WISHA Update

Stephen M. Cant, CIH

Division of Occupational Safety & Health

WA Department of Labor & Industries

October 8, 2009

Hidden Hazards Bite

DOSH MissionDOSH Mission

Safer Washington Workplaces

VisionVisionSafest workplaces in the nation

3

Stakeholder Advice Is Critical

• WISHA Advisory Committee

• Quarterly business and labor meetings

• Electrical Utility Safety Advisory Committee (EUSAC)

• Business and labor ad-hoc committees

• Public hearings and informational meetings

Workers’ Compensation Data – SFY 2008

171,000 employers

2.6 million employees

3.4 billion hours worked

7.5 million paid lost workdays

Example Average State Fund Claim Costs

Hearing loss claim - $6,773

Average back injury - $9,106

Hand amputation - $32,976

Foot amputation - $29,025

Average medical aid only claim - $949

Average cost of paid lost work day - $56.64 daily - Average claim - $16,074

State Fiscal Year 2008

What We Do For You

Provide technical assistance and consultation

Help on ergonomics and risk management

Effective enforcement

Adjust service delivery to meet local and regional needs

Emphasize professional, accurate and timely services

How We Do Business

Provide technical assistance and consultation

Enforcement

Ergonomics and risk management

Meet local and regional needs

Professional, accurate and timely services

Program Highlights

Increase culture of safety throughout state

Complete implementation of crane safety legislation

Safety and health grants – SHIP

Pragmatic and clearly written rules and policies

Targeting for enforcement and consultation using injured worker data and high hazard industry issues

Highlights - continued

Ensure training and education of health & safety staff

Improve coordination and increase communication between Regions

Meet all Federal OSHA requirements

Increase Hispanic outreach and assistance

Increase emphasis on young workers

Rulemaking Process• Identify issue or problem and begin research & development

• Develop public participation and rule drafting strategy

• Economic analysis as needed

• File Notice of Intent or Pre-proposal

• Stakeholder review of proposed rule and economic impact assessment

• File Proposal

• Public Hearing(s)

• Adopt final rule

Current Significant Rulemaking

• Construction fall protection

• Fire fighting

• Telecommunications

• Construction crane safety standards

• Compressed atmospheres

Hospitalizations from July 2007 - December 2008

Note: There were approximately 977 hospitalizations in this time period.

All other accident types not listed were under 1% of all hospitalizations.

Jan – Sept 2009 = 36 fatalities

Consultation Visits Completed October 2008 - August 2009

Other Consultation Activities October 2008 – August 2009

Compliance Inspections Conducted October 2008 – August 2009

(543)

Average Penalty Amount Initially Assessed SFY 2008

FTA = Failure to Abate

1st time General violations have no monetary penalty

Compliance Inspection Penalties Initially AssessedSFY 2008

FTA = Failure to Abate

45 foot fall – 2009 Bellingham

Outdoor Heat Inspections by Industry 5/1/09 to 9/18/09

Outdoor Heat Exposure Violations 5/1/09 to 9/18/09

Noise / Hearing Loss Prevention Violations

WAC Cited # of Violations Assessed Penalties

Noise monitoring 195 $31,200

Noise control 29 $17,975

Hearing protection 50 $35,150

Training 150 $48,510

Posting warnings signs 14 none

Audiometric testing 17 $2,950

Hearing loss prevention 151 $66,415

Documentation 7 none

Total: 613 $202,200

SFY 2006-08

Hexavalent Chromium Violations

WAC Cited # of Violations Penalties Assessed

PEL 1 $2,250

Exposure determination 17 $10,100

Regulated area 4 $1,300

Respiratory protection 1 None

PPE –clothing/other 8 $8,100

Hygiene area/practices 2 $600

Housekeeping 2 $2,100

Medical surveillance 4 $1,300

Hazard communication 9 $9,600

Total: 48 $35,350

SFY 2006-08