Introduction
Workplace safety is a hot button issue for many. This is both due to its necessity and perceived complexity. Few people really understand what safety requirements are and the value of meeting them. It can be challenging task to deal with for anyone. Particularly, in states like California with stricter regulations. I would like to share some of what I know and help people understand safety and the resources they have available to them.
Background information
A little about me, I have a background in environmental and hazardous waste cleanup and disposal. I hold certifications in Hazardous Waste Operations, and OSHA training certificates. I wish to share my knowledge and opinion with others in the hopes of improving safety awareness.
Overview of Agencies
For the uninitiated, the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) has administrated over the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of California (Cal/OSHA) since the early 1970’s. They have two main branches Enforcement and Consultation.
OSHA Enforcement (the branch most people associate with OSHA)
Enforcement makes sure that set workplace safety practices are followed. They can investigate companies when workplace accidents occur, or when some perceived unsafe practice is reported or observed. Reports are confidential, and workplace retaliation for reporting is illegal. Enforcement can do workplace walkthroughs, interview employees, and request documents and records as part of an investigation. Depending on what they find, they may stop work or issue citations to fix problems they have found with workplace practices. Under California labor code 6307 and 6314 OSHA has the authority to enter an employers property, to conduct inspections and investigations.
OSHA Consultation (the friendly helpful side of OSHA most people don’t know about)
OSHA Consolation’s main goal is to assist companies in making workplace safety programs compliant. Putting in a call to consolation will not trigger an enforcement investigation. This branch of OSHA just wants to help guide companies in the right direction when it comes to getting them the resources and programs, they need to foster a safer workplace environment. They have some great resources available for people willing to look.
Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE)
The DLSE is where people go to report Illegal work practices that are not safety related. These things can range from issues with wages, breaks, and wrongful termination. Someone experiencing these issues can contact the Labor Commissioner’s Office for assistance.
The best things that employers can do to prevent the need for these agencies to act is
Having an understanding of these agencies and what they do
Following all required guidelines
Having good workplace practices in place, make sure they are followed
Providing employees with some kind of workplace training
Making sure training and requirements are being properly implemented
Keeping excellent workplace documentation
More about training
The training provided by an employer doesn’t need to be elaborate. It just needs to inform employees about proper workplace practices and potential hazards. Something tailored to that specific job, or specific hazards is ideal. After training, employees need to demonstrate understanding and familiarity with the topics covered. Most likely by passing a test. Be sure to keep excellent training records. Some topics are required to be renewed annually. Others are renewed as needed.
Some Additional Important Resources For Employers
DIR Industry specific resources
About Standards
Two main types of standards exist Vertical and Horizontal according to OSHA
“Vertical standards are standards that apply to a particular industry or to particular operations, practices, conditions, processes, means, methods, equipment, or installations. Horizontal standards are other (more general) standards applicable to multiple industries. See §1910.5(c)” Standards exist for that particular thing . OSHA has list of standards that can look intimidating. Remember that OSHA consultation can help guide you!
Horizontal standards are much more general and basic and apply to multiple (If not all) industries and general things.
When a standard doesn’t exist for particular workplace occurrence It may still fall under the General Duty Clause
This provides basic blanket protections for employees. This is from Safety and Health Magazine
“Each employer shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.”
—Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970
In conclusion
We did an overview of the government agencies related to safety, and covered what they do. Then we moved on to the basics of what training should consist of. Then discussed a few means of preventative measures. Then went on to the basics of standards and where they can be found. I hope that this information can be useful in deepening understanding of safety. Perhaps even reduce some of the stigma associated with it.
Works Cited
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Pixabay. Mind the gap signage. Photos. accessed 9/18/22. pexeis. Pexels. https://www.pexels.com/photo/caution-danger-information-safety-258063/
Rezwan. Two Man Holding white Paper. Photos. accessed 9/18/22. pexeis. Pexels. https://www.pexels.com/photo/two-man-holding-white-paper-1216589/
Piacquadio. Mad Formal Executive man yelling at camera . Photos. accessed 9/18/22. pexeis. Pexels. https://www.pexels.com/photo/mad-formal-executive-man-yelling-at-camera-3760790/
GreggU. “Occupational Safety and Health Act” YouTube, uploaded by GreggU, 19 April 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssLQ7sLnIJ8
DIR. “Cal/OSHA Enforcement Branch.” ca.gov, https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/enforcementpage.html Accessed 18 September 2022
Justia. “California Labor Code 6307.” Justia, https://law.justia.com/codes/california/2021/code-lab/division-5/part-1/chapter-1/section-6307/ Accessed 22 September 22
DIR. “Cal/OSHA Consultation Services Branch.” ca.gov, https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/consultation.html Accessed 18 September 2022
DIR. “Labor Commissioner’s Office.” ca.gov, https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/ Accessed 18 September 2022
DIR. “Registration Services.” ca.gov, https://www.dir.ca.gov/dlse/Registration_Services.html Accessed 18 September 2022
DIR. “Cal/OSHA Partnership Programs.” ca.gov, https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/cal_vpp/vpp_index.html Accessed 18 September 2022
OSHA. “Chapter 4 Violations.” OSHA.gov, https://www.osha.gov/enforcement/directives/cpl-02-00-164/chapter-4#:~:text=Vertical%20standards%20are%20standards%20that,See%20%C2%A71910.5(c). Accessed 18 September 2022
OSHA. “Regulations (Standards-29 CFR.” OSHA.gov, https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910 Accessed 18 September 2022
Ferguson. “OSHA’s General Duty Clause.” safety and health magazine, https://www.safetyandhealthmagazine.com/articles/19258-oshas-general-duty-clause#:~:text=%E2%80%9CEach%20employer%20shall%20furnish%20to,physical%20harm%20to%20his%20employees.%E2%80%9D Accessed 18 September 2022
California Safety Basics 