OREGON OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY & HEALTH DIVISION DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER & BUSINESS SERVICES

New, temporary, andchanging Oregon OSHA rules ................................... 2

Administrator’s message .......................................... 3

Worksite redesign grants benefit Oregon industries .. 4

Profiles ..................................................................... 5

Is your workplace prepared for fire hazards? ........... 6

Safety Notes ........................................................ 7-10

The clock is ticking! ............................................... 11

Getting the message across ................................... 13

Ask OR-OSHA ......................................................... 14

The eyes have. . . (had) it! ...................................... 15

OREGON HEALTH AND SAFETY

RESOURCEDecember (1999), January, February (2000)

Employees from Georgia-Pacific West, Inc. Pulp andPaper Mill (G-P Toledo) raised the Voluntary ProtectionProgram (VPP) “Merit Site” flag over their worksite inToledo on August 24. The Toledo mill is one of only fivecompanies in Oregon that has earned VPP status.

G-P Toledo,which employs523 people,earned its VPPMerit statusthrough exten-sive employeeparticipation indeveloping andimproving thecompany’ssafety and healthprogram.

Don’t encourage … insist!

See “Georgia-Pacific,” page 12

See “Plan,” page 12

Safety and health in the workplace is too important to“encourage.” Management must set a good example andinsist that supervisors and employees follow the rules.Workplace safety and health is the responsibility of ev-ery employer.

To improve safety and health in the workplace, occu-pational injury and illness prevention must become anintegral part of the way employers conduct business.Every employer should develop and implement a compre-hensive safety and health program. A successful programmust have commitment from top-level management, clearlydefined labor and management accountability, employeeand supervisor training, employee involvement in safety andhealth concerns, hazard identification and methods of con-trol, accident and incident investigation procedures, and aperiodic review of the program, making any necessary ad-justments to ensure the program’s success. OR-OSHA isdedicated to assisting employers and employees in meetingthese goals.

What’s inside . . .

Georgia-Pacific recognizedfor safety by Oregon OSHA

Peter De Luca, administrator forOregon OSHA, delivers VPP award toGeorgia-Pacific Toledo employees.

G-P Toledo, located on approximately 260 acres adja-cent to the Yaquina River, produces 2,500 tons of linerand corrugated medium paper a day. Potential hazards atthe site include chemical, thermal, and energy hazards inthe caustic plant, paper mill, and pulp mill, as well asmechanical hazards from machines used in the process.

The mill has been working toward VPP for three years.The mill’s VPP committee, which is primarily employeedriven, has exerted positive and influential control overall safety and health issues during that time. Two excel-lent examples of employee participation are the lockout/tagout and confined-space programs. The lockout/tagoutcommittee is empowered to establish uniform proceduresthat will protect personnel from injury due to the numer-ous energy sources found at the mill. The confined-spaceprogram operates similarly, with an employee-drivencommittee and employee administration of the program.

T W O

New, temporary, and changing Oregon OSHA rulesGeneral Industry Standards Applicable toConstruction

Proposed changes to Division 3, Construction standard, willsimplify access to all standards applicable to the constructionindustry. There should be no impact to the industry because thestandards being adopted have previously been enforced out ofDivision 2.

On June 30, 1993, Federal OSHA, at the request of construc-tion employers and employees, incorporated a large number ofthe 1910 General Industry standards into the 1926 Constructionstandard in order to consolidate all standards applicable to theconstruction industry. Oregon OSHA is completing its consoli-dation process by adopting selected federal amendments intoDivision 3.

At printing time, adoption was planned for the end ofNovember 1999. Your Oregon OSHA contact person is MikeMitchell, (503) 378-3272.

Scheduling Rules (TEMPORARY) - Division 1,General Administrative Rules

House Bill 2830 was passed into law by the 1999 Legisla-ture. In the best interest of Oregonians affected by occupationalsafety and health rules, Oregon OSHA adopted temporary rulesin OAR 437, Division 1, General Administrative Rules, toreflect the intent of House Bill 2830.

The definition of “Scheduling List” was added to OAR437-001-0015 as well as new wording in 437-001-0055 con-cerning inspection prioritization. Scheduling inspections rulesin 437-001-0057 were amended to better define the criteria forestablishing safety and health inspection lists and the manner inwhich employers will be notified of an increased likelihoodof inspection.

Oregon OSHA has also established a committee consistingof representatives from labor, industry, and Oregon OSHA.The committee meets every other week to develop new sched-uling rules to be proposed for adoption by mid-March 2000.The temporary rules are effective Oct. 20, 1999, through April14, 2000, or until permanent rules are adopted.

Your Oregon OSHA contact person is Gary Beck, (503) 378-3272.

Medical/First Aid - Division 2/KOn Oct. 15, 1999, Oregon OSHA proposed to change OAR

437-002-0161, Division 2/K, Medical Services and First Aid.The proposed changes convert the rules to plain language

and update the requirements for first-aid training. The pro-posal eliminates the definition “in proximity” as vague andredefines “qualified first-aid person” to eliminate the referenceto the American Red Cross and add a two-year time limit.

The proposal adds additional requirements in the eyewashand shower paragraphs to provide information that was previ-ously available only in internal directives. Also, a note wasadded allowing acceptance of physician-approved alternateeyewash methods.

A public hearing was held on November 30, 1999. At print-ing time the tentative adoption date was mid-December 1999.

Your Oregon OSHA contacts are Ron Preece and DaveMcLaughlin, (503) 378-3272.

