workers for thousands of years. Lead can damage the central nervous system, cardiovascular system, reproductive system, hematological system, and kidneys. When absorbed into the body in high enough doses, lead can be toxic. In addition, workers' lead exposure can harm their children's development. In construction, lead is used frequently for roofs, cornices, tank...

OSHA 3144-06R, Methylene Chloride. Methylene chloride, also called dichloromethane, is a volatile, colorless liquid with a chloroform-like odor. Methylene chloride is used in various industrial processes in many different industries: paint stripping, pharmaceutical manufacturing, paint remover manufacturing, metal cleaning and degreasing, adhesives manufacturing and use, polyurethane foam production, film base manufacturing, polycarbonate resin production, and solvent distribution ad formation. The predominant means of exposure to methylene chloride is inhalation and skin exposure. OSHA...

OSHA 3150 - A Guide to Scaffold Use in the Construction Industry. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 charges the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) with protecting all working men and women across the United States. To do so, the agency sets federal standards for general industry, construction, and shipyard employment. OSHA also promotes a variety of voluntary programs that strive to form partnerships with businesses, labor, and other groups to help employers provide safer and more healthful workplaces for employees. Some of the agency's voluntary initiatives...

OSHA 3151-12R, Personal Protection Equipment. Hazards exist in every workplace in many different forms: sharp edges, falling objects, flying sparks, chemicals, noise and a myriad of other potentially dangerous situations. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that employers protect their employees from workplace hazards that can cause injury. Controlling a hazard at its source is the best way to protect employees. Depending on the hazard or workplace conditions, OSHA recommends the use of engineering or work practice controls to manage or eliminate hazards to the...

OSHA 3160 - The Occupational Health Professional's Services and Qualifications: Questions and Answers. Controlling occupational injuries and illnesses and related expenditures is a top priority in most companies. Selecting a qualified health care professional to participate in the workplace safety and health activities can be a vital step in this process. This book addresses questions and answer to provide guidance and serve as a resource for those considering such a selection. A variety of health care professionals are available to employers. Selecting an appropriate provider for the...

OSHA 3162-12R, Screening and Surveillance: A Guide to OSHA Standards. The Occupational Safety and Health Act requires that employers comply with safety and health standards promulgated by OSHA or by a state with an OSHA-approved state plan. This guide is a quick reference to help you locate and implement the screening and surveillance requirements of the Federal OSHA standards published in Title 29 of the Code of Federal Regulations (29 CFR). This guide provides a general overview of OSHA requirements. It is not a standard or regulation, and it creates no new legal obligations. For full...

OSHA 3170-02R, Safeguarding Equipment and Protecting Employees from Amputation. Amputations are among the most severe and disabling workplace injuries that often result in permanent disability. They are widespread and involve various activities and equipment. (The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2005 annual survey data indicated that there were 8,450 non-fatal amputation cases - involving days away from work - for all private industry. Approximately forty-four percent (44%) of all workplace amputations occurred in the manufacturing sector and the rest occurred across the construction,...

OSHA 3186-06N - Model Plans and Programs for the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens and Hazard Communications Standards. The mission of the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) is to save lives, prevent injuries, and protect the health of America's workers. As part of the Department of Labor, OSHA promotes worker safety and health in every workplace in the United States. OSHA's bloodborne pathogens standard protects employees who work in occupations where they are at risk of exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials. OSHA's hazard communication standard protects...

OSHA's Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders: Guidelines for Retail Grocery Stores, OSHA 3192-06N, provide practical recommendations to help grocery store employers and employees reduce the number and severity of injuries in their workplaces. Many of the work-related injuries and illnesses experienced by grocery store workers are musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), such as back injuries and sprains or strains that may develop from various factors, including lifting, repetitive motion disorders carpal tunnel syndrome, or injuries resulting from overexertion. MSDs may also be...