OSHA Compliance
You have the right to a safe workplace.
The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 was passed to prevent workers from being killed or seriously harmed at work. The law requires employers to provide their employees with working conditions that are free of known dangers.
The Act created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), which sets and enforces protective workplace safety and health standards. OSHA also provides information, training and assistance to workers and employers.
Below are the compliance plans in place for UTC employees. If you have any questions about any of these plans, call our office at 423-425-5741.
Work Place Safety
- Bloodborne Pathogens Control Program
-
All employers must make immediate confidential medical evaluation and follow-up available for workers who have an incident, such as a needlestick or other exposure to body fluids during the course of their job.
- Confined Space Program
-
A confined space, such as a manhole, crawl space or tank, is not designed for continuous occupancy and may present difficulties if a person needs to exit quickly in an emergency.
In addition, people working in confined spaces face life-threatening hazards including toxic substances, electrocutions, explosions and asphyxiation unless the proper procedures and guidelines are followed.
- Emergency Control Procedure: Lockout - Tag out
-
Lock out/Tag Out procedures are used to ensure that hazardous or dangerous machines are properly shut off and not started up again prior to the completion of maintenance or servicing work.
A "lock" renders the power source inoperative before a repair or maintenance begins, and a "tag" is placed on the device so it cannot be accidentally turned on during the repair or maintenance.
- Hazard Communication Program: Employee Right-to-Know
-
Employees who work with chemicals or other hazardous substances have a "Right to Know" exactly what substances are present in their work environment, how to protect themselves from exposure to these substances and the risks involved in working with these chemicals.
- Chemical Hygiene Plan
-
This plan gives general precautions for handling all laboratory chemicals, including how to minimize exposure.
- Personal Protective Equipment
-
Personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as "PPE," is equipment worn to minimize exposure to serious workplace injuries and illnesses.
These injuries and illnesses may result from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical or other workplace hazards.
Personal protective equipment may include:
- Gloves
- Safety glasses and shoes
- Earplugs and muffs
- Hard hats
- Respirators
- Coveralls, vests or full body suits
-
Hot Work
-
Hot work is any work that involves burning, welding, using fire- or spark-producing tools or that produces a source of ignition.
-
Respiratory Protection
-
Respirators protect workers against insufficient oxygen environments, harmful dusts, fogs, smokes, mists, gases, vapors and sprays.
These hazards may cause illness or disease. To prevent these issues, respiratory protection must be used effectively and must be fitted properly.