It’s a fact that plant safety is a serious concern for the metalcasting industry, and monitoring operating equipment and facilities in general for risks to health and safety ought to be a very high priority for everyone working in the industry. Watching workers’ performances and their use of safety apparel and equipment are another important aspect of this general concern.

We know well that the U.S. Dept. of Labor’s Occupational Health and Safety Administration has oversight for these matters: setting standards, monitoring performance, and citing violations.

Now, it seems OSHA is adding activism to its agenda.

I may be all wrong about this, so I’m going to repost OSHA’s news release exactly as it was delivered to me, June 12. I’m not suggesting anything is going wrong, but I think plant managers and operators ought to realize that one of the goals for the U.S. Secretary of Labor is “strengthening the voice of workers”:

New OSHA training emphasizes workers’ rights
WASHINGTON – “Introduction to OSHA,” a new training component emphasizing workers’ rights, is required content in every OSHA 10-  and 30-hour Outreach Training Program class. OSHA developed the information in support of the Secretary of Labor’s goal of strengthening the voice of workers.

This information affects hundreds of thousands of workers who complete Outreach Training Program classes each year, and more than 50,000 authorized OSHA Outreach Trainers. It focuses on the importance of workers’ rights and advises them of their right to
•    safe and healthful workplaces
•    know about the presence and effects of hazardous chemicals
•    review information about injuries and illnesses in their workplaces
•    receive training
•    request/file for an OSHA inspection and participate in the inspection
•    be free from retaliation for exercising their safety and health rights

“For too long workers have avoided making claims of unsafe work conditions out of fear of losing their jobs,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA David Michaels. “We are confident that this new training will embolden workers to speak up when they find work practices that endanger their lives and the lives of their co-workers.”

During the 10-  and 30-hour outreach training program classes, OSHA trainers will cover topics on whistleblower rights and filing a complaint, and will provide samples of a weekly fatality and catastrophe report, material data safety sheet and the OSHA Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses. Trainers can obtain test and answer sheets from their authorizing training organization.  

The OSHA Outreach Training Program is a voluntary program that seeks to teach workers about their rights and how to identify, reduce, avoid and prevent job-related hazards. The program includes 10-  and 30-hour courses in construction, general or maritime industry safety and health hazard recognition and prevention that is taught through a network of OSHA-authorized trainers. Over the past three years, nearly two million students have received training through this program.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to assure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.