OSHA–Colorado’s “Emphasis Program” generating fines and penalties within the automotive industry
PART ONE: The Scope of the Occupational Health and Safety Administrations’ (OSHA) emphasis Program and historical top citation areas
WHAT ARE THE KEY FACTS OF THE OSHA AUTOMOTIVE EMPHASIS PROGRAM
- It was a 2013 to 2014 Program which was renewed for 2014 to 2015 in October 2014
- The 2013 to 2014 inspected 137 facilities generating 105 citations
- The Emphasis program describes the 105 citations as driving the decision to renew the program “This demonstrate the existence of numerous safety and health hazards in this industry. . .”
- It includes automotive dealerships, general automotive repair shops, automotive transmission shops, quick lube and preventative maintenance shops, autobody repair and paint shops and tire dealers
- The Emphasis program describes lifts ” . . . violations are related to serious hazards with automotive lifts including lack of maintenance, lack of adequate employee training and improper operation. . .”
- The Emphasis program describes their depiction of the industry “. . . In addition, serious health hazards have also been observed in many of these inspections with regard to lack of hazard communication programs, exposure to cleaning acids and lack of adequate respiratory protection programs. . .”
2014 TOP OSHA AREAS GENERATING CITATIONS IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
- Hazard Communication/ Chemical Labeling
- Electrical Safety
- Respirators
- Fire Extinguishers
- Fork Lifts
- Grinders
Over the Next few weeks AutoRisk will provide information on the following areas:
- Part Two: How you can quickly identify areas in your business subject to immediate citations
- Part Three: Simple steps you can take to prioritize and address and eliminate common non-compliant standards
- Part Four: Resources you can access for a Do-It-Yourself Plan as well as outside resources
- Part Five: How to use the Vendors you already have to provide safety and training for little, if any, cost
- Part Six: How to use Safety & Compliance Programs to negotiate the best prices from your vendors and suppliers
YOUR TAKEAWAY — Develop an internal PLAN at your business for addressing SURPRISE inspections from REGULATORY AGENCIES because from the Fire Department to OSHA they show up — and in 2015 OSHA IS AHEAD for automotive businesses in Colorado!
