Masonry Magazine July 1972 Page. 8
# OSHA info
Current Information Relating To The Occupational Safety and Health Act by Lawrence P. Sands Robert L. Wilson
OSHA RELEASES DATA FOR FIRST 10 MONTHS
In the first 10 months of enforcement some 26,302 inspections of 23,662 establishments which employs 4,684,033 workers, was completed. Of the ones inspected during this period, 5,791 or 24 percent were found to be in compliance with the standards. Of the remaining establishments, 75,864 violations were alleged in 18,449 citations against employers. Proposed penalties totaled $1,711,995. Employee complaints-first 10 months numbered 3,421.
TOLL FREE OSHA PHONE SYSTEM-EFFECTIVE JULY, 1, 1972
A wide area toll free telephone system has been put into effect by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Chain Robbins, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Labor said OSHA is trying the new system in the Atlanta and Chicago regions. The system will facilitate reporting of fatalities and catastrophies as well as answering questions on safety and health in the work place.
OSHA STAFF TO DOUBLE
George C. Guenther, Assistant Secretary of Labor, announced that the present inspector and professional staff of 500 will be increased to about 900. Mr. Guenther, in commenting on the program to date, "voluntary compliance with the law by employers has been excellent. They are making a real effort to eliminate hazards."
About The Authors
LAWRENCE P. SANDS is Assistant Vice President-Technical Services, Fred S. James & Co., Chicago, insurance consultants to MCAA. Mr. Sands is a graduate of West Virginia University with a degree in industrial management. He formerly served as senior safety engineer and loss prevention account representative for Liberty Mutual Insurance Co. and was pilot plant equipment operator for the U.S. Bureau of Mines.
ROBERT L. WILSON is Corporate Director of Safety for Fred S. James & Co. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a degree in commerce, Mr. Wilson has held various accident prevention and safety supervisor posts with such firms as the Dravo Corporation, Toona Inc., Liberty Mutual Insurance Co., Harrison-Shields Inc., and Fort Pitt Mfg. Co.
Both men hold memberships in the Motor Carriers Safety Council, American Society of Safety Engineers, National Safety Council, National Safety Management Society and American Trucking Association, have completed certified courses in fleet loss control, product liability and explosive and blasting procedures, and are rated as certified instructors in construction with the U.S. Department of Labor.
All MCAA members having questions concerning OSHA or desiring information relative to the Act, should write MCAA, OSHA Information, 208 S. LaSalle St., Chicago 60604, and the authors, Sands and Wilson, will be more than pleased to assist you.
OSHA ANNUAL REPORT
The President's report on Occupational Safety and Health is available from the U.S. Government printing office for $1.75 a copy. Orders should be sent to the Superintendent of Documents but specify Stock Number 2915-0011. The report summarizes activities of the Department of Labor and the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
SENATE LIMITS INSPECTIONS TO MORE THAN 15 EMPLOYEES
The senate voted 45 to 41, to limit Federal occupational safety and health inspections to firms with more than 15 employees, on June 27th. Another amendment to limit inspections to firms employing more than 25 employees was passed in the House but defeated in the Senate 41 to 44. The Senate also approved $80,000,000 for OSHA, the additional funds to be used to employ 400 additional compliance officers as well as to develop standards and to help small business and unorganized employees comply with new developments under the Act.
RECORD KEEPING PROPOSALS
OSHA will propose a regulation that would exempt all employees with eight or fewer employees from the record-keeping requirements. The exemption would only apply to record-keeping not compliance with the safety and health standards.
INFORMATIVE OSHA PAMPHLETS
You can get a list of pamphlets, articles, and books on health hazards and preventive action by writing the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The address is
NIOSH Office of Public Information
1014 Broadway,
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR SELECTING PLACES TO BE INSPECTED?
OSHA has four priorities: No. 1 is investigation of catastrophes and fatalities. OSHA regional people were on the scene within a few hours after the tunnel explosion at Port Huron, Michigan, last December, for example.