OSHA Requirements for Safety Jesse LaPrade Extension Environmental and Safety Specialist The Alabama Cooperative Extension System and Auburn University

OSHA Requirements for Safety The Alabama Farm Safety Management Plan can help horticultural businesses reduce injuries and fatalities, reduce liability, and comply with Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations. The Benefits : 1. Protects employees by reducing the risk of on-the-job injuries. 2. Prevents, reduces, or limits OSHA fines. 3. Saves money by: a. Reducing the number of on-the-job injuries. b. Reducing the liability of the company. c. Providing a framework for employers to train all workers.

OSHA is the U.S. government’s entity charged with assuring employers provide safe and healthful working conditions for employees. Basic OSHA Regulations Companies must meet the following requirements: Minimize workplace hazards Warn employees of potential hazards Provide safe tools and equipment Teach the proper use of personal protective equipment

OSHA Regulations OSHA’s 4-point plan to help businesses develop their own safety program: 1. Provide for management leadership and employee involvement. 2. Workplace analysis. 3. Hazard prevention and control. 4. Safety and health training.  Documentation (keeping records)

Implementing the Safety Management Plan sets part 1 of OSHA’s 4-point plan in motion. Safety Policy Statement (an example) The personal safety and health of each employee is of primary importance to this business and its management personnel and owners. All employees will be trained on the safe use of equipment before that employee is expected to operate it. No employee is expected to work at a job he or she knows is not safe. All employees are encouraged and expected to help detect and control hazards that can cause injuries and to inform the supervisor immediately of any unsafe situations or if you have any questions about safety.

Job Safety and Health Protection All businesses must post the “Job Safety and Health Protection” poster (OSHA 2203), and many businesses post their safety policy statement beside that poster as well. It is a good idea to also post the company’s safety rules at that location. (Show a copy of the OSHA 2203 Poster here) *(Look at the Farm Safety Web site and read the Safety Management Plan and Safety Rules)

How to conduct a work site analysis for safety: part 2 of OSHA’s 4-point plan This is a physical inspection of the work site premises looking for potential hazards. Things to look for: 1. Damaged equipment, such as rickety ladders (with loose or missing parts). 2. Litter and debris scattered in the work area, in travel paths or on steps. 3. Fire extinguishers for proper class of fire and pressure gauge for charge. 4. Equipment shields (damaged or missing). 5. First aid kits (located where expected and fully stocked). 6. Rule violations, such as smoking in no-smoking areas. 7. Personal protective equipment violations. 8. All safety equipment required for application of restricted use pesticides, if used. 9. Talk to employees and ask about prior injuries and near misses. 10. Inspections should be conducted every 3 to 6 months.  Records must be kept on file: Site Analysis showed: 1 2 3

Once a hazard is found, make a written action plan to correct the problem. The plan should contain the following information:  The hazard corrective measures target completion date person responsible  Add the actual completion date when it is done and the person that approved the correction with their signature or initials in place.  All of this information is kept on file, and is a part of OSHA’s record-keeping requirement.

Injury Investigations  Investigate all injury mishaps. A thorough investigation of ALL injury incidents will provide for corrective measures and future prevention. All investigations of injuries must be kept on file and any fatality or catastrophe 1 must be reported to OSHA in a timely fashion (within 8 hours of the fatality or catastrophe). 1 have 3 or more workers admitted to the hospital

An emergency information sheet should be posted beside all work-site phones, cell phones, and in trucks and trailers that take equipment off site. The sheet should include phone numbers for the following:  Fire Department  Sheriff/Police  Ambulance  Doctor  Poison Control Center  Electric/gas company  Chemtech for chemical spills: (800)

Directions to your place of business should be on the Emergency Information Sheet  All off-site crews should have an Emergency Information Sheet and first aid kit kept in close proximity.

Fire Extinguishers  Class A—Combustibles like paper and wood  Class B—Gasoline, diesel fuel, grease, solvents  Class C—Electrical equipment fires Use the fire extinguisher that is approved for the fire’s class: A, B, or C. You can also use a fire extinguisher approved for all classes: A to C. All off-site crews should carry an approved functional fire extinguisher.

Hazard Communication Standard Hazard Communication Standard (HCS) is an OSHA regulation that requires employers to inform workers of any chemical hazards on the job and to train workers how to protect themselves from the hazards. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required to enforce the restricted-use pesticide standard for all pesticides used in Alabama. This requires that all handlers, applicators, mixers, and loaders of restricted-use pesticides be trained on safe use in accordance with the law. Each business must have a licensed registrant to purchase restricted-use pesticides and make application to various sites for pest control. Training for this license can be obtained from the Alabama Cooperative Extension System Pesticide Safety Education Program. You can get information by calling Dr. Fudd Graham at (334)

To comply with the HCS you must have a written hazard communication program in place. There are six steps to comply with the standard: 1. Name someone responsible for the task (could be your safety coordinator). 2. Compile a list of all chemicals used by the business. 3. Properly label all chemical containers. 4. Keep on file a material safety data sheet (MSDS) for each chemical. 5. Train workers on how to find and read labels and MSDS’s. 6. Train workers on use and maintenance of personal protective equipment. These are two separate and different laws for which every business must comply. If pesticides are the only toxic chemicals your company uses and all use is away from the main business site (even mixing, loading, and cleaning of equipment, etc.), your primary concern is to comply with the EPA regulations for restricted use of pesticides.