The First Facility Management Blog

Let’s return to the “Reception Area of Fear” to identify the OSHA violations.

ANSWERS: The violations are given along with the regulation numbers that address them. Note that some are dated to reflect how the regulations will change in August 2007. It is wise to make sure you always have the latest regulations on hand.

1. Radio on the counter is plugged in via an extension cord.
1910.305(g)(1)(iii)[A]: Flexible cords and cables may not be used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure.

2. The radio’s extension cord is stapled to the counter.
1910.305(g)(1)(iii)[D]: Flexible cords and cables may not be used where attached to building surfaces.

3. Spilled coffee on the uncarpeted floor.
1910.22(a)(2): The floor of every workroom shall be maintained in a clean and, so far as possible, a dry condition.

4. Most of exit sign and part of door are obscured by a HAPPY BIRTHDAY banner.
1910.37(b)(3): Each exit route door must be free of decorations or signs that obscure the visibility of the exit route door.

5. Birthday cake on a plate on the counter, next to an open jar of paint thinner.
1910.141(G)(2): Eating and drinking areas. No employee shall be allowed to consume food or beverages in a toilet room nor in any area exposed to a toxic material.

6. An employee is standing in the bathroom eating a sandwich.
1910.141(G)(2): Eating and drinking areas. No employee shall be allowed to consume food or beverages in a toilet room nor in any area exposed to a toxic material.

7. Open door of bathroom shows it is a mess.
1910.22(a)(1): All places of employment, passageways, storerooms, and service rooms shall be kept clean and orderly and in a sanitary condition.

8. Cockroaches on the counter near the birthday cake.
1910.141(a)(5): Vermin control. Every enclosed workplace shall be so constructed, equipped, and maintained, so far as reasonably practicable, as to prevent the entrance or harborage of rodents, insects, and other vermin. A continuing and effective extermination program shall be instituted where their presence is detected.

9. A ladder is propped in front of a partially open door.
1910.25(d)(2)(iv): Ladders shall not be placed in front of doors opening toward the ladder unless the door is blocked upon, locked, or guarded.

10. Fire extinguisher is on the floor instead of in its designated place.
1910.157(c)(4): The employer shall assure that portable fire extinguishers are maintained in a fully charged and operable condition and kept in their designated places at all times except during use.

11. Table with birthday presents is blocking the emergency exit.
1910.37(a)(3): Exit routes must be free and unobstructed.
12. The jar of paint thinner does not have a label on it and it has been left untended.
1910.1200(f)(5) states that: “Except as provided in paragraphs (f)(6) and (f)(7) of this section, the employer shall ensure that each container of hazardous chemicals in the workplace is labeled, tagged or marked with the following information:” – that information being the identity of the hazardous chemical(s) and any physical and health hazards. 1910.1200(f)(7) then states: “The employer is not required to label portable containers into which hazardous chemicals are transferred from labeled containers, and which are intended only for the immediate use of the employee who performs the transfer.” In this case, the open jar of unlabeled paint thinner has been left untended – it is not being used by an employee.

13. The far EXIT sign is broken and hanging down.
1910.37(b)(2): Each exit must be clearly visible and marked by a sign reading “Exit.”

14. The passageway by the counter has an electric cord hung across it.
1910.22(b)(1) states that “Aisles and passageways shall be kept clear and in good repairs, with no obstruction across or in aisles that could create a hazard.”

15. Wiring is exposed below the hanging plant. Water could drip down from the plant.
1910.305(j)(1)(i): Fixtures, lampholders, lamps, rosettes, and receptacles may have no live parts normally exposed to employee contact. However, rosettes and cleat-type lampholders and receptacles located at least 8 feet above the floor may have exposed parts.
In August 2007, this will change. 1910.305(j)(1)(i): Fixtures, lampholders, lamps, rosettes, and receptacles may have no live parts normally exposed to employee contact. However, rosettes and cleat-type lampholders and receptacles located at least 2.44 m (8.0 ft) above the floor may have exposed terminals.

1910.305(j)(2)(ii): A receptacle installed in a wet or damp location shall be suitable for the location. In August 2007, 1910.305(j)(2)(ii) will become 1910.305(j)(2)(iv).

