Understanding OSHA Updates in the New Year
Every year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) updates regulations that are critical for every Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) professional to be aware of. The past 3-6 months have seen crucial changes that directly impact workplace safety. Staying up to date ensures not only compliance but also a safer working environment for all.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the latest OSHA regulations and updates that impact EHS professionals to help you stay compliant and informed.
OSHA Key Changes and Updates
If you struggle to keep up with what’s new in 2023 for OSHA, we’ve made it easier by listing some critical changes. These OSHA changes include:
- Electronic Submission of Injury and Illness Data
The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced a critical regulation that will help improve the tracking of workplace injuries and illnesses.
Starting January 1, 2024, employers in specific high-risk industries must now electronically provide injury and illness data, records that they are mandated to keep, to OSHA. The rule's particular points include:
- Establishments with 100 or more employees in certain high-hazard sectors must submit Form 300 (Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses) and Form 301 (Injury and Illness Incident Report) annually. These are in addition to the Form 300A (Summary of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses).
- To enhance data accuracy, during electronic submissions, establishments must now include their legal company name.
OSHA intends to share a portion of the gathered data on its website. This move will empower employers, workers, potential hires, worker representatives, existing and prospective customers, researchers, and the general populace with insights into a firm's safety and health track record, aiding in making informed choices.
OSHA is confident that offering open access to this information will lead to a decrease in workplace injuries and illnesses.
- Stricter Enforcement to Deter Repeated Violations
The Department of Labor has introduced new enforcement guidance aiming to make penalties more effective to save lives. The focus is to discourage employers from exposing workers continually to severe hazards or neglecting specific safety and health requirements. This targets employers who put profit over safety.
- Protection in Engineered Stone Fabrication and Installation Industries
OSHA launched a significant initiative aimed at strengthening enforcement and compliance assistance. According to the OSHA National News Release, "Many workers in the engineering stone industry are experiencing illnesses so severe that they're unable to breathe - much less work a full shift - because of their exposure to silica dust."
The goal is to better protect workers from silica exposure in the rapidly growing engineered stone fabrication and installation sectors.
To see the full list of OSHA updates and for more details, check the official OSHA website.
Impact on Workplace Safety
Here’s how these OSHA updates impact workplace safety:
- Accountability Through Transparency
By mandating electronic submissions, OSHA aims to increase transparency, which will likely drive organizations to be more proactive in their safety measures, aiming to prevent incidents rather than just responding to them.
- Dissuading Recurring Violations
The updated enforcement guidance and penalties signal OSHA's intent to cut down on regular offenders. Organizations will need to think long-term regarding compliance, understanding that repeated violations can have steeper repercussions.
- Industry-Specific Safeguarding
The focus on the engineered stone fabrication and installation industries suggests that OSHA is not just looking at broad guidelines but also specific industries where worker safety might be at heightened risk.
Steps for Ensuring OSHA Compliance
To ensure you comply with OSHA, consider following these steps:
1. Stay Informed
Regularly check OSHA's official website or subscribe to their updates. The earlier you're informed about a regulation change, the better prepared you can be.
2. Invest in Training
Ensure that your staff, especially those in managerial roles, are well-trained in compliance with the new regulations and have the proper certifications. This not only ensures compliance but also fosters a culture of safety within the organization.
TIP: To get started right away and start the new year off right, get your OSHA safety training online.
3. Conduct Regular Audits
Frequent internal audits will help identify non-compliant areas. It's better to spot these areas yourself than to have OSHA inspectors find them during an official visit.
4. Seek Expertise
If your company doesn't have an EHS professional, consider hiring one or seeking consultation. They can offer invaluable insights into ensuring your workplace is safe and compliant.
5. Document Everything
Maintain meticulous records of all safety measures, training sessions, and incident reports. This will not only help in the case of an OSHA inspection but also provide a roadmap for continual improvement in workplace safety.
6. Encourage Feedback
The workers are the eyes and ears of an organization. Encourage them to report potential hazards or areas of non-compliance. Having an open channel of communication can preemptively address many safety issues.
Stay Updated With OSHAcampus
OSHA's recent updates are a testament to its commitment to ensuring worker safety in evolving work environments. As EHS professionals, keeping up with these changes is crucial.
By understanding the key updates and their implications on safety and ensuring proactive measures for compliance, we can collectively contribute to healthier and safer workplaces.
With OSHAcampus by 360training, you can easily complete the online safety training courses you need to meet your compliance requirements and get to work fast.
Create a safe work environment for everyone in 2024 by signing up for safety training today!