Fire Fighters/Respiratory Protection - Division 2/LOn Nov. 15, 1999, Oregon OSHA proposed to adopt revi-

sions and additions to the Oregon-initiated Division 2/L,Oregon Rules for Fire Fighters (OAR 437-002-0182).

The revisions update and eliminate conflicts between theexisting Oregon Rules for Fire Fighters, OAR 437-002-0182,and the recently adopted Respiratory Protection standard(1910.134), in Division 2/I, Personal Protective Equipment.The proposed revisions and additions change the requirementfor medical evaluations, respirator fit testing and training.Compliance with the proposed revisions and additions willprovide a higher standard of protection against injury andillness for Oregon fire fighters.

The last day for comment is December 27, 1999. At printingtime the tentative adoption date is the end of December 1999.

Your Oregon OSHA contact person is Mike Mitchell,(503) 378-3272.

Farm Labor Housing - Division 4/J, Agriculture/WorkEnvironment

An advisory group representing farmers, labor, BuildingCodes Division, Office of the State Fire Marshal, members ofthe legislature, and other interested parties met for the firsttime August 24, 1999, to review and rewrite temporary laborhousing rules. The committee is charged with evaluating therequirement for emergency-escape windows. A proposal on thewindows issue is anticipated by mid-December 1999.

Your Oregon OSHA contact person is Ron Preece,(503) 378-3272.

Forest Activities - Division 6An advisory committee representing forestry employers,

state and federal forestry departments, workers, and equipmentmanufacturers has been meeting monthly to update the ForestActivities standard and rewrite it in plain language. A majorgoal is to have consistent standards for all of the West Coast.

A proposal is anticipated by mid-2000. The forest activities“Q & A” is now out of print and will not be revised until theupdate is completed. ■

For a copy of proposed or final rules, callthe Oregon OSHA Resource Center,(503) 947-7447, or log on to our Web site at:http://www.cbs.state.or.us/osha

T H R E E

Administrator’s Message

Peter De Luca

This is the lastadministrator’s mes-sage of this year, thelast of my fourth yearat Oregon OSHA, andthe last before the year2000. It has been quitea year. It has been ayear of growth.

The year began withthe legislature in ses-sion. It saw our budgetpass. It saw revisionsto Division 1 rules. Itsaw growth in the ac-

tivity of our stakeholder groups. It saw a new statute.And it saw major victories for safety and health in thecourts.

We reached new highs and lows in 1999. We continueto have the highest levels of compliance officers andconsultants per capita of any occupational safety andhealth program in the country. We completed the highestnumber of inspections in recent history. At the sametime, our accident and injury rates are at all-time lows.We truly have a program second to none in the nation.

The SHARP (Safety and Health Achievement and Rec-ognition Program) program continues to achievesuccesses beyond all expectations. When the programbegan three years ago, we anticipated about 20 partici-pants in five years. We now have 44 member businesses.The VPP (Voluntary Protection Program) has certified

RESOURCE The Oregon Health and Safety Resource is publishedquarterly by the Oregon Occupational Safety and HealthDivision, Department of Consumer & Business Services.

Information requests should be directed to:Jani Johnston, editor, at (503) 378-3272 (V/TTY)

or (800) 922-2689

Department of Consumer & Business ServicesMichael Greenfield, Director

Oregon OSHAPeter De Luca, Administrator

EditorJani Johnston

Design and illustrationsPam Piesker and Carla Lovato

Technical editingDian Cox

D

Reprinting, excerptingor plagiarizing anypart of this publicationis fine with us. Pleasesend us a copy ofyour publication.

five sites in Oregon the best of the best. The ExternalTraining Section also pushed the envelope in training arecord number of Oregon workers on a variety of safetyand health-related topics. We are truly making big stridesin the right direction.

Just when the year seemed to be winding down, Fed-eral OSHA announced its long-awaited proposal for anergonomics standard. This proposal, according to FederalOSHA, will prevent 300,000 injuries and will save $9billion per year. Calling the proposal a “one-size-doesn’t-fit-all approach,” Labor Secretary Alexis M.Herman said, “The good news is that real solutions areavailable.” West Coast public hearings will begin March21, 2000, in Portland. Announcement of the proposedstandard just days before the Thanksgiving holidaymarks the close of a truly significant year for occupa-tional safety and health, both nationally and in Oregon.

Each of us alive today has at some time contemplatedhow things will be in the year 2000. We are on the vergeof finding out.

If the Y2K bug has been adequately neutralized, we’llprobably find 2000 little different from 1999. Yet, as wereach this invisible milestone, let us look to the successesof the past and rededicate ourselves to that ever-elusivegoal: no accidents, no injuries, no fatalities, no illnesses,and every worker going home the same way he or shewent to work.

Happy new year to all! ■

F O U R

Worksite redesign grants benefit Oregon industriesby Alice Dryden, Oregon OSHA Grants Coordinator

Back injuries in ESCO Corporation’s packagingdepartment kept someone on light-duty work almostall the time.

Then Oregon OSHA got involved!Oregon OSHA provided a $99,000 grant to help fix

ESCO’s problem. Today, a significantly improved materialhandling process has increased ESCO’s productivity, andthere hasn’t been an injury in packaging for over a year.

Employees of Professional Mechanical, a Millersburgpipe fabricator, had rotator cuff and other injuries relatedto their static welding postures. OR-OSHA provided Pro-fessional Mechanical a $108,000 grant to research anddevelop an electrode positioner for employees to usewhen welding pipe. Since developing the electrodepositioner, Professional Mechanical has had no injuriesrelated to that process.

