Drew Hinton, PhD, CSP, CHMM, EMT’s Post

When it comes to classifying confined spaces, what does "not designed for continuous employee occupancy" really mean? 🤔 Since this is one of OSHA's three defining criteria for a "confined space", it's important that we accurately understand it. While this phrase isn't specifically defined in OSHA's confined space standard for general or construction industries, you can find guidance in multiple OSHA interpretations, as well as OSHA's "Confined Spaces Advisor". Using these resources, the phrase "designed for continuous employee occupancy" refers to a workplace that is intended as a place for regular work on a daily basis, and is supplied with ventilation, lighting, and other conditions necessary to support life. In addition, you will also see a slight difference in this terminology between OSHA and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). ANSI's confined space standard (ANSI/ASSP Z117.1) uses the phrase "its primary function is other than human occupancy", rather than OSHA's "not designed for continuous employee occupancy". Although the distinction between the "primary function" (ANSI) and the "design" (OSHA) of a space may seem inconsequential, OSHA believes that their definition properly places the focus on the design of the space, which is the key to whether a human can occupy the space under normal operating conditions. Thus, if a space is truly designed for human occupancy, then the primary function of the space is irrelevant. It's important to note that even though something may not be classified as a "confined space" (or even a "permit-required confined space"), that doesn't mean it is always safe to enter and perform work. Instead, rather than assessing and documenting the hazard(s) on a confined space entry permit, the hazard(s) would be documented on your organizations risk assessment, JSA, JHA, or other similar document. OSHA Interpretation: https://shorturl.at/Srbyh OSHA's Confined Spaces Advisor: https://shorturl.at/1NRmA #arrowsafety #safety #safetyconsultant #safetytraining #manufacturing #osha #glasgowky #louisville #kentucky #assp #construction #oilandgas #training #confinedspaces

OSHA standards prioritize worker safety by addressing hazards associated with fixed ladders and stairways. These regulations include specific criteria like rung spacing, width, clearance, pitch, and fall protection systems, ensuring thorough safety for vertical access. It’s crucial for employers and safety professionals to understand and comply with these standards to reduce risks and maintain workplace safety. Read our full article to stay informed about OSHA guidelines! ___________ Contact us today to learn more about how we can serve your business! 📞 888.653.3333 🌐 www.okeeffes.com #Okeeffes #AluminumLadder #IndustrialLadder #CommercialLadder

As temperatures rise, it is crucial, now more than ever, to ensure that we keep workers safe! At our Quarterly Safety Meeting, D2 addressed OSHA's recently proposed "National Heat and Safety Rule" and discussed what it means for future working conditions. Find more information about the new rule at:  https://lnkd.in/ejP38Zuy #heatsafety #construction #sitework

🚧 Global Construction Industry Safety Alert 🚧 Did you know that the construction industry continues to have one of the highest rates of workplace injuries worldwide? Here’s a quick breakdown of the latest statistics for 2024: 🔴 Construction Industry: - Fatal Injuries: 1.069% - Non-Fatal Injuries: 1% 🔵 Other Industries: - Manufacturing: 0.5% Fatal, 0.8% Non-Fatal - Healthcare: 0.1% Fatal, 0.6% Non-Fatal - Retail: 0.05% Fatal, 0.4% Non-Fatal These numbers highlight the urgent need for enhanced safety measures and training in the construction sector. For every euro spent on safety, companies save €4-€6 in injury-related costs. It’s not just about compliance; it’s about saving lives and creating a safer work environment for everyone. Check out the full injury distribution in the chart below and join the conversation on how we can make our workplaces safer. 👷♂️👷♀️ #ConstructionSafety #WorkplaceSafety #InjuryPrevention #OSHA #safetyfirst

No it's not just you! Temperatures are heating up. Death Valley is supposed to get to 130 degrees this week! Because of this, OSHA is proposing a new rule that would outline requirements for employers to help their employees handle extreme heat. To learn more check out this article by Construction Dive https://lnkd.in/gjtPtZUg For more construction industry news sign up for their daily newsletter to keep you informed on what's affecting construction around the country. #ConstructionNews #KeepingUpWithTheIndustry #IndustryResearch #AECMarketing

