OSHA ISSUES PROPOSED RULE ON
CONFINED SPACES IN CONSTRUCTION

Citing the fact that confined spaces in construction remains a major workplace issue, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a new rule on November 28, 2007 to address hazards. The rule classifies four space types based on physical and atmospheric hazards: isolated-hazard confined spaces, controlled-hazard confined spaces, permit-required confined spaces, and continuous system permit-required confined spaces. Proposed requirements for addressing each type of confined space are tailored to control the different types of hazards. OSHA said a separate standard was necessary because of the construction industries “unique characteristics,” including higher turnover rates and the number of employees performing short-term tasks at multiple work sites. PSTS, Inc. will include this new information during the conduct of 10-Hour and 30-Hour Construction Safety & Health Courses.

OSHA ISSUED ITS FINAL RULE ON EMPLOYER PAYMENT FOR PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

Under the new rule, all required PPE, with few exceptions, must be provided at no cost to the employee. The new rule went into effect on February 13, 2008 and employers must implement its provisions by May 15, 2008. PSTS, Inc. will include this information during HAZWOPER and HAZMAT Training. We are available to conduct inspections at facilities to ensure compliance.

OSHA PROPOSES RULE TO CONTROL ENERGY
AND OTHER SHIPYARD HAZARDS

A recent proposed rule aims to help reduce hazards and provide greater protection for shipyard employees, with special attention to the control of hazardous energy. OSHA said a detailed examination of statistics indicated hazardous energy is responsible for a significant percentage of shipyard fatalities and injuries. The standard addressed diverse working conditions in shipyard employment, including housekeeping, lighting, and utilities, confined, or isolated spaces, lifeboats, sanitation, and medical services / first aid. OSHA is accepting public comment on the proposed rule until March 19, 2008. Interested parties may submit comments electronically at www.regulations.gov. PSTS, Inc. will present this information during Shipyard Safety training.

Calvin C. Williams, Owner and President of Professional Safety Training Services, Inc., has more than 20 years of shipbuilding experience. At 21 years of age in 1957, he was the first and youngest African American to serve as a Ship Fitter Supervisor at the New York Shipyard in Camden, New Jersey. He also worked as a Supervisor at many shipyards including the Brooklyn Navy Yard and served as a Nuclear Quality Control Inspector on the construction of nuclear powered Attack & Ballistic Missile type submarines at Electric Boat/General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut. He was later promoted to Contract Negotiator where he negotiated contract changes to submarines under construction with U.S. Navy Negotiators at the Supervisor of Shipbuilding in New London, CT and at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. He has been featured in many magazines for his shipbuilding expertise. PSTS, Inc. visits shipyards throughout the USA and territorial islands to teach shipyard workers how to work safely.