Boyd Coffee, based in Portland, had a problem, too.Employees used to expend a great deal of time andenergy hand-packing coffee bags into cases. This led toa high incidence of repetitive-motion injuries. Again,Oregon OSHA came to their assistance.

Using a $137,000 grant, Boyd designed, built, and in-stalled an automatic case-packing prototype able tohandle many sizes of bags and boxes. Workers who pre-viously packed boxes are being trained to keep the casepacker fine-tuned, and Boyd believes a productivityincrease is on the horizon.

The Worksite Redesign Grant Program was created bythe Oregon Legislature in 1995 and has been adminis-tered by Oregon OSHA since 1997. Grantees can usemoney from the Worksite Redesign Program to developand implement solutions to workplace safety, health, andergonomic problems that lead to on-the-job injuries andillnesses. There are absolutely no enforcement activitiesassociated with this program.

ESCO, Professional Mechanical, and Boyd are justthree of the many Oregon companies that have taken ad-vantage of Oregon OSHA’s Worksite Redesign GrantProgram. Your company could also benefit. If you have aworkplace safety, health, or ergonomic problem requir-ing an innovative solution, or want more information,contact the Worksite Redesign team at Oregon OSHA:Sharon Dey, Russell Frankel, or Mike Lulay, (800) 922-2689 or (503) 378-3272. Additional grant informationand application materials are available on the OR-OSHAWeb site at http://www.cbs.state.or.us/external/osha/grants/grant.htm. ■

GRANTSGRANTSTo developsolutions toindustryergonomic, safetyand health problems,improve morale, andincrease productivity.

Up to $150,000 available

Funded by the State of Oregon, OR-OSHA,Worksite Redesign Program

Call 503-378-3272

F I V E

Nancy Cody, Field Safety ManagerOregon OSHA Enforcementby Cheryl Mushaney, Oregon OSHA Administrative Assistant

PR

OFILES

Nancy Cody, who has been with the division since1990, is a manager in the Salem Field Office. Nancy su-pervises ten safety compliance officers responsible forconducting inspections in Washington, Tillamook,Yamhill, Marion, Polk, and Lincoln counties.

Oregon OSHA’s comprehensive enforcement programensures that Oregon’s occupational safety and healthrules are carried out in the workplace. Enforcement con-ducts unannounced safety and health inspections ofworksites as part of Oregon OSHA’s scheduled inspec-tion program. Enforcement may also conduct inspectionsupon referrals from other agencies and when it receivescomplaints.

Nancy’s assessment of her job: “Enforcement is wherethe rubber hits the road. It drives the division and has a di-rect impact on how each section deals with employers.”

She believes that every person who works for OregonOSHA, from support staff to the administrator, is com-mitted to protecting Oregon’s employees. This commonthread provides personal and professional support forOregon OSHA’s staff.

Nancy became an Oregonian at the age of two andspent her formative years in Roseburg. She joined theMarines to see the world. She was stationed at ParisIsland, South Carolina for three years. She worked in thetraining section doing research and writing bulletins onsafety and life-saving skills — this was her introductionto workplace safety and health. After serving in theMarines, she drove a UPS truck and then reentered thesafety world by accepting a position as a claims proces-sor for Viking Insurance Company. On her journey to

Oregon OSHA, she alsoworked for the Salem/KeizerSchool District and the Insur-ance Division of theDepartment of Consumer andBusiness Services. In 1990,she was hired as an office co-ordinator in Oregon OSHA’sSalem Field Office.

With support from her fel-low workers and hermanagers, Nancy set hersights on becoming a compli-ance officer. She studied thestandards, did ride-alongs (accompanied complianceofficers on inspections), attended classes and asked ques-tions of everyone. After several attempts, she was hired asa compliance officer in the Portland Field Office, eventu-ally winding her way back to the Salem Field Office as amanager.

Two sons at home keep Nancy and her husband Patbusy with school activities — especially football andother seasonal sports. They live in Salem with a dog andtwo cats. Nancy loves outdoor activities, including camp-ing, hiking, and gardening. When Nancy is not involvedwith family or outdoor activities, she is pursuing a collegebusiness management degree. ■

Nancy Cody

S I X

In 1991, a fire swept through a poultry processingplant in Hamlet, North Carolina. The sprinkler systemwas out of service. Workers attempted to escape throughthe exit doors, but the doors were locked. After the firewas extinguished, officials found that 25 employees haddied and 55 had been injured.

This is just one example among thousands that remindus that a poor fire-safety program can result in tragedy.

Locking emergency exits is a dangerous and illegalpractice that contributes to loss of life and property. A

comprehensive fire safety program is more than an unob-structed evacuation route.

Training is essentialTraining employees to prevent fires is an essential first

step. In fact, OR-OSHA requires that workers be in-formed about fire hazards found in their workplace(OAR 437-002-1910.38(b)(4)). Take a walk throughyour worksite and make a list of fire hazards to talkabout during your next safety training session. Look forthese fire hazards in your workplace:

Electrical fire hazardsDefective wiring is a major cause of industrial fires.

Your employees should watch for worn extension cords,exposed wiring, and broken power tools or equipment.Avoid overloading circuits. Encourage your workers toreport all defective wiring or equipment, and have allelectrical equipment repaired by qualified individuals.

Flammable liquidsSolvents, paint, paint thinners, gasoline, alcohol, ac-

etone, and many other flammable liquids ignite with theslightest spark or even static electricity. Care should betaken to store these substances in approved safety con-tainers in well-ventilated areas designated for theirstorage. Spills must be cleaned up immediately and dis-posed of properly. Spray painting should be confined tofireproof booths or rooms.

