OSHA Safety Labels, Is That All

I'm always surprised when I read the OSHA press releases about the fines they've proposed. You'd think that company's had never heard about safety, or just didn't care about safety. And maybe that's the case. They have their eye on the dollar and don't really care about what happens.

The next step up seems to be those who do care and do comply with OSHA codes and regulations. That's great and it produces a safer workplace. But is complying with OSHA everything that can b e done to have a safe workplace? Is it everything you should you, or should you do more?

I take the position that in addition to meeting OSHA requirements for safety labels, I should evaluate my facility to see whether there are other labels and signs that I need. Sure it makes good economic sense, but it also makes sense personally for you and your employees. Yes, a potential hazard has been marked by a label, but why not use a sign to remind employees about the hazard well before they reach it? That way they'll be sure to have the needed PPE and tools.

But don't go too far. There is also the potential for information overload. Providing too much information, in particular if it is not immediately useful, can result in all labels and signs being ignored. Then instead of a safe workplace, accidents will start to increase.

The bottom line... use common sense when installing safety labels and signs. Meet OSHA requirements, but examine your facility to be sure it is truly a safe workplace.

OSHA And Arc Flash Labels

When OSHA was asked about using arc flash labels to be in compliance with NFPA 70E-2004, here is what they said:

Question: "When work must be performed on energized electric equipment that is capable of exposing employees to arc-flash hazards, does OSHA require the marking of the electric equipment to warn qualified persons of potential electric arc-flash hazards — i.e., as required by NFPA 70E-2004?

OSHA's Reply: OSHA has no specific requirement for such marking. A requirement to mark equipment with flash hazard warnings was not included in the 1981 Subpart S revision. However, paragraph (e) of §1910.303 requires employers to mark electrical equipment with descriptive markings, including the equipment's voltage, current, wattage, or other ratings as necessary. OSHA believes that this information, along with the training requirements for qualified persons, will provide employees the necessary information to protect themselves from arc-flash hazards.

Additionally, in §1910.335(b), OSHA requires employers to use alerting techniques (safety signs and tags, barricades, and attendants) . . . to warn and protect employees from hazards which could cause injury due to electric shock, burns or failure of electric equipment parts. Although these Subpart S electrical provisions do not specifically require that electric equipment be marked to warn qualified persons of arc-flash hazards, §1910.335(b)(1) requires the use of safety signs, safety symbols, or accident prevention tags to warn employees about electrical hazards (e.g., electric-arc-flash hazards) which may endanger them as required by §1910.145.

==============================

While they do not specifically require arc flash labels, they do require arc flash label and signs. NFPA 70E and the NEC, which OSHA would most likely use to determine if there is proper labeling, requires that the following be labeled, using labels that are large enough to be read outside the hazard boundary:

• Fuse Panels
• MCC (Motor Control centers)
• MCC Buckets
• Breaker Boxes and Switches
• Meter Sockets
• Hard Wired Disconnects
• Machine control Disconnects
• Electrical Panels That Might Be Serviced In An Energized Condition

4" x 6" labels are typically large enough to be seen from outside the hazard area. Information about arc flash labeling is available from the Arc Flash Information Resource Center.

Selecting The Right PPE

Having a staff that is familiar with PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) requirements in general will improve safety. They will be able to immediately recognize the need for PPE even if labels and warning signs are not in place. They will also know the appropriate level of PPE required and be able to judge whether the appropriate PPE is being used.

The Safe Workplace web site offers a free guide to PPE Requirements. It is a quick reference chart that provides an overview of PPE requirements for the 12 major hazard categories. It provides an easy reference that can help your staff to quickly become familiar with PPE requirements. The guide is available laminated, making it ideal for use as a wall chart or reference.