16. The can of paint thinner should not have been left out on the counter.
1910.106(d)(5)(iii) concerns the storage of flammable and combustible liquids inside the building: Office occupancies. Storage shall be prohibited except that which is required for maintenance and operation of building and operation of equipment. Such storage shall be kept in closed metal containers stored in a storage cabinet or in safety cans or in an inside storage room not having a door that opens into that portion of the building used by the public.

17. Two plugs are plugged into the same extension cord on the front of the counter. The equipment that is plugged in has to be grounded or double-insulated.
1910.304(f)(5)(v): Equipment connected by cord and plug. Under any of the conditions described in paragraphs (f)(5)(v)[A] through (f)(5)(v)[C] of this section, exposed non-current-carrying metal parts of cord – and plug-connected equipment which may become energized shall be grounded.

1910.304(f)(5)(v): Tools likely to be used in wet and conductive locations need not be grounded if supplied through an isolating transformer with an ungrounded secondary of not over 50 volts. Listed or labeled portable tools and appliances protected by an approved system of double insulation, or its equivalent, need not be grounded. If such a system is employed, the equipment shall be distinctively marked to indicate that the tool or appliance utilizes an approved system of double insulation.

August 2007: 1910.304(g)(4)(vii): Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (g)(6)(vi) of this section, the following equipment need not be grounded: (B) Listed or labeled portable tools and appliances if protected by an approved system of double insulation, or its equivalent, and distinctively marked.

Many thanks to MANCOMM for providing this quiz!

The imaginary company depicted in the picture above is doing some redecorating in their reception area. They’re also about to celebrate an employee’s birthday – they’d better hope an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspector doesn’t crash the party. How many OSHA violations can you spot?

The professionals at MANCOMM created this picture through extensive digital retouching. “This fictional scenario depicts a wide variety of workplace hazards,” said Benjamin Mangan, president and founder of MANCOMM. “Management and workers alike need to stay alert to potential dangers at all times.”

Some of the violations shown are fairly obvious, while others will require a strong knowledge of OSHA regulations.
Consider yourself well-versed in OSHA matters if you can spot at least 10 violations – more are listed in the answers. For an extra challenge, see if you can quote the regulation number addressing each violation.

Answers will be posted here next week, so make sure to bookmark this page so you can come back and check your score.

To help companies protect their workers against fall-related accidents and stay compliant with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), safety industry publisher MANCOMM has developed The Complete OSHA Guide to Fall Protection (Product No. 36B-001). Like many MANCOMM reference works, this 140+ page, 8-1/2″ x 11″ volume is enhanced with RegLogic®, a colorful, graphical approach that makes reading and understanding regulations easier than ever.

This comprehensive guide provides pertinent fall-protection OSHA regulations from:
· Part 1910: General Industry
· Part 1915: Shipyard Employment
· Part 1917: Marine Terminals
· Part 1918: Longshoring
· Part 1926: Construction
· OSHA Letters of Interpretation

“This guide will do much to help companies protect their workers from fall related accidents,” says Benjamin Mangan, president and founder of MANCOMM. “When OSHA revealed the 10 most-violated OSHA standards, based on citations issued from October 1, 2004, through August 30, 2005, the third most cited standard was fall protection (with 5,504 violations). America’s workplaces need more fall protection education, and so we’ve created The Complete OSHA Guide to Fall Protection. There’s no other safety book like it.”

Can fall protection training save lives? The following case report from NIOSH, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, shows how a lack of safety awareness can lead to dire consequences.

While working inside a 172-foot-high concrete silo, a 27-year-old cement finisher lost his balance and fell from the scaffolding. His fall protection equipment, a safety lanyard, caught him—but then it snapped and he fell to his death, 160 feet below. When the lanyard was examined, burn damage was discovered at the point where it had snapped. This damage probably occurred during welding or burning operations from a previous job. Apparently, time had not been taken to examine the fall protection equipment.

“People often say ‘knowledge is power,’” Mangan says, “but there’s more to it than that. When it comes to fall protection, ‘knowledge is survival.’”

The guide is now available for $36.95. For more information, call (800) MANCOMM.