Hot workWelding and cutting operations generate heat, sparks,

and hot slag. Make sure employees wear fire-resistantclothing. Follow the precautions listed on hot-work per-mits, including using fire-resistant covers, spark shields,and fire watches. If possible, move flammable and com-bustible materials away from the hot-work area. Be extracautious when doing hot work in confined spaces or oncontainers that had flammable or combustible liquidsstored in them. Keep firefighting equipment nearby.

SmokingMany companies have already banned all smoking

from their buildings. If smoking is allowed in certain ar-eas, make sure that all smoking rules are posted andenforced. Provide adequate receptacles for the disposalof smoking materials in smoking areas.

Poor housekeepingOily rags, paper, sawdust, cartons, and trash lying

around are a recipe for disaster. Oily rags should beplaced into safety cans. Keep work areas clean and un-cluttered, particularly around hot machinery, stoves,

Is your workplace prepared for fire hazards?by Klaus Rhode, Oregon OSHA Safety Compliance Officer

See “Fire,” page 11

OSHA Required Training 1910.38 -Emergency Action & Fire Prevention Plans(a)(5) Emergency Plan Training

(i) Before implementing the emergencyaction plan, the employer shall designateand train a sufficient number of personsto assist in the safe and orderly emer-gency evacuation of employees.

(ii) The employer shall review the plan witheach employee covered by the plan at thefollowing times:(A) Initially, when the plan is developed,(B) Whenever the employee’s responsi-

bilities or designated actions underthe plan change, and

(C) Whenever the plan is changed.(iii) The employer shall review with each

employee upon initial assignment thoseparts of the plan which the employeemust know to protect the employee inthe event of an emergency. The writtenplan shall be kept at the workplace andmade available for employee review.For those employers with 10 or feweremployees, the plan may be communi-cated orally to employees and theemployer need not maintain a writtenplan.

(b)(4) Fire Prevention Plan Training.(i) The employer shall apprise employees

of the fire hazards of the materialsand processes to which they are exposed.

(ii) The text of (ii) is the same as (iii)above but applies to fire preventionplans.

Note: Requirements in 1910.38 are not mandatoryfor everybody. These rules only apply whenrequired by another OR-OSHA standard like1910.272, Grain Handling Facilities.

S E V E N

Department of Consumer & Business ServicesOregon Occupational Safety & Health DivisionSalem, OR 97301-3882

Fatality ReportAccident type........................ Struck by broken wire rope

Industry ................................................. Logging/yarding

Employee job title ................................................... Chaser

SAFETYNOTES

Description of accidentAn experienced chaser, who

was working at a logging-opera-tion landing, was fueling andoiling his chain saw behind theyarder, waiting for the next turnof logs to be delivered to thelanding by skyline.

The chaser had selected whathe assumed to be a safe place forrefueling, directly behind theyarder, which was hauling logsby skyline from the opposite di-rection. However, when the turnof three logs was about halfwayto the landing, the 3/4-inch wirerope of the skyline snapped,lashed back over the cab of theyarder, struck the chaser in thehead, and killed him instantly.

Investigation findingsA certified wire rope and rigging inspector found failure of various degrees in several areas of the 104-foot

section of rope tested, ranging from a low of 12 in one lay to a high of 41. An independent testing firm foundthat in pull tests of four pieces of the wire, the wire ranged from 216 lbs. below nominal breaking strength(70,600 lbs.) to 14,136 lbs. below nominal breaking strength. A forensic metallurgist concluded after analysisthat the wire rope failure occurred as a result of excessive overload, heavy load dragging, and drum crushing.

The employer was cited for violation of OAR 437-006-0205, which requires the employer to take wire ropeout of service if 12.5 percent of wires are broken within a distance of one lay.

To prevent similar accidentsEnsure that wire rope is checked and removed from service if necessary. In this case, the wire rope was pur-

chased new and had been used about four months.

Applicable OSHA standardsOAR 437-006-0205

aaaaaaaaaa

E I G H T

Department of Consumer & Business ServicesOregon Occupational Safety & Health DivisionSalem, OR 97301-3882

Fatality ReportAccident type............................... Crushed by equipmentIndustry ................ Street maintenance equipment repair

Employee job title .............Mayor/volunteer maintenance

supervisor

SAFETYNOTESDescription of accident

A two-year mayor withwith 40 years of equipmentoperation and maintenanceexperience was clearingovernight snowfall from thestreets of a small town in theearly afternoon, workingwith a maintenance employeeand using a backhoe. Thebackhoe had developed a hy-draulic leak in the hose thatoperated the bucket, and themayor, acting as maintenancesupervisor, returned with it tothe city shop, having con-tacted a local mechanic tosay he would check the partto see if it could be repaired.

The mayor/maintenance supervisor pulled thebackhoe into the shop, raised and tilted thebucket to a position he apparently believed to besafe, then pulled a pickup up close to have accessto the tools on the passenger side. Apparently un-able to work alongside the backhoe, he wentunder the lift arms and disconnected the hydrau-lic hose.

With the hydraulic pressure released, thebucket shifted and the arms collapsed, pinninghim between the lift-arm support bracket and theframe of the backhoe. The mechanic becameconcerned when the mayor/ maintenance supervi-sor didn’t arrive, and he went to the shop.

Finding the mayor pinned by the backhoe, themechanic made an unsuccessful attempt to freehim and then called the local fire department toextricate the victim, who was dead.

