Tag: OSHA

Training Is a Remedy for Whistleblower Violations

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) reached a settlement agreement with True North Hotel Group, Inc., stipulating that the Overland Park, Kansas-based company must pay $22,225 in back wages and compensatory damages to a former employee who was terminated in Massachusetts after notifying supervisors about safety concerns and filing a whistleblower complaint with DOL’s Occupational […]

Safety Training in Any Language

Consider these recent statistics: According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 729 Hispanic or Latino workers were killed from work-related injuries in 2011. That works out to more than 14 deaths a week, or two Latino workers killed every single day of the year, all year long. Other non-English-speaking workers are a growing […]

More Q&As on LOTO

Q. Can a duplicate key for the purpose of lock removal under LOTO be held in a secure area with a procedure in place for access to the key and returning the key that does not jeopardize the employee’s safety? A. Here is a paragraph from an OSHA letter of interpretation dated February 28, 2000, […]

Do Your Safety People Know LOTO Training Requirements?

Q. Do I have to train the authorized employees and affected employees separately, or can I train one class comprised of both audiences? A. There are separate training requirements for authorized and affected employees under OSHA’s lockout/tagout standard. You may train them together as long as you cover both areas and clearly state to the […]

Use an Employee Termination Checklist to Avoid Legal Trouble

Using an employee termination checklist can reduce the risk of overlooking information that could lead to discrimination claims or unlawful termination claims in the future. Before making a final decision, first consider three issues: Contract law. “You must comply with promises about reasons and processes.” Marc Jacuzzi noted in a recent BLR webinar. In other […]

Just How Important is Safety Training?

Case studies provide real-life examples of why it is important for learners to complete safety training and apply that knowledge back on the job. Let’s look at a few. In the month of June alone, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued statements regarding citations to five companies where training might have helped […]

Extend Electrical Safety Training to Include Extension Cords

The following extension cord safety training material is adapted from today’s featured safety training product, 7-Minute Safety Trainer®. Extension cords are such a common item in the workplace and in the home, that many people take them for granted and fail to realize that they can be hazardous if used improperly. To prevent accidents, employees […]

Are Your Employees Trained to Avoid Shocking Situations?

The following training points are brought to you courtesy of today’s featured BLR® safety training product, 7-Minute Safety Trainer®. Shock Prevention Inspect electrical equipment before use to be sure insulation is in good condition. Check that plugs have a good, tight connection. Use only wiring that is approved for use outdoors or wet areas, and […]

HAZWOPER Training Requirements Video: Part 1

In this video, I ask Dave to explain what HAZWOPER is, to go over who is covered by this regulation, and to give a brief overview of the training requirements for different groups of employees and managers. Hi Dave, let’s start with the basics. What is HAZWOPER? DG: HAZWOPER stands for hazardous waste operations and […]