Recordkeeping

Q:  An employee rolled his truck on his way to a job this morning.  He appears to be OK, but was sent to the hospital for X-rays.  Is this recordable?

A:  If there is medical attention beyond first aid or lost/restricted work days, it needs to be added to their logs. The X-rays are not considered recordable since they are a diagnostic procedure. OSHA does not consider diagnostic procedures a form of medical treatment.

Recordkeeping - Returning To Work

Q:  How do I handle a case when a physician or other licensed health care professional recommends that the worker return to work but the employee stays at home anyway? 

A:  1904.7(b)(3)(iii) - In this situation, you end the count of days away from work on the date the physician or other licensed health care professional recommends that the employee return to work.

Recordkeeping

Q:  If the physician issues a prescription, but it is not filled, is this recordable? 

A:  Yes, OSHA considers that medical treatment is provided once a prescription is issued.

Flame Resistant Clothing

Q: Can you wear Tyvek suits over FRCs? 

A: They are not made to be flame resistant.  They do make chemical resistance FRCs, that would be a better choice of PPE.

Flame Resistant Clothing

Q: If Fire Resistant clothing is required to be used along with other PPE such as gloves a fall arrest harness, etc., does the additional PPE also have to be flame resistant?

A: This link will take you to a memo that was released by OSHA to clarify OSHA’s policy for issuing citations for flame resistant clothing (FRC).  Since fall arrest harnesses are not specifically mentioned in the memo, OSHA would have a hard time issuing a citation for it.  Even though they are not currently required, flame resistant fall arrest harnesses are available for purchase online.

PPE Needed For Refueling Equipment

Q: What PPE does OSHA require when refueling equipment that runs on gasoline, diesel or kerosene?

A: OSHA relies on the employer to determine the PPE needs based on the hazard that the employees are exposed to. In this case, the Material Safety Data Sheets for the fuels need to be reviewed to determine the needed PPE.

Working Near Power Lines

Q: How close can you get equipment for drilling to a live power line?

A: Under OSHA 1910.333 standard for voltages to ground 50kV or below you can get within 10 feet.  For voltages to ground over 50kV you would need to be 10 feet away plus 4 inches for every 10kV over 50kV.

Respiratory Protection

Q. What are the requirements for voluntary use of respirators?  

A. The following is necessary (1) medical clearance; (2) provide employees with information in Appendix D of the OSHA respiratory standard; (3) ensure that respirators are cleaned, stored, & maintained so that they do not present health hazards to users.  

To learn more about OSHA compliance look to the experienced consultants at Lancaster Safety Consulting, Inc.

Alarm Pull Stations

Q. Are alarm pull stations required to be located at every door?  

A. The location & number of pull stations were not specifically covered by OSHA, but by building/fire codes administered by each state’s Department of Labor & Industry.   Location & number of pull stations would be determined by sprinkler coverage & building class.  See OSHA’s alarm standard (29 CFR 1910.165). 

Damaged Cord

Q: Is it acceptable to cut the end off of a damaged cord and replace it with a new plug?

A: OSHA will allow this type of repair as long as the plug is replaced with an “approved” plug (i.e., by a testing laboratory such as factory mutual, underwriters laboratories, etc.).