Investigation findingsThe mayor, who regularly volunteered on the mainte-

nance crew, had extensive experience with the type ofequipment he was working on and had been creditedwith improving his town’s safety program. For un-known reasons, on the day of his death, he violatedOAR 437-002-0223(19)(e)(A) and did not block thebucket and arms of the backhoe to prevent their move-ment. He was working alone in the shop at the time ofhis death.

To prevent similar accidentsAlways lower or block blades, buckets, and similar

equipment to ensure they can be safely worked on.Never let weariness, time pressures, the weather, orother factors interfere with safe procedures. Avoidworking alone when repairing heavy equipment.

Applicable standardsOAR 437-002-0223(19)(e)(A)

N I N E

SAFETYNOTES

Department of Consumer & Business ServicesOregon Occupational Safety & Health DivisionSalem, OR 97301-3882

Accident ReportAccident type...................................... Fall from structure

Industry ...................................... Sheet-metal fabrication

Employee job title ................. Owner/president/employee

Description of accidentOn a Saturday morning, in preparation for

moving his business, the victim, who waspresident of a small sheet-metal fabricationand steel erection company, was workingwith a leased employee about 14 feet abovethe ground, removing sheet-metal screws andpanels from a steel frame building. The presi-dent/employee was removing sheet-metalscrews from sheet metal panels.

For unknown reasons, the victim steppedonto the sheet metal from which he had justremoved the screws. When he stepped tomid-panel, the sheet collapsed, and the victimfell, striking his head against a metal jig thatwas beneath where he had been working; hethen continued falling until he was resting onfloor level. The victim’s fall was witnessedby an employee working at floor level. A 911call summoned help, which arrived withinfive minutes. The victim’s injuries were stabi-lized and he was transported to a hospitalwith severe head injuries.

Investigation findingsNeither the victim nor the leased employee, both of whom were working at about 14

feet above the lower level, were using any form of fall protection, although fall protectionwas available for use. Their failure to use fall protection was a violation of CFR 29,1926.501(b)(15). The accident was not reported in a timely manner to OR-OSHA. Thevictim, one of two corporate officers, was responsible for reporting injuries as required byOAR 437-001-0052.

Applicable OSHA standardsOAR 437-001-0052

T E N

Description of accidentOn the day of the accident, the pipelayer worked in a 12-foot

trench, laying pipe. At the end of the day, he exited the trench andworked with two backhoe operators to remove the 12' x 10' x 4'trench shield. The pipelayer attached three lifting wires from the

west-end backhoe to the trench shield (a fourth wire was unable tobe attached, due to a broken “D” ring on the shield), and

watched as the trench shield was lifted onto the pavement.The west-end operator released the trench shield.

Communication and electrical power lines im-peded removal, so two pieces of PVC pipe

were placed under the lines to hold themaway from the backhoe. The pipelayerhooked a chain from the east-end backhoeto the lower brace of the trench shield, andthat backhoe dragged the trench shield ap-proximately four feet. It encountered asoft-dirt-backfilled hole and fell over ontothe victim, who was knocked backwardinto the trench. He died at the scene.

Department of Consumer & Business ServicesOregon Occupational Safety & Health DivisionSalem, OR 97301-3882

Fatality ReportAccident type.......................................... Fall/crush injuryIndustry .................................................. Pipe installation

Employee job title ............................................. Pipelayer

SAFETYNOTES

Investigation findingsThe trench shield was not transported in a safe manner. The method suggested by the manufacturer was not pos-

sible due to the broken “D” ring, which was not replaced although it was known to be damaged. Other damagedequipment included broken safety latches on each hook, which allowed the rings on the lifting attachment to slip out.

Additionally, the PVC used to move the electrical and communication wires was not designed for use as an insulator.Furthermore, the laborer who placed the PVC pipe under the electrical wire did not possess a recognized degree orcertificate in electrical work and therefore was not qualified to perform that task. In fact, none of the workers at thisjob site was qualified to perform the task.

To prevent similar accidents• Never permit employees under loads handled by digging equipment.• Only use manufacturer-suggested methods when moving trench shields.• Ensure all equipment is in working order. Regularly check rings and safety latches.• Do not allow unqualified people to perform any type of activity involving electrical wires.

Applicable standardsCFR 1926.651 CFR 1926.652OAR 437-001-0760 OAR 437-002-0228

E L E V E N

“Fire,” from page 6

soldering irons, and appliances thatcreate heat.

What to do in case of a fireIf, despite your best efforts at pre-

vention, a fire should occur, youremployees must be prepared to re-port the fire and evacuate thebuilding. Conduct regular fire drillsthroughout the year so that theyknow what the alarm system soundslike, what evacuation routes to take,and where to meet outside. Show theemployees all exits and fire doors. Ifthe first exit way is blocked, employ-ees need to know other ways out ofthe building.

Train employees to close fire doorsafter exiting or when they decide theexit is unsafe. Warn workers not touse the elevator during a fire. It cantrap them if the power fails.

Assign floor wardens and as manyemployees as needed to help the dis-abled during a fire.

Fighting firesIf the work being done in your

building is highly hazardous and in-volves flammable materials, considertraining your employees how to con-trol small fires with portable fireextinguishers. Other employeesshould evacuate and call the fire de-partment. Do not hesitate to call the

fire department when there is a fire.If the fire is not extinguished rightaway, it will only get larger and willbe more difficult to put out.

If your workplace has its own firebrigade, the brigade members mustreceive extensive training at least an-nually. Firefighters who fight interiorstructural fires must receive trainingquarterly.

