OSHA Targets Workplaces Releasing Highly Hazardous Chemicals
Chemical NEP, a one-year pilot program is a national emphasis program (NEP) developed by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) targeting facilities with potential for releasing highly hazardous chemicals resulting in toxic fire or explosion hazards
“Several catastrophic incidents have been caused by failure to comply with the requirements of the PSM standard,” said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab. “This situation has resulted in loss of workers’ lives. This national emphasis program allows OSHA inspectors to verify that employers are complying with the requirements of the PSM standard.”
The program establishes policies and procedures for inspecting workplaces covered by OSHA’s process safety management (PSM) standard and outlines a new approach for compliance officers who conduct site inspections. The inspection process includes asking detailed questions designed to gather facts related to PSM. requirements and verifying employers’ written and implemented PSM programs are consistent.
The Chemical NEP intent is to conduct quick inspections at a large number of facilities randomly selected from a list of worksites likely to have highly hazardous chemicals in quantities covered by the standard.
During its first year, the Chemical NEP will be piloted in several regions around the country, using programmed inspections. Programmed inspections are planned and do not result from an accident, complaint or referral. (workersxzcompxzkit)
In regions not covered by the pilot, the Chemical NEP will be used to inspect workplaces reporting PSM-related complaints, referrals, accidents or catastrophes, that is, inspections not programmed.
Author: Robert Elliott, J.D. Robert is a Sr. Vice President/Consultant at Amaxx and has 25 years experience helping companies reduce workers compensation and his clients typically reduce workers comp costs 20-50%. Robert can be reached at Robert_Elliott@ReduceYourWorkersComp.com or 860-786-8286.
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