☀️Stay ahead of the heat! Learn about the latest innovative approaches to combat extreme heat in the workplace in this article by Vector's Clare Epstein in Construction Executive Magazine. Discover the critical role of training in ensuring worker safety and the proactive measures needed to safeguard employees. #HeatStressSafety #WorkplaceSafety #SafetyTraining #TrainingMatters https://hubs.ly/Q02DsTYJ0

Falls, slips, and trips rank among the top causes of severe and expensive injuries at work, resulting in around 700 deaths of workers each year. The construction sector experienced 378 out of 986 deaths due to such accidents in 2021. Scott Gaddis, the Vice President at Intelex Technologies, delves into pedestrian safety and methods for reducing hazards on the job through an insightful three-part series: 1️⃣ Identifying Common Slips, Trips, and Falls – Gain an understanding of how these accidents happen. 2️⃣ Conducting a Risk Assessment – Discover strategies to prevent slips and trips before they occur. 3️⃣ Applying the Hierarchy of Controls – Investigate ongoing improvements in preventing falls. 🚧 Ensuring the safety of employees is essential. Explore our most recent blog post for more in-depth approaches to avoiding slips, trips, and falls.

Falls are a leading cause of workplace injuries and fatalities globally, posing a serious risk to workers across various industries, especially construction. These incidents can result in severe injuries, long-term disabilities, and even death, significantly impacting workers' lives and the productivity of businesses. A primary cause of falls in the workplace is insufficient or ineffective planning. Without proper preparation, employers may overly rely on personal protective equipment (PPE) as the sole protective measure. According to a CPWR survey, when employers fail to plan adequately, the likelihood of workers using their fall protection equipment drops by 71%. To manage and mitigate the risk of falls, CPWR--The Center for Construction Research and Training provides the table below based on the hierarchy of controls. This framework starts with the most effective measures at the top and progresses to less effective ones at the bottom. Source: CPWR--The Center for Construction Research and Training #contilab #safety #construction

Slips, trips, and falls are some of the most debilitating and costly workplace injuries, causing nearly 700 worker fatalities annually. In 2021 alone, the construction industry saw 378 of 986 fatalities from such incidents. In a detailed three-part series, Scott Gaddis, VP at Intelex Technologies, shares insights into pedestrian safety and how to mitigate risks in the workplace: 1️⃣ Common Types of Slips, Trips, and Falls – Understand how these incidents occur. 2️⃣ Risk Assessment – Learn how to prevent slips and trips from happening. 3️⃣ Hierarchy of Controls – Explore continuous safety improvements in fall prevention. 🚧 Protecting workers is crucial. Read our latest blog to dive deeper into strategies for preventing slips, trips, and falls.

🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨 **INDIGO'S DAILY SAFETY TOPICS** 🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨 Today's discussion hones in on OSHA Confined Spaces . Low ceilings, narrow entries, and limited exits - these aren't features of your latest escape room experience, rather they are defining characteristics of confined spaces, as indexed by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration). In many industries, especially manufacturing and construction, working in such spaces is an inherent part of the job. It is crucial to understand that while these spaces may be commonplace, they present significant safety risks if not handled correctly, necessitating strict adherence to OSHA guidelines. OSHA's standards for confined spaces orbit around three core principles. Firstly, the enforcement of 'Permit-required confined spaces (PRCS)' system delivers a thorough strategy for potential and existing space hazards. This dictates exactly who can enter a specific space and under what conditions, reducing room for error. Secondly, OSHA recommends continuous atmospheric testing in these spaces. Given the increased risk of harmful gas build-up in confined areas, regular testing ensures quick detection and necessary actionable steps. Lastly, OSHA put significant impetus on adequate training for employees. Given the unique challenges of confined spaces - limited visibility, poor ventilation and difficult exits - it's imperative staff are well versed in appropriate safety measures, behaviors and emergency response protocols for these environments. In summary, recognising a confined space is only the first step in a larger, comprehensive safety narrative. The meat of it though, lies in how regulations are incorporated and enforced, and how well-equipped staff are to operate in these conditions. Occupational safety, ultimately, is about vigilance, continual learning and adaptation to unique work environments - confined spaces being no exception. 1. How often does your workplace conduct atmospheric testing in confined spaces? 2. Does your workplace offer regular training for working in confined spaces? #OSHA #SafetyFirst #ConfinedSpaces #WorkplaceSafety #OccupationalHealth 🏢⚠️🚧🔦💼📚👷♀️👷♂️