Keep firefighting equipment inproper working condition

Don’t make the fatal mistake of thepoultry processing plant mentionedearlier by failing to properly main-tain your sprinklersystems and otherfire-suppressionand alertingdevices. Makesure that all fixedextinguishingsystems areserviced,maintained, andtested. The same goes for fire-detec-tion and alarm systems, which mustbe serviced by professionals.

Inspect your portable fire extin-guishers monthly and make sure theyare charged and ready for use. Keepthe appropriate extinguishers onhand for the fire hazards found in

your workplace and teach yourworkers which extinguishers to usefor different types of fires.

Training tipsWith your workers, walk through

your workplace to see how many ofthe fire hazards you listed they canfind. Test them to see if they knowwhich extinguisher to use for differ-ent types of fires. Invite a represent-ative of your local fire department totalk about fire safety and show work-ers how to use extinguishers. Hands-on training by a qualified instructorcan greatly add to your employees’skills.

Your employees may never needto respond to a fire at their jobs, par-ticularly if you follow all safetyprecautions and keep the workplaceclean, but preparation and a fire-emergency plan can save lives andproperty if a fire occurs. ■

The clock is ticking!Over the last 18 months, Resource has published several stories regarding Y2K and its

possible impact on workplace safety and health. This is the final reminder. January 1, 2000, isjust around the corner! Are you ready? More important, is your technical equipment ready?

For accurate and helpful information, check out the Occupational Safety and HealthAdministration United States Department of Labor’s Web site at http://www.osha.gov,the President’s Council on Year 2000 Conversion at http://www.y2k.gov, the Oregon OSHAWeb site at http://www.cbs.state.or.us/osha, or call toll-free (888) USA-4-Y2k.

We want you to have a smooth and worry-free transition into the New Year. The best wayto do that is to be prepared.

T W E L V E

All mill employees receive safety and health training andare encouraged to participate in committees of theirchoosing.

“Georgia-Pacific” from page 1

OR-OSHA’s review team observed that “the entiremanagement team as well as the union leadership haveshown a clear commitment to maintaining the require-ments of VPP and to continually improving the safetyand health conditions within the facility.”

Oregon’s VPP program recognizes and promotes effec-tive safety and health management. The VPP conceptrecognizes that enforcement alone can never fullyachieve the objectives of the Occupational Safety andHealth Act.

For more information, contact Gary McDonough atGeorgia-Pacific Corporation, (541) 336-8332. For moreinformation about OR-OSHA’s Voluntary ProtectionProgram, in which OR-OSHA and Oregon companieswork together to improve safety and health programs,call OR-OSHA, (503) 378-3272. ■

Georgia-Pacific employees display their VPP flag.

“Plan” from page 1

How can Oregon OSHA help? Oregon OSHA has aplan. The plan contains three goals it hopes to achieveover a five-year period. Following is a brief descriptionof the goals:

Change the workplace culture in Oregon, to in-crease employer and worker awareness of, commitmentto, and involvement with safety and health. OregonOSHA is focused on helping Oregon businesses becomeself-sufficient in managing their safety and health pro-grams.

Improve workplace safety and health for all work-ers, as evidenced by fewer hazards, reduced exposuresand fewer injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. Throughidentification of high hazard industries and the leadingcauses of related injuries and illnesses in those indus-tries, Oregon OSHA will focus its resources and provideintervention services to Oregon businesses.

Continuously strengthen public confidence, throughexcellence in the development and delivery of OR-OSHA programs and services. Oregon OSHA’s successin meeting its goals depends upon its stakeholders. It is

committed to building and maintaining partnerships withorganizations and individuals who have an interest inworkplace safety and health in Oregon. Oregon OSHArecognizes that its ability to continue to be effective inreducing workplace injuries and illnesses is directly re-lated to the support provided by management, labor, andgovernment. In fulfilling its mission of advancing andimproving workplace safety and health for all workingOregonians, Oregon OSHA will be balanced, fair andreasonable in its approach — endeavoring to make everycontact with the public a learning experience.

Oregon OSHA’s five-year strategic plan is available toyou on the Internet World Wide Web, http://www.cbs.state.or.us/osha.

The strategic plan is a living document. It will be up-dated at least yearly, based on successes and lessonslearned during its implementation. Oregon OSHA hopesyou will look for opportunities to become involved andhelp shape the direction of occupational safety and healthin Oregon. ■

A R E S O U R C E F O R P R O M O T I N GH E A L T H & S A F E T Y I N T H E W O R K P L A C E

T H I R T E E N

Her husband’s fate was sealed. Thetelegram trembled in Maria’s hands.Could this be true? She blinked andlooked again. There it was: PAR-DON IMPOSSIBLE. TO BE SENTINTO EXILE.

Maria dropped into a nearby chair.In one moment, her whole worldseemed to have ended.

But did it have to be?Maria pulled her chair to the desk,

and looked at the telegram carefully.Then, taking a pen and an eraser, sheset to work.

It didn’t take long. When she hadfinished, she allowed herself a hesi-tant smile. The telegram which haddecreed her husband’s exile nowread: PARDON. IMPOSSIBLE TOBE SENT INTO EXILE.

And so, Maria saved her husband’slife by intercepting a telegram andmoving one dot with a pen and aneraser. I think we can be reasonablyconfident that they lived happily everafter.

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not assuresme that this story is true. But,whether or not Maria and her hus-band were actual people, the storyhighlights something which is truefor all of us: We have importantmessages. Getting those messagesacross is also important. This is astrue for Oregon OSHA as it is foryou.

Oregon OSHA’s message is aboutsafety and health. We want to getthat message to everyone. Maybe ourposter puts it best: You have a rightto a safe and healthful workplace.Or, to put it another way: Usted tieneel derecho a seguridad y salud en eltrabajo. Or: Vyh imeete pravo nabezopasnuyu rabotu.

