Transform Your Workplace Safety with These Essential Standards

Implementing essential workplace safety standards is crucial for preventing accidents, ensuring compliance with regulations, and safeguarding employees' health and well-being.

• By Elis Enano
• Jun 26, 2024

Each year, 2.3 million people suffer workplace accidents or diseases due to various hazards like chemicals and poor ergonomics. Safety and health programs prevent illnesses and deaths and alleviate the suffering and financial strain on workers, families and employers.

OSHA Safety Standards 

OSHA's mission is to guarantee safe and healthful workplaces for employees through standard-setting, enforcement and training. Employers must adhere to OSHA standards and the General Duty Clause, maintaining hazard-free workplaces. 

Compliance with these standards ensures a commitment to workplace safety and protects workers from recognized hazards.

OSHA Standards for General Industry

OSHA's 29 CFR Part 1910 sets safety standards for general industry, covering manufacturing, warehousing, utilities, and services. Here’s a list of key regulations:

• Standard 1910.22 - Walking-Working Surfaces. According to this standard, it is recommended to ensure that workplace surfaces are clean, orderly, free from hazards and are able to support intended loads. Moreover, employers must regularly inspect and maintain surfaces to prevent accidents. Adhering to these guidelines fosters a safer workplace environment, reducing the risk of slips, trips, and falls, and promoting employee well-being and productivity.
• Standard 1910.23 - Ladders. Standard 1910.23 outlines comprehensive guidelines for ladder safety, mandating adherence to design specifications, the performance of pre-use inspections and the regulation of step spacing. It also details expected employee behavior during climbing activities. These measures are critical for preventing ladder-related accidents and ensuring the safety of workers at heights, thus promoting a secure work environment. 

OSHA violations related to ladders frequently involve issues such as damaged or improperly used ladders and inadequate training on ladder safety. Organizations are required to maintain ladders in excellent condition, provide thorough training for employees who use them and ensure compliance with safety regulations. With 2,978 violations related to ladder safety, it is crucial for businesses to adhere to these guidelines to reduce workplace injuries and enhance overall safety.

• Standard 1910.24 - Step Bolts and Manhole Steps. This standard focuses on the safety of step bolts and manhole steps, requiring their proper design, construction and maintenance. It commands the use of corrosion-resistant materials and ensures proper spacing and width measurements. Regular inspections are essential to prevent accidents such as slipping or sliding.
• Standard 1910.25 - Stairways. Stairway safety, under Standard 1910.25, mandates handrails, clearances, and uniform riser heights/tread depths. Criteria for different stairs are specified, prioritizing load-bearing capacities and standard stair usage where possible.
• Standard 1910.26 - Dockboards. Under this standard, it is recommended to ensure dockboards support intended loads, and they are secured to prevent movement. Prevent transfer vehicles from running off edges and provide measures like wheel chocks and handholds for safe handling.
• Standard 1910.27 - Scaffolds and Rope Descent Systems. It is recommended to comply with specific requirements for scaffolds and rope descent systems. Certify anchorages annually for rope descent systems. Proper training, inspections, rigging and rescue plans are essential and need to be followed. Protections against hazardous conditions must be provided.
• Standard 1910.28 - Fall Protection. It is recommended to ensure workers at heights have fall protection—including guardrails, safety nets, and personal systems—to mitigate fall hazards and ensure safety. Since 36.5 percent of deaths in construction are related to falling, this standard is crucial for worker safety.
• Standard 1910.29-30 & 1910. According to Standard 1910.29, it is important to install and comply with guardrail, safety net and personal fall protection systems to prevent falls. It also recommends providing protection at workplaces from falling objects, and such sites should have grab handles.
• Standard 1910.30 requires thorough employee training on recognizing fall hazards, using personal fall protection systems and handling equipment. Retraining is essential for any workplace or equipment changes. Additionally, under Standard 1910 Subpart E, employers must establish and maintain clear exit routes, provide sufficient emergency lighting, develop comprehensive emergency action plans, and prioritize employee safety during evacuations and emergency situations.

OSHA Standards for Construction Industry (Standards—29 CFR)

OSHA's Section 1926 defines construction safety standards, with each subsection specifying regulations crucial for workplace safety. According to these standards (1926.16), there exists a clear Distribution of Responsibilities within a workplace, and prime contractors are assigned the ultimate accountability for safety compliance. The Accident Prevention Programs should be implemented (1926.20) containing inspections, hazard identification and corrective actions. 

Employers are required to provide training (1926.21) supervised by the Secretary of Labor, covering hazard recognition and regulatory compliance. The employees at workplaces should be provided with First Aid and Medical Care (1926.23). Effective programs for Fire Protection and Prevention (1926.24) should also be designed with Proper Housekeeping (1926.25) for clean, orderly sites.

Adequate Illumination (1926.26) of the workplace promotes visibility and safety. There should be proper provision of Drinking Water (1926.27) and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (1926.28) prioritizing worker well-being. Moreover, the safe Installation and Testing of Equipment (1926.29) and Adherence to Safety Regulations in Shipbuilding (1926.30) is recommended to ensure equipment and workplace safety.

There should be unobstructed Egress (1926.34) for clear exits in case of emergencies. The Development of Emergency Action Plans (1926.35) should be carried out with written plans covering escape procedures and employee training for effective emergency response.

These standards collectively promote a safe construction environment, safeguarding workers' health and well-being while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

OSHA Standards for Other Workplace Sectors

In workplaces encompassing maritime and agriculture sectors, adherence to safety standards is paramount to protect workers. Roll-over Protective Structures (ROPS) for Tractors (1928.51) ensure tractors are equipped with and maintained properly. Additionally, Protective Frames (1928.52) and Enclosures (1928.53) are required for wheel-type agricultural tractors. Guarding of Farm Field Equipment (1928.57) mandates appropriate machinery guards. Field Sanitation (1928.110) standards ensure provision of clean water, toilets and waste disposal facilities. 

In record-keeping, employers must adhere to Recording Criteria (1904.4), determining work-relatedness (1904.5) and accurately classifying new cases (1904.6). Specific injury and illness details must be recorded (1904.7-1904.11) using OSHA forms (1904.29-1904.41). Records must be retained and updated (1904.33).

Regarding exposure control, standards such as Cadmium (1928.1027) and Beryllium (01/09/2017) require minimizing exposure and providing appropriate protection. Final Rules address Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens (12/06/1991), Cadmium (09/14/1992) and Lead. The Permit-Required Confined Spaces Rule (01/14/1993) ensures proper identification and training. Fall Protection Standards (08/09/1994) mandate implementation of measures and training.

Safety measures in logging operations (1910.266), longshoring, marine terminals (1917 and 1918), motor vehicle safety (1917.44) and handling of chemicals like Methylene Chloride (1910.1052) are essential. Occupational Noise Exposure (29 CFR 1910.95) requires monitoring and hearing conservation. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) standards mandate appropriate usage. Powered Industrial Trucks (Forklifts) (29 CFR 1910.178) necessitate safe operation and maintenance. 

These comprehensive standards and practices ensure workplace safety across diverse industries, safeguarding workers' well-being and minimizing occupational risks

Conclusion

OSHA standards play a critical role in safeguarding the health and safety of workers across various industries. By following these standards, employers can create a safer workplace with employee well-being and a reduced risk of accidents and injuries. Employers must remain vigilant in identifying and addressing workplace hazards to ensure ongoing compliance with OSHA regulations and promote a culture of safety and responsibility within their organizations.