Delaware Occupational Safety & Health Consultation

Attend the OSHA Hispanic Safety Summit in Seaford, DE on Sunday, June 10 from 1:30-5:30pm

New study finds that OSHA inspections reduce worker injuries while saving employers money

It's Official: OSHA Doesn't Kill Jobs. It Stops Jobs from Killing Workers
• 9.4% drop in injury claims at workplaces in the four years following an inspection
• 26% average savings on workers' compensation costs compared to similar, non-inspected companies
• $355,000 average savings for an employer (small or large) as a result of an OSHA inspection
• $6 billion estimated savings to employers nationwide

Key findings of the study on OSHA inspections

A landmark new study by business school economists at the University of California and Harvard University confirms that OSHA's inspections not only prevent workers from getting hurt on the job, they also save billions of dollars for employers through reduced workers' compensation costs.

The study, entitled "Randomized Government Safety Inspections Reduce Worker Injuries with No Detectable Job Loss," appeared in the top scientific journal Science and reports that workplace injury claims dropped 9.4% at businesses in the four years following a randomized OSHA inspection, compared with employers who were not inspected. Those same employers also saved an average of 26% on workers' compensation costs, compared to similar companies who were not inspected. This means that the average employer saved $355,000 (in 2011 dollars) as a result of an OSHA inspection. Benefits were observed among both small and large employers. Nationwide, these savings to employers amount to an estimated six billion dollars.
As researchers David Levine, Michael Toffel, and Matthew Johnson explain, "The benefits of a randomized safety inspection appear to be substantial. These results do not support the hypothesis that OSHA regulations and inspections on average have little value in improving health and safety." Furthermore, the researchers found "no evidence that these improvements came at the expense of employment, sales, credit ratings, or firm survival."

Following an interview with study co-author and assistant professor Michael Toffel, Michael Blanding of the Harvard Business School newsletter described the enormity of the findings:

[T]hose who charge that OSHA regulations cost business money have it completely wrong. In fact, the regulations save money. The magnitude of the results surprised even Toffel and Levine, who expected perhaps a small savings if any. But the strength of the findings, they say, should persuade even skeptical antiregulatory critics.

Safety inspections are helping to save lives and are not a direct factor of job loses.

February 15, 2012
Contact: Office of Communications
Phone: 202-693-1999

OSHA extends temporary enforcement measures
in residential construction

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will extend for six months its temporary enforcement measures in residential construction. The temporary enforcement measures, extended through September 15, 2012, include priority free on-site compliance assistance, penalty reductions, extended abatement dates, measures to assure consistency, and increased outreach. Fatalities from falls are the number one cause of workplace death in construction.

Over the past year, OSHA has worked closely with the industry, conducting over 1,000 outreach sessions nationwide to assist employers in complying with the new directive. OSHA will continue to work with employers to ensure a clear understanding of, and to facilitate compliance with, the new policy.

OSHA's Web page also has a wide variety of educational and training materials to assist employers with compliance. Multiple easy-to-read fact sheets, PowerPoint and slide presentations, as well as other educational materials are available on the Fall Protection in Residential Construction page.

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.

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The High Cost of Workplace Injuries
Amount bigger than previously thought.

In 2007, the total estimated cost of fatal and nonfatal injuries at work was $250 billion, according to a study funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

First published in December 2011, the Economic Burden of Occupational Injury and Illness in the United States reports estimates for 2007:
Type of Injury/Illness Total Amount Cost
Fatal Injuries 5,600+ $6 Billion
Nonfatal Injuries 8,559,000 $186 Billion
Fatal Illnesses 53,000+ $46 Billion
Nonfatal Illnesses 427,000 $12 Billion

The direct medical costs of injuries and diseases amounted to $67 billion; indirect costs, about $183 billion. Workers' compensation pays for less than 25 percent of the combined amount.

The Economic Burden of Occupational Injury and Illness in the United States used data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Council on Compensation Insurance, among others.

The makers of the popular Brazilian Blowout line of hair-straightening products - which can cost up to $500 per salon treatment - have agreed to change their labeling to warn consumers that the treatments can release formaldehyde gas, which is considered a carcinogen and can cause irritation of the eyes and skin, according to a report from USA Today.

The move by GIB LLC comes following a lawsuit from the California state attorney general's office. The products are labeled as formaldehyde-free, but last September the FDA warned that Brazilian Blowout contains "dangerously high levels" of the gas. According to a report from WebMD, the FDA found that Brazilian Blowout products contained between 8.7 percent and 10.4 percent formaldehyde. Levels about 0.1 percent required an occupational hazard alert under guidelines from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

At the time, GIB CEO Mike Brady denied that his company's products contained formaldehyde.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/02/06/2627563/brazilian-blowout-hair-treatment.html =cpy

Brazilian Blowout hair treatment ruled carcinogenic - Environment - MiamiHerald.com The makers of the popular Brazilian Blowout line of hair-straightening products - which can cost up to $500 per salon treatment - have agreed to change their labeling to warn consumers that the treatments can release formaldehyde gas, which is considered a carcinogen and can cause irritation of the ...

NEW SAFETY CONSULTANT

A hearty WELCOME to our newest Safety Consultant, P. Francis Harnett.

POST YOUR OSHA 300A Summary

The annual summary of all work-related injuries and illnesses (OSHA Form 300A), must be posted at your place of business from February 1 through April 30. The purpose of the form is to provide all employees the opportunity to review any and all injuries or illnesses that occurred at their place of work during the previous year. The form must be posted in a visible and easily-accessible area. If an employer would like to speak with a Delaware Consultation consultant, free assessments can be arranged by calling (302) 761-8219.

Delaware Consultation is closed Monday, December 26, 2011. Offices reopen on Tuesday, December 27th.

OSHA Safety Consultant Job Opening
Must apply online
See State of Delaware website
Job Annoucement closes 12/22/11 at midnight

Email us to arrange for a free, confidential safety anh health assessment for your business.