Unlike the telegram altered byMaria, our message remains thesame in any language. Our consulta-tion services, our efforts at writingclear and understandable rules, andthe careful procedures followed byour enforcement section are all ex-amples of OR-OSHA’s commitmentto convey a unified message to a di-verse audience.

This diversity is evident inthe variety of resources and servicesavailable to you through the OR-OSHA Resource Center and AVLibrary. Our resources are as variedas current technology and financiallimitations will allow.

But, the underlying principlebehind each format, whether it’s abook or the latest CD-ROM,remains the same. We want you tohave access to the very best occupa-tional safety and health informationavailable: the most accurate informa-tion in the most effective format.

1999 brought a number of newprograms to the AV Library, pro-grams that reflect the enrichment ofOregon’s workforce through varyinglanguages and cultures. Among thesenew programs are our first safetytraining videos in Russian, coveringsuch topics as confined space entry,back safety and respiratory protec-tion. In addition, the AV Library

Getting the message acrossby Don Harris, AV Librarian for Oregon OSHA

now includes the bilingual televisionseries El Mercado DCBS (TheDCBS Marketplace).

This series was developed by theDepartment of Consumer and Busi-ness Services MulticulturalCommunications Program. ElMercado DCBS originally aired overSalem’s local cable access televisionstation, CCTV. Using an English/Spanish format, these programs pro-vide an overview of the work of theOregon Department of Consumer &Business Services and its divisions,including Oregon OSHA.

These programs and several hun-dred more are available to you forloan at no charge beyond the cost ofreturn shipping. We’re just a phonecall away.

This issue of OR-OSHA’sResource newsletter comes to youduring the holiday season, a seasonmade especially notable this year byour entry into the year 2000. The lastfew weeks have probably been hec-tic. At times, you may even havethought that being sent into exilewouldn’t be such a bad thing!

So, in the midst of all these mes-sages, isn’t it good to know thatOregon OSHA’s message remainsthe same? You have a right to a safeand healthful workplace. OregonOSHA is here to help. ■

The OR-OSHA Resource Center andAudiovisual LibraryThe OR-OSHA Resource Center andAudiovisual Library

For a complete list of publications available from the OR-OSHA Resource Center,call (503) 378-3272 or visit our Web site: http://www.cbs.state.or.us/osha.

?Ask OR-OSHA

Applying OR-OSHA standards to “real-life” situationsmay not always be “standard” procedure. Sometimes,answers and solutions to problems can be tricky. AskOR-OSHA is a regular feature of Resource so that yourquestions concerning OR-OSHA standards and yourbusiness may be answered by experts. So please, AskOR-OSHA by calling the Standards and Technical Sec-tion, (503) 378-3272 or e-mailing your question totech.web@state.or.us. We’ll answer your question(s) asquickly as possible. We’ll also print selected questionsand answers in this newsletter so that the answer to yourquestions may help others.

✦

? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?

F O U R T E E N

QWhen will Oregon OSHA begin to enforce thenewly adopted industrial truck operator train-ing standard? When could penalties be assessedfor not complying with the new standard.

AThe answer to both questions is Dec. 1, 1999. Afterthis date companies must have certification records

for each employee operating a powered industrial truck.

QWhat is required of employers who have em-ployees who periodically use forklifts for short/infrequent tasks?

AEmployers will be required to train and certify op-erators in the activities they perform with the equip-

ment they use. Oregon OSHA staff will be using thetraining requirements contained in 1910.178 and1926.602 for guidance during evaluations of industrialtruck operators and employers.

QAre there any variances for training require-ments of the periodic forklift driver?

ANo.

QIs it required that employees who work next tohot surfaces wear clothing that completely cov-ers their legs?

AProtection is needed if there is a chance of beingburned by flying grease, boiling liquid, or a similar

hazard. Such protection probably would include some-thing that covers the legs. If the heat is intense enough tocause discomfort for those working nearby, or if the sur-face is hot enough to cause burns when contacted, thenprotection is needed for all exposed body areas. In lieuof a standardized policy requiring legs to be covered,each situation needs to be evaluated to determine thehazards. Then the hazards need to be eliminated or ad-equate personal protective equipment used.

QDuring reduced times of employment (such assummer break on school campuses) how manyemployees must work at a location before safetycommittee meetings are required?

AThe requirement to establish and maintain a safetycommittee is based on annual peak employment

(OAR 437-001-0765(2)(c)). There is no provision forsuspending committee meetings during times of reducedemployment. If you are required to have safety commit-tee, then monthly meetings are also required, except inmonths when quarterly workplace safety inspections aremade (OAR 437-001-0765(6)(a)(B)).

A possible solution to your dilemma might be toschedule safety inspections in January, April, July, andOctober. If your safety committee meets in June beforestaffing is reduced and in August after staffing is in-creased, you will be in compliance with the standard.

Another possible solution might be to develop an inno-vative safety committee plan and apply to Oregon OSHAfor approval. Such a plan might incorporate regional orstatewide meetings of local committee representativesduring times of reduced staffing or to conduct training.

QWhat is the legal limit for breath alcohol in aworker?

AThere really isn’t one. OAR 437-001-0760(4), aperformance-based standard, states that the use of

intoxicating liquor on the job is strictly prohibited. Any-one whose ability to work safely is impaired by alcohol,drugs, or medication is not allowed to be on the jobwhile in that condition.

