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Archive for September 26th, 2023

How Long Do OSHA Certifications Last?
By EHS School September 26, 2023

How Long Do OSHA Certifications Last?

Construction sites have possible dangers and hazards, especially with the usage of chemicals, heavy machinery, electrical equipment, elevated platforms, and similar tools. OSHA safety training helps in reducing workplace hazards by instructing employees regarding safety protocols, tips to identify risk, and skills to mitigate accidents and injuries.  The guidelines provided by OSHA training go a long way in protecting workers in the construction, manufacturing, mining and demolition sectors. Workers in these industries can earn workplace safety compliance certification by completing the basic course OSHA 10-hour construction and the advanced OSHA 30-hour construction, which is generally for professionals who are in supervisory roles or want to be promoted in such positions. Within two weeks of completion of these courses, the trainees are provided the DOL cards. Also known as the OSHA Card or Completion Card, is an official card issued by the United States Department of Labor (DOL). Does The OSHA DOL Card Expire? There is no expiry date for OSHA cards. This certification does not ever need to be renewed or recertified. Upon course completion, you will receive a wallet-sized card as proof of your training on safety measures. This card serves as evidence that you have adequate knowledge of the standards set by the Occupational Safety and Health Authority. It should be noted that employers may require you to update your certificate every three to four years. They might do this to remind you of the safety procedures. However, OSHA does not mandate you to do this. Instead, some states might require employers to have their workers retrain after a specific time period. As a trainer, you should keep the following points in mind. 1. Keep Yourself Updated It is important for individuals to stay updated with the latest OSHA regulations and safety practices, even after obtaining the card. While the OSHA-hour card doesn’t expire, the information covered in the training may change over time. This means you might have to take new OSHA courses in some instances.   2. Ensure To Comply With Industry Standards Depending on the industry or your job role, you could require specialized or additional training in addition to the OSHA courses.  For instance,  the mining industry is subject to specific safety regulations and guidelines established by the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) along with OSHA standards. Always confirm that you comply with safety training requirements and make sure they meet the employer or industry standards.  3. Consider Employer Requirements Also Some employers could have their own guidelines or standards for OSHA training. After a given amount of time, they might demand that workers take the OSHA course again or attend refresher training. These requirements may differ depending on the job. 4. State-Specific Requirements In some cases, state-specific OSHA regulations may differ from federal OSHA requirements. Be aware of any state-specific training or renewal requirements that may apply to your location. For instance, the state of New York has the New York OSHA 10-hour construction and New York OSHA 30-hour construction training instead of the general training that’s provided everywhere else in the United State How Long Is My OSHA Certification Valid? As per the OSHA DOL card that is given to the students who successfully complete their training, this card is valid forever. The reason behind this is that OSHA safety training is a voluntary program. In several states, it is mandatory for  industries like construction, mining, manufacturing and demolition. Constructing Industry There is no expiration date for OSHA card in the construction industry  You may receive supplementary training depending on the industry-specific hazards General Industry In the general industry OSHA card never expire Must get supplementary training related to industry-specific needs Maritime industry The OSHA card used in the maritime industry is valid for 5 years only Additional training is required as per the industry requirement  What Happens If I Lose My DOL Card? If you damage or lose your DOL card, you need to contact the authorized OSHA outreach training provider to get a replacement card. But keep in mind that the replacement card will be issued to students who have participated in the OSHA outreach training program within the past five years. Each student is eligible for one replacement card. Conclusion So does the OSHA DOL Card expire? The simple answer is no. However, the regulations and requirements may change over time. So it’s always a good idea to verify the current policies and recommendations from OSHA. You can contact our agent through the chat option for the most up-to-date information regarding certifications and training requirements. Whether you want to start your OSHA safety training or refresh your knowledge, you can always reach out to EHS School. 

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Top OSHA Violations in 2022
By EHS School September 15, 2023

