Page 46 - May-Jun 19

FEATURE

STATE AND LOCAL response to workers’ reports of hazards. • Trench Safety Stand-Down,
GOVERNMENT WORKERS Federal agencies must have a safety June 17–22, 2019
and health program that meets the • Safe + Sound Week, Aug. 12–18, 2019
Workers at state and local government same standards as private employers.
agencies are not covered by Federal Under a 1998 amendment, the OSH
OSHA, but have OSH Act protections if Act covers the U.S. Postal Service the 5. What are the top
they work in those states that have an same as any private sector employer.
OSHA-approved state program. OSHA safety and health
rules also permit states and territories issues regarding the
to develop plans that cover only public NOT COVERED UNDER
sector (state and local government) THE OSH ACT electrical industry?
workers. In these cases, private • The self-employed Wiring methods, components, and
sector workers and employers remain • Immediate family members equipment for general use, and
under Federal OSHA jurisdiction. Five of farm employers Electrical – General standards were #11
additional states and one U.S. territory and #12, respectively, in OSHA’s top 15
have OSHA-approved state plans that • Workplace hazards regulated most frequently cited standards in fiscal
cover public sector workers only: by another federal agency (for year 2018 (Oct. 1, 2017 – Sept. 30, 2018).
• Connecticut example, the Mine Safety and Health There were 1,342 total violations of the
• Illinois Administration, the Department Wiring methods standard, and 1,189 total
• Maine of Energy, or the Coast Guard) violations of the Electrical standard.
• New Jersey
• New York
• Virgin Islands 3. How can someone find 6. What are OSHA
their local office? standards?
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT Visit the OSHA Offices by State webpage.
WORKERS A standard (or regulation) is a regulatory
requirement established and published
OSHA’s protection applies to all federal by the agency to serve as criteria for
agencies. Section 19 of the OSH Act 4. What awareness weeks/ measuring whether employers are in
makes federal agency heads responsible days are coming up? compliance with the OSH Act laws. OSHA
for providing safe and healthful working standards are published in Title 29 of
conditions for their workers. Although Upcoming events include: the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
OSHA does not fine federal agencies, • The National Safety Stand-Down and are divided into separate standards
it does monitor these agencies and to Prevent Falls in Construction, for General Industry, Construction,
conducts federal workplace inspections in May 6 –10, 2019 and Maritime (Shipyard Employment,
• Heat Illness Prevention Campaign, Marine Terminals, and Longshoring).
beginning May 24, 2019 7. Why is it important to
“ OSHA’s mission is to assure safe and

follow OSHA’s guidelines
and requirements?
OSHA’s mission is to assure safe and
healthful conditions for working men and
healthful conditions for working men
women by setting and enforcing standards
and providing training, outreach,
and women by setting and enforcing
education, and compliance assistance.
standards and providing training, outreach,
Under the OSHA law, employers must
education, and compliance assistance.
provide their workers with a workplace
that does not have serious hazards,
and they must follow all OSHA safety
and health standards to prevent worker
injuries, illnesses, and fatalities.

44 Insights Magazine | May/June 2019 | www.ieci.org