This means that alcohol is prohibited from being usedon the job. Likewise, if alcohol has been used off the job,it cannot be such that it affects safety on the job. ■

F I F T E E N

Return to: Oregon OSHA Resource Center, 350 Winter St. NE, Salem, OR 97301-3882

Organization: ___________________________________________________________________

Name: __________________________________________________________________________

Title: ___________________________________________________________________________

Mailing address: ________________________________________________________________

City: ________________________________________ State: _________ ZIP: _____________

Phone: _________________________________________________________________________If the computerized address label is correct, you are on our mailing list already. No response is necessary.

❏ New subscription ❏ Address change

Resource is a newsletter concerning occupational safety and health in Oregon. To subscribeto this free publication or to change your mailing address on your current subscription, fillout and return this form or call (503) 947-7447.

S U B S C R I P T I O N F O R MRESOURCE

The EYES have … (had) it!Eye injuries resulting from chemicals accounted for

nearly 20 percent of all injuries to the eyes, based onOregon accepted disabling claims data from 1995through 1997.1 Injuries result from splashing or irritationby chemical mists, vapors, or gases. Chemicals in con-tact with the eye can cause effects from minor irritationto complete loss of vision. In general, caustics (high pH)are more injurious to the eyes than acids (low pH) be-cause they soak into the tissue as long as they remain incontact in the eyes.2

Prompt first-aid treatment for a chemical burn to theeyes is often critical to minimizing damage. Immediateflushing of the eyes for at least 15 minutes is essential.The American National Standards Institute recommendsthat eyewashes be in an accessible location reachable

within 10 seconds of exposure. Forstrong acids or strong caustics, theeyewash should be located immedi-ately adjacent to the hazard. Medicaladvice is recommended for deter-mining water temperature in relationto a chemical hazard; the medicaladvisor or appropriate professionalcan give guidance on proper distance considerations.Proper inspection and maintenance of eyewash units,along with training for workers who may be exposed tohazardous materials, are important steps to reducing eyehazards and injuries. 3

Plumbed and self-contained eyewash units are capableof delivering a continuous stream of water for at least 15minutes. Personal eyewash units such as the 32-ouncebottles and hand-held drench hoses can aid an injuredperson when used to immediatly flush the eyes. Suchunits supplement plumbed and self-contained units; how-ever, they are not a satisfactory substitute for plumbed orself-contained units.

When is an eyewash needed? Oregon OSHA advisesemployers to consider these factors: (1) Characteristicsof the chemical, such as concentration, pH, temperature,quantity, and skin and eye toxicology; (2) chemical-han-dling procedures, including frequency and duration, useof personal protective equipment, and worker training;(3) worksite issues, such as whether it is indoors or out-doors, or in a fixed or mobile location; and (4)availability of water for emergency needs.4 Material

See “Eyes,” page 16

References1. Department of Consumer & Business Services,

Information Management Division, Research & AnalysisSection, October 1999.

2. Fundamentals of Industrial Hygiene, Fourth Edition,National Safety Council, Itasca, Illinois, 1996, page112.

3. Emergency Eyewash and Shower Equipment, ANSIZ358.1-1998, American National Standards Institute,11 West 42nd Street, New York, New York, pages 10-13.

4. Eyewash and Safety Showers, Program Directive A-63,OR-OSHA, 350 Winter Street, Salem, OR, September 8,1994, pages 1-2.

Oregon Occupational Safety & Health Division350 Winter St. NE, Rm. 430Salem, OR 97301-3882

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

BULK RATEU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 24

SALEM, OREGON

Questions?OR-OSHA has field offices across Oregon. If you have questions or need in-

formation, call toll-free (800) 922-2689 or phone one of the offices listedbelow. (All phone numbers are V/TTY)

BendRed Oaks Square1230 NE Third St., Ste. A-115Bend, OR 97701(541) 388-6066Consultations:(541) 388-6068

Salem Central350 Winter St. NE, Rm. 430Salem, OR 97301-3882(503) 378-3272Fax: (503) 947-7461

Portland9500 SW Barbur Blvd.,Ste. 200Portland, OR 97219(503) 229-5910Consultations:(503) 229-6193

Eugene1140 Willagillespie,Ste. 42Eugene, OR 97401(541) 686-7562Consultations:(541) 686-7913

Pendleton721 SE Third St., Ste. 306Pendleton, OR 97801(541) 276-9175Consultations:(541) 276-2353

Medford1840 Barnett Rd., Ste. DMedford, OR 97504(541) 776-6030Consultations:(541) 776-6016

SalemDAS Bldg. 1st. Floor1225 Ferry St. SESalem, OR 97305(503) 378-3274Consultations:(503) 373-7819

Visit us on the Internet World Wide Web at:http://www.cbs.state.or.us/osha

CONSUMER BUSINESS SERVICES

DEPARTMENT OFDSCB

D

safety data sheets provide useful in-formation about chemicals that canhelp you determine the need for aneyewash.

Oregon OSHA regulates the re-quirements for an eyewash underOAR 437-002-0161(5). From Octo-ber 1997 through September 1999,this rule has been cited 140 times,with 94 violations classified as “seri-ous.” This means the injury couldshorten life or significantly reducephysical or mental efficiency by in-hibiting, either temporarily orpermanently, the normal function ofa body part. Proposed penalties to-taled $20,360.

For more information on eye haz-ards and eyewash safety issues,contact the OR-OSHA ResourceCenter, (800) 922-2689. Or visit theOR-OSHA Web site, http://www.cbs.state.or.us/osha, for a list-ing of titles available through theaudiovisual lending library. ■

“Eyes,” from page 15