TechneTrain Articles for the Automotive Industry

Stepping it Up  OSHA is stepping up its efforts to enforce regulation compliance by increasing inspections, penalties and fines.  In addition, OSHA is once again focusing on Cr(VI) and other issues that likely affect your business...

OSHA Clarifies General Duty Clause With a new administration focused on increased OSHA inspections and the enforcement of safer workplaces, it is a good time to review your safety program and ensure it is ironclad. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has recently published a new Field Operations Manual (FOM) which tells OSHA officials how to conduct inspections and set fines. This manual also clarifies the General Duty Clause, which is the catch-all for safety issues in the workplace not covered by specific standards. ...(September 2009) 

Revisions to respiratory protection  OSHA recently made changes to its Respiratory Protection Standard.  By answering 6 FAQs regarding respirators, you will be better equipped to implement or update an existing respiratory program...

Statistics for OSHA and the Automotive Industry
Last year, OSHA issued over 2000 citations in the Automotive Repair and Services industry, totaling over half a million dollars in penalties. Avoiding costly OSHA citations requires that you provide a safe workplace and understand what OSHA might focus on in your business.   Looking at last year’s most frequent and costly OSHA citations can give you insight into where to focus your compliance activities...  

Keep on truckin'
Operating and maintaining a forklift truck safely  Lack of safe operating procedures and safety rule enforcement, as well as insufficient or inadequate training, lead to tens of thousands of injuries each year. Safe forklift practices through proper use, adequate maintenance, sufficient clearing for travel, and correct load stability are the best way to prevent these injuries...

Locking In Safety   Assessing the work environment, creating programs, and training staff to abide by those programs are the keys to maintaining a safe work environment and avoiding steep fines, worker injury, or death...

Respiratory Protection Standard Revisions  Effective November 22, 2006, OSHA made changes to its Respiratory Protection Standard.   The standard revision includes a table giving the Assigned Protection Factors for all types of respirators.  This is a good time to review your respirator program (or determine if you need one) to be sure you are adequately protecting your employees...  

Hexavalent Chromium  Hexavalent chromium compounds are most commonly used as a structural and anti-corrosive element in stainless steel, iron, and steel production, and in welding and painting.  Occupational exposures to Cr(VI) can occur from inhalation of mists (e.g., chrome plating, painting), dusts (e.g., inorganic pigments or Cr(VI)-painted surfaces), or fumes (e.g., stainless steel welding), and from dermal contact.  Exposure to Cr(VI) has been conclusively linked to lung cancer, asthma, nasal ulcerations and perforations, skin ulcerations (or chrome holes), and allergic and irritant contact dermatitis. 

OSHA Issues Bulletin on Dump Truck Bed Hazards  Accidents related to the unintentional movement of dump truck beds have resulted in deaths...

Hispanic Worker Safety  There are approximately 17.5 million Hispanic workers in the U.S., and these workers have vital roles in virtually every American Industry.  The responsibility for providing a safe and healthful workplace for all employees rests squarely on the shoulders of every employer.  Employers face some specific challenges when it comes to the safety of Hispanic workers, particularly in the bilingual training area...

Teen Worker Safety  It is an unfortunate fact that children do get injured, and even killed, in the workplace.  Approximately 80% of teens are employed at some point before they leave high school.  The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health estimates that over 210,000 American children suffer occupational injuries every year, and over 70,000 of these injuries are serious enough to warrant emergency room treatment.  Teens are consistently injured at higher rates than adults, even though they are restricted from the most hazardous jobs...

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