TechneTrain Articles for the Nursery & Landscaping Industries

OSHA Steps it Up  The tone has changed in the OSHA Administration and efforts to ramp up and crack down are already in motion. More resources are being allocated to enforcement, and penalties and fines are being increased. Now is a good time to review your safety program and ensure that it is iron-clad. Here is a brief overview of some of OSHA’s recent and planned actions.

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) 

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...

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...

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

Common Sense Tips for Ladder Safety  Ladders can be a source of occupational injuries.  Many minor accidents involve only cuts, bumps and bruises, but some result in broken bones, paralysis, or even death.  Common problems include poorly maintained ladders, unsafe usage, and incorrect positioning.  Fortunately, most ladder hazards can be avoided by taking common sense precautions that are also required by Federal OSHA regulations...

Common Sense Tips for Lawnmower Safety  Lawnmowers are a key component of the landscaping  industry. Unfortunately, lawn mowers can be a source of accidents and injuries.  While many of these are minor accidents that involve being burned or bruised, the more severe ones can result in the loss of a limb or even a life.  Fortunately, these accidents can be avoided by taking common sense precautions...

Slab Handling  Handling and transporting rock slabs can be hazardous.  Each slab can weigh from hundreds to a few thousand pounds.  An average truck load can weigh between 20,000 and 40,000 pounds.  In response to a number of worker injuries and fatalities, OSHA has just released a safety and health information bulletin regarding the hazards associated with the handling and transporting of rock slabs...

Ergonomics:  Tips to Keep in Mind  Sprains and strains are common in the landscape industry.  Ensure that your employees understand these ergonomic safety tips...  

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...

Working in Hot Weather  Working in hot weather is a fact of life for many employees.  Strenuous physical activities in high temperatures and humidity have a high potential for inducing heat stress and subsequent illness among exposed workers.  It is the responsibility of the employer to understand all risks associated with the work environment and to ensure that employees understand these risks and comply with safe work practices...

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...  

Common Sense Tips for Ladder Safety  Ladders can be a source of occupational injuries.  Many minor accidents involve only cuts, bumps and bruises, but some result in broken bones, paralysis, or even death.  Common problems include poorly maintained ladders, unsafe usage, and incorrect positioning.  Fortunately, most ladder hazards can be avoided by taking common sense precautions that are also required by Federal OSHA regulations...

What's OSHA Doing in the Green Industry?  Last year, OSHA issued 161 citations in the Lawn Care Industry, a total of $67,423 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 OSHA citations can give you an insight into where to focus your compliance activities...

Click below to see what's new with OSHA and the Nursery and Landscape Industries