Aug 19, 2010
Posted on Aug 19, 2010 in OSHA | 2 comments
When drilling for natural gas, you must first establish the location of your underground installations before you excavate. Never just begin without knowing exactly where you are going to end up. This can be a very dangerous act. This includes contacting utility companies or owners within a respectable amount of time. If you are unable to contact anyone within 24 hours, you are allowed to proceed with the process of drilling for natural gas. When you are getting close to your source, you must take care to figure out the exact location in a way that is acceptable. You must then support, protect, or remove any underground installations to help ensure employee safety.
Excavators need to establish a plan and train their employees before drilling for natural gas. All employees should know how to determine locations, contact any relevant companies to establish locations, and know the precautions to take to prevent damage. You should never skip this step. If employees are not knowledgeable, they are not safe. This will be considered a non-compliance with OSHA’s guidelines.
If an underground installation is damaged, appropriate counter measure must be taken after the hazards associated with the damage have been determined. If gases are released, emergency response teams need to be contacted immediately. Do not delay this. You will be endangering not only yourself, but also the general public. Act as quickly as possible. Be prepared to handle any emergency that may arise when drilling for natural gas.
Another main concern of OSHA is that you know how to maintain and disregard of hazardous materials when drilling for natural gas. You need to protect yourself and those around you. A gas leak can be very serious to a town or a city.
Employers and employees need to be knowledgeable of what safety equipment to use through the whole process of drilling for natural gas to prevent injury and promote safety. If you are unsure of anything that you need to do, you may contact OSHA.
OSHA has implemented many guidelines when it comes to drilling for natural gas. There are way too many to list. Just make sure you are following the proper procedures that should have been set forth within your company if you are in the business of drilling for natural gas. It is a good idea to contact OSHA to figure out all procedures along with the rights that you have as an employee or employer.
OSHA is committed to safety of employers and employees. When it comes to situations such as drilling for natural gas, this safety spans to the general public. It is because of this that there are such strict guidelines and procedures that need to be followed. Drilling for natural gas if done incorrectly, it can be one of the most dangerous on the job activities that can be performed. Even if you are highly skilled, problems can occur. Make sure you are as prepared as possible before taking on the task of drilling for natural gas.
Aug 19, 2010
Posted on Aug 19, 2010 in OSHA | 0 comments
Written on Thursday, July 23, 2009
The very simple answer to this is yes. OSHA standards are set with very strict guidelines to ensure safety and well-being in the workplace. Almost every place of employment will have an OSHA inspection at least once a year. They will also be inspected if complaints have been filed that people are not following OSHA standards and guidelines. Every workplace will have their own set of rules and guidelines when it comes to OSHA standards. When guidelines are not being followed, that is taken very seriously. Violating OSHA standards is a serious issue.
Employers have a duty under the OSHA Act to provide their employees with a healthy and safe place of work. This act is a federal act that requires employers to follow certain requirements pertaining to OSHA Standards.
An employer has the responsibility to make sure that their personnel have knowledge of the OSHA Act. They should also have an appointed safety and health specialist. Copies of OSHA standards should be given to employees upon request. It is part of an employees rights through the OSHA Act to have a copy of OSHA standards and guidelines.
The employer should have a certain person or a group of people analyze OSHA standards. This is to determine how they are being utilized within the company, and if the employer complies with all guidelines. The more employees are involved with OSHA guidelines, the more they can help in holding their employer responsible for policy non-compliance. Although this is the case, the employers themselves need to critically examine the safety and health conditions throughout the facility. An important part of this is doing walk-throughs to ensure that employees are properly using safety equipment and adhering to OSHA standards.
An employer has the obligation to establish safe working rules and procedures that are reviewed periodically. If OSHA standards are not being met, there is an obligation for employers to strengthen problem areas and implement discipline procedures for any employee not in compliance with OSHA standards.
An employer must not only follow OSHA standards, it is their responsibility to make sure they are implemented by the employees. All accidents requiring hospitalization of five or more employees or death have to be reported within 48 hours. An employer must cooperate with OSHA inspectors when they come to a place of work to perform an inspection.
There is supposed to be a poster available in any work place that states a worker’s rights as they pertain to OSHA standards and the OSHA Act. If you feel that your boss is not adhering to OSHA standards you have the right as an employee to turn them in. If they are investigated and found to be guilty of OSHA non-compliance, they will be cited properly.
If you feel that your employer is not adhering to OSHA standards, you should approach them first. It is an issue of employee and employer safety. IF they continue to not follow guidelines further action should be taken to make sure the issue is reported to OSHA. The appropriate actions will be taken at that time.
Aug 19, 2010
Posted on Aug 19, 2010 in OSHA | 0 comments
Written on Thursday, March 12, 2009
OSHA requires that a variety of hearing protection be available to employees at a work site.
The standard 1910.95 (i)(3) reads “employees shall be given the opportunity to select their hearing protectors from a variety of suitable hearing protectors provided by the employer.”
A “variety” can be defined as 3 different hearing protectors. This can be achieved in any combination – like 2 different ear plugs and 1 ear muff; 1 ear plug and 2 different hearing bands; 3 different ear plugs; etc…
Employers should keep in mind that everyone’s ears are different. By offering several different styles of hearing protectors to employees, you will improve the chances that workers will wear their hearing protection, and thus increase worker compliance.
Written by: Carissa Kelley
