The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) issued an August 2nd news release announcing a Regional Emphasis Program that will target the transportation tank cleaning industry in its Region 6. See Directive Number CPL 2 02-00-032.
OSHA’s Region 6 includes the following states:
- Arkansas
- Louisiana
- Texas
- Oklahoma
The Regional Emphasis Program will seek to protect workers from confined space dangers.
OSHA states that Region 6 has investigated, since 2016, 36 fatalities in the transportation and cleaning industry. Concern is expressed about the failure to follow confined space entry requirements to prevent workers from inhaling harmful substances.
The Regional Emphasis Program is stated to be focused on raising awareness among employers engaged in tank cleaning activities in industries such as:
- Trucking
- Rail and road transportation
- Remediation services
- Material recovery and waste services
The Regional Emphasis Program will initially involve outreach activities such as mailings to:
- Employers
- Professional associations
- Local safety councils
- Apprenticeship programs
- Local hospitals
- Occupational health clinics
OSHA professionals will also undertake presentations and upon request provide free, onsite consultation services.
Subsequent to the three-month outreach, OSHA states it will schedule and inspect targeted industries in the Region 6 states.
A copy of the news release, which includes a link to the OSHA Regional Instruction directive, can be downloaded here.
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