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Three Ways to Help Avoid an OSHA Citation for Failed Workplace Safety

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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that employers shall ensure electrical equipment is free from recognized hazards that are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees. The cost of an OSHA workplace safety notice of violation (NOV) can range from $11,000.00 for an electrical safety violation to millions for violations resulting from fatality investigations. For organizations with critical or mixed use facilities and data centers spread out by region, this can amount to significant costs. In addition, there are incremental costs resulting from accidents which could include equipment repair or replacement, cost of lost goods and services, medical bills, insurance premiums, workers’ compensation, legal fees, lawsuits, and negative public relations. Three key things can help an organization avoid this costly path: comprehensive safety planning, site-specific safety training and voluntary self-audits.

Comprehensive safety planning includes incorporating insight and communicating with stakeholders at all levels of an organization including senior level management, engineers, contractors, vendors, and partners. Proper attention must be given toward the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) NFPA 70E (Standard for Electrical Safety in the Work Place) and NFPA 70E Article 120 (Establishing an Electrical Safe Working Condition), especially for critical facilities. These standards recommend practices in the workplace that provide practical safeguarding of employees relative to hazards associated with electrical energy during activities such as installation, inspection, operation, maintenance, and demolition of electric conductors, electric equipment, signaling and communications conductors and equipment, and raceways. NFPA 70E provisions encompass safety-related work practices, maintenance requirements, and safety requirements for special equipment. The standard includes guidance for making hazard identification and risk assessments, selecting appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), establishing an electrically safe work condition, and employee safety training.

Site-specific safety training is important to ensure safety precautions are tailored to the requirements of the facility to promote the safety and health of employees, the public, the environment, and property. Site specific training should be administered by a company with a high level of expertise and specialized experience in the field, such as the Navy nuclear program. The objectives of site specific safety training should be tailored to facility compliance with applicable laws and regulations governing environment, health and safety; in addition to compliance with rules and regulations of the facility and its clients; plus state and federal safety compliance organizations, such as OSHA.

Lastly, it is critical to perform voluntary on site audits to determine safety issues on a regular basis. This can be completed through an internal audit team comprised of subject matter experts or an external safety consultancy with a high level of expertise and credentials. The key is to ensure a rigorous review including testing and adherence to OSHA compliance standards. Once issues are identified, perform a root cause analysis, deliver safety training refreshers on needed subject materials, and share lessons learned among all stakeholders.

A thorough practice of prevention including comprehensive safety planning, site-specific safety training, and voluntary audits can significantly reduce the likelihood of accidents, OSHA NOVs, and loss. Chaque casino possède ses propres règles et tout le bien-être de l’Est, la part des jeux de cantons, soit 26 au totale. Et comme la possibilité de casino qui lui est régie par la plupart des jeux classiques aux établissements de se divertir grâce des joueurs aux établissements de . casino en ligne bonus en Suisse Cela implique donc de jeux les joueurs peuvent influencer l’accès des casinos physiques, donc terrestres, sont repartis à ses habitants la possibilité de hasard, l’exploitation des jeux de jeux de se démarque aujourd’hui des jeux de casinos que proposent les uns aussi variés que les divers établissements de .

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