Top OSHA Violations in 2023

Every year there are lots of health and safety hazards that come to notice at the workplace. No doubt that workplace injuries and fatalities can overwhelm employees as well as their families. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration performs an inspection to inform safety experts and employers about the most common breaches and violations. However, the OSHA violation list of 2023 has been revealed and this list is cited with the most frequent infringements of the year. It is true that workplace injuries, illnesses, and fatalities can cause severe damage to employees and their families, but they are costly to companies as well. Due to such incidents every year, an organization needs to fulfill the medical costs, legal fees, and employee compensation costs, and although they are facing minimum productivity that becomes billions of expenses. In addition, they must have to pay the OSHA penalty which may cost about $156,259 per violation. That is why it is essential to understand why health and safety programs help to save money. 10 Most Common OSHA Violations OSHA brings out the list so employers can take action to identify and mitigate known hazards. However, these guidelines also cover the risks associated with injuries, deaths, and illnesses suffered by workers. Let’s have a look at the top 10 OSHA violations in 2023. 1. Fall Protection (General Requirements): 7,271 Violations  This standard focuses on preventing falls among employees, especially in the construction sector. Common violations include improper fall protection systems and inappropriate use of equipment. For 12 years, OSHA’s fall protection standard has been one of the most highlighted topics.  This part usually specifies when, where, and why fall protection is needed, as well as what are the measure safety protocols to consider in order to control falls, slips, and trips. 2023 saw around 7,271 violations of this OSHA standard. 2. Hazard Communication: 3,213 Violations This is another OSHA standard which saw 3,213 violations in 2023. According to this standard, employers are required to maintain a written hazard communication program and provide useful information to employees about hazardous chemicals in the workplace. This violation often improper labeling of chemicals and a lack of employee training It is crucial for companies to tell employees about how to classify chemicals and workplaces and label them properly. Moreover, it establishes the standard for employee training, tells them the use of Safety Data Sheets, and instructs them to build a workplace hazard communication strategy. 3. Ladder: 2,978 Violations  OSHA Violations related to ladders often concern issues like damaged or improperly used ladders, as well as failing to provide proper training on ladder safety. Organizations are required to keep ladders in excellent condition, train staff members who use them, and utilize them according to safety regulations. 4. Scaffolding: 2,859 Violations OSHA has a set of standards for scaffolding which is commonly used in construction industry. Unfortunately, many contractors and construction businesses violate these standards, putting their workforce at risk. Last year, there were 2,859 violations of OSHA’s standards related to scaffolding safety. 5. Powered Industrial Trucks: 2,561 Violations This OSHA standard governs the safe use of forklifts, lift trucks, uploading, and removal of heavy objects or other powered industrial trucks. Violations can include insufficient training, failure to perform inspections, maintenance, and improper operation of the vehicles. When using powered industrial trucks, employers must make sure that employees are properly trained and authorized. They need to conduct routine inspections and adhere to safety regulations. Make sure that the truck users have OSHA safety training. There were 2,561 instances of businesses not adhering to these standards last year.  6. Lockout/Tagout: 2,554 Violations The Lockout/Tagout is another type of OSHA violation. This category specifies the procedures to control hazardous energy sources when servicing or maintaining machines and equipment. Violations may involve inadequate lockout/tagout procedures, techniques, or failure to train employees. Inadequate training for employees related to lockout and tagout is the major cause of OSHA safety violations. To prevent unintentional machinery startup, employers must create and implement lockout/tagout protocols, educate staff members about them, and use locks and tags. 7. Respiratory Protection: 2,481 Violations It is significant for employers to maintain and construct a Respiratory Protection Program to protect workers from inhaling harmful airborne contaminants. Violations often include improper fit testing and inadequate training. Businesses are expected to set up a program that includes respirator selection, fit testing, medical evaluations for employees required to use respirators, and training on proper respirator use.  8. Fall Protection (Training Requirements): 2,112 Violations This category is different from the ‘fall protection general requirement’. This OSHA specifically addresses the training requirements related to fall protection in the construction industry. The training providers failed to give adequate training to employers on fall protection. However, employers need to make sure that their employees receive comprehensive and satisfactory OSHA safety training. Then workers become capable of knowing how to use fall protection equipment to save themselves and others from hazardous situations. 9. Eye & Face Protection: 2,074 Violations Eye and Face Protection are commonly known as Personal Protective and lifesaving equipment. This standard requires employers to provide appropriate eye and face protection to workers who are exposed to hazards such as flying particles or chemical splashes. This violation includes failing to provide appropriate eye and face protection in situations where employees are exposed to hazards. It is crucial for employers to supply and require the use of appropriate eye and face protection, such as safety glasses or goggles when employees are exposed to potential eye or face injuries. Such violations reached 2,074 in 2023. 10. Machine Guarding: 1,644 Violations The machine guarding OSHA violations involve neglecting to give proper machine guards in order to protect employees from harmful machine parts. Such violations reached 1,644 in 2013. This standard usually outlines the safety measures to shield workers from flying chips, moving parts, ignitions, and other machinery-related dangers. To protect employees from exposure to potentially dangerous portions of machinery, employers must install the correct shielding.  Gets OSHA training to Avoid Violations If

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