osha

OSHA Violence Requirements: October 2017 Safety & Hygiene Corner

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Question:

What does OSHA require regarding violence in the workplace and active shooter programs and training?

Answer:

OSHA does not have a specific standard on violence in the workplace or active shooter/ active aggressor situations.  However, under the General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of 1970, employers are required to provide their employees with a place of employment that “is free from recognizable hazards that are causing or likely to cause death or serious harm to employees.” An employer that has experienced acts of workplace violence, or becomes aware of threats, intimidation, or other indicators showing that the potential for violence in the workplace exists, would be on notice of the risk of workplace violence and should implement a workplace violence prevention program combined with engineering controls, administrative controls, and training.

There are many options to start on this journey.  The BWC has a half day violence in the workplace class and your BWC consultant or local law enforcement can help you create a policy.  Training can be done in-house, online or with your local law enforcement.  There are many companies that focus on security and violence in the workplace if you are interested in seeking other outside help.  Two well known training programs dealing with active shooters are:  The Department of Homeland Security’s: Run, Hide, Fight and the ALiCE method offered by the ALiCE training institute.

Brought to you by Ohio BWC safety consultants.

Anti-Fatigue Matting: June 2017 Safety & Hygiene Corner

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Question:

I know there are not “standards”…but are there any recommendations concerning anti-fatigue matting for an employee who stands in one area a given length of time?

Answer:

There are no standards, but there here are some good recommendations:

  • First, check shoe wear – always recommend tuft gum sole, and heel – both provide support and are slip and chemical resistance
  • If you have an employee standing in an area more than one hour straight, a mat or other measures should be employed.
  • Or if an employee stands 50 % of the time on a job, a sit stand should be provided (if appropriate) or a foot rails to rest lower extremities, are a good option.
  • Anti-fatigue matting should be at least 1 inch thick – with tapered edges
  • Also mating needs to be placed on a preventative maintenance program for wear and tear issues.
  • Be sure the mat is easy to clean
  • Anti-fatigue mats are engineered to make the body naturally and imperceptibly sway, which encourages subtle movement of the leg muscles. This promotes blood flow and prevents stagnation in the veins – and, incidentally, burns more calories! So, what you’re looking for in a mat is one that’s not so hard it discourages muscle movement, but not so springy it requires too much energy to maintain balance, creating a different kind of stress.

There are 2 key words for prolonged standing risk factors – is the type of posture and repetition being completed by the employee.

The monthly Safety and Hygiene Corner is written by Ohio BWC experts for local Ohio Safety Council programs.